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Author Topic: Alternative Non-Accredited Computer Science Degree?  (Read 4380 times)

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Offline Last Tradhican

Re: Alternative Non-Accredited Computer Science Degree?
« Reply #5 on: December 28, 2020, 05:03:40 PM »
Quote from: Ladislaus on December 28, 2020, 01:26:43 PM

2) first class would always be free ... it's not right taking money from someone who decides that they either don't have the aptitude for computer science or else decide they don't like it
3) if someone doesn't pass a class, they can repeat it for free
From my long experience in business, you never give anything for free, because then people who are not really serious will crowd out the serious ones. You must charge for everything. Instead of offering it for free, figure out your costs and charge for the first class at your cost. If someone begs you to give them financing or some other waving of the fee for the first class and they sound seriously interested, then you can just tell them to pay when they have to money, and if they do not pay you forget about it, but do not tell them.
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Offline Ladislaus

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Re: Alternative Non-Accredited Computer Science Degree?
« Reply #6 on: December 28, 2020, 06:25:58 PM »
Quote from: Stanley N on December 28, 2020, 02:39:45 PM
Programs like this do exist, but they are often called certificate programs. 

Right, I am acquainted with the cert programs, but they are usually just a few classes and don't have the same rigor as an actual Major would.

What I'd be trying to weed out is the nonsense being forced to take 120 credit hours at college with only 30 in your actual major field of study.

And most comp sci curricula are scattershot and don't focus on a specific platform.

So this would be addressing some of the negatives of a Traditional college program while giving you more than the typical cert.
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Offline Ladislaus

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Re: Alternative Non-Accredited Computer Science Degree?
« Reply #7 on: December 28, 2020, 06:28:45 PM »
Quote from: Last Tradhican on December 28, 2020, 05:03:40 PM
From my long experience in business, you never give anything for free, because then people who are not really serious will crowd out the serious ones. You must charge for everything. Instead of offering it for free, figure out your costs and charge for the first class at your cost. If someone begs you to give them financing or some other waving of the fee for the first class and they sound seriously interested, then you can just tell them to pay when they have to money, and if they do not pay you forget about it, but do not tell them.

Right, that makes sense to a point.  Really, when delivered online, my costs would be only my time and the $15 a month it would cost to host online meetings.

At the same time, though, I wouldn't want to charge somebody who turned out to be entirely hopeless.  There are probably a lot of people who, not knowing much about the field, might THINK they have what it takes to be a programmer but really can't hack it.
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Offline Ladislaus

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Re: Alternative Non-Accredited Computer Science Degree?
« Reply #8 on: December 28, 2020, 06:33:24 PM »
Quote from: Clemens Maria on December 28, 2020, 01:56:38 PM
I agree that the liberal arts curriculum required for computer science degrees is a ripoff.  However, I disagree that math and theoretical topics are useless. 

I can see math and other topics being applicable to a degree to computer science, but I've never found a need to use math beyond Algebra (which is covered in High School) during my entire programming career.  And even the Algebra that was once required was of a very basic level.  And, you know, if someone wanted to take an extra course or two to top if off and balance some stuff out, they could do so and it would be a competitive advantage.  But I don't find that it would be absolutely necessary.  90% of the so-called "core curriculum" is a ripoff, a shameless money-making scheme.

Really the biggest quality for a developer is the ability to THINK in terms of logical algorithms.  And, either one has it, or one doesn't.  That would be the intent of offering a free/exploratory class, where people (together with their teacher) could mutually decide whether they "had it", so to speak, or didn't.
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Offline Ladislaus

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Re: Alternative Non-Accredited Computer Science Degree?
« Reply #9 on: December 28, 2020, 06:35:14 PM »
Quote from: Matthew on December 28, 2020, 02:26:07 PM
I don't think lack of degree is as big of a deal as you think it is -- what's of PRIMARY importance is to come in to the interview with the ACTUAL SKILLS to do the work -- and the confidence that comes with that. Also a portfolio and enthusiasm. If you have those things, you should be fine.

Oh, I absolutely agree.  I have hired many developers without degrees over the years who turned out to be better than Comp Sci majors.  And I think that's part of my motivation.  Unfortunately, most of the business world doesn't think that way and if you don't have a degree, they'll immediately disqualify you.
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