BS in Computer Science

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - BS in Computer Science

Posted: 6/21/2011 8:12:21 AM EDT

I'm bored and thinking about going back to school while I'm still in the military and it's free. (I'm saving my GI Bill for my retirement)

I'm also in a unit that's always on the move so online it is.

I'm currently looking at a few random things. The program that interests me the most is Computer Science from Hawaii Pacific University.

http://www.hpu.edu/academic_catalog/degree_requirements/undergraduate/NCS/BSCS.html

My background is communications so I know that when I retire in 10 years that I will already have most if not all of the needed certs to get a good job. I don't really care what I do after I get out, as long as it involves computers in some way.
My question is though, would a degree like this actually help?

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

Posted: 6/21/2011 8:17:17 AM EDT

[#1]

If you plan on being a programmer, then yes, it will definitely help. If you want to do more on the hardware/network/IT type stuff, don't waste your time in comp sci, take classes geared more towards an IT job.

ETA: I have a BS in Computer Science.

Posted: 6/21/2011 8:31:46 AM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
If you plan on being a programmer, then yes, it will definitely help. If you want to do more on the hardware/network/IT type stuff, don't waste your time in comp sci, take classes geared more towards an IT job.

ETA: I have a BS in Computer Science.

I'm not sure why you would say that, given the fact that CS is not really a programming degree, it's a degree in advanced math and using computers to do algorithm design and evaluation.

A CS degree trains you to think properly, not code blindly. A CS degree will help you as much as any other degree –– a CIS degree (usually a business degree with some networking classes) is usually seen as the refuge of those who couldn't cut it in a CS degree.

If you want to work in communications, get a CS degree and do your electives in networking or whatever –– there are usually various types of electives that will help you in whatever you plan to do.

If you want to be an IT manager, get a CIS degree.

Posted: 6/21/2011 8:41:09 AM EDT

[#3]

I know quite a few CS BS folks. They're working at Wal Mart and Starbucks...waiting for someone in IT to give them a job.

Without experience in the field, the degree isn't going to do squat for ya.

Posted: 6/21/2011 9:25:47 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
I know quite a few CS BS folks. They're working at Wal Mart and Starbucks...waiting for someone in IT to give them a job.

Without experience in the field, the degree isn't going to do squat for ya.

He's going to have 20 years of Communications experience. That won't be a problem, and the degree will help to break him out from the other applicants for jobs in his field.

Posted: 6/21/2011 9:32:18 AM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I know quite a few CS BS folks. They're working at Wal Mart and Starbucks...waiting for someone in IT to give them a job.

Without experience in the field, the degree isn't going to do squat for ya.

He's going to have 20 years of Communications experience. That won't be a problem, and the degree will help to break him out from the other applicants for jobs in his field.

didn't catch that on the first reading. with that in mind, definitly worthwhile.

Posted: 6/21/2011 10:05:21 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I know quite a few CS BS folks. They're working at Wal Mart and Starbucks...waiting for someone in IT to give them a job.

Without experience in the field, the degree isn't going to do squat for ya.

He's going to have 20 years of Communications experience. That won't be a problem, and the degree will help to break him out from the other applicants for jobs in his field.

didn't catch that on the first reading. with that in mind, definitly worthwhile.

I currently have Net+ and will be going to Sec+ in the next couple months because it's in my MOS roadmap. As I'm progressing through the ranks I'm moving over as a circuit switching guy to more of a data guy.

I will definitely focus most of my electives towards networking.

Josh, since you're currently active duty, I'm guessing that you're using TA. Do you know of any other schools I could look at that offer these programs? Online is my biggest downfall right now, but it's the only way for the next 3 years at least.

Thanks to everyone for the help.

Posted: 6/21/2011 10:13:52 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
I currently have Net+ and will be going to Sec+ in the next couple months .

I too had net+ and sec+ while on AD. While they are nice to have, the MS certs are where the money is.

Posted: 6/21/2011 11:53:11 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I know quite a few CS BS folks. They're working at Wal Mart and Starbucks...waiting for someone in IT to give them a job.

Without experience in the field, the degree isn't going to do squat for ya.

He's going to have 20 years of Communications experience. That won't be a problem, and the degree will help to break him out from the other applicants for jobs in his field.

didn't catch that on the first reading. with that in mind, definitly worthwhile.

I currently have Net+ and will be going to Sec+ in the next couple months because it's in my MOS roadmap. As I'm progressing through the ranks I'm moving over as a circuit switching guy to more of a data guy.

I will definitely focus most of my electives towards networking.

Josh, since you're currently active duty, I'm guessing that you're using TA. Do you know of any other schools I could look at that offer these programs? Online is my biggest downfall right now, but it's the only way for the next 3 years at least.

Thanks to everyone for the help.

