Associates in Computer ... something?

[BingCherry]

My son-in-law has been talking with me about my progress of getting my Bachelors thus far and has decided to do a degree in computers. What options are there for an online degree (like what types of computer degrees are available) that he can almost entirely/completely test out of?

Would it be ok to do an associates to start? Then work on bachelors later? Or is it advantageous to do the bachelors only? Cost is an issue as he and my daughter both have to work currently and money is very tight.

I told him regardless, to get ALEKS done ASAP and then we can go from there. He will sign up here soon I'm sure. Just wanted some ideas for him about his options to get him started.

Thanks all! :coolgleam:

[bjcheung77]

The best option is the ASNSM in Comp Sci, there is NO associates capstone with this degree.
He can get that en route to a BSBA General Management if he plays his cards right. Cheers!
See their webpage: Associate Degree in Computer Science at Thomas Edison State University

[sanantone]

Computer Studies might end up being cheaper even though it has a capstone. It might get expensive to fulfill the theory requirements for the ASNSM in CS.

[StoicJ]

Yes, the theory requirements might be a challenge.

You'd want to check out exactly what the options are for those 9 credits. Perhaps Discrete Math and Linear Algebra could be completed online at a CC or JC. Saylor, in their CS catalog, has a couple of Structures courses, and a Compiler course, but I don't know that TESU will give you applicable credit.

[sanantone]

Yes, the theory requirements might be a challenge.

You'd want to check out exactly what the options are for those 9 credits. Perhaps Discrete Math and Linear Algebra could be completed online at a CC or JC. Saylor, in their CS catalog, has a couple of Structures courses, and a Compiler course, but I don't know that TESU will give you applicable credit.

Since they're not evaluated by ACE or NCCRS, they cab only be used for portfolio assessments.

[dfrecore]

When you say "degree in computers", what does that mean exactly? Does he want an IT degree, a Computer Science degree? What kind of job does he want to get with this degree? What's his ultimate goal as far as a BA/BS after his AA/AS?

[ajs1976]

OP,

does your son-in-law work in IT, have any previous credits or certifications?

[BingCherry]

He said he wants to do pretty much everything with computers for a career. Hardware. Programming. IT also.
He has some IT experience already.

[theonlyski]

He said he wants to do pretty much everything with computers for a career. Hardware. Programming. IT also.
He has some IT experience already.

This may come off as negative, but I do not mean it to be in any way negative.

Very VERY rarely does a person become a master at their craft doing 'pretty much everything with computers'. I have been in the technology world for about 15 years (and was a hobbyist before then).

In that time I've done:
Very light electrical engineering
Dial up tech support (yes, really)
PC Repair, PC building
Data center wiring
Satellite communications (military and as a government contractor)
Active directory administration
Sharepoint administration
LIGHT programming (I am lazy so my tool of choice is usually AutoIT, but I am able to work my way through BASH, PHP, JavaScript, HTML or C++ if the need arises)
Network (wired and wireless) administration, engineering and architecture
Network security
Some server virtualization

While I could get most jobs done, I am not the go to guy (at work) for anything but networking and network security. There is just way too much stuff to keep up with to stay current on everything. Time after time we see organizations which have one or a few "Jack of all trades, master of none" type people running the IT and it's kind of difficult to see how sub-optimal everything is running and how stressed out the IT staff are trying to do a million things.

I feel it is far better to work on something specific that he's most passionate about, but keep playing with other things that interest him. If he's not sure, there's no harm in playing the field, but it's pretty hard to set your focus on something that's so wide and expect to have much job satisfaction in the long term. I've worked in several things to see what I liked and didn't like and have progressed and specialized in things that I like more and more. Even now, I have a pretty good industry certification but when I meet with other people who have more than I do, I am humbled by how little I know about some things.

TL;DR Focus on a more narrow subject matter that most interests him, if it turns out he doesn't like it, then focus on something else. It doesn't hurt to play with different aspects but trying to do everything all the time is painful in the end.

[Ideas]

He said he wants to do pretty much everything with computers for a career. Hardware. Programming. IT also.
He has some IT experience already.

I agree with the previous poster. I think he would have to narrow down which he prefers, because programming is very different than tech support. Both are very different from running your own computer repair business, or being a security/networking guru.