Get an Exciting Job in the Tech Industry
The Associate of Science (AS) in Computer Science provides graduates with a strong foundation in technology, preparing them for a range of career opportunities and pathways for further education. This degree equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to enter the workforce immediately or to pursue advanced studies, offering flexibility for diverse career goals.
Graduates of the AS program can begin their careers in entry-level roles such as web developers, computer support specialists, systems administrators, and programmers. These positions provide valuable hands-on experience and often serve as steppingstones to more advanced opportunities. The demand for tech skills spans various industries, including technology firms, financial services, healthcare, and government agencies, giving graduates the flexibility to explore different sectors.
For those seeking to advance their education, the AS degree is an excellent starting point for pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science or related fields, which can open doors to higher-paying and more specialized roles. Additionally, earning specialized certifications in areas like cybersecurity, network administration, or programming languages can further enhance job prospects and allow for career specialization.
With experience and continued education, graduates can move into advanced roles, such as software developers, IT project managers, data scientists, and information security analysts. Over time, they may also progress into leadership positions, including IT directors or chief information officers (CIOs), where they manage teams and oversee technology strategies.
Highlights of Career and Education Opportunities
- Immediate Employment:
- Entry-level roles: Web developers, computer support specialists, systems administrators, programmers.
- Diverse industries: Technology, finance, health care, government.
- Further Education:
- Pursue a bachelor’s degree for advanced career opportunities.
- Obtain certifications in cybersecurity, network administration, or programming languages.
- Career Advancement:
- Transition to advanced roles: Software developers, data scientists, IT project managers.
- Move into leadership: IT directors, CIOs.
An AS in Computer Science is a versatile degree that supports immediate workforce entry while providing a pathway to advanced education and career growth. It enables graduates to thrive in a dynamic and technology-driven job market.
Career Opportunities
- Artificial Intelligence
- Computer Architecture & Engineering
- Database Management Systems
- Graphics Systems
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Operating Systems & Networking
- Programming Systems
- Scientific Computing
- Security
Earning Potential
Software developer (applications) - $126,7381
Database administrator - $103,7441
Computer hardware engineer - $125,2171
Computer systems analyst - $117,7871
Web developer - $98,1191
Information security analyst - $120,7221
Computer programmer - $96,7891
Computer and information systems managers - $172,0081
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Source: texaswages.com, median salary Gulf Coast region, 2023
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San Jac Online
The Associate of Science (AS) degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year or upper-level college or university and major in mathematics, one of the sciences (biology, chemistry, geology, physics, biotechnology, or related field), engineering, or computer science. For more information, students may refer to the Core Curriculum section of the catalog. The AS degree differs from an Associate of Arts (AA) degree in the amount or level of mathematics and science required for degree completion. The College requires a minimum of 12 hours of mathematics, 12 hours in science, or 12 hours in computer sciences beyond the Core requirement for the degree.
Students seeking an AS degree should take science courses designed for majors rather than courses for non-majors. Science courses designed for allied health students are not intended for academic transfer toward a science major.
Students choosing to pursue an AS degree should select from the following areas of study: Natural Science, Computer Science, Engineering, or Mathematics. Courses designed for non-majors do not apply to an AS degree:
- BIOL 1308 Biology for Non-Science Majors I (lecture)/BIOL 1108 Biology for Non-Science Majors I (lab);
- BIOL 1309 Biology for Non-Science Majors II (lecture)/BIOL 1109 Biology for Non-Science Majors II (lab);
- CHEM 1305 Introductory Chemistry I (lecture)/CHEM 1105 Introductory Chemistry I (lab); and
- GEOL 1301 Earth Sciences for Non-Science Majors I (lecture)/GEOL 1101 Earth Sciences for Non-Science Majors I (lab).
The College recommends these courses for the AA degrees.
Plan of Study (Degree Plan)
2COSCI
Students who know the university to which they want to transfer to pursue a related bachelor’s degree should use the appropriate transfer plan for the university listed on the Transfer Plans (MAPS) page from the tab above.
