Just got my packet from DeVry: How useful would their IT bachelor's degree be worth?

[Viper GTS]

I thought I was interested in their CIS program, at $45,000, but honestly their $25,000 IT degree looks a lot closer to what I want. It's only three terms, or 48 credits, but I can pick & choose from the following courses:

IT Core (Minimum 32 credit hours required)
IT-310 Programming Concepts (4)
IT-320 Computer Architecture & Operating Systems (4)
IT-330 Networking Essentials (4)
IT-340 Intermediate Programming Concepts (4)
IT-350 Structured Systems Analysis & Design (4)
IT-360 Database Management Systems (4)
IT-370 Advanced Database Management (4)
IT-380 Web Application Design (4)

Concentration (Minimum 16 credit hours required)

Network Administration Concentration
IT-405 Network Operating Systems (4)
IT-410 Internet/Intranet Administration (4)
IT-415 Advanced Networks & Internetworking (4)
IT-420 Network Controls & Security (4)

Mainframe Computing Concentration
IT-425 Introduction to COBOL Programming (4)
IT-430 Mainframe Operating Systems - JCL (4)
IT-435 Advanced COBOL Programming (4)
IT-440 Introduction to CICS & DB2 (4)

Client/Server Concentration
IT-445 Object-Oriented Programming (4)
IT-450 Introduction to Client/Server (4)
IT-455 Object-Oriented Analysis and Design (4)
IT-460 Advanced Client/Server (4)

Web Application Development Concentration
IT-410 Internet/Intranet Administration (4)
IT-465 Web Application Programming (4)
IT-470 Graphic & Multimedia Design (4)
IT-475 Internet Security (4)

Obviously the entire core group would have to be taken, but then I'd take the Network Administration & Web Application Development concentrations. Probably could do it in a year or so, & all the classes are available online. Or if I wanted to be on campus I could wait until July & move to Seattle when that campus opens.

After the degree was completed, I'd get my MCSE & CCNA. Then find a good job, & let them pay for my CCNP.

Sound like a decent idea, or am I smoking crack again?

Viper GTS

 

[dl]

I went for the whole shabang! worked out pretty well...

if you just go IT, you'll come out a technician/programmer/peon...if ya go CIS=>then go to AIU to get your masters in 1 year... you'll be management material...think it over REAL hard..

 

[Viper GTS]

The CIS program doesn't look very interesting to me at all. The IT degree is just to use as the foundation for the Microsoft & Cisco certifications that I want. Right now my biggest interest is getting all the way to CCIE, & I figure this is a way to get there.

Besides, if I decide later I want to go ahead & get the CIS degree, I can.

Viper GTS

 

[dl]

if getting certs is your goal...why not just concentrate on those? I know UGA offers MCSE cert for lke $6000..you can find another college or university in your area that offer similar classes and take those...forget the IT degree from DeVry, it'll be a waste of time...since all you want is certs, concentrate on certs...

 

[vi edit]

If you want certs, drop $50 bucks on a book and pick it up in your spare time.

If you want to go with college/schooling - go with a real college. The "other" classes you take besides your real major classes will prove far more useful in everyday life.

IMHO - my philosphy, psychology, and sociology classes proved more useful than a COBOL or C++ programming class.

But then again, that's just me

 

[kranky]

Apologies if you've already been to these sites, but just in case...
Unhappy student's site about DeVry
Another unhappy student's site
Another one

From looking at DeVry's site, the IT courses are not yet available online. You might end up being one of the beta testers while paying full freight.

My fear is a bachelor's degree that is granted after only 48 credit hours would not be viewed as equal to one that requires 120 credit hours like a traditional 4-year program would. It's probably as good as any other tech/trade school degree. I'd want to know if the credits are transferable if you decide to take additional college classes in the future, and the placement statistics (with salaries and the companies the people are working for) - and I'd want that information from the institution itself, not from a recruiter that may be on commission.

