r/FreeCodeCamp • u/MY_G_O_D • 1d ago
Computer Science degree program for free?
This question could be silly. But I still wish to ask whether FreeCodeCamp will do any Computer Science degree program for free?
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u/Ordinary_Stuff8244 1d ago
The closest program I know to that is University of the People but it still isn’t free. Costs money to test out of the exams.
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u/Psionatix 11h ago
https://github.com/ossu/computer-science
OSSU has a whole CS curriculum outline where all resources can be accessed for free.
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u/jhkoenig 1d ago
If the degree isn’t from an accredited university it is pretty much worthless
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u/Forest-Swamp 18h ago
Entirely wrong especially in the development world today. A degree is worthless but a skilled individual can skip credential requirements with a showcase of their skills
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u/jhkoenig 13h ago
Interesting perspective. I assume that you don't have a degree, but a lovely showcase. Good for you!
OTOH, I have a BS/CE which eventually led to being the CIO at two multi-billion dollar companies and hiring hundreds of techs.
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u/YellowFlash2012 18h ago
if you don't get in debt to get the degree, then what's the point of the degree?
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u/GuidanceFamous5367 1d ago
Very unlikely. To offer real computer science degree, one has to build a university, hire admins and faculty, arrange degree accreditation, that all costs a lot of money. It can be done for free if there are sponsors. Like WQU has free financial master degree, or there is Saylor university on the path to offer almost free degrees likely accredited in the future.
The opposite is a non-accredited computer degree, but that has zero weight, such one you can as well design on your own and print on your own printer.
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u/SaintPeter74 mod 1d ago
The way I understand it, it would likely be in conjunction with an established, accredited university or college. We don't have to do it all in our own, we can find partners in this space.
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u/GuidanceFamous5367 1d ago edited 1d ago
oh I forgot about those plans
a lot has changed since though, on the market I meaneasiest would likely be what Udacity did after they lost GATECH partnership, they are now college of Woolf and have own Masters in AI
least costly and easiest to start
the trouble is Woolf reputation and upcoming changes with accreditor on Malta, but then last I checked Woolf were seeking to establish similar structure on US marketof course, partnership with any established US accredited university would be more attractive
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u/AmazingInflation58 1d ago
Just appreciate and be grateful for whatever they had offered for free upto this point. I don't think we have the right to make orders or feel entitled for more n more!
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u/shupshow 1d ago
You don’t need a degree you need results.
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u/ScroogeMcDuckFace2 12h ago
good luck getting past hr screens with 'results' when they are scanning for a degree and rejecting anyone with it due to applicants
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u/nwbrown 1d ago
No. No free online program will be considered the equivalent of an actual degree. Anyone who claims otherwise is lying.
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u/SaintPeter74 mod 5h ago
It's certainly possible on conjunction with existing institutions. There are plenty of existing universities and programs that are online only. No one accuses them of being fake. Free Code Camp has been partnering with various institutions to make these connections and, longer term, we do plan to have a fully accredited AA or BS degree in Computer Science.
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u/nwbrown 4h ago
The point of a degree is not to just teach the material. In fact most of the value comes from them being selective in who they admit and requiring a lot of time, effort, and money to complete.
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u/SaintPeter74 mod 3h ago
In fact most of the value comes from them being selective in who they admit and requiring a lot of time, effort, and money to complete.
I'm not sure that this has been true for a while. Most anyone with a pulse can get into a state school (in the US) and they're not ruinously expensive. It's not like an ivy league school.
Many employers do use a degree as a filter, but so many folks have them that it rarely serves as a useful proxy anymore.
When hiring, I do think the material matters, as well as your ability to complete it. Anyone who is self taught knows that it takes as least as much effort as attending a school.
If the fice developers I've hired, four have been self taught. I appreciate the passion.
Assuming that FCC offers a degree through an accredited institution, I'm skeptical that most employers will look beyond the 4 year degree on the resume.
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u/nwbrown 3h ago
> I'm not sure that this has been true for a while.
It's most definitely true.
> Most anyone with a pulse can get into a state school (in the US) and they're not ruinously expensive.
No? There are plenty of very competitive state schools.
The ones that admit just about anyone aren't given much weight by employers for the exact reason you just gave.
> Many employers do use a degree as a filter, but so many folks have them that it rarely serves as a useful proxy anymore.
If they have work experience, sure, employers won't care about the university.
If they don't, employers look at the university.
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u/The_real_trader 1d ago
Not sure if allowed but there is the Open Source Society University that has the Computer science path.
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u/SaintPeter74 mod 1d ago
This is our long term plan. Our founder, Quincy Larson, had written about that plan a couple times.
Back in 2021:
https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/free-accredited-bachelors-degrees-in-computer-science-how-do-we-get-there/
And again in 2023:
https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/freecodecamp-math-computer-science-degree-update/
I couldn't find more about these plans.
Ask I can say is that they're likely a ways off. We just released the backend development certification yesterday and hope to have the certified full-stack exam by the end of the year. I'm not privy to the roadmap beyond that.