Does having a "BA" in Computer science hold you back

techiie

I've been drawn to programming for some while been looking into finishing school in computer science. My only real option that isn't going to cost me an arm and a leg is from thomas edison but they only offer the BA in computer science. Preferably I'd go full time to finish my last 2 years at NJIT but I'm working fulltime and can't leave my job to return to school. Online from Thomas Edison is my only real option.

I did hours of searching online to see what people that of it but everyone would say its not favored as the BS since its math heavy and the BA is for Art. The BA from thomas edison looks like the BS program from NJIT. From the way the program looks at thomas edison it doesn't look like its art focused I do see plenty of math computer science courses that other schools require.

These math courses are mandatory:
Calc 1 & 2
Data structures
Discrete Math

Under gen ed electives
I plan on taking physics 1 & 2, statistics

computer science elective
Artificial intel, assembly lang, computer architecture, computer arithmetic algorithms, problem analysis and solution, software engineering, and program languages

free electives
C, C++

Thomas Edison State College: Computer Science


It looks pretty solid what does everyone in the know think about it? Will having my computer science with a BA really be a problem when looking for an entry level programming position.

twodogs62

It depends. I have a BA and I think it did initially hurt me. I think I missed some job interviews and jobs because of the BA. I could have gone BS route or BA route. I chose BA route. Initially NASA and government contractors I think only wanted BS degrees.

The degree was CIS degree and the only difference between the degrees were a couple of math classes and maybe software engineering class. The BA did accounting instead and more management. But, then again the difference was only a few classes.

Are you wanting to get in on the business side or science side?

i was expecting to be working for a bank doing business programming. But, I ended up doing desktop support as an entry level programmer.

Eventually BA or BS has not been an issue as my experience and certifications is what matters now.

If you can do the calculus and like it go the BS route. Don't expect to go back 10 years later and try it cause it will be much harder

If you have choice go with BS. If you plan to get Masters in Business later go BA.

Eventually it may not matter.

Science or Business

techiie

I would do the bs but online they're aren't any affordable options. My overall goal becominga java developer. Ba is the only option i see and thomas Edison has it for a fair price.

veritas_libertas

I have a friend with a BA in CS and he is now working a well known software company (most of us geeks would recognize their software if I mentioned them). I'm of the opinion that it's often more about how you can sell yourself than the degree.

petedude

I heartily agree with Veritas, but to add a little--

Much depends on where you want to go. If you're going into systems/networking work, having certifications coupled with whatever diploma will certainly bolster your resume. Also, don't ignore the option of supplementing that BA now with an MS later.

coreyb80

veritas_libertas wrote: »

I have a friend with a BA in CS and he is now working a well known software company (most of us geeks would recognize their software if I mentioned them). I'm of the opinion that it's often more about how you can sell yourself than the degree.

I definitely agree with this.

techiie

I already work as a jr sys admin want to change fields. Always wanted to go into programming since I was in hs taking computer science classes whipping up programming in basic. I definitely see a lot of entry programming positions and they seem 70/30 about specifying what type of bachelors most just listed bachelors in Computer science a few stated "client requires BS in Computer Science or mathematics".

veritas_libertas

techiie wrote: »

I already work as a jr sys admin want to change fields. Always wanted to go into programming since I was in hs taking computer science classes whipping up programming in basic. I definitely see a lot of entry programming positions and they seem 70/30 about specifying what type of bachelors most just listed bachelors in Computer science a few stated "client requires BS in Computer Science or mathematics".

I would apply anyway, but that's just my stubborn side coming out. Just because it says required, doesn't mean it is required

jibbajabba

veritas_libertas wrote: »

Just because it says required, doesn't mean it is required

Amen to that .. most requirements are usually part of their wishlist but know full well that they don't get people who tick every single box .. At least not for the money they are usually offering

ptilsen

I don't think it's the end of the world if it's a BA. Looking over the program, it looks pretty similar to my own, but with 18 CS/math credits and the capstone traded for liberal arts credits and capstone.

To be honest, it's a bit perplexing. I don't see what the advantage is, from the school's perspective, in having this be a BA. I can't imagine there are lots of students looking to get a computer science degree taking more liberal arts credits than computer science.

I would certainly go for a BS if the extra cost isn't too high, but I don't think the fact that it is a BA is really going to matter. If you are good at programming you will be hired to do it regardless of your degree.

techiie

Would adding this on my resume after i get the degree dress it up a bit?