This plan of study is intended only for students who do not yet know the university to which they want to transfer or for students who do not currently plan to transfer after earning their associate degree.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Term | Credits | |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | 3 |
| Transfer Path Courses (see list below) | 3 | |
| American History | 3 | |
| EDUC 1100 | Learning Framework | 1 |
| COSC 1436 | Programming Fundamentals I | 4 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Second Term | ||
| ENGL 1302 or ENGL 2311 | Composition II or Technical and Business Writing | 3 |
| American History | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| COSC 1437 | Programming Fundamentals II | 4 |
| Transfer Path Courses (see list below) | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Term | ||
| Life and Physical Science (Natural Science) lecture and lab | 4 | |
| Creative Arts (Fine Arts) | 3 | |
| GOVT 2305 | Federal Government (Federal Constitution and Topics) | 3 |
| Transfer Path Courses (see list below) | 4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Second Term | ||
| Life and Physical Science (Natural Science) lecture and lab | 4 | |
| Language, Philosophy and Culture (Humanities) | 3 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| GOVT 2306 | Texas Government (Texas Constitution and Topics) | 3 |
| Component Area Option | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Transfer Path Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer Path | ||
| 18 total semester credit hours (SCH), including: | ||
| COSC 1436 | Programming Fundamentals I | 4 |
| COSC 1437 | Programming Fundamentals II | 4 |
| Select at least six SCH from the following: | 6 | |
| Programming Fundamentals III | ||
| Computer Organization | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| University Physics I (lecture) and University Physics I (lab) | ||
| University Physics II (lecture) and University Physics II (lab) | ||
| The remaining hours will be selected to meet the student's specific transfer institution requirements. | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Core Curriculum
Core Curriculum: 42 SCH of Core courses including EDUC 1100 Learning Framework.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Communication (010) | ||
| Select two of the following courses for 6 SCH: | 6 | |
| Composition I | ||
| Composition II | ||
| Technical and Business Writing | ||
| Mathematics (020) | ||
| If you select a 4 SCH MATH course, the overflow hour may be accounted for in the Component Area Option of the Core or in the Transfer Path. | ||
| Select one of the following courses for 3 SCH: | 3 | |
| College Algebra | ||
| Plane Trigonometry | ||
| Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences 1 | ||
| Calculus for Business and Social Sciences 1 | ||
| Contemporary Mathematics (Quantitative Reasoning) 1 | ||
| Elementary Statistical Methods (Statistics) | ||
| Linear Algebra | ||
| Differential Equations | ||
| Pre-Calculus Math | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| Life and Physical Science (030) | ||
| Labs for the sciences courses may be accounted for in the Component Area Option. | ||
| Select two of the following courses for 6 SCH: 2 | 6 | |
| Stars and Galaxies (lecture) | ||
| The Solar System (lecture) | ||
| Biology for Science Majors I (lecture) | ||
| Biology for Science Majors II (lecture) | ||
| Biology for Non-Science Majors I (lecture) 3 | ||
| Biology for Non-Science Majors II (lecture) 3 | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology I (Lecture) 4 | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology II (Lecture) 4 | ||
| Introductory Chemistry I (lecture) 3 | ||
| General Chemistry I (lecture) | ||
| General Chemistry II (lecture) | ||
| Earth Sciences for Non-Science Majors I (lecture) 3 | ||
| Physical Geology (lecture) | ||
| Historical Geology (lecture) | ||
| College Physics I (lecture) | ||
| College Physics II (lecture) | ||
| University Physics I (lecture) | ||
| University Physics II (lecture) | ||
| Language, Philosophy and Culture (Humanities) (040) | ||
| Select one of the following courses for 3 SCH: | 3 | |
| British Literature I | ||
| British Literature II | ||
| American Literature I | ||
| American Literature II | ||
| World Literature I | ||
| World Literature II | ||
| Forms of Literature: Literature and Film | ||
| Mexican American Literature | ||
| Human Geography | ||
| World Civilization I | ||
| World Civilization II | ||
| Introduction to the Humanities I | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
| Creative Arts (Fine Arts) (050) | ||
| Select one of the following courses for 3 SCH: | 3 | |
| Art Appreciation | ||
| Art History I (Prehistoric to the 14th century) | ||
| Art History II (14th century to the present) | ||
