Complaint Review: DeVry University

Here is my experience with DeVry University Decatur, GA!

When I enrolled in DeVry University, I was told by my recruiter that I would be a computer engineer upon completion of the program. I explained to her that I wanted to pursue a degree in a career field that would lead me to achieve my goal of buying a home and creating a family. She said this field was the most challenging career choice at the university. She also stated, with this degree, I would be graduating among the elite, and that I should have no problem getting employment, and eventually achieving my goal. After talking with her, I enrolled with expectations of becoming a computer engineer. In my mind, I thought I would be qualified to be placed in a position that would lead to management. I expected to learn all aspects of computer science and expected to gain a solid understanding of circuit theory and electronic circuits. I also expected to command a salary that would be commensurate to my education. As I left her office, I envisioned driving a fine car, living in a plush home, creating and supporting a family, and sending my children to the finest schools. I exhaled as I walked to my car thinking, I've finally made a choice that was right, and I felt good about that choice.
However, the reality of the situation was that I would not be a computer engineer but a computer engineering technician. DeVry University instead teaches students the skills to become a computer engineering technician.

With this knowledge, I asked myself, how does a computer engineering degree program differ from a computer engineering technology program?

In my research, I discovered the computer engineering degree program emphasizes design and invention whereas the computer engineering technology program emphasizes maintenance and repair.

Course titles are often similar in the computer engineer and computer engineering technology programs but course content differs considerably. Since the computer engineering program emphasizes design and invention, it requires considerably more in-depth understanding at a more fundamental level. This implies that the computer engineering program contains more science and mathematics and uses that science and mathematics in the engineering course work. The computer engineering technology program has a different emphasis that requires more hands-on activity and lab work.

For example, if you wanted your computer network repaired, you would ask a technician to do that since that is what he is trained to do. On the other hand, if you were designing a new computer network, you would ask an engineer to do that because she has the fundamentals and background necessary for design.

So, in reality, I would not be qualified upon graduation for placement in a position of management. As a technician, I would not learn all aspects of computer science and would not gain a complete understanding of circuit theory and electronic circuits. The salary earned would be commensurate to a technician and not an engineer. In order to achieve the dream of driving a fine car, living in a plush home, creating and supporting a family, and sending my children to the finest schools, I would have to further my education and pursue a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering degree. The reality of the situation is that I should have not taken the word of the DeVry University recruiter. I should have instead, invested more time researching my decision.

When I enrolled at DeVry University, I was told that upon completion of my degree, I would be a computer engineer. The reality of the situation is that the degree offered, was not a computer engineering degree, but instead a computer engineering technician degree. I also discovered that to make an informed decision, I need to do extensive research and compare the gathered information to form an informed conclusion.

I wrote this as an English paper and now the instructor, Professor Jones, refuses to give me a grade for the entire class.

Derryl
Decatur, Georgia
U.S.A.