<p>Hi all. Hoping you can help. I graduated in 2008 from Penn State University with a degree (4.5 GPA) in Criminal Justice (yeah, i know...). I also received my commission from the Navy and have been working as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer since. I just separated the military with the idea of working at a managerial position while going back to school online. I want to work as a Computer Applications Software Engineers/Software Engineer/Software Application Developer, etc, but have no formal background to do so, so even getting an entry level position is hard. Should I pursue a 2nd bachelors in Computer Science or go for a Masters in Information Systems Technology like so many schools offer? While having a masters might make me more marketable, having the core competency classes offered in the bachelors of Computer Science might give more more functional skills. I have already spoken with a few different universities (Penn State World, University of Maryland, University of Florida, and Devry) who all told me that they accept people of all majors. This actually worries me a little, because it might imply that others attending are either already working as a professional in an IT related field or that potential employers might not regard the MS with as high esteem as someone with a high GPA BS in Computer Science. My primary concern is marketability with high prospects for jobs. 2nd bachelors or MS? What online school would you recommend?</p>
<p>The first thing you should do is look into the difference between computer science and IT, and then decide which is right for you. In general, IT programs are more forgiving of less-than-traditional backgrounds.</p>
<p>If you just want to be a software engineer, you don’t need an advanced degree, just advanced knowledge of programming. You can always go back to school to get your MBA when you have enough experience to go into management. </p>
<p>Since you went to Penn State, you might want to look into whether your online courses will be added to your existing transcript. That might take away some of the stigma of online study.</p>
<p>BTW, you have an unusual background that likely will be of interest to defense contractors, especially if you can combine it with computer skills. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I would definitely recommend a master’s degree with working hard on assessing yourself on the basics!</p>
<p>Do <em>not</em> sign up with DeVry. It’s a for-profit school that has a very poor academic reputation. Any of those other schools you mentioned would be a far stronger program.</p>