Are there any online degrees for computer programming?

How to get a job in programming?

• Hi. I am trying to obtain a first position in programming. I used C, mysql, linux shell scripting, etc in my graduate courswork, (computational chemistry) and I have been trying to obtain a programming position. I don't want to go back to school to get a programming degree if I don't have to do that. I previously held a CCNA and have taking a computer upgrading/repairing course (like A+), but I still can't get a job in this field. The question is; Does anyone think I would be able to obtain a position as a programmer if I took a series of continuing ed courses (available online) through our local community college. I was considering taking Java 1, Java 2, MySql 1, MySql 2, and maybe one more. What do you think? Would it substitute for an associate's degree since I already have some degrees in a similar field anyway? I can't get a job in my field and I can't get a job in programming without actual programming experience.

• Answer:

  Most people are hired by HR people (read morons)... these people do not understand that experience can trump education and they are really looking for a piece of paper. Also I should note that programmers are dime a dozen. A computer scientist however or software engineer is in much greater demand. I can teach a monkey to program but I cannot teach a monkey to think out the problems, data structures, and algorithms needed to create the program before hacking away. I would say personally from experience, if you want a high paying job that will be in demand, go back to school but you need a full degree you can't get the HR people to be "ok" with a few classes that they have no idea about.