Associate in Specialized Technology Degree in Software Development and Programming
Specialized associate degree in Software Development and Programming at our State College and Altoona, Pennsylvania, campuses.
Associate in Specialized Technology Degree in
Software Development and Programming
Earn your specialized associate degree in Software Development and Programming at our State College and Altoona, Pennsylvania, campuses.
Accredited by ACCSC
Licensed by the PA Department of Education, Department of Private Licensed Schools
Program Highlights :
Specialized Associate Degree in Software Development and Programming:
Software on our laptops, applications on our phones, websites for every business — all of this is such second nature to us now that many of us don’t even think much about these tools on a day-to-day basis. But the software development and programming field is critical to the modern world, and it’s a career that’s very much in-demand as employers are in need of skilled professionals who can develop applications, create databases, build websites, and more. With the Associate of Specialized Technology Degree in Software Development & Programming from South Hills School of Business & Technology, you can train for this dynamic, fast-growing career.
At South Hills, we update our programming curriculum regularly and give you hands-on training so you know you’ll learn the programming languages and technologies employers are using right now.
Our experienced instructors cover topics like:
- Managing the process of developing designing, testing, and delivering a software application to meet user needs
- Creating, retrieving, updating, and deleting information from modern database systems
- Writing programming scripts and applications using modern languages and software tools
- Revising software for corrections, enhancements, or environment changes
- Performing quality checks to ensure software functions bug-free
- Identifying the operating system platform, components, inputs, interface requirements, and dependencies which ensure that a software project will achieve its objectives
- Utilizing a version control system
- Developing a thorough understanding of data structures and algorithms
- Providing oral and written reports in both technical and non-technical environments
- Applying object-oriented programming principles when developing projects
- Designing web pages using HTML and content management systems
We include a 12-week internship with one of our partner employers as part of your program, so you’ll have the opportunity to put what you’ve learned to work. Previous IT internship locations have included:
  
  
 
 
Students have the flexibility to customize their class choices based on their desired career choice. For those focusing on programming, strong math comprehension skills are an asset.
South Hills SDP grads are working in careers including: Web Design/Development, Database Administration, Software Engineering, Mobile Applications Development, and Software Quality Assurance/Development.
Successful students in this program will be fast learners, willing to explore and try new things with the computer, and not easily distracted by online temptations such as games and social media. For those focusing on programming, strong math comprehension skills are an asset.
Why You should Choose South Hills
South Hills School of Business & Technology has been in the business of helping our students gain the specialized career skills they need for over 50 years. We know that we can help you, too, as you prepare for your future career. Here are just a few reasons why:
Small Class
Sizes
It’s important to us that each of our students feels seen, both in what they need out of their education and what their goals are. It’s why we keep our class sizes small, so you can build a personal relationship with your teachers.
Internship and
Networking Opportunities
Every specialized degree program we offer at South Hills includes a 12-week internship component, which gives you not only hands-on experience, but also a chance to network and connect with our partner organizations.
Financial Aid
and
Scholarships
Finances shouldn’t stand in the way of you being able to train for the career you want. South Hills offers a number of ways to help pay for your program for those who qualify. Grants, loans, and special funding for veterans are just some of the possibilities we can explore with you, and our Financial Aid team is available to help you navigate these options.
Experienced
Instructors and Mentors
Our instructors are also experienced professionals who know what it takes to be successful in the job market. Software development and programming classes are taught by professionals and skilled leaders who incorporate their experience into the curriculum.
A Comprehensive Curriculum
With an educational training program including attention to theory, practice and application, students in the Software Development and Programming program will develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to succeed in this consistently evolving field. Software Design & Programming at South Hills prepares students to:
- Identify ways to solve problems or complete tasks
- Manage the process of developing designing, testing, and delivering a software application to meet user needs
- Create, retrieve, update, and delete information from modern database systems
- Write programming scripts and applications using modern languages and software tools
- Revise software for corrections, enhancements, or environment changes
- Perform quality checks to ensure software functions bug-free
- Collaborate effectively with others to achieve a common objective
- Identify the operating system platform, components, inputs, interface requirements, and dependencies which ensure that a software project will achieve its objectives
- Utilize a version control system
- Develop a thorough understanding of data structures and algorithms
- Provide oral and written reports in both technical and non-technical environments
- Apply object-oriented programming principles when developing projects
- Design web pages using HTML and content management systems
The Outlook for Software Development and Programming Jobs and Careers
The Software Development and Programming program at South Hills is designed to prepare you for entry-level jobs like:
- Application Developer
- Database Administrator
- Programmer
- Mobile Application Developer
- .NET Developer
- Software Developer
- Web Developer
- Webmaster
Even within the field of computers and IT, the job outlook for software developers is bright, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics that jobs for software and web developers, programmers, and testers are projected to grow 19% through 2030. That’s much faster than the national average and is likely to result in the addition of hundreds of thousands of new jobs over the next several years.
