Hello I appreciate the time you are taking to read my thread!
I have a background in real estate development and no programming experience. I already have a bachelors in Business (emphasis Finance). I am currently getting my MBA in an evening program at one of the top 20 schools in the world. I don't want to go back into real estate and want to get into the tech industry.
What I really want is to become a mobile applications developer (ios/andriod).
I can financially support my existence with a part-time job and the MBA really isn't that hard because I have an undergrad degree in business. These activities will take about 35 hours of my time a week, 45 hours during finals week.
So, I want to go back and get a degree so I can break into this field. So I am looking for recommendations.
Looking at the local state college it looks like the program is really outdated and I won't learn much practical knowledge. Having already done a bunch of college I don't really want to spend my time getting a degree to have another degree. I want to be at least relatively work force ready at graduation.
So it looks like my only option is to do an online degree.
I have identified a few options.
Full Sail, this was the only program I could find where you can specifically study Mobile development. I like that its completely project based because I will learn practical experience. Having a completed app by graduation will certainly help find a job I would think. It is however expensive and I have seen some complaints about the school online. However these complaints seemed to be mostly from people pursing a recording arts degree. IMO its crazy to pursue a degree where thousands of people graduate for only a few new openings a year. Could probably graduate in about 2 years.
Western Governors University. Has lots of good reviews online and is quite inexpensive ($6000 a year). Also you get 18 tech certifications as you go through the program. I am worried it will be less practical and it will certainly take more time. Also, its in "software" in general. So I would need to spend additional time after graduation getting more certifications and building an app to get hired most likely.
Baker College, I haven't heard much about it. It's also pretty inexpensive. Looks like it could take a while.
I have also seen stuff like this:
http://online.champlain.edu/software-development/mobile-programming-certificate
and this:
http://www.pce.uw.edu/certificates/android-app-development.html
I would love to hear of what tech professionals think about these degrees/programs. Also, if you have heard of any other options please let me know!
