Breaking into the mobile development industry

[EndDream]

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Looking at the local state college it looks like the program is really outdated and I won't learn much practical knowledge.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 Mobile development certifications from Champlain College and University of Washington Online

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!

[Jory R Ferrell]

Well I'm not an expert but no matter what school you choose, you should def have more than one working project in your portfolio before you approach potential employers. You'll be more attractive if you have multiple examples showing creativity and thorough design. As a kicker, you should market your own projects some time before hitting the job market, so one, you show motivation and two, you show flexibility and understanding of the managements goals in terms of business. Then no matter which school you choose, you should be able to steamroll competition which is sure to be flooded with people of average motivation and single project portfolio, created soley as homework, and then left to gather dust.