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Computer science is a broad field that includes a range of studies, including artificial intelligence, graphics, hardware design, and software development. There have been computer scientists hard at work since at least the 1940s and WWII, when the first electronic computing devices were created. However, the notion of programming dates all the way back to Ada Lovelace, a woman who wrote the first program for a binary system. That was in the 1840s. Today you can continue her bold tradition by earning an associate degree in computer science.
A two-year degree in the field is a terrific way to launch your career. You could decide to focus on software, or you might decide that cyber security is more interesting. Others can take their two-year degrees and become technical writers who translate computer languages into English for the rest of us. No matter which direction you choose, you can forge a brilliant career with an associate degree in computer science.
PROS
There are many positive aspects to earning an associate degree in computer science — They are often quite affordable, take only two years to complete, and allow you to get a jump start on your career. If you take your courses through a community college, you'll likely find that your per-credit costs are far below those of public universities.
Once you graduate, usually in a mere two years — you can get straight to work in an IT department or for a start-up company. That will put you ahead of your friends who opted for a bachelor's degree. Furthermore, you can get started on professional certificates after earning your associate, which can often mean as much as a degree. Your employer might even help you pay for those certificates, too.
Since you'll have a degree — you can always return to a university or four-year college to complete a bachelor's degree, should you desire. Your experience and certificates will help with your application and give you a head start on completing this higher level of education. Before you know it, you'll be in graduate school.
CONS
An associate degree does have drawbacks — One of the main drawbacks is that employers often prefer a bachelor's degree for new hires. A two-year degree might also prevent you from earning a professional certificate, since a higher degree is required for many professional certificates.
You might also find that your starting — pay is a bit lower than your colleagues who have four-year degrees. This is simply because they have more academic training. Your two-year degree may also prevent you from studying certain concentrations, such as cyber security, which are more easily available at larger four-year schools.
Since bachelor's degrees are increasingly — seen as a minimum requirement for employment, an associate degree might not get you where you want to go. However, it is still possible to earn certain certificates and gain experience even with a two-year degree.
Certificate Vs. Associates
A certificate is another option that you might consider. They take less time to complete and provide your resume with entry-level credentials to help you land that first job. While some certificates do require that you have a degree, many community colleges offer one-year certificates in computer science or information technology and have very minimal requirements for entry into these programs. These are great options for those who are eager to get started on a career in technology, or those who already have a degree but want additional credentials to enhance their current position or to launch a new career.
Though a full associate degree is preferred, a certificate program will give you college credits. That means that you can build on those credits later if you wish to pursue higher academic credentials.
What Computer Science Associate Degrees are Available?
Associate of Science (AS):
This is perhaps the most common associate degree. These degrees include coursework in common core courses such as humanities, mathematics, and natural sciences. Your computer science work for this degree will rely on scholarly research and sources, which a four-year institution is sure to appreciate. If you wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the future, this is probably your best choice. Associate in Applied
Science (AAS):
Applied science degrees focus more on occupational concerns than academic research. This means that, when you graduate, your knowledge will be more immediately applicable to the workplace. However, if you're thinking of pursuing a bachelor's degree later, you might find that you need to take more courses, or re-take certain classes, prior to attaining a full admission to a four-year institution. Associate of Applied
Business (AAB):
These degrees will provide you with the fundamental skills businesses are looking for. You'll learn about topics such as programming, networking, software development, and other technological areas. Some programs offer these degrees as a first-step toward other concentrations, such as cyber security.
Admission Requirements
While most community colleges have an open enrollment program, you will probably still need to have a high school diploma or GED to gain admittance. Since computer science is highly technical, you will probably also want to have a strong background in mathematics. If you know you want to study computer science while you are still in high school, you should try to enroll in as many computer-related courses as you can.
While you might not need a specific SAT or ACT score to gain entry into an associate degree program, it’s never a bad idea to take whichever exam is most prevalent in your area. This way you can use the scores to help bolster your admissions packet. You'll also be able to gain an idea of what four-year schools you might consider attending.
How long does it take to earn an Associate Degree in Computer Science?
Associate degrees are typically structured to be completed in two years, assuming students take a full load of classes. You should do whatever you can to finish in that time, since the sooner you graduate the faster you can apply your degree to a job. However, many students still need to work part- or full-time to support themselves or a family, so they may need to take a bit longer to complete their degrees.
If you need to take more time for your degree, try to land a job in an IT department or any high tech firm while you go to school. Even if you are working as a support staff administrator, you can let your employer know your plans. They may offer some help with tuition or help you ease into your new field.
