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Re:Ask HN: Getting a CS "degree" via MIT OpenCourseWare? by dragonwriter on Thursday January 02, 2014 @07:38PM (#7003505)
> To the degree it is about a credential, Western Governor's University is a reasonably priced option - http:\\www.wgu.edu

Not if you want a CS degree, which WGU doesn't offer (WGU does offer a variety of IT degrees, which may be an acceptable substiture, or even the preferred option for some people, but its certainly not even remotely the same thing as a CS degree.)

Re:Ask HN: Getting a CS "degree" via MIT OpenCourseWare? by brudgers on Thursday January 02, 2014 @07:52PM (#7003550)
I agree that the difference is important to the degree that the concern is over education rather than about credentials. That's why I also mentioned the value of a CS degree from a less prestigious institution when the student is highly motivated.

But if we're just talking about credentials, then a relevant degree plus experience gives anyone who wants to hire the OP a green light.

Re:Ask HN: Getting a CS "degree" via MIT OpenCourseWare? by dragonwriter on Thursday January 02, 2014 @07:57PM (#7003575)
> I agree that the difference is important to the degree that the concern is over education rather than about credentials.

The difference is important if the concern is about credentials, too; when the concern is about credentials, then exactly what the degree is in can be very important.

CS and IT mean different things, including (perhaps especially) to people who are evaluating credentials. (In some cases, IT may be preferred, in other cases, CS may be.)