Online Programming Degree Programs

An online programming degree is designed to focus on the basics of computer science and to further specialize in the area of computer technology.

A programming language is an artificial language which is designed to express computations that can be performed by a computer. Computer programming is the process of writing, testing, debugging, troubleshooting, and maintaining the source code, which is written in a programming language. It is a sequence of instructions that a computer can interpret and execute. Computer programming and software programming is therefore the process of writing, testing, updating and maintaining computer systems. Typically computer programmers create source code that is specified by software engineers and systems analysts. Online computer programming degree programs teach students about various operating systems as well as testing different computer and software programs to ensure that they run smoothly without bugs. Computer programmers also create and implement software platforms.

Selected Online Programming Degree Programs

Strayer University

• Diploma in Information Systems: Programming
• Undergraduate Certificate in Information Systems: Programming
• Bachelor degree in Information Systems: Programming

University of Phoenix

• AA in Information Technology/Programming

• Bachelor degree in Application Development, Testing, and Quality Assurance

Westwood College

• Game Art (Bachelor's)
• Game Software Development (Bachelor's)

Kaplan University

• Online Introduction to Computer Programming Language Certificate
• IT/Application Development (Associate's)
• IT/Application Development (Bachelor's)
• IT/Database Management (Bachelor's)

American InterContinental University Online

• Bachelor’s degree in Programming

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Computer Programming Education and Training

Online degree programs in computer programming include certificate, associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral levels. Computer programming courses typically include courses in:

• Introductoy programming
• Java programming
• C++
• SQL
• HTML
• Python programming
• Web 2.0 AJAX programming
• Visual Basic languages
• Structured query language
• Object-oriented programming

Students learn to write computer programs based on specifications that are provided. The coursework for the online programming degree is intended to provides skills and knowledge in programming languages, application development and testing, as well as working with various databases and operating systems. Some online programming degree programs also offer specialized programs in web application development and game design.

Computer Programming Careers

Careers in computer programming are available in computer systems designs and related areas for example software publishing. Computer programmers work for government agencies, the military, financial and educational institutions, insurance companies, video game development, business software development, Internet companies, and managing computer operations for corporation just to mention a few industries that hire computer programmers who have completed the online programming degree requirements.

Experienced computer programmers work in various industries that include software development and software publishing, telecommunications, education, government, finance, insurance, education and government, banking, etc. With more experience and an online programming computer degree, qualified computer programmers work as:

• System analyst
• Software engineers
• System analysts
• Information architects
• Software architects
• Network administrators
• Information technology directors

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

The United States Bureau of Bureau of Labor reports the average income for professionals with a campus or online computer programming degree to be around $68,000 per year, with experienced programmers, those with computer certificates, and with advanced degrees earning up to $80,000 to $100,000 a year. High earning areas in this field include software publishing and computer systems design. Some top paying industries include:

• Equipment manufacturing - $97,000
• Telecommunications - $85,500
• Securities and commodities - $85,000

The National Association of Colleges and Employers reported that the starting salary for a bachelor’s degree in computer science holder averaged around $61,407 in 2009. According to 2008 United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data the following earning were recorded: Median income for computer programmers was $69,620. The middle 505 earned between $52,640 and $89,720. The lowest 10% percent earned below $40,080, and the highest 10% earned over $111,450.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics also projects that the computer programming field should continue to be competitive, with overall employment of computer software engineers and computer programmers being projected to increase by 21% between 2008 and 2018. This includes those with either a campus or online programming degree.

Online programming degree programs and software engineering