Software Development, Associate in Applied Science

Program Code: 0440

Program Requirements

General Education Coursework
ENGLISH 101Composition3
Fine Arts & Humanities Course 13
Select one of the following:3
Principles Of Economics I
Principles Of Economics II
Select two Mathematics Courses:8
General Education Math (or higher)
Introductory Statistics
College Algebra (or higher) 2
Discrete Mathematics 2
Required Program Core
BUSINES 111Introduction To Business3
or BUSINES 213 Data Visualization and Presentation for Business
CIS 101Computer Science 1013
CIS 103Fundamentals of Programming3
CIS 114Mobile Application Development3
or CIS 281 Web Development III/Server Side Programming
CIS 142C++ Object Oriented Programming I3
CIS 144Java Object Oriented Programming I3
CIS 181Web Development I/Basic Web Technologies3
CIS 182Web Development II/Client Side Scripting3
CIS 242C++ Object Oriented Programming II3
or CIS 244 Java Object Oriented Programming II
CIS 245Principles of Software Development3
NET TEC 101Client-Server Database I3
Required Work-Based Learning Courses
CIS 260Computer Information Systems Field Project3
or CIS 265 Computer Information Systems Internship
Program Electives
Select a minimum of 9 credit hours of program electives9
Total Hours62

1

At least one general education course must meet the State of Illinois’ Human Diversity requirement.

2

Two Mathematics are required for AAS: MATH 118 General Education Math,  or higher. (Acceptable); MATH 140 College Algebra or higher. (Recommend, Pre-requisite for MATH 146 Discrete Mathematics); MATH 125 Introductory Statistics. (Recommend for Software Engineer, Testing, Security, Data, ML, AI); MATH 146 Discrete Mathematics. (Pre-requisite MATH 140 College Algebra – Recommended for Software Engineer)

Program Electives

BUSINES 111Introduction To Business3
BUSINES 213Data Visualization and Presentation for Business3
BUSINES 259Introduction to Project Management3
CIS 113Human-Computer Interaction3
CIS 116Operating System I3
CIS 242C++ Object Oriented Programming II3
CIS 244Java Object Oriented Programming II3
CIS 250Systems Analysis and Design3
CIS 281Web Development III/Server Side Programming3
CIS 282Web Development IV/Web Database Integration3
COMPSFI 102Information Security Essentials3
COMPSFI 202Cybercrime and Incident Response3
COMPSFI 213Ethical Hacking3
COMPSFI 215Information Security Domain3
ECON 201Principles Of Economics I3
ECON 202Principles Of Economics II3
NET TEC 121Internetworking I3
NET TEC 122Internetworking II3
NET TEC 240Operating Systems/Server I3

Pathway

This is an example course sequence for students interested in pursuing Software Development. This does not represent a contract or guarantee course availability. If this pathway is followed as outlined, students will earn a Basic Certificate (BC), an Advanced Certificate (AC), and an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree in Software Development. 

Semester-by-Semester Program Plan for Full-Time Students

All plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students by adding more semesters.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Hours
CIS 101 Computer Science 101 1 3
CIS 103 Fundamentals of Programming 3
CIS 181 Web Development I/Basic Web Technologies 3
MATH 118
General Education Math 2,4
or College Algebra
4
ENGLISH 101 Composition 4 3
 Hours16
Semester 2
CIS 142
C++ Object Oriented Programming I
or Java Object Oriented Programming I
3
CIS 182 Web Development II/Client Side Scripting 3
CIS 245 Principles of Software Development 3
NET TEC 101 Client-Server Database I 3
Fine Arts & Humanities course (HD) 3,4 3
 Hours15
Semester 3
CIS 114
Mobile Application Development
or Web Development III/Server Side Programming
3
CIS 142
C++ Object Oriented Programming I
or Java Object Oriented Programming I
3
CIS 242
C++ Object Oriented Programming II
or Java Object Oriented Programming II
3
Select one of the following: 2,4 4
Introductory Statistics
College Algebra
Discrete Mathematics
Program Elective 3
 Hours16
Semester 4
BUSINES 111
Introduction To Business
or Data Visualization and Presentation for Business
3
CIS 260
Computer Information Systems Field Project
or Computer Information Systems Internship
3
Select one of the following: 4 3
Principles Of Economics I
Principles Of Economics II
Program Elective 3
Program Elective 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours62
1

For students who may have taken CIS 101 already, please select CIS 142 or CIS 144 in the first semester, so that you can take CIS 244 or CIS 242 in the later semesters.

