flickr photo shared by northways under a Creative Commons ( BY ) license
I teach Computer Science classes at Weber State University, at night at a satellite program we offer at Salt Lake Community College, located in Utah. I also advise those same students. The Computer Science departments at both schools have been discussing at length these new “boot camp” programs that take you from zero to hero in Java or web programming in 8–12 weeks. $5,000 and up, depending on the program.

My question is this: should colleges and universities treat Computer Science like a trade (e.g. electrician, plumber or welder) and teach skills alone and bag the whole “education” thing? Is it training only that employers care about? Should I advise bright students to go to a boot camp and not waste the next six years in a part-time college program taking Biology and Creative Writing and earning a Bachelors?

Are you considering or enrolled in a boot camp? Wish you were?