How long computer science degree

Learn with Coursera Articles , go in depth on topics like:. Online degree programs from top Computer Science and Engineering schools. Master's Degrees. Go to degree. Application due December 13, Go to degree. Bachelor's Degrees. Application due March 7, Go to degree. Data Science Degrees. Public Health Degrees. Top European Universities. Management Degrees. Data Analytics Degrees.

Social Sciences Degrees. Why earn a degree in computer science? Anu A. As a teen at Lakeside Prep School in Seattle, Washington, the Microsoft co-founder often skipped class to write his first computer program. 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.

Students learn about knowledge-based interfaces and systems, particularly extensible systems and maintenance. Topics include frame, pattern matching, semantic networks, and deductive inference. Most programs teach this course through hands-on projects, meaning students must complete several written programming assignments.

By the end of the course, students can design and implement intelligent components for various industries through maintainable code. Offered to students specializing in gaming, advanced computer game design teaches practices for programming computer games. This course usually focuses on 2D and 3D gaming creation, including the rendering of sprites and animations. Students also create artificial intelligence for computer games; program other gaming functions; and test, analyze, and adjust individual functions.

This course emphasizes individual gaming developments and requires hands-on learning. Some programs require students to work in groups to reflect real-world computer game design teams. Students must complete prerequisite data structures and machine learning courses before taking advanced computer game design. Learn more about Master's Degrees in Computer Science.

The highest level of education available to computer science students, a Ph. Students might prefer to complete a Ph. Course and credit requirements for a Ph. Because a Ph. Introduction to computer vision covers the fundamentals of camera imaging geometry, image formation, motion estimation, feature detection, and scene understanding.

In this course, students learn to create applications that undertake various computer vision tasks. Before taking this course, students should complete high-level mathematics courses, machine learning or artificial intelligence courses, and introductory courses to computer graphics or robotics. Skills learned in this course apply directly to applications and programs like facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and item recognition in 3D spaces.

Usually taken in programming systems concentrations, security engineering covers the principles of cybersecurity systems engineering and design. The course begins with cybersecurity theories and the importance of effective, reliable security measures. Students then learn to analyze and assess the effectiveness of existing cybersecurity measures and conduct audits to improve processes. The course later covers advanced topics, such as cybersecurity situational understanding and command.

By the end of the course, students can analyze cybersecurity programs and methods, analyze potential risks based on current systems, and develop new security architectures to mitigate risks. This course covers fundamental techniques for creating architectures used in high-performance processors.

Learners examine topics including superscalar, multithreading, caches, virtual memory, pipelining, and out-of-order execution. More advanced topics include compilers, operating systems, and other issues affecting architecture. Some Ph. Upon completing the course, students can design and analyze various CPU performances. While some specializations require computer architecture, many programs offer this course for all Ph. Also known as software systems engineering, software systems covers the basic principles of software engineering and approaches to developing software systems.

Students learn about the alignment of software systems in relation to software design; software engineering constraints; and the analysis, design, testing, implementation, and maintenance of architecture. Some specialized courses might also emphasize network security and performance. Learners explore modern trends in technology and how software engineering changes over time.

Before taking software systems, learners should complete a management of systems or systems engineering introductory course. An advanced course focused heavily on theory, computational geometry examines topics like nonlinear solvers, intersection problems, interval methods, and boundary element discretization methods for mechanics problems. This course also uses scientific visualization to create 3D models of various shapes. Before enrolling in computational geometry, learners should complete data visualization and mathematics courses.

Computational geometry also builds off of introductory topics in machine learning, randomizations in queries, and data structures. Learn more about Doctorate Degrees in Computer Science. Explore All Computer Science Degrees Computer Engineering Focus on how hardware and software combine to create functional digital systems, and apply key engineering and computing principles to formulate creative solutions.

Train in a variety of programming languages, operating systems, software applications, and encryption techniques. Study topics like web design, operating systems, software development, and mathematics. Learn how to improve organizational operations, secure information systems, and enhance products and services. Combine statistics with computer science and gain the skills to help businesses, governments, and other organizations develop strategies and make informed decisions.

