Software Development Engineering, A.A.S.

This degree prepares students for entry-level employment and career advancement in a variety of occupations within the software development profession. The degree program introduces students to the most current languages, integrated development environments, and operating systems, focusing on problem solving and development cycles for business applications. As technology has changed, computer, web and mobile applications have become widely used in society. The software development engineering degree prepares students to develop applications for a variety of platforms.

Program Overview

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College offers a Software Development Engineering A.A.S. degree that provides students with the knowledge and skills needed for employment upon graduation.  Using the most current versions of industry standard computer programming languages and integrated development environments, a practical applied approach is taken with an emphasis on programming skills for desktop, web-based and mobile environments. Students will develop project management, communication, problem solving and teamwork skills valued in industry.

Program Outcomes

• Explain the theoretical fundamentals of software development.
• Develop practical skills and knowledge for positions within the software engineering profession.
• Apply competencies required by the software design industry through hands-on practice.
• Apply software engineering principles to provide a solution-focused skill set to real-world business needs and scenarios.
• Use current languages, methodologies, and integrated development environments to develop secure program code for a variety of platforms, including web and mobile.
• Produce robust software using the program development cycle to analyze, design, implement, deploy, document, and maintain applications.
• Complete a capstone project applying project management, communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills to a large software development project.

Career Opportunities

Upon earning a degree, software development engineering graduates may pursue entry-level employment in a variety of business, government, private and educational institutions.  With growth in the software development field expected to increase faster than average, well-trained software development personnel are needed in business and industry. A Blue Ridge Community and Technical College software development engineering college credential will give graduates many workplace options and pathways to further study in the computer industry.