Testing out toward a degree but don't know where to start

[davewill]

Well, the "computer field" covers a wide area. As far as degrees go, there are basically three tracks:

- BA Business Administration with a CIS (computer information systems) concentration.

This degree is the least technical. You'll take accounting courses, and general business courses plus Information System courses. People who get this degree are more likely to be managers or others who work with technology, although people with this degree definitely do work in IT, and do write software for business information systems. People with this degree also sometimes work as analysts designing information systems.

- An IT degree like the BSAST in Information Technology like Bluebooger outlined. While it covers some of the same ground as the CS degree, the key word here is INFORMATION. People with this degree generally work in larger companies (or for companies that make software for them or consult for them) designing and implementing information systems (think databases). As Bluebooger pointed out, some people with this degree do write software for a living, some work in the IT department of a company, doing IT administration. Others work as analysts designing information systems.

- BA/BS in Computer Science. People with this degree primarily work as software developers or software engineers. The degree is much heavier on math and the theory of computing. Many people with this degree work primarily on computing rather than on information systems, although many CS grads do still specialize in Info Systems.

It is tempting to say one track is "better" or "harder" but I think it's more important to recognize that the track needs to match the person and their goals. If I had to write web interfaces for corporate information systems, write accounting software, or design and administer databases for a living, I'd go crazy. Other folks really like doing these things, and would consider computing theory snoresville. Also, there is a good bit of overlap, and people often migrate in one direction or another. There is no objective right or wrong answer, only a personal answer.

The BSBA is the most test friendly. It is possible to test out of practically the whole thing, and a lot of people here have experience doing exactly that. The BSAST if probably easier to "test out of", but I don't really know the details of that one very well. The BACS can't be completely tested out of, but it can be done online. Another thing to consider is that the people who "test out" usually have lots of experience, so they are basically taking tests on things they already know at least something about. If you have no computer experience, you may prefer to take courses that have projects to work on and teach you rather than just self-studying for tests.

Anyway, in your shoes, I'd think hard about WHAT I wanted to do rather than looking for the easiest or cheapest way to get there. Once you have a goal, which degree to pick will likely answer itself.

Note to other folks: Please feel free to chime in. IT/IS is not my field and others can probably say a lot more about it.