Online Computer Software Engineering Schools & Colleges

Computer and Software Engineering Online Colleges

 For those interested in computer programming or customer support, an associate degree or diploma/certificate program may be sufficient training. However, for most software engineering programs, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree, and in some cases a master's degree is preferred. Computer and software engineering programs available online are usually found under the heading of information technology, as opposed to engineering. Typical programs include Associate of Arts in Help Desk Technology, or the Associate, Bachelor's or Master's of Science in Information Technology. Many of these degree programs offer emphases in specialties, such as the B.S. in Information Technology with an emphasis on Software Engineering or Business System Analysis. One benefit of online computer and software engineering programs is that they can respond quickly to the changing needs of the field; growth in mobile applications has led to the development of such programs as the B.S. in Information Technology with an emphasis in Application Development, Testing, and Quality Assurance. For those interested in software engineering, a Bachelor's of Science in Computer Science is often acceptable as well. It's also important to note that employers look very favorably on internships, and that continuing education and certifications beyond graduation are essential to maintaining your footing in the field.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that software engineering jobs in both applications and systems software should experience more-rapid-than-average growth of 32 percent, 2008-2018. Specialized career areas that graduates of online computer and software engineering programs might consider include cyber-security, as well as project management, green or sustainable IT and mobile app development. Ongoing investment in data security and developing and maintaining infrastructure makes cyber security and project management hot growth areas with relatively lucrative salaries and stable futures. IEEE points to app development as a high growth area, and clean tech, with U.S. investments in the billions in the public and private sector, is a small but growing niche. And if self-employment interests you, you're not alone--technical consulting is one of today's fastest-growing and highest-paying professions, and their numbers are expected to grow by more than 102,000 in the 2008-2018 period, as more employers consider outsourcing their technical work. Mean annual wages for software developers as of May 2010 were $97,960; for computer programmers they were $74,900.

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