Computer Science Associate Degree Online AS Program

Flexible

With no set class meeting times, you can learn on your schedule and access online course materials 24/7.

Affordable

Take advantage of some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation, plus financial aid for those who qualify. We also make it easy to transfer to SNHU by accepting up to 90 credits for a bachelor's degree and 45 credits for an associate degree from your previous institution.

Respected

Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 100,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.

Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:

• “Most Innovative” regional university honors from U.S. News & World Report each year since 2015
• A $1 million grant from Google.org to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
• Recognition as a 2017 Digital Learning Innovator by the Online Learning Consortium
• 2019 INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine award for Inspiring Programs in STEM

Network

At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 200,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.

Opportunities

We are committed to expanding access to education – and our technology department is no exception. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to encouraging and supporting underrepresented students in STEM fields. Below are just some opportunities our students have access to:

• Grace Hopper Celebration. AnitaB.org hosts an annual conference for women and underrepresented groups in technology. In the past, our students have used this opportunity to network and land job offers.
• Women in Cybersecurity Conference. Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) is dedicated to bringing together women in cybersecurity. WiCyS Conference gives companies a way to connect with women students to recruit them into open positions.
• Richard Tapia Conference. The ACM Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing brings together people in computing from all backgrounds and ethnicities to celebrate, connect, learn and inspire.

96.5% of students would recommend SNHU.² Discover why SNHU may be right for you.

Part of our mission to expand access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That’s why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials.

Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 6 (8-week) undergraduate terms.

Simply work with an admission counselor, who can help you explore financial options, answer all your questions and walk you through the application process. Start by:

• Completing a free undergraduate application
• Providing previous institutions attended – so we can retrieve transcripts for you at no cost

Test scores are not required as part of your application.

To put it simply, computer science is the creation of technology while information technology (IT) is the application of the technology.

In computer science programs, you'll focus on learning to design and develop programs and applications using theory and mathematics. This includes courses involving programming, coding and engineering software to create new applications or improve existing ones.

In IT programs, you'll learn about the installation, maintenance and operation of those programs. Jobs in IT often involve more interaction as they may have duties that involve anything from solving business problems to troubleshooting technical issues with customers.

Overall, computer science programs teach you transferable skills like computation and reasoning. The knowledge and skills you'll gain in an associate in computer science program are broadly applicable across the field of computer and information technology and beyond.

While bachelor's programs are more common, it is possible to earn your associate degree in computer science.

Few schools offer computer science degrees at the associate level, but at Southern New Hampshire University, you can choose to pursue both associate and bachelor's degrees in computer science online. Whether you're already working in the field or looking to get your foot in the door, the 60-credit associate program is great for anyone interested in computer science.

"The associate in computer science introduces students to programming," said Dr. Cheryl Frederick, associate dean of STEM programs at SNHU. "It is great for those wanting to get into the software development industry."

Students will learn scripting and object-oriented programming languages including Python, Java and C++. The coursework emphasizes industry best practices for developing quality software programs.

What's even better is that our associate program is aligned with our 120-credit bachelor's in computer science program. This means you're halfway to your bachelor's once you've successfully completed your AS in Computer Science, should you decide to continue your education.

The online computer science associate program is a great option if you're trying to juggle earning your degree with all of life's responsibilities, including family and work. Because SNHU's online programs have no mandatory login times, you can complete your weekly assignments whenever it's most convenient for you.

Getting your associate degree in computer science is a great way to kick off a career in the field or take on more computer science-related responsibilities in your current role. Earning your associate degree online could help prepare you for entry-level roles in the computer science field, including:

• Help desk technician
• Software developer
• Computer programmer
• Applications analyst
• Applications developer

To further solidify your abilities as a candidate for these jobs, you may need documented experience or a bachelor's degree. Luckily, Southern New Hampshire University's computer science associate degree program can help in both of these departments. In the program, you'll build a digital portfolio that you can show to potential employers, and earning your associate degree is a milestone in your journey to earning a bachelor's degree.

Once you've earned your computer science associate degree, you might find yourself interested in other areas of computing and technology. You could continue your education, specializing your knowledge in areas like cybersecurity, information technologies, game programming and development or even project management.

How much money you make with your associate degree in computer science depends on several factors.

Computer science is a broad technology degree, giving you knowledge to work in many fields and positions beyond the obvious. Overall, earning your associate degree puts you at an advantage. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019, workers with an associate degree had median weekly earnings of $887, compared with $746 for people with a high school diploma alone.¹ That's a difference of almost 19% in wages.

If you're just starting your career in computer science, it's important to know that landing a high-paying position in areas such as software development and computer programming may require at least a bachelor's degree.

Whether you already have computer science knowledge or not, having a degree helps formalize your abilities. This means earning your associate degree in computer science could make your resume more attractive to employers.

Numbers back up the value of earning your associate degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, people with associate degrees are less likely to face unemployment than those with a high school diploma alone. The unemployment rate in 2019 was 2.7% for those with associate degrees versus 3.7% for workers with no college experience.¹

Of course, continuing your education and earning your bachelor's can open even more doors, but there are plenty of reasons to enroll in an associate program first:

• Starting your career. If you're just kicking off a career in computing and technology, the computer science associate degree is a great way to dip your toes in the water. Upon graduating, you can decide to go into the workforce or continue onto a bachelor's program.
• Taking your career further. If you've already worked in a computer science role but need credentials in order to take your career further, earning your associate degree might be a smart choice. This 2-year program is half as long as a bachelor's and you'll graduate with a degree that formalizes your knowledge and skill set.

Providing education you can afford is our priority. At Southern New Hampshire University, tuition for a computer science associate degree is $19,200. SNHU has some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation, and by transferring in up to 45 credits and work experience, you could lower your final cost even further. Our staff is ready to help you with the financial aid process, because we want to help you see yourself succeed.

Because computer and information technology jobs are technical in nature, they often pay well. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations was $88,240 in May 2019 – much higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $39,810.¹

There are many fields of study to consider in the world of computing. You could pursue a degree in computer science, cybersecurity, information technologies, computer information systems and beyond.

According to 2019 median annual salary information from the BLS,¹ some top-paying computer and IT occupations include:

• Computer and information research scientists
• Computer network architects
• Software developers
• Information security analysts

It's important to note that a computer science job that pays 6 figures will likely require a minimum of a bachelor's degree and years of experience. Going on to earn your master's degree can also help you climb the ranks further in your computer science career.

¹ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm (viewed May 21, 2020)
• https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm (viewed May 21, 2020).
  

Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

²According to more than 9,200 SNHU online students in survey responses from the fall of 2019.