Is there an associate's degree for computer science?

Answer 1

There are several opinions about this question. In my humble opinion the answer is yes. I got an Associates Degree in 1983 and it has provided me with a very comfortable living. As in most professions, experience is what matters. It is my opinion that since technology changes so fast that by the time you finish a 4 year degree the stuff you learned in the first year is out dated. While basic system design and programming methods change more slowly, the speed that systems and languages are developing is quite rapid. Here's the way I see it. Let's say you get a 2yr degree and the go out and find a position using that degree. Two years later you apply for a job where the other applicant has a 4 year degree but no experience. 9 times out of 10, your production environment experience will be valued higher than an additional 2 years of college. Thus at the end of the 4 years that you would be going to school, your Associates degree plus 2 years experience will put you at a higher starting salary than if you just had a 4 year degree with no experience.

Recent data supports this answer. Especially in the healthcare field which offers a wide range of well paying careers that can be entered with an AA (associates degree). Even more important may be that healthcare jobs are in demand now and well into the future. Nursing, technicians, administration and assisting positions primarily make up the list of careers that can be obtained with an associates meaning it can be completed in two years or less and should cost less then more advanced forms of education.

Answer 2

Yes there is. Most if not all community colleges offer an associates of science (AS) and an associates of applied science (AAS) in computer science. Speak with the transfer counselor at the community college to make sure you understand the transfer policies should you decide to go on after completion of the associates for a bachelors degree. This field is competitive and you really should think about going on for the higher degrees. Also, look into business computer information systems as well as engineering computer science. Let the counselor give you information on all the options and where they lead.