Computer Science Degree Available Online

Q: As an avid reader of this newsgroup, I would like to commend Lakeland College (http://199.170.23.12/Lakeland/online/online.asp) as a potential school for anyone wanting to complete a regionally accredited BSCS without residency.

A: It depends on the capacity that you're interested in. An IS degree is more for user applications and system analysis. A CS gets more into theory of Operating Systems and Compilers. CS is more theoretical. Software engineering positions might be a little easier to get with a CS degree. It all depends on the area that you're interested in getting into. If you were considering an advanced degree you might lean towards a CS for your bachelors. While I agree with the general points made in Bill's post, I don't necessarily agree that if you're considering an advanced degree that you might lean towards the CS for the bachelor's. There are a plethora of advanced degrees in IS/CIS/BIS popping up these days. If you are leaning more towards practical applications of computing, there are many good non-pure-computer-science options available. Being an avid reader of this newsgroup, I have inferred that no one wants a horse beat to death...but my interest

does have additional educational interest. Since I am a former minister, my ultimate goal is to add to my existing BA (General Ministry at Bethany College---completed via distance ed) some education that is more marketable. My interests revolve around research, technology, and writing. So I am thinking about first getting another degree (whether CS or CIS) to really expose myself to the academic portion of the techno world. After that, USU's MA in Technical Writing, which can be accomplished entirely online, really appeals to me. I want to have greater technical proficiency, be more marketable, and have a decent foundation for teaching, as well.