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Online Computer Science Course CS-205: Foundations in Software Development

Gary Walker, who earned his degree from SNHU in 2022, looking at a tablet computer and wearing a pink button-down shirt, blue sports coat and a headset around his neck.

Course cost $1,026

Learning style 100% online

Term length 8 weeks

Why SNHU? A faster way to upskill and get ahead

There are lots of advantages to taking a single course. Whether you want to grow in your current career, prepare yourself for a new one or get one step closer to a college degree, an individual course is a great way to get started.


Finish in Just 8 Weeks

Not only is a single course low-commitment, but it’s a fast way to gain skills and college credits while exploring what it’s like to take courses at SNHU.

Upskill for Your Career

SNHU courses focus on real-world, career-focused skills that you can use immediately in the workplace or to help prepare you to advance in the field.

Earn College Credits

Course credits may be transferred to a degree program at SNHU or another university, depending on your university’s transfer policy.

CS-205: Foundations in Software Development Online computer science course built for your success

Learn the basics of programming and hone your problem-solving skills with SNHU's Foundations in Software Development course. In CS-205, you'll go beyond coding. You'll solve complex problems and learn programming concepts across languages – all with the goal of building a strong foundation of industry knowledge.

And if you're looking to take your learning even further, you might choose to build on this course and pursue SNHU's online BS in Computer Science program.

Skills you'll learn:

  • Programmatic thinking and problem solving
  • Programming concepts and languages
  • Coding
  • Debugging and troubleshooting
  • Variables, branches and loops

Highly Recommended
★★★★★★★★★☆

92 students who took this course in 2024 were surveyed and rated it 9 out of 10 stars.

Hear from our faculty

Junghoon Yoon, an associate dean of SNHU's online computer science programs.

I believe that to succeed in the computer science program, this is one of the most important courses that we offer. Learning how to think like a programmer takes time and is something that students must be diligent about.

Junghoon Yoon, Associate Dean of Computer Science

Juan Munoz, who earned his degree from SNHU in 2022, sitting at an outdoor table and typing on his laptop.

Career-focused curriculum

In this 8-week course, you'll gain core computer science skills. In addition to coding, problem solving and programming languages, you'll explore fundamental topics like variables, loops, pseudocoding and debugging. At the end of the term, you'll showcase your knowledge with a project developed in the Coral programming language – a strong portfolio piece, no matter your goals in the field.

Apply for free in minutes

Our no-commitment application can help you decide if SNHU is the right college for you and your career goals. Apply up until 2 days before the term starts!

Upcoming term starts: October 27, 2025 | January 5, 2026

Next class starts:
September 1, 2025

College that fits your life

With no set class times and 24/7 access to the online classroom, you can learn on your schedule. Learn more about what it's like to take a class at SNHU.

Online Classroom

What does an online course look like?

You’ll take your courses within SNHU’s Brightspace platform. This is where you’ll find your:

  • Schedule of weekly assignments
  • Discussion boards
  • Grades
  • Instructor announcements
How to Take an Online Class at SNHU

What's next See where a single course can take you

Catch Up or Get Ahead

Online courses can help lighten the course load required by your degree program at SNHU or another university.

Transfer Your Credits

Credits you earn can transfer to SNHU degree programs, or to another university, depending on their transfer policy.

Upskill for Career Moves

For moving up the ladder or changing fields entirely, new skills can help make you more marketable.

Talk to an admission counselor: 888.327.SNHU | enroll@snhu.edu

Accreditations

SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.

New England Commission of Higher Education Logo

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates for SNHU's online courses are among the lowest in the nation.

Student
Cost per credit
Cost per course
Credits Earned
Online Undergraduate
$342
$1,026
3

Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.

Please note: Books and materials are not included in the above costs. Federal Financial Aid is not available, but you can use employer tuition benefits or tuition reimbursement if available to you. Contact your employer benefits manager to see if you have funds available, or talk to our admission team to learn about payment options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can take computer science courses online. Foundations in Software Development is one of many computer science classes Southern New Hampshire University offers online. With 24/7 access to coursework, you'll have the flexibility to study when and where's convenient for you. Even better? Southern New Hampshire University offers some of the most affordable online tuition rates in the U.S., making your potential path into tech more accessible.

The best online computer science programming course is the one that prepares you for your goals – and fits into your schedule.

SNHU's online Foundations in Software Development course is designed to give you fundamental programming knowledge. You'll learn skills like programmatic thinking and problem solving, programming concepts and languages, coding, debugging, troubleshooting and more. You'll learn alongside fellow students in a supportive online classroom led by an industry-experienced instructor – and you'll have the tools you need to be successful every step of the way.

For many people, the best online computer science programming course is one that will serve as a foundation for further learning. Upon completing Foundations in Software Development at SNHU, you may choose to pursue your online bachelor's in computer science, which could pave the way for more opportunities down the road.

This depends on a few things, but especially your educational background and whether you attend courses full-time or part-time.

If you’re transferring credits into your chosen college, you may be able to finish your degree faster. For example, SNHU accepts up to 90 transfer credits toward your bachelor’s, which can save you time and money. Transfer credit evaluations at SNHU are free, and can provide a helpful snapshot of which credits you have and which ones you still need.

Once you have an idea of how many credits you have remaining in your program, you’ll want to decide whether you’re attending courses full time (2 per term) or part time (1 per term). This will help you map out how long your degree will take you to complete.

And if you have questions along the way, your academic advisor is a great resource. They'll work with you from day 1 of your program to graduation, and can help you with course registrations and time management – so you can stay on track to reach your goals.

Ultimately, the best online school for computer science is the one most closely aligned with your goals. Here are a few things you might consider as you decide on an online program:

  • Curriculum: Find a computer science program that will help you build the skills you need to pursue career opportunities you’re interested in. At SNHU, you can choose the general track or add one of four concentrations in specialized areas of computer science: data analysis, information security, project management or software engineering.
  • Cost: Affordability matters. That’s why SNHU has some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation. And if you transfer in credits – up to 90 toward your bachelor’s – you can save even more.
  • Credibility: You’ll want to find a credible institution to earn your degree from – that’s where accreditation comes in. SNHU, for example, is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), making it a trustworthy choice.

SNHU also has no set class times and 24/7 access to your online classroom, making it an exceptionally flexible program designed with busy adults in mind. And with a dedicated student support team, you'll have the resources you need to be successful.