Need help deciding between two CS degrees

[eindoofus]

My main goal at the moment is to get a job in the field. I honestly don't care what type of code monkey job it is as long as I can get my foot in the door and I'm hoping my degree will help me do that.

I'm currently enrolled in the following program:

http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/academics/Pages/MSinComputerScience.aspx

but I am also considering switching to:

http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/academics/Pages/MS_SE_SoftwareDevelopment.aspx

One professor I talked to told me that there is probably more coding done in the Software Engineering degree but the Computer Science degree electives could probably make up for that. I'm also not so sure Software Engineering would sound so great on a resume for an entry-level candidate like myself.

Which of the two degrees do you believe is more likely to teach me the hand's on knowledge that I would need for a basic programming job?

[Azazel]

Between the two, I'd say Computer Science; it's the safe, standard bet. But you might rethink getting a degree at all. It's surprisingly easy (and much less expensive) to teach yourself programming (or even the CS theory behind it) if all you want is a job in industry.

Programming jobs tend to be meritocratic, and I know plenty of people who hire candidates with no formal CS background. You just have to signal that you're good (e.g. contribute to open source, write a technical blog, post personal projects online). Then pass the interview... A degree will help, but it doesn't signal all that much, relative to what you've actually done/built.

Also, many people get their jobs through networking. So teaching yourself while developing a network (attending events/conferences/hackathons) might be a better use of your time.

Here are a few other options I can vouch for (again, if all you want is a job):

https://www.hackerschool.com/

http://www.bloc.io/

Doing a CS degree can be rewarding, but it's not the only way to enter the industry. It's also pretty expensive.

[victor.s.andrei]

My main goal at the moment is to get a job in the field. I honestly don't care what type of code monkey job it is as long as I can get my foot in the door and I'm hoping my degree will help me do that.

I'm currently enrolled in the following program:

http://www.cdm.depau...terScience.aspx

but I am also considering switching to:

http://www.cdm.depau...evelopment.aspx

One professor I talked to told me that there is probably more coding done in the Software Engineering degree but the Computer Science degree electives could probably make up for that. I'm also not so sure Software Engineering would sound so great on a resume for an entry-level candidate like myself.

Which of the two degrees do you believe is more likely to teach me the hand's on knowledge that I would need for a basic programming job?

Between the two, I'd say Computer Science; it's the safe, standard bet. But you might rethink getting a degree at all. It's surprisingly easy (and much less expensive) to teach yourself programming (or even the CS theory behind it) if all you want is a job in industry.

Programming jobs tend to be meritocratic, and I know plenty of people who hire candidates with no formal CS background. You just have to signal that you're good (e.g. contribute to open source, write a technical blog, post personal projects online). Then pass the interview... A degree will help, but it doesn't signal all that much, relative to what you've actually done/built.

Also, many people get their jobs through networking. So teaching yourself while developing a network (attending events/conferences/hackathons) might be a better use of your time.

Here are a few other options I can vouch for (again, if all you want is a job):

https://www.hackerschool.com/

http://www.bloc.io/

Doing a CS degree can be rewarding, but it's not the only way to enter the industry. It's also pretty expensive.

Azazel is right, except I want to add that you shouldn't shelve the idea of a graduate degree entirely. You might want to wait until you get a job with an employer that will pay for the degree.