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Before you enter school and declare your computer science major, it's a good idea to know what this field requires of its graduates, what education and skills you'll need, and what career opportunities you might find in the field.
Once you graduate with a bachelor's degree, you’ll be ready to get to work for prospective employers in the computer science or information technology (IT) field. This might be in software engineering or software development, web development, data analysis or data science, network security, full stack development, and more. Everything you do will be related to computers and technology, including online or cloud technology. You might be the one figuring out what’s gone wrong when a glitch slows everything down or makes it come to a dead halt, or you could create the system itself using various programming languages and complex computer architecture or data structures.
Many computer science graduates can find work as a database administrator or in online or web development. With experience in computer programming languages, they can find jobs as software developers; a software developer will create database management systems or other software systems for computers. Professionals with computer science degrees are in high demand in fields ranging from information technology to business and management, especially those with experience in machine learning, software development, computer and information research, artificial intelligence, programming languages, web development, and more. And a bachelor's in computer science is the usual entry point into the field, whether you earn an in-person or online degree.
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Typical Online Requirements
As a computer science major, your math requirements will be heavy (including calculus). You’ll also take classes on programming languages, and courses in discrete structures, data structures, data science, and computer systems.
Because so many of your classes rely on math prerequisites, you’ll need to take each semester’s classes in a particular order or you may end up lost. Listen carefully to your advisor, because some classes will count for other areas and you won’t be allowed to take more than a specified number of classes in a certain area. Even so, much of your work will already be happening in a virtual environment, so choosing to earn a computer science degree online is definitely an option. Online computer science degrees and single courses provide online students with the same outcomes as traditional students who opt for a bachelor's degree in computer science.
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Typical Computer Science Certifications Needed/Available
A specific certification in a procedure or software engineering lets potential employers know you have the skills they are seeking. However, these are not the same as an online bachelor's in computer science as they generally do not offer college credits. Many of these certifications are taught through online courses and then you take an exam, which may also be online or in-person, to prove you know the material. Some of the ones that are most in demand include:
- Cisco Certified Network Associate or CCNA
- Network+
- CompTIA A+ Technician
- Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer or MCSE
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional or CISSP
Look through the lists of certifications available and decide which ones most interest you, best fit with your career goals, or are most easily accessible through local or online courses. There are a huge number available for computer science graduates with an in-person or online computer science degree at the bachelor's level or a master's degree from a college or university, and some you can earn without completing any computer science degree programs at all. These certifications can improve your median salary.
Academic Standards
The academic standards for an in-person or online bachelor's computer science degree are especially high in the math department. If you are going to become a successful computer science professional, you need to take all the required math classes and demonstrate proficiency in them. You’ll develop a strong reasoning ability, as well as the problem solving and analytical skills that will allow you to approach questions and problems in your major and in your daily work.
If you choose to, you can go on to graduate school and continue studying computer science to increase your degree level, work in government, or teach at the secondary level. By earning another degree, you can also expand into business and management if you are interested in a leadership position.
Exam and Experience Needed for Online Computer Science Majors
Even new computer science graduates should be able to find employment in the field of their choice, as long as they pass their courses consistently. Once you graduate, you’ll be able to help create and improve computer hardware and software or design new computer architecture to improve the efficiency of hardware—this may eventually result in technological efficiencies and advances.
Depending on the specialization you choose, you'll want to seek certifications for these specialties.
Important Questions to Ask (FAQ)
How Long Does an Online Program in Computer Science Take?
Your path to graduation is personal and individual. While someone else may graduate later, even though they started school when you did, they may have had other academic commitments to satisfy. Others may be able to finish their programs sooner than you because they don’t have to deal with Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) or work during their college years.
To figure out how long it will take you to graduate, you can first look at how many credits are required. This is usually a set amount depending on what degree you are hoping to earn; around 120 for a bachelor's degree, such as a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Arts (BA), and 60 for a master's degree. If you take 30 credits per year, you’ll graduate in about four years. If you can take more classes, this will shorten the time you’re in school. Don’t forget to seek information from your assigned advisor. Doing so means you’re less likely to miss a required class, which could delay your graduation.
How Much Does an Online Degree in Computer Science Cost?
Colleges and universities generally charge per credit hour. Multiply the cost by the number of credits you’re taking for your total semester’s financial commitment. Program fees may not be included in the stated tuition rate. If a university charges $331 per credit hour, multiply this by 12 or 15 (the number of credits you’re taking per semester). For 12 credit hours, this is $3,972; for 15 credit hours, it’s $4,965.
