Web Design/Development Career Question

[nimbuscloud]

Hello my friends. I have a question.

I'm interested in attaining a Master's degree, I currently have a BFA in Graphic Design. I was going to go to an online school that is also brick and mortar; University College DU. Anyway, I wanted to major in Computer Information Systems (CIS): Web Design and Development Technologies.

The only problem is, there's some classes that isn't on the schedule for that degree that I'd like to take. I could major in Computer Information Systems: Individualized Option, which would let me pick and choose what classes or electives that I want to take within CIS.

So, the question is, will that look bad on paper? Would it look better to an employer to see that I had a Master's in CIS: Web Design and Development, or that I simply have a Master's in CIS: Individualized Option, which would be an open degree?

Thanks for your time and help. Have a great day!

 

[sord]

If you're going for web development, having web development in your degree name will look better.

 

[nimbuscloud]

If you're going for web development, having web development in your degree name will look better.

I was thinking that too. I just wish that I had a few free electives that I could choose.

 

[sord]

I was thinking that too. I just wish that I had a few free electives that I could choose.

If you've got the time and don't mind spending money on a course not dedicated to your major, you can most likely just go ahead and take those that you want...

-OR-

Get a masters in both if you really don't mind not having time

 

[nimbuscloud]

If you've got the time and don't mind spending money on a course not dedicated to your major, you can most likely just go ahead and take those that you want...

-OR-

Get a masters in both if you really don't mind not having time

The thing is that the Individualized Option would let me take the web classes that I want. The direct Web Design/Developer option is good, but there's a few classes in that path that I'm not really interested in...like ASP.NET.

The Individualized Option would give me all the perks and classes that I want to take, but the Web Design/Developer option just has a better name.

 

[X1Lightning]

The thing is that the Individualized Option would let me take the web classes that I want. The direct Web Design/Developer option is good, but there's a few classes in that path that I'm not really interested in...like ASP.NET.

The Individualized Option would give me all the perks and classes that I want to take, but the Web Design/Developer option just has a better name.

If you really want to get some where do as much freelance consulting as you can, real world experience means a lot more than a degree, still get your degree, but it is very hard to get a job if you have only a degree, and everyone else that is applying has experience.
If you are good, you wont need a real job, there is way more money in freelance, but a real job can have more security.

 

[Oats]

I think your experience/portfolio will matter much more than the title of your degree. You should take the courses that give you the kind of experience you want. So I think you should choose the degree that best fits your interests.

That said, you may not be interested in ASP.net (I mean, who would be??) but it probably wouldn't hurt to know when it comes time to get a job. In fact, it might just help.

 

[angelwatt]

Well your program name isn't generally going to be on diploma. For instance, my Bachelors in Psychology says Bachelors of Science, and my Masters in Human Factors Engineering diploma says Masters and Science and Engineering. No where on it does it mention my actual degree. That only exist on transcripts. So from that perspective it doesn't matter which one you choose. pick the most appealing.

I also echo what others are saying about skills and real world are much more important than degree. I have the above mentioned degrees yet still do some web design/development work even though I've never had a course. I taught myself everything on my own using mostly Google.

 

[jng]

I think your experience/portfolio will matter much more than the title of your degree. You should take the courses that give you the kind of experience you want. So I think you should choose the degree that best fits your interests.

Ditto.
If you're intent on doing a Masters, do the one that's more appealing to you, not the one with the better name.
In this field a portfolio matters more than anything else.