That piece of paper means more than you think. Sure, some employers are adept enough to see your true value and skills, but most of the time you must go thru a Human Resources department that has absolutely no concept of how to measure your skills other than looking at that piece of paper. And this is the problem, how to get past HR to the real interview with the those who know the job.
Take it from me. I have over 30 years computer & digital telecom experience and 2500 classroom hours of training that most HR departments cannot translate if it equates to the job they are trying to fill. A piece of paper seems to be all most understand.