Computer Science

Overview

Computer science programs teach people computer systems design. Students study software and hardware design. They learn to profile the needs of specific end-user situations.

Computer science programs include topics such as:

• Computer theory
• Computer system design
• Computer development and programming
• Computer applications

Concentrations

In computer science programs, students may be able to specialize in:

• Computer and information sciences
• Human computer interaction

Schools

Most community colleges offer associate degree programs in computer science. An associate degree program usually takes two years of full-time study.

Most colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in computer science. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.

Many universities offer graduate degrees in computer science. A master’s degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor’s degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master’s degree.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

• Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
• Computational Mathematics
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Engineering Technology
• Computer Installation and Repair
• Computer Programming
• Computer Support Specialist
• Computer Systems Analysis
• Computer Systems Networking and Administration
• Computer Systems Technology
• Cyber-computer Forensics and Counterterrorism
• Database Administration
• Game and Interactive Media Design
• Industrial and Systems Engineering
• Informatics
• Information Science
• Information Technology
• Mathematics
• Webmaster and Web Management

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

• Computer and Information Research Scientists
• Computer and Information Systems Managers
• Computer Engineers
• Computer Network Architects
• Computer Programmers
• Computer Systems Administrators
• Computer Systems Analysts
• Database Administrators
• Information Security Analysts
• Video Game Designers
• Web Developers

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

• Climate Change Analysts
• Computer Network Support Specialists
• Computer User Support Specialists
• Geospatial Information Scientists and Technologists
• Mathematicians
• Technical Writers

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

For this program, schools recommend that you know how to use a computer and the Internet.

Many programs require you to apply for admission even after you've been admitted to the school. Typically you must complete introductory computer science courses. You may also have to take courses in logic, calculus, and physics.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

• Advanced Algebra courses
• Calculus
• Computer Science and Programming
• Network Technology
• Probability and Statistics

Graduate Admissions

Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree in computer science or a similar field, good grades, and good test scores.

Additional requirements at some schools include:

• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Computer Science
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statement

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This undergraduate program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

• Analysis of Algorithms
• Calculus
• Computer Architecture
• Computer Graphics
• Computer Networks
• Computer Organization
• Database Systems
• Introduction to Computer Science
• Operating Systems
• Programming Languages
• Software Engineering
• Statistics

Graduate Program Courses

Graduate programs that lead to a master's or doctoral degree typically include:

• Required courses
• Thesis (master's degree)
• Preliminary exams (doctoral degree only)
• Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree)

Things to Know

Although a bachelor's degree in computer science will teach you a variety of skills, it is becoming more common for employers to require a master's degree for many jobs.

Schools

East Side Area

Big Bend Community College

• Computer Science Pre-Major

Central Washington University

• Computational Science
• Computer Science
• Information Technology & Administrative Management--Digital Forensics & Incident Response (DFIR) Certificate
• Information Technology & Administrative Management--Modern IT Applications
• Information Technology & Administrative Management--Structures of Data Analytics for IT Managers

Walla Walla University

• Computer Science

Washington State University - Pullman

• Computer Science
• Data Analytics
• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
• Software Engineering

Wenatchee Valley College

• Computer Science Pre-Major

Whitman College

• Computer Science

King-Snohomish Area

Bellevue College

• Associate in Arts and Sciences Transfer Degree
• Computer Science
• Data Analytics
• Information Systems and Technology--Application Development Concentration
• Information Systems and Technology--Business Intelligence Concentration

Cascadia College

• Associate in Science: Track Two-- Computer Science, Atmospheric Science, and Physics

City University of Seattle

• Computer Science
• Cybersecurity & Information Assurance
• Information Security
• Information Systems

Columbia College - Naval Station Everett/Marysville

• Computer Information Systems

DigiPen Institute of Technology

• Computer Science
• Computer Science & Digital Audio
• Computer Science and Game Design
• Computer Science--Machine Learning
• Game Design

Edmonds Community College

• Associate in Computer Science
• Computer Information Systems--Ethical Hacker
• Physics, Computer Science, General Engineering, and Atmospheric Sciences

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Everett

• Information Security & Assurance

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Renton

• Information Security & Assurance

Everett Community College

• Computer Information Technology
• Computer Science (Transfer)
• Information Technology

Green River College

• Pre-Engineering, Computer Science, Physics and Atmospheric Science

Highline College

• Computer Science (Transfer)
• Cybersecurity and Forensics

Lake Washington Institute of Technology

• Associate in Computer Science--DTA/MRP

North Seattle College

• Associate in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or Atmospheric Science
• Computer Science Pre-Major

