Newly admitted, 24 credits remain for a BA Comp Sci!

[LevelUP]

I would feel much more confident if I could work through something like Calculus at my own pace, though, because if there's anything I fear will be a degree-stopper, it's that one. I am currently in the early stages of Intermediate Algebra & Pre Calculus via ALEKS. I have a long way to go.

You are right calculus is a gate-keeper course for many engineering and technology students.

You don't have to learn Algebra or PreCalculus before starting Sophia's calculus course.

I have now noticed some other replies suggesting I skip a Bachelor's and go for Master's. Would that not be incredibly difficult for someone who lacks CS fundamentals? Never having taken an Algorithms course, for example? And could I do a Master's without a ton of math? I do potentially have a math disability (dyscalculia) so Calculus would be enough of a stretch for someone who never made it past Algebra 1 in high school.

The OMSCS program has as high as a 40% dropout rate, and about 30% fail the Graduate Algorithms course every term!

You do need quite a bit of experience before entering this program. This isn't for beginners.

I have also never seen a Master's required on the job postings I've looked at for software engineering. And honestly, a position like that requiring a more advanced degree, could be beyond my abilities.

A lot of entry-level job postings will say computer science/equivalent or have 4 years of experience. Equilvent usually means some technical degree such as math, IT, engineering, etc.

The main thing is can you do the job?

If you don't have job experience, then you will need to build a portfolio of projects showing you know how to use various technologies.

There's a lot of hustling involved to break into the field.