A BA in computer science is the first step to a range of high-income positions in tech. Those who like solving problems, working through logic puzzles, and math tend to thrive in this major and the related career paths. There will be moments of frustration. Unlike IT and hardware engineers, who work with the hardware, a computer scientist specializes in building software and software systems. Computer science includes subjects like software engineering, bioinformatics, programming languages, the theory of computing, AI, math, and data analysis.
The promise of high-paying tech jobs often entices students to major in computer science. And we get it: salary does matter. Keep in mind that a computer science degree will require a lot of problem-solving and analytical skills. Many professional web developers love what they do because they enjoy the satisfaction of coming up with an elegant solution to a sticky business challenge. But do some introspection, and consider whether that applies to you.
A computer science degree is a stepping stone to the tech industry, which means excellent job security, higher than average paychecks, and diverse job prospects. Many tech jobs come with other fringe benefits, like the ability to work remote from nearly anywhere in the world. These processes can include communication, control, perception, learning, and intelligence. So many college students end up choosing to study Computer Science because it covers such a wide range of knowledge and disciplines.
A typical computer science course will guide you in how to create and use new technologies. This area of study will help you sharpen your computational skills, mathematical thinking, logic, and critical thinking abilities. All of those skills will prepare you for long-term success in a wide variety of professional challenges, no matter what field of work you eventually pursue. Another reason why computer science is a popular area of study is the potential for career advancement and high salaries.
Compare that to the median annual wage of all U. It powered a human vs. Decades later, he wrote : "I was 13 years old when I fell in love with programming. My school had just become one of the first in the country to get a computer terminal. The machine was huge and slow, and it didn't even have a screen—but I was hooked. These days, there are more computer science programs than ever devoted to doing exactly that.
A robust job market for computer science graduates helps drive enrollment trends in computer science degree programs. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics BLS , the number of computer and information technology IT jobs is projected to increase by 12 percent through to , the result of a growing emphasis on cloud computing, the collection and storage of big data, and information security.
BLS data also show that many common career paths among computer science degree-holders lead to six-figure salaries. Add in ample research opportunities, specialization options, and the wide variety of convenient online programs available in the field, and it's understandable why pursuing a degree in computer science may be on your mind.
But how long will it take to complete? The answer depends on the degree path that's right for you. This degree will not qualify you for most computer science careers, which require a minimum of at least a bachelor's degree. That does not mean they are without value, however. Associate's programs deliver a general education that lays the foundation for later learning and can prepare you for a range of entry-level computer science and IT-related positions.
While some students may pursue work after completing their associate's degree , others may choose to transfer to a four-year college to complete a bachelor's. With lower-level core requirements completed, they generally will only need to take courses directly related to their computer science major. Each computer science associate program has its own curriculum. Topics typically cover lower-division undergraduate and level courses that provide students with an introduction to general education courses in language arts, science, and mathematics in addition to major courses.
Computer science courses help students learn how to develop problem-solving algorithms, master programming languages, and apply data structures and other methodologies when creating software. Course titles may include:. Admission into associate degree programs in the field typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent.
Some schools may also expect students to have a specific minimum GPA, minimum standardized test scores, or both. Some programs offer test score waivers to students with prior college coursework or related work experience. Students are usually required to complete about 60 credits to earn an associate degree in the field.
They may do so online, at a local community college or technical school, or a college or university. Those who enroll full-time can complete a program in as little as two years, while students who choose part-time enrollment can finish their degree in as little as two and a half years and as long as five to six years.
BS programs in the field tend to emphasize a more scientific, practice-oriented approach to computer science and require students to complete a greater number of credits directly linked to their major. BA programs, on the other hand, typically require fewer credits directly linked to the computer science major.
In this sense, students can expect to earn credits in a wide variety of liberal arts subjects, including the humanities, English, social sciences, and foreign languages, while gaining a broader computer science education. Because Stevens is a technological institute, the curriculum is oriented toward a future that sees the role of machine learning growing exponentially.
The Stevens coursework focuses on deep learning, artificial intelligence, statistical and predictive methodologies, and machine learning paradigms that prepare graduate students for careers in research, industry, and even academia. Students can complete this MS program in two full-time years or three to four part-time years.
The University of Chicago is a private university founded in Its MS in computer science degree is a state-of-the-art, adaptive program that uniquely suits its structure to student needs and career goals. Typically, part-time students are able to complete the shorter graduate program in 15 full-time months or 18 to 24 part-time months. The longer course option includes one of three specialization paths: data analytics, software engineering, or high performance computing.
This pathway also affords students the opportunity to enroll in internships or spearhead a research project. The third is a part-time evening program for professionals or people with other time-heavy obligations. Some of the coursework includes studies in natural language processing, applied algorithms, computer graphics, and machine learning.
In most cases, students will be able to complete the part-time program in approximately two-and-a-half years. The online master of computer science at North Carolina State University is a 31 credit program, which includes ten courses. Lectures from program professors are streamed online so that both on-campus and online students can work from an identical curriculum. The program is entirely coursework-based, meaning that there is no culminating thesis defense or exam required for completion, but the workload is rigorous and might be better suited for students accustomed to advanced thesis work, research, or special projects as an undergraduate.
In most full-time cases, students take one or two courses per semester. A schedule of this kind might also work for a part-time student. Coursework might include computer science, engineering, mathematics, statistics, machine learning, and more. Typically, students complete this program in about 18 full-time months. When you decide to further your education and enroll within a graduate degree program, you get the opportunity to study that field in much more depth.
When you decide to study at this level, your course requirements will most likely reflect a certain concentration of your choice. An example of a concentration within a computer science degree is software engineering or computer security.
Earning a Master of Science in Computer Science puts you in a different salary bracket and can lead to advancement in your career.
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