Components of a Successful Career in Computer Science
You’ll have a wide menu of choices when it comes to an IT career: you’ll be able to work as an IT consultant, computer forensic investigator, cloud architect, health IT specialist (in a healthcare setting), web developer, mobile application developer, vendor manager, software engineer, data modeler, or a geospatial professional.
Each specialization requires that you know everything that is currently known about information technology, plus everything you need to know about your chosen specialty.
Associate Degree
At the associate level, the classes you’ll take are more basic. You’ll take your general education courses, as students seeking their undergrad degrees will do and you’ll take a few of the computer systems and programming classes you will need to gain an entry level position in the CS field.
Associate Degree Sample Courses
English Composition
Calculus, I
Introduction to Programming
Logic
English Composition, II
Calculus, II
Approved elective
Computer Science, I (or approved elective)
Principles of Macroeconomics
Public Speaking
Interpersonal Speaking
Computer Science, I
Approved elective
Physics: Calculus-Based, I - with Lab
Art Appreciation
General Psychology
Western Civilization, and additional classes
Bachelors with Concentration
At the bachelor’s level, you’ll take similar classes—with the option of progressing toward a masters. Though the classes are similar, they will be more numerous and will lean more heavily into the math arena. Once you graduate with a bachelors, you’ll have a wider range of jobs you’ll be able to walk into than you would have with just an associate’s.
General Education:
Interpersonal Communication or Speech Communications
Introductory Written Communication
Professional Written Communication
Modern American History: 1950-21st Century
College Algebra for Technical Programs
Introduction to Ethics
Introductory Psychology
Core Courses:
Computer Architecture
Problem Solving in Computer Science
Principles of Programming Languages
Introduction to Programming
Python Programming
SQL Programming
Java Programming
C++ Programming
Fundamentals of Data Structures
Introduction to Database Systems
Computer Algorithms
Mobile Programming
Introduction to Parallel Computing
Principles of Operating Systems
Software Engineering
Foundations of Big Data Analysis
Computer Science Team Project, I
Computer Science Team Project, II
Introduction to Computer Security
Fundamentals of Networking
Applications of Discrete Mathematics for Computer Systems and IT
Data Driven Statistics for Computer Systems and IT
Concentration:44 credits from Computer Science Credits (Also as electives)
Masters with Concentrations
1st Master Plan:
32 credit hours of approved graduate courses
At least two credit hours of CS Colloquium
At least 26 of the 32 hours must be in courses offered by Computer Science Department at 500 level or higher
Complete minimum of two courses from following categories with a grade of B- or higher:
Mathematical Methods
Empirical Methods
Engineering/System Building Methods
Completion of 6-9 credit hours of Thesis credit, with a maximum of 9 credit hours of thesis and independent research, combined
Defense of the Thesis
2nd Master's Plan:
32 credit hours of approved graduate courses
At least 2 credit hours of Colloquium In addition to Colloquium, at least 24 of the 32 credit hours must be in courses offered by Computer Science Department at the 500 level or higher
Completion of a minimum of two courses from each category below, with a grade of B- or higher:
Mathematical Methods
Empirical Methods
Engineering/System Building Methods
No final exam will be required.
Associates, Bachelors, Masters Cost Range for Each Associate of Science in Computer Science
$265/credit hour (less for members of the military, veterans or family members of the military.)
Bachelor’s degrees
$215.55/credit hour, in-state $721.10/credit hour, out-of-state (both main campus)
Graduate Degrees, Engineering and Computer Science
$2,101 (12 hours or more); $1,401 (6-11 hours); $700 ($1-5 hours); $350 (0 hours)
What Can I Do With a Computer Science Degree?
At any level (associate’s, bachelor’s, or masters), a computer science degree is lucrative. This career field is much in demand as companies all across the U.S. continue embracing technology and moving more and more of their operations to computers, servers, and the cloud.
At the associate’s level, you can easily earn more than $36,000; at the bachelor’s level, close to $54,999; and at the master’s level, a little more than $96,000.
Computer Science Fields of Study
As a computer hardware engineer, you are responsible for researching, designing, developing and testing new computer systems and their components (processors, circuit boards, memory devices, networks, and routers). You create the schematics for the system to be built, then test the hardware. You also analyze the test results and make any needed modifications.
Computer engineers also solve problems using spreadsheets and databases. Working for a large company, you’ll target any problems that are slowing or stopping the functions of the computer system. You’ll also handle data effectively, perform computational analysis, and assist with decision support.
