You seem to be caught between the same two choices as I did coming out of high school. I had always wanted to be a programmer since 14, but around 2007 is when I got a hold of BT & my interest in the infosec arena grew. Being 17 and graduating soon after that I knew I had to make a choice.

I checked out the took a look at the list of jobs expected to grow substantially by 2014 and it helped me make my decision. I think it's good you have the AA/AS in CIS - your almost at your bachelors, I say go for it.

What I ended up choosing was Computer Science / Programming as a major. I figured with that background it may be somewhat easy to migrate over into the information assurance / security field after wards if I wanted to head there. This is a pretty hard choice, was tough on me too. Since you have the degree, I say put in the extra couple years to get the bachelors degree. I'd keep the interest in Comp Sci / Engineering too, maybe on the side study doing programming, etc maybe get some certs in that area so if you wanted to, you could possibly be employable in both areas!

Don't know if this has helped, but what ever you could take from it -  

Cheers,

kris

this is quite a hard descision, but also very simple:

a better education will open more doors for you. and the way i see it is that the focus area isnt that important. you can always specialize afterwards. i'd go with the most broad (computer related) education, and specialize afterwards. this will give you a solid foundation to build on. also see if they have the possibility to do it parttime because of work. it will probably take you longer but hey, thats the price you probably have to pay.

If that was the case, I'd go back to Anthropology (My focus was on Underwater Archaeology).   However the job market is harder, and you really need a PhD to play in it.

I've been doing IT / Networking for 14 years now, but find it hard to get past HR without a BS right now (love bad economies)

Let me throw my two cents in here.  I have a bachelors in Software Engineering.  There have been times in the past two years that I wished that it had more programming in it.  However, it did give me a greater view of how projects and software comes together.  I stayed in school when I finished that and earned my masters with a concentration in IS.  I now work in that field as an auditor and enjoy it.  This is why I wish I had more programming though.  There have been times when it would have been nice to write a quick script or other to aid in the testing process or writing exploits. I would suggest, that you look at IA since you already have a bit of a CIS background.  Good luck with whatever you choose.

Oh, I did both my bachelors and masters in online programs.  That worked out well for me since I had a family and a full time job that I could not just drop to go back to school.

@binaryman:

I can program, I aced all my programming classes, even tutored someone in my C class. This was back when I was in the Community College. It's not that I can't, I just find it mind numbingly boring.

As for programming for security / pen-testing, I might actually enjoy that. I find when I write the code for things I need, I enjoy it more.

!!!

That sounds great!!

But it is also noteworthy that you have spent 14 years in networking/IT. That is a lot of experience, man. Now, when you plan to do BS, things at college will look so smooth. Plus, it will also give you a different view of what you were doing since 14 years. In all, it is going to be a very good mix. To do a BS will not be difficult for you.

Before you join any college, just have a look at the curriculum, so that you do not face something which you do not like (like programming).

And, occasionally, go for scuba diving, for keeping in touch with your another interest area.

All the best.

Vekar