The College Board’s Trends in Higher Education Series reported that the average cost of a four-year public program was $9,970 if taken in-state. It was as much as #35,260 if taken at a private university or college. And be aware that, even if you are comfortable with the per credit hour cost of the program you are looking at, there will be other costs for fees, textbooks, and room and board if you live on campus.
CS Sample Coursework
Before you declare a computer science major, you should have an idea of what kind of timeframe you’re looking at. If you are trying to earn an online associate degree, you will only need to finish about 60 credit hours over 2 years. However, if you are going for your online bachelor's you will need to complete 120 credit hours over four years. And, if you want to attain a master’s degree as well, you will have to finish your online bachelor's first and then spend around 2 years completing 60 more credit hours. Either degree will put you in good standing to enter the field of computer science careers, though a higher degree level will give you more opportunity and access to more jobs.
Some of the courses you’ll take throughout our college career will include:
- Chemistry, 101
- Introduction to Computing Environments
- Calculus, I
- Introduction to Computing (Java)
- Physics for Engineers and Scientists, I-Lab
- Fundamentals of Economics
- Discrete Mathematics for CSC
- Calculus, III
- Physics for Scientists and Engineers
- C and Software Tools
- Elementary Linear Algebra
- Basic Science Elective
- Automata, Grammars, and Computability
- Probability & Statistics for Engineers
- Ethics in Computing
- Communication for Engineers and Tech
- Cybersecurity
Does the Online School have the Computer Science Major(s) You’re Considering?
Before you choose which school to enroll in, you need to determine if they have the major you are interested in. Since you’re interested in computer science, you can call the school’s admission office, where staff can answer your questions. If the schools do have computer science majors, find out if there are any specializations available and what their options are for online learning. Request an undergraduate catalog, which contains all the information you’ll need.
How Many Students Graduated “On Time,” in Four Years?
If you’re concerned about the specific graduation rate at each school you’re most interested in, the Office of Institutional Research at each university should have that information. Nationwide, only 41% of university students finish within the four year timetable. The remaining 59% tend to stay in school for five years or more.
This can get very expensive. Students have to pay for additional terms of tuition. Universities and colleges may also penalize students who are taking too long to graduate. So, you need to have a plan that enables you to graduate within four years. See an advisor for your major every semester. Take the classes that they tell you are required. Try to take more than just the 12 minimum full-time credits per semester—instead, take 15; if you don’t have to work more than 10 to 15 hours a week, try to take 18 credits.
Take summer classes to get ahead (or catch up if you fail a class).
Don’t change majors too often. If you’re not sure of your major, take just your general education credits and try a few majors you’re interested in—take an introductory class for each major and find the one that fits you best.
What Kind of Accreditation Does the Online Program Hold? How is it Regarded in the Field?
“Accreditation” simply means that an outside agency has reviewed a university or its computer science major in painstaking detail. As a result, the program and/or university have been found to be of the highest quality. Faculty will be assessed as well.
Computer science programs are accredited by the Computing Accrediting Commission (CAC). CAC is overseen by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). When you see either accreditation given to a university’s computer science program, you know you’ll get the highest quality education available. If neither of these types of accreditation exist in any of the schools you are looking to attend, at least try to find somewhere with regional accreditation. This is not program specific but means that the whole school has been accredited by agencies approved by the US Department of Education.
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Professional Organizations
Association for Computing Machinery
Association for Computing Machinery
ACM is the world’s largest educational and scientific computing society. It works to deliver resources that help to advance computing as a science and profession to incoming students and professionals. Members have access to its premier Digital Library.
IEEE Computer Society (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is the parent corporation)
IEEE Computer Society (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is the parent corporation)
One of the world’s largest and most advanced membership organizations for computer science and technology professionals. Members receive vetted information, career development sources and networking opportunities. IEEE Computer Society sponsors more than 200 technical conferences each year (including an industry-oriented “Rock Stars” series of events worldwide).
Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Billed as an engineering institution with more than 168,000 members in 150 countries, IET can boast that it is the most multi-disciplinary organization created. This organization has realized that engineering has become a highly diversified field in this century. It works to create a better world by informing, influencing, and inspiring its members, who are technicians and engineers.
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