4 ms·

As someone who has spent almost 20 years in software professionally, yeah. I'm considering doing the same thing because there are still plenty of people and emp

As someone who has spent almost 20 years in software professionally, yeah. I'm considering doing the same thing because there are still plenty of people and employers out there that advantage people who have the paper. I highly doubt that there is anything in the course of study for a bachelors that will truly be new to me (especially since I already completed most of that study once). But if I did want to actually learn something, say by pursuing education at the graduate level, I have to get that credential rubber-stamping my existing knowledge.

alasdair_ 4y ago
>But if I did want to actually learn something, say by pursuing education at the graduate level, I have to get that credential rubber-stamping my existing knowledge. Most universities will let you audit a course, even graduate courses (if you can convince the professor you have experience in the area) just by paying a fee for that one class. You don't need a credential to do this.
- giraffe_lady 4y ago
  I also didn't go to college but did a pretty solid set of online CS and math classes while working as a software developer. I'd love to get a masters degree, and it would benefit my career quite a lot. Auditing classes is fine¹ but probably not enough value for me on its own to be worth the time and opportunity cost. I'd want the degree and I'm fairly sure I have the skills and knowledge to begin a CS masters. But I can't get one without doing a BS first, which makes it overall just not worth the effort. ¹ Actually is it? I hear this recommended a lot but I don't know anyone who has audited a university course while not being a student. I tried it once at my local state school but it was an amazingly complex process to get signed up, and then I was told I could have a slot if there was ever an open one. There never was.
  - triyambakam 4y ago
    > and it would benefit my career quite a lot. How? I have quite a few colleagues with Master's in CS who are no more competent or well paid than me with no degree at all.
  - barry-cotter 4y ago
    > But I can't get one without doing a BS first, which makes it overall just not worth the effort. Oxford Software Engineering and Coursera Colorado Electrical Engineering will take people without Bachelor’s.
  - prewett 4y ago
    1: don't go through the administration, that will be a hassle. Just ask the professor if you can sit in on the class, and if they say you can (which they probably will if there are empty seats), do so.

alasdair_ 4y ago

>But if I did want to actually learn something, say by pursuing education at the graduate level, I have to get that credential rubber-stamping my existing knowledge. Most universities will let you audit a course, even graduate courses (if you can convince the professor you have experience in the area) just by paying a fee for that one class. You don't need a credential to do this.

giraffe_lady 4y ago
I also didn't go to college but did a pretty solid set of online CS and math classes while working as a software developer. I'd love to get a masters degree, and it would benefit my career quite a lot. Auditing classes is fine¹ but probably not enough value for me on its own to be worth the time and opportunity cost. I'd want the degree and I'm fairly sure I have the skills and knowledge to begin a CS masters. But I can't get one without doing a BS first, which makes it overall just not worth the effort. ¹ Actually is it? I hear this recommended a lot but I don't know anyone who has audited a university course while not being a student. I tried it once at my local state school but it was an amazingly complex process to get signed up, and then I was told I could have a slot if there was ever an open one. There never was.
- triyambakam 4y ago
  > and it would benefit my career quite a lot. How? I have quite a few colleagues with Master's in CS who are no more competent or well paid than me with no degree at all.
- barry-cotter 4y ago
  > But I can't get one without doing a BS first, which makes it overall just not worth the effort. Oxford Software Engineering and Coursera Colorado Electrical Engineering will take people without Bachelor’s.
- prewett 4y ago
  1: don't go through the administration, that will be a hassle. Just ask the professor if you can sit in on the class, and if they say you can (which they probably will if there are empty seats), do so.