Online Degrees in Computer Programming

Computer programming training programs are generally available at levels that range from several-week certificate training to four-year bachelor's degrees. Related programs at the graduate level expand the scope from programming training to programming tool research and development and are available as a M.S. in computer engineering or computer science.

• Bachelor of Science. The standard programming qualification is the Bachelor of Science in computer programming. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over half of computer programmers hold at least a bachelor's degree in the field. This four-year degree is available online or on campus through community colleges, universities, vocational schools and technical training institutes. The bachelor's in computer programming incorporates both general education requirements and applied training in computer programming languages and tools.
• Associate of Applied Science. The two-year associate degree offers a focused course of study suitable for some entry-level programming careers. The online A.A.S. may be completed in as few as eighteen months and emphasizes applied training in programming languages and programmer environments. Many online associate degree programs require an internship for hands-on practice.
• Certificate. Programmers with a bachelor's degree in another field can break into programming with a technical certificate. These brief programs are also useful for mid-career programmers looking to learn a new programming language or update their skills. Certificate programs take anywhere from several weeks to several months to complete, and focus on a specific language or vendor technology.

Online computer programming degrees are ideal for working professionals who value the flexibility of the online format and have access to industry-current computer technology through their existing workplace. Aspiring IT professionals may benefit from pursuing a programming internship alongside an online degree program.

Online computer programming courses cover computer science fundamentals as well as the applied tools and techniques of coding computer programs. Courses cover:

• Computer systems technology, including hardware and systems design, LAN and wireless networks and databases.
• Programming languages, including Python, XML and C++. Programmers in particular specialty areas can focus on popular coding conventions in their field. For example, database programmers rely heavily on Structured Query Language (SQL). Web programmers need to be skilled in Java, HTML, PHP and Perl.
• Programming technologies, including computer-assisted software engineering (CASE) tools and programmer environments, which automate rote programming functions like compiling, test-data generation and debugging.
• Programming specialties, including Web programming, game programming, information security and business enterprise programming.

Courses in these areas form the building blocks of computer programming degrees, which may emphasize either general computer science or applied training in particular technologies.

Online degrees in computer programming offer entry into careers in software development. According to the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), popular jobs for computer science graduates, including computer programmers, include Web programming, interface design, computer security and mobile app programming. Computer programmers earned a mean annual wage of $63,690 in 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

With additional training in computer science, computer programmers can advance into software development roles. Salaries jump to an average of $90,410 for applications developers and $96,620 for systems specialists. Software development offers brighter prospects than programming; while programming jobs are set to decline 3 percent between 2008 and 2018, development jobs are among the fastest growing in the nation. Software developers can expect 32 percent job growth in the coming decade, according to BLS forecasts.

• Hot fields in computer programming: gaming, mobile app development, computer interface design, Web development and information security programming.
• Salary: Computer programmers earned a mean salary of $63,690 in 2010; one step up the career ladder, software developers commanded $90,410.
• Education: More than 50 percent of computer programmers hold a bachelor's degree or higher, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports.