AA/AS in Computer and Information Sciences, General

This associate degree gives students a technical base in computing. Topics span software development, networking, data engineering, security, web work and the hardware and software that underpin them. Courses also include operating systems, web systems and an introduction to information technology. The aim is to prepare graduates to maintain an employer's technology setup and support its users. They learn how systems are built, where they are weak or secure, and how to choose suitable products. Graduates can go straight into roles such as network technician, help desk support or web designer, or continue toward a bachelor's degree in a computing or information technology field. Because the associate degree is compact, it works well for students who want to enter the workforce quickly or plan to move on to a bachelor's program later.