- There is no single degree rule for FDE work, so the exact wording in the posting is the answer.
- "Required" and "or equivalent practical experience" are different statements, and only the second one opens a door.
- No degree language at all means the employer has not told you its policy, not that a degree is unnecessary.
- Where equivalent experience is accepted, show systems you built or operated, your technical decisions, and what happened after launch.
- Ask the recruiter before withdrawing, because the application form and the posting sometimes disagree.
Read the wording precisely
| Wording | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| "Bachelor's degree required" | A stated requirement, unless the employer gives an alternative elsewhere |
| "Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience" | The employer has named an alternative. Show the work |
| "Bachelor's degree preferred" | A preference, not a stated requirement |
| No degree language | Unknown. Ask, and do not read silence either way |
Four questions for the employer
- Is the degree required, preferred, or paired with an equivalent-experience option?
- Does "related field" include the field my work was delivered in?
- How does the team assess equivalent practical experience?
- Which technical or customer evidence should I bring?
A portfolio project supports an equivalent-experience case. It does not change a posting that requires a degree with no alternative, and a course or certificate is not a substitute unless the employer says it is.