Associate Degree in Computer Science?

[KamenRiderTorbjorn]

I wanted to know has anyone here heard about associate degrees in computer science or software/systems engineering and if so are there worth pursuing?

 

[phinds]

What research have you done on this?

 

[berkeman]

associate degrees in computer science

If you are in the US, are you referring to community college AS degrees, or more trade-school 2-year type degrees?

Just my personal opinion, but a 2-year degree in a general subject like CS won't get you very far in the job market. If you want to advance more quickly in the job market, a 2-year programming trade school or web developer type of curriculum would make you more attractive to employers:

http://catalog.sjcc.edu/degrees-cer...s/cis-computer-programming-associate-science/

There are also accelerated "programming boot camp" programs that are fairly attractive to employers, because they are very directed at what current program developers are using, and the students who pay for these programs are usually very motivated to learn and do well, which makes them good employees despite their lack of long-term programming experience:

https://www.switchup.org/rankings/best-bootcamps-san-francisco

(full disclosure -- my son attended the #1 academy on that list)

 

[KamenRiderTorbjorn]

If you are in the US, are you referring to community college AS degrees, or more trade-school 2-year type degrees?

Just my personal opinion, but a 2-year degree in a general subject like CS won't get you very far in the job market. If you want to advance more quickly in the job market, a 2-year programming trade school or web developer type of curriculum would make you more attractive to employers:

http://catalog.sjcc.edu/degrees-cer...s/cis-computer-programming-associate-science/

There are also accelerated "programming boot camp" programs that are fairly attractive to employers, because they are very directed at what current program developers are using, and the students who pay for these programs are usually very motivated to learn and do well, which makes them good employees despite their lack of long-term programming experience:

https://www.switchup.org/rankings/best-bootcamps-san-francisco

(full disclosure -- my son attended the #1 academy on that list)

well since you put it that way is it possible for me to still transfer to 4 year college with a computer programming associate degree?

 

[berkeman]

well since you put it that way is it possible for me to still transfer to 4 year college with a computer programming associate degree?

Sure. Check with your CC to see which 4-year univeristies your 2-year degree transfers to, though. The cost of a 2-year CC degree and education is probably less than the private shorter boot camps, but the cost (and opportunity costs) of a 2+2 year degree is likely higher.

 

[KamenRiderTorbjorn]

Sure. Check with your CC to see which 4-year univeristies your 2-year degree transfers to, though. The cost of a 2-year CC degree and education is probably less than the private shorter boot camps, but the cost (and opportunity costs) of a 2+2 year degree is likely higher.

is it even possible getting a tech job with just a A.S? After looking online people are saying shoot for a bachelors. Which that is the goal, but I'm just curious.

 

[berkeman]

I think just an AS in Computer Science or other general degree is just a starting point, not an entry point into the job market (just my opinion). You need either a much more focused short-term education (trade school or coding academy), or a 4-year degree with demonstrated abilities in larger coding projects (compilers, database coding, web coding, etc.).

 

[KamenRiderTorbjorn]

After doing some research online I found out Arizona State has a transfer admission guarantee, but I'm not sure if it applies to ASU online also.