Jump start your software development career pathway in an associate degree program
| Accreditation | Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission |
|---|---|
| Program length | 16 months |
| Credits to graduate | 60 credits |
| Transfer credit | Up to 45 approved credits |
| Format | 100% online classes you can take right at home |
| Languages | Learn to code using popular programming languages, including Visual Basic, C#, Java, Python, C++, Javascript, and more |
| Career prospects | Software developers earn an average of $120,990 per year (BLS), 22% growth expected from 2020-2030 (BLS)* |
| Certification | Become certified: we pay for your first attempt for several key certification exams from CompTIA, Oracle, and the Python Institute1 |
Overview: Associate of Science in Software Development
The Associate of Science in Software Development degree is an 60-credit undergraduate program which prepares you for jobs in the field of software development/engineering. The degree program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in programming, security, database concepts and applications, and more.
Earn a career-focused foundational education in software development
Take the first step towards joining a rapidly growing career field with high earning potential. Software Developer has been ranked as the #1 best job of 2023 according to U.S. News & World Report due to its excellent ratings in terms of salary, job market, future growth, and work-life balance.
Among a sea of online bootcamps and training courses, one of your best options continues to be a living, breathing, curated undergraduate software development degree program that’s consistently updated to prepare you for today and tomorrow’s job market.
Our associate degree program is designed to be your first step to qualifying for entry-level jobs, allowing you the opportunity to learn foundational skills and knowledge at a comfortable pace.
- Learn online in Herzing’s Everywhere Classroom: on your schedule, at your pace
- Class topics include object-oriented programming, database concepts and applications, computer architecture and troubleshooting, computer security, and much more
- Coding courses are designed for beginners; no coding experience is required
- Degree pathway: transfer credit earned into a software development bachelor’s degree program to bolster your educational credentials for better job opportunities
Classes Start March 6th
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Curriculum
Software development associate degree classes & curriculum details
The Associate of Science in Software Development online program incorporates the fundamentals of programming, networking, troubleshooting, internet application and databases with the general education courses required for an associate level degree.
This program is a first step toward an entry-level software developer career. Graduates of this degree may roll their credits into either the software development or technology management bachelor's degree program for greater career opportunities.
| Program | Monthsi | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Associate and Associate of Applied Science in Software Development | 16 | 60 |
Program availability varies by location
Required Courses in Software Development
All courses, 31.00 semester credit hours, are required.
Elective Courses in Software Development
A minimum of 3.00 semester credit hours in the field of information technology, information systems, computer science or a related discipline are required.
Required Courses in General Education
Students enrolled in this associate degree must complete a minimum of 24.00 semester credit hours in general education distributed among the following disciplines. Refer to the General Education section of the catalog for specific information about courses within each discipline. 9.00 Semester Credit Hours in Communications 6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities (must include 3 semester credit hours of cultural diversity) 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Science 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Personal and Professional Development Courses
2.00 semester credit hours are required.
Get educated, and get certified
Complete our software development associate degree program and we will pay for your first exam attempts for several key industry certifications:1
- CompTIA A+. Master and confirm your core IT skills and knowledge necessary for success in a variety of IT support positions.
- CompTIA Network+. Show employers you’ve got the ability to configure, manage, and troubleshoot IT infrastructure.
- CompTIA Security+. Prove your proficiency in basic IT security skills required for roles in cyber security and systems administration.
- PCEP – Certified Every-Level Python Programmer. Verify your familiarity with the essentials of Python programming and universal programming concepts.
Our goal is to fully prepare you with the comprehensive skillset needed to excel professionally immediately upon graduating—and build a strong foundation to continue advancing your career. Getting certified is an excellent way to become more qualified not only for entry level jobs after graduation, but advanced career opportunities in software development in the future.
Requirements
Enrollment requirements
Prerequisites to enroll in the Herzing University Software Development associate degree program include:
- Completion of a high school diploma, GED or equivalent
- Meet with a Herzing admissions advisor
- Fill out an enrollment application
With Herzing University advancing your career IS possible. We are here to help you take the first step.
