It's easy to learn how to program. It's hard to learn how to program well, and even harder to stay relevant.

If you are passionate about it, and don't mind spending hours a week just keeping up with changes, then run a few searches on a good search engine for language tutorials that interest you.
There is a lot of content out there on Java/PHP/Ruby/.NET/etc, and plenty of free + open source tools for you to get tinkering before you go back to school.

I would check out the material that's there, try your hand at some programming tutorials and see if you enjoy it. Then make a decision from then on.
Source(s):
Personal experience in web development +2 years.

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As the others have alluded, the answer to this question is largely dependent on the individual. I do agree that you do not necessarily need to go to school, although a good program (or workshop) may be a good way to "jump start" learning or point you in the right direction.

Ultimately, you WILL NEED to have an analytical mind and the ability to take large complex problems and break them down into smaller and simpler "pieces" in a systematic way.

Here are some ideas on how to get exposed to programming:

1. Fina a "web development" user group in your area. For instance, in our area, we have the Gold Coast Users Group (http://gcusersgroup.org/) and they hold monthly meetings and as many workshops on ALL topics programming. Attend some meetings and start talking with other people!

2. Download free software and start to follow tutorials. Learning to program web applications (like Mahalo.com) will take two skill sets: HTML/CSS and Server Side programming. Perhaps start with HTML/CSS - build the best website you can.

While on this topic, I would recommend you try Microsoft's own Visual Web Developer Express (a free software product available at http://www.microsoft.com/express/vwd/). It is a VERY good tool designed very much to get users "into" programming websites. Also, the developer base for ASP.NET is so large that you will find thousands of websites with examples, tutorials and Q&A.;

3. For HTML/CSS, I recommend one of the many HTML/CSS books. My favorite is "HTML Utopia: Designing Without Tables Using CSS" by Dan Shafer. The techniques he covers are THE latest way to design website HTML/CSS.

4. Finally, creating websites also requires design skills OR really good designs that you can buy. You can be the worlds BEST programmer and if your websites "look" bad graphically, you will not succeed. If you know your way around Photoshop and are artistically inclined, you'll be able to "draw" your own websites. If not, try one of the many "template marketplace" websites where you can buy "ready made" designs. One of my favorites is http://www.templatemonster.com/.

Overall, set yourself some goals, talk to other people in this field and be prepared to NOT GIVE UP!
Source(s):
http://gcusersgroup.org/
http://www.microsoft.com/express/vwd/
http://www.templatemonster.com/

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