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B.S. in Database, Networking, or Programming

M

maddmaxx

Senior member
I am going to go back to school so I can have a better chance at getting a descent job. I'm not sure which area of IT I would like to get a degree in. The college I'm looking into offers a B.S. in Database, Networking, Programming, and Web developement, but I'm not sure which area would offer the best chance at finding a job. I feel I would enjoy doing all the areas, and would do well in any of them.

What do you think???

peace
 
I've never heard of a 4-year program on databases, networking and programming. Those are technical vocations, handled by certifcations, not degree programs, at least not at any school I've ever heard of.
 
Originally posted by: maddmaxx
It's a B.S, not a B.A. I edited my original message...thanks for pointing that out!
Click to expand...

Whether its a BA or BS any school that would give an undergrad degree in such a specific field of computer science is worthless IMO.
 
Originally posted by: notfredA B.A. in a technical field is worthless, IMO.
Click to expand...
Eh, a BA is ok if it's a real field like CS, but none of these would be real fields, as far as BA/BS goes.
 
Like everyone says, I can't imagine any school in with a decent CS /CE/ CSE program offering a BS in anything so narrow. Sounds like an inflated 2-year degree or certificate program from a community college or overpriced trade school.

As someone who's been involved with hiring developers at my last 2 jobs, I should warn you that I wouldn't take a "BS Programming" degree very seriously.
 
It's through Kaplan College .
So are you guys suggesting that I may not want to go that route? It's quite expensive even with grants and such, so I would rather not spend the money if it's not going to get me anywhere.
I'm just a working father trying to get on a road to a more stable financial situation 🙂


Thanks for all the input!

peace
 
As someone who's been involved with hiring developers at my last 2 jobs, I should warn you that I wouldn't take a "BS Programming" degree very seriously.
Click to expand...

What would you recommend for training/degree? B.S. in Computer Science?

Any online colleges you recommend, or should that not be done online?

peace
 
Originally posted by: maddmaxx
It's through Kaplan College .
So are you guys suggesting that I may not want to go that route? It's quite expensive even with grants and such, so I would rather not spend the money if it's not going to get me anywhere.
I'm just a working father trying to get on a road to a more stable financial situation 🙂


Thanks for all the input!

peace
Click to expand...

if you want to get a degree get a B.S. in COmputer Science, no information science, no MIS , ISS, IT, blah blah

just a B.S. Computer Science, most employers look for it specifically.

good luck with your pursuits, its great that you have the drive to go get a degree after putting school behind you for a long time.
 
For programming, do you have a local community college or evening college that offers a programming certificate program or AS degree? Probably a lot cheaper and just as impressive to an employer (as the Kaplan degree, not a real BS CS). Same with database and networking. By the time you're done maybe there will be entry-level jobs available again.

Programming requires the most work and would be hardest to find the first entry level job, but the pay would probably be a bit higher. With any of them, doing well is a matter of doing more than the minimum, and realizing you'll need to be responsible for ongoing self-training for as long as you're working in the field.

Web design is probably the easiest and lowest-paying of the bunch, also the most glutted field.

Online BS CS? I don't know, but I can say to stay away from ITT Tech. I don't know enough about DeVry, Kaplan, or U Pheonix to know if they're any good, though Kaplan's BS degrees look weak. Some googling might get you better answers.
 
Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
For programming, do you have a local community college or evening college that offers a programming certificate program or AS degree? Probably a lot cheaper and just as impressive to an employer (as the Kaplan degree, not a real BS CS). Same with database and networking. By the time you're done maybe there will be entry-level jobs available again.

Programming requires the most work and would be hardest to find the first entry level job, but the pay would probably be a bit higher. With any of them, doing well is a matter of doing more than the minimum, and realizing you'll need to be responsible for ongoing self-training for as long as you're working in the field.

Web design is probably the easiest and lowest-paying of the bunch, also the most glutted field.
Click to expand...

I don't believe there is a statement more accurately descriptive of this industry. This is, imo, something you need to seriously consider being investing your valuable time and money.

Good luck with whatever you choose!
 
Actually a lot of schools offer degrees in narrow fields. Optical engineering, Communications Engineering, etc. are all narrow fields of EE that some reputable schools offer undergrad degrees in. You can even think of CompE as a narrow field of EE. But I've never heard of a BS in what the original poster listed.
 
There are no B.S. or B.A. degrees in "Databases". For programming, you would want a B.S. in Computer Science. For networking, you would want a B.S. in Computer Engineering or possibly Computer Science.

In both cases though (especially networking), the degrees would cover a MUCH larger area than the specific area you are interested in. Be prepared for more math than you can shake a stick at.

You can get a certifiation from Oracle for database administration and one (several actually) from Cisco on network administration.

Dave
 
OK... thanks for all the input!

Here's another question that's plaguing my mind, will comp sci or comp engineering open up more doors?
And which if either would be a good background to become a system analyst?

Thanks again!

peace
 
You really need to sit down, and read up on Comp. Sci and CE. It's not about which one will "open more doors," you need to see what they're about, and decide which one better suits you. They're drastically different fields.
 
Originally posted by: Apathetic
There are no B.S. or B.A. degrees in "Databases". For programming, you would want a B.S. in Computer Science. For networking, you would want a B.S. in Computer Engineering or possibly Computer Science.

Actually, have you ever heard of Purdue University?? we have one of the top 5 database and networking programs. Also, MIT has a something that is a mixture of that.

In both cases though (especially networking), the degrees would cover a MUCH larger area than the specific area you are interested in. Be prepared for more math than you can shake a stick at.

Not really, i am in computer technology with a focus on network security and i get REAL in depth. The same with the database program. I am taking some of those classes on the side.

You can get a certifiation from Oracle for database administration and one (several actually) from Cisco on network administration.

Dave
Click to expand...


Overall, learn what you people are talking about before you go against a big 10 school. We are some of the best in the nation and have all this stuff.
 
ack bad earlier post.

Originally posted by: Apathetic
There are no B.S. or B.A. degrees in "Databases". For programming, you would want a B.S. in Computer Science. For networking, you would want a B.S. in Computer Engineering or possibly Computer Science.
Click to expand...

Actually, have you ever heard of Purdue University?? we have one of the top 5 database and networking programs. Also, MIT has a something that is a mixture of that.

In both cases though (especially networking), the degrees would cover a MUCH larger area than the specific area you are interested in. Be prepared for more math than you can shake a stick at.
Click to expand...

Not really, i am in computer technology with a focus on network security and i get REAL in depth. The same with the database program. I am taking some of those classes on the side.

You can get a certifiation from Oracle for database administration and one (several actually) from Cisco on network administration.

Dave
Click to expand...


Overall, learn what you people are talking about before you go against a big 10 school. We are some of the best in the nation and have all this stuff.[/quote]
 
Originally posted by: maddmaxx
OK... thanks for all the input!

Here's another question that's plaguing my mind, will comp sci or comp engineering open up more doors?
And which if either would be a good background to become a system analyst?

Thanks again!

peace
Click to expand...

Computer Science deals mostly with software, Computer Engineering with the hardware.

Most of the time, a system's analyst is designing a software system so computer science would be a better fit. However, computer engineers write software too (usually low level stuff in assembly or sometimes C).

Take a look at both and pick the field you will enjoy most. I work with several programmers who have degrees in computer enginnering instead of computer science.

Dave
 
In the computer industry, it doesn't matter what school you go to, you need experience... and certs.
 
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