With a specialized associate degree in software development, you also lay the foundation to increase your opportunities for success. A specialized associate degree is also a potential jumping off point to getting your bachelor’s degree or even master’s degree later on as you advance in your career.
A closer Look at Our Software Development and Programming Classes
The Associate of Specialized Technology Degree in Information Technology at South Hills is an on-campus program that features small class sizes and more opportunities for individualized attention.
Credits
This AST degree program consists of 135 credits that can be completed in just 2 years. It includes courses like: UNIX/Linux Essentials, Cisco Networking, Server Administration, SAN Administration and Disaster Recover, Ethical Hacking and Defense, Cloud and DevOps Fundamentals, and Content Management Systems.
The complete course list for the Information Technology program is located in our Course Catalog.
Hear From Our Alumni
Explore the impact of our programs through the experiences and accomplishments of our esteemed alumni. Check out our Alumni Testimonials page for more.
Meet the Faculty
Ray Liddick
Program Coordinator/
State College Main Campus
Ray Liddick Jr., the Program Coordinator for Graphic Arts, has been an Information Technology and Graphic Arts Instructor at South Hills School of Business & Technology since 2004.
Ray is a graduate of Tyler School of Art, Temple University and has had MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) accreditation. Ray has spent decades utilizing his IT and graphic arts creativity on the job. Outside of the school, he is the Marketing Media & IT Manager at Pneu-Dart, Inc., a global manufacturer of remote drug delivery, as well as being the Creative Director/Owner of Open Door Visions.
In the classroom and on the job, Ray applies his artistic vision and IT experiences to a wide range of projects including print design, web development, project management and IT infrastructure/networking.
Guido Santella
Instructor/
Altoona Campus
Guido Santella has been an Information Technology instructor at the South Hills Altoona campus since 2005. In 2013, Guido was given the Instructor of the Year award by the Pennsylvania Association of Private School Administrators (PAPSA). Known for his classroom enthusiasm and energetic teaching style, Guido’s professional experience includes coding, web design, database, and server administration.
Over the years, Guido has enjoyed spending months at a time in Europe, as well as interning at the British Museum in London.
Guido is also an accomplished pianist and was awarded the Italian Heritage Society of Pennsylvania - John Monti Music Award in 2010 for exemplary efforts in promoting the musical heritage of the Italian-American community.
Guido's "I Am South Hills" Video
Nick Page
Instructor/
State College Main Campus
Nicholas Page has been an instructor in Software Development and Information Technology at South Hills since 2022. As an instructor, he strives to ensure that his students understand how things work and encourages them to explore different concepts and conduct research both in and out of the classroom.
Nicholas graduated from Lock Haven University in 2019 with a bachelor's in applied computer science and information sciences. Following that, he gained experience in the private sector as a programmer. In addition, he is a freelance website developer, specializing in both front-end and back-end development.
Nicholas is an expert in C#, Java, C, C++, and assembly languages. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the world of robotics through building and programming robots, as well as researching computer science paradigms.
Rick Gority
Instructor/
State College Main Campus
Rick Gority, instructor for computer skills classes, has been teaching at South Hills School of Business & Technology since 2009.
Rick received a BA from Penn State University in Telecommunications. In conjunction with a close friend, he co-founded a web & graphic design company in 2000. Rick continued to develop his skills with hardware and networking support, which led to his career in the IT field.
When free time is available, Rick enjoys boating on Lake Raystown, brewing beer, and vacationing in the Outer Banks.
Joseph Meyer
Adjunct Instructor/
State College Main Campus
Joseph Meyer has been an adjunct Information Technology instructor at South Hills since 2017. He is a Senior Software Engineer within Penn State University’s software department. Previously, he has worked at CSC and Raytheon in similar roles.
Joe has his Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems with minors in Digital Design and Japanese from Philadelphia University. He earned his Master’s Degree in Computer Science from Drexel University.
Joe and his family have been residents of State College since 2008. When not working his day job or teaching at South Hills, he can usually be found working on a project in his garage or playing some very old video game.
