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.

This photo shows a woman and man working on a tablet and a laptop.

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:

 
This photo shows smiling students in the classroom

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.

Busy colleagues planning goal and task at meeting

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.

Teacher Teaching a Lesson

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's Biography

Guido Santella

Instructor/
Altoona Campus

Guido's Biography


Guido's "I Am South Hills" Video

Nick Page

Instructor/
State College Main Campus

Nicholas's Biography

This photo shows instructor Rick Gority.

Rick Gority

Instructor/
State College Main Campus

Rick's Biography

Matt Mills

Instructor/
Altoona Campus

Matt's Biography

South Hills SH logo (white text on blue background)

Joseph Meyer

Adjunct Instructor/
State College Main Campus

Joe's Biography