Northeastern University - Seattle

• Analytics
• Computer Science
• Cybersecurity
• Data Analytics
• Data Analytics Engineering

Northwest University

• User Experience Design

Renton Technical College

• Computer Science--Application Development

Seattle Central College

• Computer Science

Seattle Pacific University

• Computer Science
• Information Systems
• Management--Data Analytics for Business
• MS Information Systems--Cybersecurity Emphasis

Seattle University

• Computer Science
• Computer Science Fundamentals
• Computer Science--Business
• Computer Science--Mathematics
• Software Engineering

Shoreline Community College

• Computer Science (Transfer)

South Seattle College

• Associate of Science Track 2: Engineering, Physics, Atmospheric Science, or Computer Science

University of Washington - Bothell

• Software Design and Development

University of Washington - Seattle

• Applied & Computational Mathematical Sciences--Biological & Life Sciences
• Applied & Computational Mathematical Sciences--Data Science & Statistics
• Applied & Computational Mathematical Sciences--Discrete Mathematics and Algorithms
• Applied & Computational Mathematical Sciences--Mathematical Economics
• Applied & Computational Mathematical Sciences--Scientific Computing and Numerical Algorithms
• Applied & Computational Mathematical Sciences--Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Computer Science
• Computer Science and Engineering
• Linguistics--Computational Linguistics
• Statistics--Data Science Option

Washington State University - Pullman (Everett)

• Computer Engineering--Software Engineering
• Data Analystics

Washington Technology University

• Information Security

Kitsap Area

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Whidbey Island

• Information Assurance
• Information Security & Assurance

Olympic College

• Computer Science Pre-Major

Spokane Area

Eastern Washington University

• Business Administration--Data Analytics
• Computer Science

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Fairchild AFB

• Information Security & Assurance

Gonzaga University

• Computer Science
• Computer Science and Computational Thinking
• Mathematics--Computer Science

Park University - Fairchild AFB

• Information & Computer Science

Spokane Falls Community College

• Computer Science Pre-Major

Whitworth University

• Computer Science
• Computer Science--Business Option
• Computer Science--Human Computer Interaction
• Computer Science--International Project Management Option

Statewide and Distance Learning

Washington State University - Global Campus

• Data Analytics

WGU Washington

• Business Administration--Information Technology Management
• Business--Information Technology Management
• Cloud & Systems Administration
• Computer Science
• Cybersecurity & Information Assurance
• Data Management & Data Analytics
• Information Technology Management
• Software Development

Tacoma Area

Bates Technical College (Central/Mohler Campus)

• Business Data Analytics

Clover Park Technical College

• Computer Programming

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Joint Base Lewis-McChord

• Information Security & Assurance

Pacific Lutheran University

• Computer Science

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom

• Computer Science Pre-Major

Pierce College Puyallup

• Computer Science Pre-Major

Tacoma Community College

• Computer Science Pre-Major

University of Puget Sound

• Computer Science
• Computer Science/Business

University of Washington - Tacoma

• Computer Engineering and Systems
• Computer Science and Systems

Tri-Cities Area

Columbia Basin College

• Computer Science Pre-Major

Washington State University - Tri-Cities

• Computer Science
• Computer Science--Cybersecurity Focus

Vancouver Area

Charter College--Vancouver

• Computer Information Systems

Clark College

• Computer Science (Transfer)

Washington State University - Vancouver

• Computer Science

West Side Area

Bellingham Technical College

• Associate in Computer Science

Centralia College

• Associate in Science Track 2: Atmospheric Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering, and Physics
• Computer Science Pre-Major

Columbia College - Whidbey Island

• Computer Information Systems

Evergreen State College, The

• Computer Science

Grays Harbor College

• Computer Science Pre-Major

Lower Columbia College

• Computer Science Pre-Major
• Computer Science--Transfer to WSU Vancouver

Peninsula College

• Associate in Computer Science
• Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, and Atmospheric Sciences

Saint Martin's University

• Computer Science

Skagit Valley College

• Computer Science Pre-Major

South Puget Sound Community College

• Associate in Science Track II

Western Washington University

• Computer Science

Whatcom Community College

• Computer Science Pre-Major

Yakima Area

Heritage University

• Computer Science

Yakima Valley College

• Computer Science--Pre-Major