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Associate of Specialized Technology (AST) Degree in Software Development and Programming

Earn your AST degree in software development at our Altoona, Pennsylvania and State College, Pennsylvania, campuses

Our Software Development Program At-a-Glance

Earn your specialized degree in just 2 years
Accredited by ACCSC

Licensed by the PA Department of Education, Department of Private Licensed Schools

Request More Information

What You Need to Know About Our Information Technology AST Degree

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

Talking Tech with Guido Santella

Guido has been an Information Technology instructor at the South Hills Altoona campus since 2005. In the following videos, he shares advice for those interested in a career in technology.

Want more insight from Guido? Check out the full collection of Talking Tech with Guido Santella videos here.

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:

Important 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.
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 and fellow students.
Experienced instructors and mentors — Our instructors are also experienced professionals who know what it takes to be successful in the job market. Software development classes are taught by actual programmers who incorporate their experience with everything from applications to databases into the curriculum.
Two convenient campus locations — We’ve been providing specialized skills training in Pennsylvania since 1970, starting with our campus location in State College, and expanding into Altoona in 2001.
Career and alumni services — South Hills is an education community, there for you from the day you enroll to graduation and for years afterward. We have a dedicated Career Services team to help ready you for finding and securing your first job and support you through your career.
Financial aid and scholarships — Finances shouldn’t stand in the way of you being able to train for the career you want. South Hills has a financial aid team that will help you every step of the way through the application process. Their goal is to help you to obtain all of the grant, loan, agency and military funding for which you are eligible.

Knowledge for current needs.

Our curriculum is regularly updated to ensure students are learning programming languages and technologies that employers are using.

Small class sizes.

Keeping our student-to-faculty ratios low ensures you receive the kind of one-on-one attention and mentorship you need to succeed.

Experienced instructors.

Our faculty include working professionals with experience in every facet of the field.

Real-world job insights.

A second-year internship will give you critical exposure in the software development and programming industries.

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

Course Highlights

Networking Essentials
JavaScript
UNIX/Linux Essentials
Website Design
Apple Application Development

Complete Course List

Software Development and Programming Course List

Software Development and Programming Course List for 2020-21

Term	Course #	Course Name	Credits	Clock Hours
First Term	GE117	Applied Algebra	4	60
	GE183	Business English I	4	60
	GE130	History of IT	2	24
	CP127	Introduction to Operating Systems	2.5	36
	CP132	Introduction to Programming & Logic	4	60
	IT200	Networking Essentials	4	60
	PD110	Professional Development	2	24
		Totals:	22.5	324

Second Term	GE184	Business English II	4	60
	CP134	Web Site Design	4	60
	IT100	Intermediate Programming	4	60
	IT201	UNIX/Linux Essentials	4	60
		Totals:	16	240

Third Term	CP135	Business Applications	4	60
	IT230	Data Structures and Algorithms	4	60
	CP129	Introduction to SQL Databases	4	60
	IT101	IoT Programming	4	60
		Totals:	16	240

Fourth Term	IT214	Android Application Development	4	60
	IT232	PHP -Hybrid	4	60
	IT231	Software Engineering & Application Development	4	60
	CP130	Technical Presentations	2	24
	GE259	Technical Writing	2.5	36
		Totals:	16.5	240

Fifth Term	IT217	Apple Application Development	4	60
	IT233	Content Management Systems	4	60
	IT211	JavaScript	4	60
	CD207	Job Search Skills	2	24
	CP277	Project Management	5	60
		Totals:	19	264

Sixth Term	GE178	Human Relations in the Workplace	2.5	36
	IT225	Information Technology Capstone Project	7	120
	MG116	Introduction to Business	4.5	60
	GE213	Oral Business Communication	2	24
		Totals:	16	240

Seventh Term	CD214	IT Career and Certification Prep	2	21
	IT229	Software Development and Programming Internship	11	330
		Totals:	13	351
			SDP PROGRAM TOTAL CREDITS	SDP PROGRAM TOTAL HOURS
			119.0 Credits	1,899 Clock Hours

The Outlook for 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.

Bright Outlook Occupation

Software Developer

Software Developers play a key role in the design, installation, analysis, and maintenance of computer programs and applications as well as software systems. The programs are often developed with a goal of helping businesses to be more efficient and deliver improved services to their clients. Some developers design applications for consumers such as games or software for home or personal use.

See the Bright Outlook for this Occupation

Meet the Faculty

Guido Santella

Instructor
Altoona Campus

Guido's "I Am South Hills" Video

Ray Liddick Jr.

Instructor
Program Coordinator
State College Main Campus

Chaz Wall

Instructor
State College Main Campus

Nicholas Page

Program Instructor
State College Main Campus

Program Advisory Committees

State College Main Campus

Member Name	Job Title	Company
Russell Myers	Systems Administrator	Penn State University
Jason Smith	Senior Manager of Software Engineering	Blackboard, Inc.
Ellen Thorne	Software QA Lead	InFocus
Steven Weaver	Contract Software Engineer	AscentOp
Mark Lively	Senior Software Developer	Accuweather
Varun Goyal	Mobile Application Developer	Accuweather
Chris Paveglio	Mobile Application Developer	Accuweather
Chris Beaver	Owner /Developer	cbCodeStudio, LLC
James Leous	Manager of Research Programming	Penn State University
Stefanie Rocco	Assistant Director of Learning Design	Penn State University

Ready to enroll in the Software Development and Programming program at South Hills?

Apply Now >>