2

Two Mathematics are required for AAS:

  • MATH 118 General Education Math, (or higher) is acceptable;
  • MATH 140 College Algebra (or higher) is recommended (Pre- requisite for MATH 146);
  • MATH 125 Introductory Statistics is recommend for Software Engineering, Testing, Security, Data, ML, AI;
  • MATH 146 Discrete Mathematics (Pre- requisite MATH 140) is recommended for Software Engineering
3

At least one general education course must meet the State of Illinois’ Human Diversity requirement.

4

General education course

Program Electives

BUSINES 111Introduction To Business3
BUSINES 213Data Visualization and Presentation for Business3
BUSINES 259Introduction to Project Management3
CIS 113Human-Computer Interaction3
CIS 116Operating System I3
CIS 242C++ Object Oriented Programming II3
CIS 244Java Object Oriented Programming II3
CIS 250Systems Analysis and Design3
CIS 281Web Development III/Server Side Programming3
CIS 282Web Development IV/Web Database Integration3
COMPSFI 102Information Security Essentials3
COMPSFI 202Cybercrime and Incident Response3
COMPSFI 213Ethical Hacking3
COMPSFI 215Information Security Domain3
ECON 201Principles Of Economics I3
ECON 202Principles Of Economics II3
NET TEC 121Internetworking I3
NET TEC 122Internetworking II3
NET TEC 240Operating Systems/Server I3

Choose your courses with your College Advisor.

Careers

Computer Programmers

Job Description

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

Salary Based on Experience Level

Take a look at the average hourly/annual earnings for this career in Cook County

Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES data from the BLS and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

Annual Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile$47,696
Median 50th Percentile$78,504
Senior-Level 90th Percentile$147,954

Hourly Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile$23
Median 50th Percentile$38
Senior-Level 90th Percentile$71

Annual Job Openings

86 annual openings in Cook County

National Education Attainment

Here, you can see the level of education that people in this career complete.

Degree Program% of Jobs
A high school diploma or less0.00%
A certificate0.00%
Some college2.52%
An Associate degree8.99%
A Bachelor's degree88.04%
A Master's or Professional degree0.45%
A Doctoral degree or more0.00%

88.49% continue their education beyond an associate degree

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Job Description

Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.

Salary Based on Experience Level

Take a look at the average hourly/annual earnings for this career in Cook County

Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES data from the BLS and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

Annual Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile$62,455
Median 50th Percentile$99,096
Senior-Level 90th Percentile$142,940

Hourly Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile$30
Median 50th Percentile$48
Senior-Level 90th Percentile$69

Annual Job Openings

316 annual openings in Cook County

National Education Attainment

Here, you can see the level of education that people in this career complete.

Degree Program% of Jobs
A high school diploma or less2.94%
A certificate8.82%
Some college8.82%
An Associate degree26.47%
A Bachelor's degree50.00%
A Master's or Professional degree2.94%
A Doctoral degree or more0.00%

52.94% continue their education beyond an associate degree

Software Developers

Job Description

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

Salary Based on Experience Level

Take a look at the average hourly/annual earnings for this career in Cook County

Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES data from the BLS and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

Annual Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile$78,072
Median 50th Percentile$130,669
Senior-Level 90th Percentile$180,690

Hourly Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile$38
Median 50th Percentile$63
Senior-Level 90th Percentile$87

Annual Job Openings

2267 annual openings in Cook County

National Education Attainment

Here, you can see the level of education that people in this career complete.

Degree Program% of Jobs
A high school diploma or less0.00%
A certificate1.41%
Some college0.00%
An Associate degree3.23%
A Bachelor's degree79.73%
A Master's or Professional degree15.64%
A Doctoral degree or more0.00%

95.37% continue their education beyond an associate degree

City Colleges of Chicago websites use cookies to enhance user experience, analyze site usage, and assist with outreach and enrollment. By continuing to use this site, you are giving us your consent to do this. Learn more about cookies on CCC websites in our privacy statement.