[rhizome]

My understanding is that according to US labor law, computer programming is not one of the limited group of employment positions for which a degree is (or can be) required. That is, coders can't be required to have a degree, so HR designs questions that are most likely to only be answerable with university-style training.

[HeyLaughingBoy]

Do you have a citation for this? I can't imagine that it could ever be the case. The employer can set whatever job requirements they want as long as they do not discriminate against protected classes. Non-degree holders are not a protected class.

I'm far from an expert, but I have had to take classes in Employment Law and interviewing practices. This is not the kind of thing they would forget to mention!

[Jach]

I think he might be suggesting that with hiring coders-in-general, it's not necessary that the employer must only hire degree-holders. This is in contrast to hiring an elementary school teacher, where by law the applicant must possess credentials x/y/z even if the school thinks the applicant is fine without those.

[rhizome]

Exactly. There are lots of jobs for which a degree or certification is absolutely required.