You’re online 24/7. Friends come to you for help when their computers crash and they need to restore a file. You have an uncanny knack for math, a love for systems and structures, and a website of your own that you built from scratch. If the above description sounds something like you, then it might a good time for you to start exploring computer science colleges.
Whether you want to be a programmer, computer systems architect, database administrator or webmaster, computer science colleges help to play an essential role in laying the groundwork for a career in computer science or IT. There’s a high demand for skilled college grads that know their way around a computer, and favorable job prospects exist for those with undergraduate and graduate degrees alike.
As technology grows ever more complex, those who are computer majors and earn advanced degrees will likely have more luck within the job markets. In fact, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reported that 2011 computer science bachelor’s degree grads had the highest number of jobs offers in any majors and the second highest starting salary after only engineering, at $63,000.
Colleges for computer science offer degrees at a variety of undergraduate levels including, the two-year associate’s degree and four-year bachelor’s degree, as well as short-term professional certification programs. Common areas of study within IT are computer science, computer engineering, information technology, and management information systems (MIS). There are also more specific focuses in web development, database administration, and network security.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those who choose to supplement their computer science degree coursework with an internship or on-the-job training will be best prepared to land a job upon graduation. Although some positions will hire those who have earned professional certification or an associate’s degree if they have enough experience, many employers prefer those who have earned a bachelor’s degree.
What Courses Will I Take?
Common courses taken by those attending colleges for computer science in undergraduate IT programs include those in data structures, computer networking, programming, database theory, operating systems, network security, and other topics. Of course, your particular concentration and interests will dictate the specifics of your course of study.
If you aim to be a database administrator, computer systems analyst or network administrator, it is common to complete a computer science degree or IT program; however, you might also consider a management information systems (MIS) program. These are typically hosted through a university’s business school and split coursework between computer and IT classes and those that emphasize business systems and management.
Evaluating Colleges for Computer Science
When choosing among computer science colleges, consider not just the reputation of the school, but also its accreditation status, as well as the specific research interests of the computer science faculty. The latter point is especially important if you already have a good idea of what you want to do. ComputerMajors.com is an excellent place to start your exploration of computer science colleges. Browse the various programs available today, and fill out an inquiry form to request more information from the schools that interest you.