Ask HN: Do you need a degree/diploma for a TN-1 (or other work) Visa?

I'm from Canada and looking for input from someone with experience getting a TN-1, or similar, work visa (with or without a degree).

The government website seems pretty clear that I'll need at least a diploma to get a TN-1 visa

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/employment/nafta.html

Trying to weigh these 2 options:

[0] General consensus I've seen on HN and elsewhere is that a degree isn't necessary to be a successful developer. I have a family so 2-4 years of schooling isn't a small sacrifice at this point.

However

[1] The US job market for software seems significantly larger and more lucrative than Canada's. 2-5 years of sacrifice could easily be made up with access to US job market.

Also, I already have a B.A. (Christian studies) and soon will have an M.A. (Biblical Counselling). They are unrelated fields, but thought I'd mention it in case it makes a difference.