I doubt that the classes will prepare you for a MCSE or CCNA. You'd probably end up studying for those just as much as you would if you worked on them now.

 

[Soybomb]

I'm with the others Viper, you seem like a sharp guy, why not get a bachelors in comp sci, or comp engineering?

 

[The Wildcard]

Yes, the whold idea of a COLLEGE DEGREE in CS or Engineering, or even MIS is not also technical knowledge, but also knowledge that comes with going to a university. Classes such as philosophy, psychology, might seem like a waste of time and some GE or general education requirements are, but you'll find that there's alot of knowledge about the world that you didn;t even know of.

For example, classes such as public speaking really helped me with my public speaking skills which are rather important i think for any job. I also found nutrition to be boring, BUT however, it feels good to actually know what i am eating and what kinds of foods will kill me, lol.

And there's a whole wealth of different classes you can take in college, ranging from sports history, to even a class on the effects of mass communication.

 

[403Forbidden]

uh just forget about DeVry ok


Even going to a comminity college will get you farther than a DeVry degree.

A BS degree from DeVry is not even equal to the a BA degree from the lowest
down and out university.

By the way, "real schools", both public and private, are non-profit ventures.
Their number one concern is producing well rounded knowledgable graduates. Having successful graduates in turn promotes the school and raises its prestige." (yes I know tuition keeps going up...but it is not because they are trying to maximize "profits&quot.

DeVry, ITT Tech, and all those other schools that advertise on TV are for-profit schools. That means, their number one concern is turning a profit...making money.
Sometimes their number one concern is in unison with producing good graduates. But let's say a major downturn in the tech field happens within the next two years. Do you think they will have much concern for you? Hell no, their number one concern is making a profit. If they don't make a profit, you are SOL.

 

[Passions]

word :disgust:

 

[Valkore]

If you have the dough, definitely go to a real college. It's worth your time and money. Since being in college I have learned a lot about life, made a ton of friends, and matured considerably (mentally). It really is amazing.. I'm a hardcore computer fan, and that's all I did throughout high school. Since I've been in college, I've done so many more things and had so much fun. It's even secured me a very decent job. So.. Go for it.

 

[403Forbidden]

the surprising thing is, it is often way cheaper to go to a real university than
DeVry or those other for-profit schools

DeVery tries to lure people to their school by promising them that they will graduate way faster.
Well guess what? That means those people aren't learning at a decent rate...they are just beating
information into the students without real learning and experience. And employers know that.

 

[Soybomb]

Wow I'm surprised to read of all these higher learning experiences you guys had in college. I'm only about a year and a half into it, but I think its utter crap. To me its nothing but another set of hoops to jump though (what employers want to see you can do). I'm really guessing that calc2 and linear equations aren't going to be a profound influence on my life. High school provided me with the basics I dont want to have to listen to it all again in college......but I'm still doing it all just because its a nice safety net with all the cert people coming into the market.

 

[vi edit]

A liberal Arts degree will get you much farther in life than a handful of certificates and no degree.

A liberal arts degree proves to an employer that you are a rounded individual and can comprehend tasks involving knowledge outside your area of expertise.

It's not what you have learned - it's the fact that you can.

 

I spent a "trimester" there after high school. They suck really bad. Go to a real college, or at least a 2 year college.

 

[vi edit]

Some of you may not know, but Viper GTS already has an associates degree from a community college.

My advice is still to follow up with a 4 year degree.

 

[dl]

1.) You need to think about what kind of career you want and how you want to get there. This process is different for everybody so make sure you know what you're getting into...

2.) Learning depends more on the individual than the environment...

3.) If you want the traditional college/university and "parties"...then you might want to consider those schools.

