What Are the Courses of an Associate's Degree in Software Engineering?
An associate's degree in software engineering typically covers programming languages, computer architecture, operating systems and advanced engineering concepts. If you're interested in computer science or computer engineering, the software engineering specialization may interest you. Read on to learn more.
Software Engineering Requirements
Software engineering is a specialization of computer science that focuses on the development of efficient software systems. Software engineers branch off from computer science by focusing on the practical aspects of software and the needs of software users. The Association for Computing Machinery (www.acm.org) has outlined basic requirements for an associate's degree program in software engineering. The guidelines allow a student to transfer to another university and complete a bachelor's degree or use the knowledge gained in a 2-year program to begin a career.
Important Facts About Software Engineers
| Online Availability | Full coursework online |
| Specializations | Modeling and simulation, digital systems, network-centric, game systems |
| Key Skills | Detail-oriented, communication, analysis, computer skills |
| Certification | Not required but may increase earning potential |
| Median Salary (2021) | $120,730 (for software developers)* |
| Job Outlook (2021-2031) | 26% (for software developers)* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Coursework
Students with a desire to enter the software engineering field may seek an associate's degree. These are somewhat rare, and may be offered under software engineering or software engineering technology. These programs are usually offered by technical schools. These associate's degree programs generally take about two years to complete.
Degree programs begin by teaching the basics of computer science theory and programming. Students then study specific software engineering topics, including systems analysis, computer architecture, networking and interface design. Software engineering students will also learn programming languages, such as Java, C++ and C, as well as HTML. Students will take several specialized software engineering courses:
- Programming essentials
- Operating systems, such as Windows
- Computer organization
- Digital logic
Programs may also include internships. This is where students work with an organization to practice the skills they have learned in a real-world environment.
General Education Courses
In addition to the technical courses, students also take some core classes for a well-rounded education. Students typically select specific courses from a list of approved core courses. The course requirements vary at each institution but include these general areas of study:
- English and composition courses
- Math
- Science (e.g. biology, physics or engineering)
- Social science (e.g. history, anthropology, psychology, ethics)
Career Overview and Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), software engineers design and develop many types of software, including word processing programs, games and operating systems that are used on a computer. The BLS predicts that job positions for software developers will increase by 22% between 2019 and 2029, with positions for those working with applications growing slightly faster (www.bls.gov).
Graduates of associate's degree programs in software engineering who go on to earn bachelor's degrees may find more job opportunities. Additionally, it will be necessary to keep up with the latest programming languages and tools to increase the likelihood of being hired.