My BS computer science degree at Rochester Institute of Technology (basically a University with about 15 colleges) required 4 quarters of work experience (1 year of work). It turned a 4 year program into 5 years but was well worth it because you get your first quarter of experiece sometime during your second year of school. By the time you have graduated you have experience and possibly opportunities in 1-4 companies..

"have you kissed your local propeller head today?"