Eligible states for enrollment: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District Of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Classes Start March 6th
Waived Enrollment FeeFrequently Asked Questions
The Herzing University software development program takes 16-32 months depending on the degree you pursue. After earning either an associate or bachelor’s degree you’ll be ready to apply for entry level software development positions in many different industries.
If you enjoy problem-solving, possess critical thinking skills and have a keen attention to detail, earning a software developer degree could be right for you. Software engineers rely heavily on the ability to analyze and evaluate technical data.
Professionals in this field must have a strong aptitude for reasoning, be detail-oriented and possess interpersonal skills in order to work as part of a team and communicate technical details—both to clients unfamiliar with the language and programmers demanding clear instructions to execute.
Software developers typically work in a comfortable office environment or computer lab. A standard workweek is 40-50 hours with occasional periods of longer hours when deadlines must be met.
Those employed in this field most often enjoy full benefits packages from their employers along with a competitive salary.
The average salary for software developers can vary widely based on the specific roles and responsibilities of the job.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for software developers is $120,990 per year ($58.17 per hour).*
Job outlook
The BLS reports employment of software developers is expected to rise 22% from 2020-2030, much higher than the 8% projection across all U.S. occupations.
Strictly speaking, no. You don’t need to be well-versed in calculus or be able to perform complex computations in your head in the snap of a finger.
However, you will need to be able to think mathematically and logically to succeed in software development. Programming logic is a foundational topic—the ability to design and debug systems and successfully navigate progressive “if/then” logic requires mathematical thinking.
Students with an aptitude for math may have an advantage, but a career in software development doesn’t require advanced math skills.
This is a subject of ongoing discussion as the industry continues to evolve. Some people use the terms interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference between engineering and development:
- A software engineer applies traditional engineering principles to analyze and solve problems. Their analysis, interpretation and solutions are done through a quantitative, engineering lens.
- A software developer approaches problems creatively with more flexibility to solve problems outside of the scientific method, applying qualitative practices and patterns learned outside of an engineering-based process.
The Herzing software development program introduces concepts in software engineering but does not provide a full foundation in engineering principles.
Yes, working from home and remote work may be an option for software developers. Especially for freelancers/contractors and those who choose to work for themselves.
However, every employer has their own requirements in regard to remote work. Not every company is equipped to smoothly handle remote communication and team project management. Some jobs will require office availability by default and offer one or more days per week to work remotely.
There is a lot of similarity between software developers and computer programmers. They very often work closely together, and oftentimes experienced developers will wear both hats. Here is the primary distinction:
- Software developers design software.
- Computer programmers build software.
The developer outlines how the software must function, and the programmer makes it function. To successfully design software programs, developers need a background in programming to understand what’s possible from a programmer’s perspective.
Do you excel in executing tasks and carrying out instructions with tremendous attention to detail? You could thrive as a programmer and may consider working towards a computer programming degree.
Do you excel in conceiving a new solution to a problem, designing it from the ground up and working with the many people needed to make it work? A career as a software developer might be perfect for you.
Software developers conceptualize, design, code and produce the programs we use every day.
The specific tasks and duties of a software developer will vary depending on the employer and industry. Generally, software developers do the following:
- Evaluate user needs to determine whether they will need existing, modified, or new software
- Plan out each part of an application or system, creating diagrams and models of how the program will flow and which programming languages will be used
- Direct the work of software programmers as they code and test the program
- Create reference documentation so the program can be upgraded and maintained
- Conduct testing of the program and create regular updates
Program Finder
Associate and Associate of Applied Science in Software Development Degree Programs
Showing 1 program for the Online campus
This program prepares students for entry-level positions in the computing field, with particular emphases placed on software development. Skills taught include programming logic, object-oriented programming, applications development, including web and mobile application fundamentals, database applications, security concepts, and network and computer architecture fundamentals. Graduates of this program may continue on to a bachelor's degree in software development.
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Accreditation & Disclosures
1. Certification is not a state requirement. Payment for first exam attempt(s) requires meeting certain University guidelines, including passing specified courses, completion of exam preparation materials, and more. Please contact admissions for more information.
Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2021. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
Eligible states for enrollment: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District Of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
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