Bachelors of Applied Science in Technology Management

[jrozier]

I'm currently in the IT field as the lead AS/400 operator at a distribution warehouse. I attended a tech school and received a MicroComputer Specialist diploma and continued on to receive my Associates of Applied Science at a 2 year college.

Yesterday I received a flyer in the mail stating that I could get a Bachelors of Applied Science in Technology Management by taking Web based classes part time.

I'm VERY interested in it but I was wondering how does the industry feel about a Bachelors of Applied Science Degree? Would I get a fair chance on a job compared to a Bachelor of Science major?

What are your opinions??

 

[MasterRacker]

A BAS will focus differently than a BS. It's impossible to say how either will directly affect a job search. The perception of the degree is most going to depend on the reputation of the school itself. The University of Minnesota offers a BAS in Information Technology Infrastructure through a satellite campus. This is a well known, respected university and employers will be inclined to 'trust' the degree. On the other hand, any degree from Uncle Jeffbo's Fly-By-Night Web School would be suspect. ;-)

http://www.r.umn.edu/05_prog_technology_BASITI.htm

<sub>Jeff
[purple]It's never too early to begin preparing for [/purple]International Talk Like a Pirate Day

I was not born cynical - I earned my cynicism through careful observation of the world around me.</sub>

 

[jrozier]

It's a state university and so it should be ok. Here's a snippet from their website.

The Dalton State College Bachelor of Applied Science in Technology Management degree program is designed to give students who have earned an Associate of Applied Science or an Associate of Applied Technology (AAS/AAT) degree in Business, Health, Services, or Technology the opportunity to pursue upper division course work and acquire a four-year degree. The BAS degree will prepare students to pursue a management position in the area of their AAS/AAT degree. The combination of a well founded technical education coupled with the management courses will prepare graduates for both technical and managerial positions in a variety of business settings. This degree requires passing the Regents’ Testing Program

How does this sound??

 

[jrozier]

Does anyone else have anything to add? I'd really like to get management's opinion of this degree before I enroll.

Thanks in advance.

 

[MasterRacker]

jrozier,

Have you read back through this forum? There have been endless debates ion the worth of varuious degrees, certifications, etc. What's been said in those threads will apply to analysis of the worth of this degree as well.

<sub>Jeff
[purple]It's never too early to begin preparing for [/purple]International Talk Like a Pirate Day

I was not born cynical - I earned my cynicism through careful observation of the world around me.</sub>

 

[aquias]

A management perspective...

Degree's are nice (even though I'm lacking one myself), but they aren't required. Well, let me quantify that last statement. Depending on the company a degree may or may not be required. You'll find some doors close because you haven't got a degree, while other's don't care, so long as you can demonstrate the skills they want/need.

Do I look at a degree when seeking out new employee's? Yes I do, give me two employee's with everything equal except one has a degree and the other doesn't, I hire the one with a degree. BUT, give me two employee's one has a degree, the other doesn't. Skill sets are similiar and the one lacking the degree is a better fit for me and the company, I take the one without the degree...

It's all a matter of perspective, because I lack a degree and I've dealt with quite a few people, that have degree's, who had no concept of the work they were doing, I don't require them (college kids that felt they were entitled to an admin job because they had BS after their name). I don't view this as the definative way to determine a peron to hire. However, especially true in "Older" companies, not having a degree may immidiately disqualify you for a position.

 

[CajunCenturion]

From my perspective, a degree from a four-year accredited school is a very important credential. Dalton is accredited, so I would not question the degree, nor would it matter to me whether it is a BAS or a BS. I would be more interested in the transcript to judge what classes you've had, to better understand your foundation, than in which degree was conferred.


Good Luck
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[jrozier]

aquias--- Thanks for your management opinion. It's good to know that experience still matters in today's market.

CajunCenturion --- You gave me the response I was looking for. The main reason I made this post was to find out if I would get frowned upon by having a BAS degree vs a BS degree. Thanks for your insight!

Any more opinions out there before I make my decision?

 

[DTSMAN]

jrozier, I recently made the same decescion. I start in May at the University of Phoenix at a campus, not the online. I thought about online, but I know me, and was afraid that giving my current job, I couldn't give school the attention I should. (My phone is always ringing because I service restraunts and retail stores at all hours.) I got my 2yr AAS in computer technology from a school 10yrs ago and I have realized that I have to have that degree to get to that next significant pay increase and obtain that posistion of higher responsibility.

Good luck to you. I don't know about you, but I am nervous as he** doing school at 38, owing on school loans, and it not working out the way I dream.

Also accredidation was mentioned. There is a difference between regional and national accreditation. Look into that.

Bo

I'm a man,, I can change,, If I have too,, I guess. (Red Green)

http://www.redgreen.com/