| World Dance | ||
| Dance Appreciation | ||
| Theater Appreciation | ||
| Film Appreciation | ||
| Music Appreciation | ||
| Music Literature | ||
| American Music | ||
| American History (060) | ||
| Select two of the following courses for 6 SCH: | 6 | |
| United States History I | ||
| United States History II | ||
| Texas History | ||
| Mexican American History I | ||
| Mexican American History II | ||
| African American History I | ||
| African American History II | ||
| Government/Political Science (070) | ||
| Select two of the following courses for 6 SCH: | 6 | |
| Federal Government (Federal Constitution and Topics) 5 | ||
| Texas Government (Texas Constitution and Topics) 5 | ||
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (080) | ||
| Select one of the following courses for 3 SCH: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Archaeology | ||
| General Anthropology | ||
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| World Regional Geography | ||
| Introduction to Political Science | ||
| Western Civilization I | ||
| Western Civilization II | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Minority Studies | ||
| Child Growth and Development | ||
| Component Area Option (090) | ||
| The following courses as well as courses not previously used from the other eight areas of the Core may be used to fulfill the Component Area Option requirement. | ||
| Select from the following courses for 6 SCH: | 6 | |
| Stars and Galaxies (lab) | ||
| The Solar System (lab) | ||
| Biology for Science Majors I (lab) | ||
| Biology for Science Majors II (lab) | ||
| Biology for Non-Science Majors I (lab) | ||
| Biology for Non-Science Majors II (lab) | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology I (Lab) | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology II (Lab) | ||
| Introductory Chemistry I (lab) | ||
| General Chemistry I (lab) | ||
| General Chemistry II (lab) | ||
| Beginning Chinese I | ||
| Beginning Chinese II | ||
| Learning Framework | ||
| Beginning French I | ||
| Beginning French II | ||
| Earth Sciences for Non-Science Majors I (lab) | ||
| Physical Geology (lab) | ||
| Historical Geology (lab) | ||
| Beginning German I | ||
| Beginning German II | ||
| Federal and Texas Constitutions | ||
| Introduction to Physical Fitness and Wellness | ||
| College Physics I (lab) | ||
| College Physics II (lab) | ||
| University Physics I (lab) | ||
| University Physics II (lab) | ||
| Beginning American Sign Language I | ||
| Beginning American Sign Language II | ||
| Beginning Spanish I | ||
| Beginning Spanish II | ||
| Introduction to Speech Communication | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Business and Professional Speech | ||
| Total Credits | 42 | |
- 1
MATH 1324 Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences, MATH 1325 Calculus for Business and Social Sciences, and MATH 1332 Contemporary Mathematics (Quantitative Reasoning) do not meet the requirements for students pursuing mathematics or science.
- 2
Students must be simultaneously co-enrolled in the co-requisite science lab.
- 3
BIOL 1308 Biology for Non-Science Majors I (lecture), BIOL 1309 Biology for Non-Science Majors II (lecture) and CHEM 1305 Introductory Chemistry I (lecture), and GEOL 1301 Earth Sciences for Non-Science Majors I (lecture) do not meet the requirements for science majors.
- 4
BIOL 2301 Anatomy and Physiology I (Lecture) and BIOL 2302 Anatomy and Physiology II (Lecture) are designed for allied health majors and not for academic transfer as science majors.
- 5
Students who have taken GOVT 2301 or GOVT 2302, but not both, should check with a Program Advisor on how to complete the 6 SCH.
If a student successfully completes San Jacinto College’s 42-hour Core Curriculum, that block of courses must be substituted for the receiving institution’s Core Curriculum. The receiving institution may not require a student to take additional Core Curriculum courses to meet the requirements of the Core. Students who transfer without completing the Core Curriculum shall receive academic credit in the Core Curriculum of the receiving institution for each of the courses the student has successfully completed in the San Jacinto College Core Curriculum. Students should plan Core Curriculum courses that would meet baccalaureate degree requirements at the four-year institution.
If you do not see your transfer school, please follow the Plan of Study. For more information, contact an Admissions Advisor. Please speak to an advisor at San Jacinto College and the transfer institution to ensure this Transfer Plan is accurate and complete. For a list of all MAPs, students may go to Transfer Plans A-Z. Students may filter for specific universities, disciplines, or degrees, and print individual MAPs.
Computer Science
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