4.) How old are ya anyways? 18? 19? what do you want, a head start in the IT field or to have fun? Do you want to learn about concepts or actually put in some quatlity lab time? Do you have a strong financial background or are you working your way through school? Do you want to learn about software or hardware or systems? Do you want to have paper certs so you can put that on your resume? Do you want to spend the next year studying about IT concepts? Do you want to spend next 3 years studying about IT concepts, applying them to real world applications, and working with a company of your choice for 1 semester applying what you've learned? Do you want to spend the next 4 years studying about computer concepts, going to parties and paying for classes that you know you'll never use in real life? All these factors should be considered before you can decide what you want to do.

5.) Otho DeVry's sole purpose is to make money...they practice the strictest testing for graduates...how many colleges make you take exit exams to make sure you're qualified? You see, otho part of DeVry is a financial institute...like all money making companies, they want their name to be associated with the best. All companies that hire DeVry graduates know that these workers spent the last 3 years working their butt off to get their degree...no parties, no social life, just work(see bold statement above)!

6.) Devry's Computer Information Systems Program is an execellent program if you want to be in the computer industry. After you take these classes I promise you will have a solid understanding of how any company's information systems interact with each other. You don't want to be a tech or a ocnsultant for the rest of your life do you? If so, then forget about CIS. However, if you want know how Accounting, Legal, Marketing, Logistics, Management, shipping...etc...work with IT so that one day you are given the opportunity to oversee these operations...then you might want to go with the CIS route. Better yet, if one day you decide working for da man sucks and you want to open your own business...you'd better know how these departments interact with IT. No, DeVry's CIS won't give you the world...but if you couple BS in CIS with a Masters degree...you'll go far...trust me

ok, ok, #6 is my plan...but you see where I'm getting with this don't you?

You're still young...so My advice is to have fun...but not too much fun because it'll take you a little longer to get back into the swing of things...

My plan may not be for you...but this much is for sure: take all the information that you've read today and make a mental note, that's it. Do your own research, then plan it out by yourself or with your family. Make your decision. If after a year you find that you've made the wrong decision..fix it. Don't complain, just fix it. You see, we all make mistakes in our lives...just don't let it bring you down. If you realize that you've made the right decision..GREAT! Keep reaching for that goal...don't let anyone stop ya!

GL mang!

 

[Viper GTS]

OK, some background information...

First off, I'm 18. Like vi mentioned, I already have one college degree. An AS from Portland Community College. That and half of an engineering transfer. ~170 credits in all. I've already had all the speech, writing, history, chemistry, physics, calculus, geology, biology, etc. that I want. I've already had the chance to mature, I spent three years in college. I've now been out of school for two years (working full time since I was 16), & I want something that will get me quickly into a better job. I'm tired of making $25K a year. I'm looking at getting married in ~2.5 years, & when that happens I'd really rather be making $50 or $60K than $25K.

Financially, I'm not in good shape. I don't have $25,000, & my parents don't have $25,000. I am, however, willing to go into debt to get the schooling I want.

As far as self-study books go, I have a CCNA book. It's quite a ways above my head. I'm not planning on relying on a degree from DeVry to get me a good job, I only want it to 1) provide a foundation for MCSE/CCNA, & 2) look good on a resume.

As for the CIS program, I think I'd hate it. I quit the engineering transfer program because I hated it. I hated circuits, statics, & I hated differential equations with a passion. Looking at the CIS program, I get the same reaction. Why the FVCK do I want to program in COBOL? I don't. I'm well aware that there's plenty of money to be made with a CIS degree. But there's also plenty of money to be made with as a CCNP.

I guess what it really comes down to is these are quick ways into something that I think I'd enjoy. And the extra income provided would greatly increase my options as to where I want to go from there.

Viper GTS

 

[dl]

well...as I stated in my original response...go for the certs then...

in your situation, you already have the helpdesk backgroup...which is definately a start. Getting those certs ASAP will help because employers don't look for paper certs...they look for experienced certs...get what I'm saying. The sooner you have the certs, the sooner you get to have work experience with certs...which equal more money...which equal more options...

forget about that IT program..

do you have A+? if not...start with that first...

btw...CCNA = some structured language skills...do you have any?

think it over