BA Computer science
With heavy emphasis on math

DoubleNNs

NJIT? Another NJ TE member?

Something I've been wondering myself, which I planned on finding out soon - would your original school (NJIT) accept some of Thomas Edison's credits? As long as you do a majority of your credits at NJIT it'd be a BS degree from NJIT, right?

techiie

Yes I'm pretty sure they'll accept the credits but I don't see anything on there website about online or weekend classes for the computer science course.

zrockstar

techiie wrote: »

Would adding this on my resume after i get the degree dress it up a bit?

BA Computer science
With heavy emphasis on math

No because every CS program has a heavy emphasis in math. One thing you could do though is minor in math. If I remember correctly when I was considering the CS route, a minor in math at my school was only a one or two class difference.

DoubleNNs

How about part time NJIT night classes, and do Thomas Edison for your other credits?

Graduate w/ a BS from NIT and have the flexibility that Online classes give.

Just a thought. I don't know if it'd actually work out.

Mrock4

The answer to "Does having/not having X hold you back" is always.......only if you let it.

Valsacar

I'm just confused by the Bachelors of ART in Computer Science.

If you want BS, Excelsior has a BS (in IT) for programming, as does WGU. Excelsior is part of the "big 3" with TESC and COSC, so costs are pretty close and the same liberal credit acceptance programs.

It might have an effect without certs or experience, but in the end I doubt it would matter that much. To me, I see degrees just like certifications, just another piece of paper to qualify I have at least some level of knowledge in what I'm talking about... Honestly I didn't really learn crap in my core major courses in my BS (and not that much so far in the MS), I had learned all of it in the past studying for certs and actually doing the job. Then again, I did my degree after working for almost 10 years so...

WiseWun

Depends on how you use it, do you plan to further your education?

paul78

Mrock4 wrote: »

The answer to "Does having/not having X hold you back" is always.......only if you let it.

@techiie- This is excellent advice. And something you ought to consider. As a former software engineer, I thought that I would share with you that I did not have a BS in Computer Science. I am actually a college drop-out. I did most of my studies in the electrical engineering department since I had a passion for things computer related. I had spent a few semesters as a teaching assistant in the computer science department and found that I greatly preferred programming computers instead of VLSI design. But given that I could not switch departments and afford to complete my studies, I decided to drop out and start my career instead.
I have never let the lack of a degree stop me from pursuing a successful career in software engineering. I worked on some pretty cool stuff too Mostly low-level systems but it was very challenging and fun. I have since transitioned into management. But I do look back at that time very fondly.

the_Grinch

Honestly, I don't believe you will have any issues at all having a BA instead of a BS. My thought always was that the BS is for people who wanted to either get a Masters in Computer Science and thus wanted to do research. Fact of the matter is if you aren't doing heavy work in algorithms, which let's face it I don't think most programmers are, the BA will be just fine. If you look at Google jobs, most will say a BA or a BS in computer science and as for other companies usually it just says a degree in computer science. Good luck and don't sweat it!

techiie

Valsacar wrote: »

I'm just confused by the Bachelors of ART in Computer Science.

If you want BS, Excelsior has a BS (in IT) for programming, as does WGU. Excelsior is part of the "big 3" with TESC and COSC, so costs are pretty close and the same liberal credit acceptance programs.

All the job postings for entry software developers regardless of the discipline I seen either required bachelors in computer science, engineering, or mathematics. Many had in parenthesis (IT, MIS, CIS) does not qualify. If a degree in IT was what I was looking for I could knock it out in 6 months tops from WGU. But I'm looking for one in computer science so I can gain a deeper understanding in things.

@the grinch Actually I don't know what are the qualifications at the graduate schools you were referring too but at New Jersey Institute of Technology you can complete a MS computer science online with any bachelors degree and you just have to have to complete any bridge courses to fulfill the prerequisites before enrolling. So seeking a graduate level degree wouldn't be an issue my concern is whether employers not thinking would chuck the resume that has BA computer science thinking its crap.

the_Grinch

My reference was really for the fact that a lot of schools will require more advanced math course before you can enter their programs. Most do have bridged courses for programming, but the maths a lot of times you would have to take prior to entering. It's sorta the reason why you won't see an MA in Computer Science. Research usually will mean heavy math.