Digital Storytelling allows people to tell stories by using computer-based tools. These are also called computer-based narratives, digital documentaries, digital essays, interactive storytelling, and electronic memoirs. If this is your field, you’ll work within community centers, libraries, schools, and businesses. You’ll assist teachers, students, and educators to create and tell the stories.
In web application development, you will be responsible for creating technologies that allow people to learn, carry out business, and keep control over their daily lives. Electronic calendars and alarm apps come to mind. With all of this, the Internet has become the basis for businesses.
Artificial Intelligence is a relatively new and still highly experimental field. Businesses and individuals use AI in their daily lives, where various systems aid us in learning, finding needed information, and using what we find to make educated decisions. Apps such as Siri and Alexa are considered to be AI.
Data mining helps professionals to find relationships and patterns embedded in data. Computer science professionals who specialize in data mining principles assist other professionals in finding the data, analyzing it, then converting it into usable information for the company.
Software engineering powers all our electronic devices, such as music players, microwave ovens, cellphones, personal computers, tablets, e-readers and even huge mainframe computers that government organizations rely on. Software engineering relies on algorithms that inform the device about all the various procedures they should perform.
Computer Science Careers and Salary
Computer support specialists are becoming more and more important with every year that passes. They provide support to businesses and governments and aid organizations and users. For governments and worldwide companies, they provide computer network support and give technical assistance.
Computer science professionals in different occupations earn salaries at differing rates. For instance, computer support specialists earn $52,810 as a median annual salary while computer and information research analysts earn much more at $114,520.
The difference in annual pay comes from the computer science concentrations each professional chose while in college. Computer support specialists provide technical help and advice for individuals and organizations. Computer and information research scientists go much deeper in their knowledge and the work they do. They invent and design new types of computing technology. In addition, they develop new and innovative uses for technology that already exists. They also solve complex problems in computing for several areas, such as medicine, business, government, and science.
CS Career Options
Computer Network Architects help design and build data communication networks (local area networks and wide area networks). The connections may be small or large, such as cloud infrastructure to aid multiple customers. They are expected to hold bachelor’s degrees before they are hired for these positions.
Computer Programmers write the code that helps to interpret what we want to do, such as research or logging into social media and interacting with others. When software developers and engineers send them program designs for specific apps or software, programmers take those designs and convert them into instructions a computer will reliably follow.
Computer Systems Analysts (or architects) carefully examine a company’s current computer systems so they can recommend and design solutions to aid the company in becoming more efficient. They are required to bring IT and business together. This means they have to communicate closely with and understand the needs of the company and understand the limitations the company and IT bring to the equation.
Information Systems Analysts are tasked with planning security measures, then carrying them out so that an organization’s networks and systems are protected. As the number of networks and cyberattacks increase, the work of the systems analyst grows, keeping them constantly busy. Cyberattacks may originate from foreign countries, compromising a company’s secrets or the electric grid.
Web Developers can do their work once they have earned an associate degree. They help to design and create new websites, monitoring the look of the new sites they have created. Developers monitor the technical performance of websites, such as load speed and capacity. They may also create site content.
Scholarships
School of Engineering Scholarships
Covers several scholarships for students in the School of Engineering—including computer science students. These are internal scholarships for the School of Engineering and include SOE Summer Undergraduate Scholarships and National Science Foundation scholarships. (Funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation.)
S-STEM Scholarships (formerly CSEMS)
This National Science Foundation-funded scholarship supports students identified as Appalachian High Achievers in STEM. This scholarship is aimed at those students with financial need and academic talent who plan to major in computer science, chemistry, geology, physics, or applied mathematics. This program works to provide a safe, nurturing environment that encourages scholastic excellence.
Computer Science Scholarship
This scholarship was designed to encourage academic interest in computer science. The selected applicant must be enrolled full-time as a rising junior or senior majoring in computer science. Students must maintain an overall GPA of at least 2.5; cumulative GPA must be a minimum of 3.0 for all courses in the Department of Mathematical Sciences. A letter of application is required from a Mathematical Sciences faculty member.
Mark Nesiba Memorial Endowed Scholarship for Women in Computing
This scholarship is open to women only. Students who are applying for this scholarship must be majoring in computer science with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Although it isn’t mandatory, the scholarship department prefers that students be Hispanic. Women who apply should qualify for financial aid after filling out and submitting their FAFSA.
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