Regis is where I'm finishing mine up in a couple of weeks. 8 week semesters, decent level of teaching, mostly good professors.

Yes, I'm using TA, as much as I can. At the moment I'm using GI Bill, as I used up all my TA for the year, and I want to be done before I transfer.

Posted: 6/21/2011 12:26:51 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
Regis is where I'm finishing mine up in a couple of weeks. 8 week semesters, decent level of teaching, mostly good professors.

Yes, I'm using TA, as much as I can. At the moment I'm using GI Bill, as I used up all my TA for the year, and I want to be done before I transfer.

I looked Regis up and I'm quite impressed. It ranked well on USNews.com. Plus the student reviews on the web are a lot more favorable than HPU. I'll definitely look into this.

With the Navy you guys get $4,000 a year right? We get $4500 with a $250 per credit hour max. How much extra are you paying to go full time? If you don't mind saying, or IMing.

Plus they offer Computer Networking, Computer Science, and Computer Information Systems. I still like the idea of computer science but will need to research each degree and think hard about my future.

Thanks.

Posted: 6/21/2011 12:28:43 PM EDT

[#10]

Absolutely! There are a metric fuckload of jobs available for those with bachelors in CS. You have lots of experience and certs to get yourself in the door on other fronts, so with that degree the world would open up to you.

Posted: 6/21/2011 12:38:44 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Regis is where I'm finishing mine up in a couple of weeks. 8 week semesters, decent level of teaching, mostly good professors.

Yes, I'm using TA, as much as I can. At the moment I'm using GI Bill, as I used up all my TA for the year, and I want to be done before I transfer.

I looked Regis up and I'm quite impressed. It ranked well on USNews.com. Plus the student reviews on the web are a lot more favorable than HPU. I'll definitely look into this.

With the Navy you guys get $4,000 a year right? We get $4500 with a $250 per credit hour max. How much extra are you paying to go full time? If you don't mind saying, or IMing.

Plus they offer Computer Networking, Computer Science, and Computer Information Systems. I still like the idea of computer science but will need to research each degree and think hard about my future.

Thanks.

They're in some NSA program for their CIS degrees as well, and they offer several MS degrees also. I'm debating doing my MS through them, but haven't made up my mind yet, as they don't have a straight MSCS. I might do the Colorado State MCS instead.

We get 4500, 250 credt hour max, but we're also limited to 16 hours/year regardless of cost (so it's 4000 if the school charges the 250/cr/h max, which Regis does). So I went full time (3 classes/8wk semester) for the first part of the year, and now I'm taking my last two classes, which was around 1500 bucks, IIRC.

The biggest thing to look for when looking at a college is regional accreditation. If it has it, your classes will transfer at least somewhat. If it doesn't, you're screwed, your classes won't transfer anywhere.

Posted: 6/21/2011 1:26:14 PM EDT

[#12]

Be careful with CS... it's much easier to outsource a coding job to India/China than it is to outsource the guy in the server room configuring routers and cabling network equipment.

Posted: 6/21/2011 1:34:57 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
Be careful with CS... it's much easier to outsource a coding job to India/China than it is to outsource the guy in the server room configuring routers and cabling network equipment.

Not in his field. Can't outsource DOD jobs.

Posted: 6/21/2011 2:13:13 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Be careful with CS... it's much easier to outsource a coding job to India/China than it is to outsource the guy in the server room configuring routers and cabling network equipment.

Not in his field. Can't outsource DOD jobs.

"outsource" maybe not. But there were plenty of foreign national contractors with clearances when I was deployed.

Posted: 6/21/2011 3:28:14 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Be careful with CS... it's much easier to outsource a coding job to India/China than it is to outsource the guy in the server room configuring routers and cabling network equipment.

Not in his field. Can't outsource DOD jobs.

"outsource" maybe not. But there were plenty of foreign national contractors with clearances when I was deployed.

There's no such thing.

Posted: 6/22/2011 4:13:38 AM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:

Quoted:
If you plan on being a programmer, then yes, it will definitely help. If you want to do more on the hardware/network/IT type stuff, don't waste your time in comp sci, take classes geared more towards an IT job.

ETA: I have a BS in Computer Science.

I'm not sure why you would say that, given the fact that CS is not really a programming degree, it's a degree in advanced math and using computers to do algorithm design and evaluation.

A CS degree trains you to think properly, not code blindly. A CS degree will help you as much as any other degree –– a CIS degree (usually a business degree with some networking classes) is usually seen as the refuge of those who couldn't cut it in a CS degree.

If you want to work in communications, get a CS degree and do your electives in networking or whatever –– there are usually various types of electives that will help you in whatever you plan to do.

If you want to be an IT manager, get a CIS degree.

What you said is true. But in most of stuff in the real world, this is already been done. Programmer's job is to write code according to the business plan.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - BS in Computer Science

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