Perform data analysis and learn to use relational databases and software management systems. Work with computer programs that log, analyze, and process information. Learn how to create software apps, protect information security IT , and resolve network and equipment issues. Learn to repair, upgrade, install, and improve computer networks while developing critical thinking and analytical skills.

Coursework includes foundational IT areas such as operating systems, programming, networking, and web design. Students learn to write code using programming languages, work with graphics, and create and test applications to create and design websites.

In most cases, completing computer design degrees online leads to the same positive outcomes as on-campus degrees, but with the added flexibility of online learning.

Thanks to the digital nature of computer science, some students prefer completing computer science degrees online. Specific benefits of earning online computer science degrees include:. Offered by computer science organizations, professional certifications demonstrate an understanding of complex topics and industry skills.

Computer science professionals can choose from dozens of professional certifications. This is especially true if you go on to get a master's or doctorate. If you do not love what you are studying, it can be hard to finish your degree.

While some coursework might help you land that first job, after your first job, no one is going to ask to see what classes you took again. If you have an interest in math or statistics, adding this coursework to your computer science studies can open a lot of doors, especially with the explosion of data science as a field. If you are looking to get a job as a developer at most tech companies, a bachelor's is all you need.

Skip the Ph. It is a long commitment, and a bachelor's or master's is more than sufficient to land an interesting job. If you are looking for a job with more of a data focus, getting a master's degree and taking coursework related to data science and statistics can help with getting that first job.

If you only have a bachelor's degree and really want to work in data science, find a kaggle. Kaggle runs data science competitions and provides data sets to work with. It is not so important to compete, but make a solution, present your work in a Jupyter notebook, and upload it to your personal Github account. If you have no experience as a data scientist, this gives job recruiters something concrete to review, and [it] can often help land that first entry-level job as a data scientist, analyst, or machine learning engineer.

International programs can really help you land that first job both in industry and academics in a country or region where you do not have citizenship. If you really know you want to be working in Asia or Europe, do a program at a school in that region.

Career fairs and academic conferences will introduce you to people hiring in those regions. Oftentimes there are opportunities to get a work visa to enable you to get that first job if you completed your degree in the country you want to work. Computer scientists solve computing problems by designing software and hardware. They also create operating systems, write algorithms to process data, and keep information secure.

Computer science sees high demand and median salaries of more than double most professions. This makes computer science a good career. Software development, systems architecture, data science, and machine learning all offer above-average salaries and strong projected job growth rates. Computer science professionals often use linear algebra, statistical analytics, and discrete mathematics to create software, solve computing problems, and write algorithms.

Genevieve Carlton holds a Ph. After earning her doctorate in early modern European history, Carlton worked as an assistant professor of history at the University of Louisville, where she developed new courses on the history of science, Renaissance Italy, and the witch trials.

Carlton has published five peer-reviewed articles in top presses and a monograph with the University of Chicago Press. She also earned tenure with a unanimous vote before relocating to Seattle. Learn more about Carlton's work at genevievecarlton. Are you ready to discover your college program? What Is Computer Science? Technology The technology industry employs computer science majors as computer and information research scientists, software developers, database administrators, and information security analysts.

Computer science careers in the tech industry: Data scientist Software engineer Network architect. Government Government agencies like the FBI, the IRS, and the Census Bureau all hire computer science professionals to prevent cyberattacks, design software programs to analyze data, and maintain computer systems and networks. Healthcare The healthcare industry relies on computer science professionals to analyze data, design secure systems to store medical data, and manage computer systems.

Computer science careers in healthcare: Software developer IT professional Healthcare informatics analyst. Best Computer Programming Degrees Careers in the tech sector require strong computer programming skills. Best Information Technology Programs Information technology professionals combine business skills with computing technologies to serve organizations' tech needs.

Best Computer Engineering Programs A computer engineering degree combines computer science with engineering principles, preparing graduates for careers in STEM. Computer Science Degree Overview Earning the right computer science degree can help launch your career.

Getting Into a Computer Science Program Computer science programs have competitive admission requirements. Paying for a Computer Science Degree Earning a computer science degree can cost thousands of dollars.

What certificates or degrees in computer science do you hold? Why did you choose to study computer science? What did you specialize in, if anything? What do you do for a career now?