Top 5 Jobs With a Computer Science Associate Degree

If you’re looking to break into the computer science field, earning an associate degree in computer science could help you jumpstart your career.

An associate degree takes half the time of a bachelor’s degree, meaning you could have a credential that some entry-level roles require in just two years.

What Can You Do With an Associate Degree in Computer Science?

With an associate degree in computer science, you may become qualified for these 5 roles:

Computer Support Specialist

This type of work can be a good point of entry into the field for associate degree holders, according to Tim Hogg, an adjunct computer science instructor at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and O*NET OnLine, this role may also be referred to as:

• Desktop Support Technician
• Help Desk Technician
• IT Support Specialist
• IT Technician
• Technical Support Specialist

Professionals in these kinds of support roles typically spend their days offering technical assistance to an organization and its employees, BLS noted.

Information Security Analyst

Information security analysts are responsible for protecting an organization’s digital assets from security threats, according to BLS. That includes prevention as well as developing a plan in the event of an issue.

While many employers require bachelor’s degrees for information security analyst roles, BLS reported that relevant training and certifications can help those without 4-year degrees access the career.

Network and Systems Administrator

Network administrators are responsible for managing the infrastructure connecting an organization’s computers, according to BLS, while systems administrators oversee servers and software, as well as access to them.

While many network and computer systems administrators need a bachelor’s degree with coursework in computer programming, networking and systems design, BLS said some employers will hire candidates at the associate degree level.

Quality Assurance (QA) Tester

Quality assurance testing is another role to look into if you have an associate degree in computer science, according to Hogg.

QA testers work alongside software developers and quality assurance analysts to search for errors and usability problems in software, generally checking to see if everything is working correctly, BLS said.

Web Developer

Web developers use programming languages and a working knowledge of multimedia publishing tools to support websites from a technical standpoint, according to BLS.

Entry-level positions in web development may list titles such as “associate web developer” or “junior web developer,” which might be a good fit for associate degree holders and candidates without prior work experience.

Can You Get a Programming Job With an Associate Degree?

While the role of computer programmer often becomes available with a bachelor’s degree, according to BLS, it’s possible to find entry-level work that involves programming if you have an associate degree.

Plus, some organizations are shifting their job qualifications. In 2022, the Burning Glass Institute reported that some employers are prioritizing skill-based hiring over specific degree requirements (PDF source).

“There's a lot of companies that don't require a four-year degree,” said Hogg, who also manages a team of artificial intelligence (AI) engineers at a marketing technology organization. “And actually, many big tech companies have removed that as a requirement to bring in more skilled individuals that maybe have an associate — or less, even, and have done their own side projects and built a portfolio.”

Earning an associate degree in computer science can help you break into the industry faster and at a lower cost than beginning with a bachelor’s degree, according to Hogg.

This path can help set you up for a technical support or general operational role, he said — and if you’re comfortable using AI, you may just have a leg up on the competition for junior developer roles.

You may find it difficult to advance with just an associate degree, though, if your colleagues have additional education, he noted. Plus, many tech roles are competitive and may involve advanced theoretical knowledge or systems design skills, Hogg said, which may make advancing to a bachelor’s degree appealing.

Can You Finish a Computer Science Degree in 2 Years?

Yes. Associate degrees typically take two years to complete. If you have transfer credits that are accepted, it could take you even less time.

Once you finish your associate degree, you may find yourself only two years from having a bachelor’s degree. An associate degree in computer science at SNHU, for instance, seamlessly transfers into the university’s bachelor’s in computer science degree program.

Associate degrees are a solid starting point for many types of people interested in the computer science field, according to Hogg.

“I think they're great for career changers, early starters or those that are looking to get into the tech industry quickly,” he said. "And then it could be a stepping stone, right? To continue to pursue a bachelor's and a master's as you progress in your career.”

Rebecca LeBoeuf Blanchette '18 '22G is a writer at Southern New Hampshire University, where she fulfills her love of learning daily through conversations with professionals across a range of fields. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Professional Writing at SNHU’s campus in Manchester, New Hampshire, and followed her love of storytelling into the online Master of Arts in English and Creative Writing at SNHU. Connect with her on LinkedIn.