Online Computer Science Degrees

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Online Computer Science Degrees

Online schools make it possible to earn a computer science degree while you work. A degree in this field may help you get a job in the tech field, finance field, and many other fields. You can hold roles in positions from a software engineer to an IT manager.

An online computer science (CS) degree looks at information and the technology used to process it. You may study theories and methods of calculation. Also, hardware, software and the ways that both are used to solve real problems.

There are online degrees for CS majors at all levels. From bachelor’s to master’s and PhDs. At each stage, you may tailor your studies to your own interests. Whether this means learning how to program games, engineer a data base, do research or design systems.

Bachelor’s in Computer Science

An online bachelor’s degree in CS may lead to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS). Often, the BA provides breadth while the BS is more in depth in one area of computer science. Both may serve as the entry point to most IT and CS jobs.

Based on which online school you go to, most programs entail about 120 credits. This may be done in about 4 years for a full time student. You won’t study the same topics in every program. But for a typical BS, expect some classes in applied math. Course work might also cover a range of programs, languages and applications. Here are a few courses you might take:

• Python, Java and C++
• Operating Systems
• App Development
• Software Testing
• Data Mining Basics

You may also find online schools with a specific area of focus. Computer security and software engineering are popular areas at this level.

Cost is another variable. For an in state college, tuition is about $6,478 while out of state is $31,584 and on the rise by 2.68% per year. Since these are averages, some online schools may cost less (or more).

Master’s in Computer Science

An online master’s degree in CS is usually a Master of Science (MS). It’s often the next step for computer science professionals who want to go for a manager role or carve out a career niche. For instance, an online MCS is the entry point for computer science research and some InfoSec jobs.

Next, a typical masters degree in CS entails from 30 to 36 credits. This can be done in about 2 years or less if you take a full time course load. If you are working and only able to study part time, it can be done in 3 to 5 years. The courses are less broad than in a bachelor’s program too. You may take courses like:

• Graphics/HCI
• Software Engineering
• Cloud Computing
• Scientific Computing
• High Performance Computing

While laying this broad frame work, you may also go into more advanced areas. These often pertain to data mining, statistics and modeling. To cap things off, you may also have a capstone course and final project.

How much does a master’s in CS cost? The average cost of a master’s degree from a public college is $11,617 per year. This means you will be able to find online master’s programs that are both easier to afford and more expensive.

PhD in Computer Science

An online PhD in CS is a research degree. It is a terminal degree and builds on prior knowledge and skills. Since professors must have their PhD, it is often the degree of choice for those who want to teach. Also, many large companies and research labs have upper level positions for PhD grads.

If you are in pursuit of a PhD in CS, it can be done in about 4 to 5 years. Many programs entail from 72 to 90 credits and involve independent research. Because of their focus, a large part of a PhD program is about research methods. For example, how to craft and test a theory, or analyze and present data.

PhD students put these findings in a dissertation. It usually contains an original theory that contributes to the CS field. As such, it is a way to author and publish as well as show yourself as a thought leader. In other classes, you may build wide and deep subject matter expertise in these areas:

• Human Computer Interaction
• Software Engineering
• Machine Learning
• Robotics

You may also find online schools with specific areas of focus. These may serve as anchor points for your own research. Big Data Analytics and Cyber Security and Information Assurance are a few.

Since working on a dissertation can be very hands on, even online schools may require brief residencies. This will help with your teaching skills in a classroom. They may also involve time in the lab, being able to meet with your research mentor or things like this.

What can I do with an Online Computer Science Degree?

An online CS degree may pave the way to a wide array of in demand jobs. Today’s economy values the skills of people who know how to create and improve software. Also, the demand for computer scientists isn’t only in Silicon Valley!

Here are 7 careers you can pursue with an online CS degree:

1. Software Developer
2. Entry level IT Manager
3. Entry level Computer Hardware Engineer
4. Computer Programmer
5. Entry level Computer Systems Analyst
6. Database Administrator
7. Network Administrator

There are many career choices with a master’s in CS. Many use their advanced skill sets to pursue roles in one of these 7 careers:

1. Director of IT
2. Chief Technology Officer
3. Computer and Information Research Scientist
4. Senior Hardware Engineer
5. Computer Network Architect
6. Computer Analyst/Consultant
7. Information Security Analyst

Yet other careers may be open if you have a PhD in CS. There’s a growing need for computer science teachers in colleges. You might also lead research for the gov’t, a private company, or at a college. Some major companies also put PhD holders in director roles.

Is an Online Degree in Computer Science worth it?

An online CS degree may get you ready for many in demand tech jobs. Ones with higher than average salaries and room for you to climb the ladder. Innovative software is crucial to business, health care and cyber security. This is fueling growth for many CS jobs, especially software developers.

According to BLS.gov, the job market for software developers is ripe with potential. Employment is on the rise to 2026 by 24% which is much faster than the average for all occupations. It is even higher (31%) for app developers.

Based on where you work as a software developer, you might earn an annual salary of $103,620. In 2018, the lowest 10% of all workers earned less than $61,660 and the highest 10% earned more than $161,290.

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Computer Science Degree Courses

In a typical online CS program, you may take a blend of core topics, electives, hands on labs and a capstone. But course programs are different at each online school and for each level of study. If you are going for a bachelor’s degree in CS, here are some online classes you might take:

• Operating Systems
• Mobile Web App Development
• Cloud Computing Basics

Most bachelors programs use these core classes to build your knowledge and technical skills. This often means studying things like how to program, algorithms and data structures. Through these classes, you might learn about Java, C++, OpenGL, Octave, and MATLAB.

Apart from being taught the methods, you may also learn how to apply them. This can mean learning how to create 3D worlds. Or how to develop animated characters and use special effects.

You may also study the theory, science, and math behind modern computing. In looking at these areas, you might learn to apply logic and math. As such, by the end of your program, you may be able to design, develop and verify secure computing systems.

You may also learn to design and use computational tools. This work often hones your skills in being able to think things through and being able to solve problems. While learning the basics, you may also co create a study plan. You might do this by choosing an area of focus. Each area of focus involves a cluster of courses. These help you gain skill sets for specific careers. There are many different ones to think about and to scout online schools for such as:

• Information Systems
• Computer Security
• Mainframe Computing
• Cloud Computing Basics
• Software Development

Take a closer look at some of the online CS classes below.

How long does it take to get an Online Computer Science Degree?

A full time student often needs about 4 years to earn a bachelors degree in CS online. Some online schools also offer degree completion programs. These enable you to transfer credits (possibly up to 90) from an associate’s degree. As such, you may earn your degree in as few as 18 months.

Moreover, a master’s degree in CS may take about 2 years. Many schools offer part time programs, knowing that online students may work full time. So it may take between 3 and 5 years, with some schools setting time limits.

If you enter a PhD program for computer science, it can take you 4 to 5 years. Or fewer if your program accepts transfer credits. But, because one needs to finish a dissertation, some students may need longer.

15 Online Computer Science Degrees

There are many online schools for a CS degree. Here are 15 online colleges that offer them.

1. Franklin University
2. University of North Dakota
3. Western Governors University
4. National University
5. Capitol Technology University
6. University of Illinois Springfield
7. Drexel University
8. Frostburg State University
9. Columbia University
10. Colorado Technical University
11. Aspen University
12. University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
13. University of South Dakota
14. North Central University

FIND AN ONLINE COMPUTER SCIENCE DEGREE

Let’s take a closer look at the online CS degrees that these 15 schools have to offer. 

*Unemployment Earnings.  Sources for school stats and data include the NCES and IPEDS.