As for myself, I went the C/S route (among other things) at the University of Missouri-Columbia. I quit in my 4th year because I realized that they weren't teaching the things I needed and because I was too busy writing programs in the 'real world'. I suppose it would have been fine knowledge for corporate IS or University Computing type work but not for independent consulting / app development work that I was interested in. I was turned down for many jobs at established 'software factories' because of my lack of a degree in C/S. That turned out to be a blessing because I've seen those companies die and my little outfit thrive. <g>

From the few Universities and trade schools I've seen in the midwest recently, I'd say they've come A LONG way since the late 80's/early 90's in their curriculums but there's no way they can keep up with the rapid changes now. If you're wanting a career in the 'mainframe shops' or corporate IS departments then a C/S degree is certainly required. If you want to bounce around like a hired gun or do your own consulting/ app development work then I'd suggest a degree in business or field(s) (like healthcare, etc.) that your interested in serving. There are a ton of VB/Delphi/C/C++ programmers out there but still not that many with detailed business knowledge. That's the person companies are wanting to hire.

- A Hilton


>>>If you want to write database and business apps for a living, I recommend a business degree in IS over a CS degree. This is just a personal opinion...
>>
>>In Vancouver the universities offer degrees in "Computer Science" (what I have). Some of the fiesty tech schools have been a bachelor of Information Technology. There are also some niche degrees like "Management and Information Systems" which are half biz half computer.
>
>I heard from somewhere that folks come out with Special Computer Degrees and people don't want them in general, I guess because the stereotype is that their to cocky in their knowledge of outdated technology.
>
>Can anybody back that up?