Associates in Software Engineering

By Brandon Mario D`Souza

Updated February 13, 2023
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Brandon Mario D’Souza

Brandon is a registered social worker with Social Work England. He obtained his master’s in social work (personnel management & industrial relations) and used it in fields such as water treatment, construction, software, and education. Then he transitioned to the health and social care sector with an M.Sc. in health psychology. Brandon loves to write, cook, and play musical instruments (piano, guitar, melodica, ukulele, and kazoo) and enjoys the calmness and serenity of nature.

Degrees

Master of Social Work, Master of Health Psychology

Areas of Expertise & Credentials

None to disclose in particular; the basics are covered in the short bio.

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Students interested in producing software in a continuously changing field will benefit from an associates in software engineering degree. They will learn how to create software for mobile applications using different frameworks, study user interfaces that work across multiple platforms and apply various technologies to challenges faced by the industry. An associate degree is one means for students to further their education in a subject of their choice, making them suitable contenders for entry-level job positions following graduation. According to Payscale, the average base salary for a software engineer is $89,068 a year. This guide explains the associates in software engineering degree and its various elements.

Best Associates in Software Engineering
Programs

Because software engineering is an advanced field of study, few universities offer the program at an associate’s level. Nevertheless, when opting for this degree, one must ensure that the selected college is ranked well, offers good infrastructure and student services, has competent and experienced faculty, and more. Based on these and other criteria, FBD has prepared a list of the best associates in software engineering programs as follows: *

Universities and programs are ranked by various factors, such as affordability, curriculum and coursework, reputation and availability, program length, statistics, the potential of employment, and return on investment for the students. For a more in-depth analysis, please read about our rankings methodology page

What to Expect from the Associates in Software
Engineering Degree Program

Degree Types for Associates in Software
Engineering

Areas of Specialization in Associates in Software
Engineering Programs

Selecting a niche and becoming an authority in it is the best way to find a job that one enjoys doing. It is also the most reliable means of boosting one’s earnings and career prospects. Software engineering is often treated as a specialization or concentration of computer science and computer engineering by academic institutions. Given the introductory nature of the associate’s degree in software engineering, students typically do not have concentrations from which to choose. However, where the school or program may permit, one could choose to focus on areas within software engineering, such as:

  • Software Quality Assurance & Testing
  • Software Design & Development
  • Information Security
  • Web, Game, and Mobile Application Development
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Machine Learning
  • Specific Coding/Programming Languages such as R, PHP, Python, C++, Java, etc.

Why should I do an Associates in Software
Engineering Degree?

Free Courses for Associates in Software
Engineering Students

Free courses are usually non-credit and seldom lead to certification. Nevertheless, they are useful for students to gain more knowledge on a topic and help with assignments or exams. Here are a few platforms that offer free courses that associates in software engineering students can explore:

CourseDescriptionProvided by
Topics Related to Software EngineeringThe popular online-learning website Udemy offers several courses on topics such as software architecture, coding, algorithms, data structures, etc. While many are reasonably priced, some are free.Udemy
Topics Related to Software EngineeringedX offers free courses from industry stalwarts such as IBM and Microsoft and popular universities such as Stanford and Harvard.edX
Topics Related to Software EngineeringThe Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) offers undergraduate and non-credit courses in various topics related to software engineering, including software engineering for web applicants, performance engineering of software systems, etc.MIT OpenCourseWare

How to get into the Associates in Software Engineering
Degree Program?

Students in high school who want to enroll in an associate degree program in software engineering must preferably have some computer science or software development background. Most schools require official high school, General Education Development (GED), or home school transcripts or certificates before making admissions decisions. Many schools may also require students to submit their ACT or SAT scores for admission into a program. Demonstrating proficiency and readiness in English, Math, and Computer Science will be advantageous. The following are some typical software engineering associates admissions requirements:

  • Admission or Application Form with its prescribed fee.
  • Official Academic Transcripts.
  • Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 or more (higher grades in English and Math preferred).
  • SAT or ACT Score (required by some schools)
  • Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose (required by some schools)
  • Proof of English Proficiency (if the native tongue is or education was not in English)

Note: Admission requirements differ by school and program. It is always advisable for students to check with the admissions office at their preferred school for specific requirements.

How Long does it take to complete the Associates in
Software Engineering Program?

Accelerated Associates in Software
Engineering Programs

Accreditations for Associates in Software
Engineering Programs

How to Pay for an Associates in Software
Engineering Program?

FAQs Related to the Associates in Software
Engineering Degree Program

What is an associates in software engineering degree?

How much is an associates in software engineering?

What can you do with an associates in software engineering?

Where can you get an associates degree in software engineering?

Is an associates in software engineering worth anything?

How hard is it to get a job with an associates in software engineering?

How hard is an associates in software engineering to study?

Career Opportunities and Salaries after an Associates in
Software Engineering Degree

Certifications and Licensing for Associates in Software
Engineering Students

Additional Resources for Associates in Software
Engineering Students

Author Bio:

Brandon Mario D’Souza

Brandon is a registered social worker with Social Work England. He obtained his master’s in social work (personnel management & industrial relations) and used it in fields such as water treatment, construction, software, and education. Then he transitioned to the health and social care sector with an M.Sc. in health psychology. Brandon loves to write, cook, and play musical instruments (piano, guitar, melodica, ukulele, and kazoo) and enjoys the calmness and serenity of nature.

Degrees

Master of Social Work, Master of Health Psychology

Areas of Expertise & Credentials

None to disclose in particular; the basics are covered in the short bio.

Disclaimer:

The average tuition (based on degree type for in-state students), average graduation rates, and rankings are based on data from various sources, including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), and are variable over time. All rankings and statistics are subject to change. The rankings are solely the opinion of Find Best Degrees (FBD) and are based on our proprietary methodology. They do not represent the views of the institutions or organizations mentioned, nor do they represent any official government census or survey. Furthermore, any views or opinions expressed on this page are of FBD’s researchers and teams. Unless otherwise specified, they do not represent the thoughts and opinions of the individuals, institutions, or organizations mentioned. This page’s content is provided solely for informational purposes, with data drawn from various sources, including IPEDS. FBD and its employees make no guarantees regarding the accuracy or completeness of any information found on this page or by following any link. FBD will not be held liable for any errors or omissions in this material nor any losses, injuries, or damages resulting from the exposure or use of this information. Although the information on this page is/was correct at the time of publication, readers should exercise caution because some or all of the provided information may have changed over time, potentially resulting in inaccuracies. For more information, please read our Terms of Service. Trademarks and logos are the property of their registered owners. | Page last updated: Dec 2023.