OVERVIEW
Learn Java or C# with an Online Software Development Degree
Software developers are the creative and technical geniuses behind the applications and programs we can’t live without. Earning your bachelor’s degree in software development can increase your earning potential and opportunities for advancement and help you build a future as a developer on the cutting edge of technology. This program provides a solid foundation in computer programming, web development, and application development. It includes multiple industry-recognized certifications from CompTIA built in to the curriculum.
Choose Your Track
This program is all about making you an outstanding software developer at the enterprise level. It is presented in two tracks for you to choose from, allowing you to become fluent in either Java or C#. Whichever track you choose, the end result is the same: You will know how to program.
Unsure Which Track is Best for You?
- Both languages top industry growth lists, and both will be highly valuable in your career. What’s more, learning any programming language lays the groundwork for you to learn other languages in the future, just like learning your third spoken language is much easier than learning your second.
- As a general rule of thumb, C# is a smart choice for those who want to work in big tech centers, like Seattle, Silicon Valley, Boston, or New York. Large enterprises that use Microsoft infrastructure need developers who are fluent in C#.
- Java is an extensively used language, supported by a wide range of devices—not only computers and phones but also smart appliances and Internet-connected vehicles.
70% of students finish within
40 Months
WGU lets you move more quickly through material you already know and advance as soon as you're ready. The result: You may finish faster.
Tuition per six-month term is
$3,625
Tuition charged per term—rather than per credit—helps you control the ultimate cost of your degree. Finish faster, pay less!
Certifications in this program
3
This online software development program includes three top industry certifications, helping enhance your résumé before you even graduate.
COURSES & COMPETENCIES
Software Development Courses
The WGU Bachelor of Science Software Development online degree program was designed, and is regularly updated, with input from the experts on our College of Information Technology Program Council, ensuring you learn best practices in systems and services, networking and security, scripting and programming, data management, and the business of IT.
Earning a bachelor’s degree designed by industry experts adds theoretical depth to the practical knowledge you already have. The experts who make up our IT Program Council know exactly what it takes for a graduate to be successful in the fast-paced, ever-changing world of software development.
The B.S. Software Development program is an all-online program. You’ll complete program requirements independently, with instruction and support from WGU faculty. You’ll be expected to complete at least 12 competency units for each 6-month term. Each course is typically three or four units. There’s no limit on the number of units you can complete each term, so the more courses you complete, the quicker you can finish your program.
Courses in Java Track
View courses specific to the Java track.
Courses in C# Track
View courses specific to the C# track.
34 Courses
Program consists of 34 courses
At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to ensure your degree is proof you really know your stuff.
Capstone Project
Special requirements for this program
At the end of your program, you will complete a capstone project that represents the culmination of all your hard work—this project consists of a technical work proposal, the proposal’s implementation, and a post-implementation report that describes the graduate’s experience.
“Hands down, Western Governors University’s online Bachelor of Science in Software Development is the best in the country.”
—College Choice
Why WGU?
Earning Potential
According to a 2021 Harris Poll, just two years after graduation, WGU grads report earning $18,200 more per year, and that amount increases to $25,900 four years after graduation.
On Your Schedule
No class times, no assignment deadlines. You are in charge of your learning and schedule. You can move through your courses as quickly as you master the material, meaning you can graduate faster.
Entirely Online
The software development bachelor's degree at WGU is 100% online, which means it works wherever you are. You can do your coursework at night after working at your full-time job, on weekends, while you're traveling the world or on vacation—it's entirely up to you.
Accredited, Respected,
Recognized
One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized.
IT CERTIFICATIONS
3rd Party Software Development Certifications Included
The industry certifications you will be positioned to earn in this degree program include CompTIA A+, CompTIA Project+, and more. The cost of these certifications are also included in your tuition price, helping you save money as you enhance your skills. Earning certifications on the path to your degree gives you the knowledge, skills, and credentials that will immediately boost your résumé—even before you complete your degree program.
- A+
- Project+
- ITIL®1 Foundation Certification
COST & TIME
An Affordable Online Software Development Degree
By charging per six-month term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. The faster you complete your program, the less you pay for your degree.
A College Degree Within Reach
There is help available to make paying for school possible for you:
The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2019 (among those who borrowed) was less than half* the national average.
Most WGU students qualify for financial aid, and WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits.
Many scholarship opportunities are available. Find out what you might be eligible for.
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
Designed for Professionals with Tech Talent, Competency-Based Education Puts You in the Driver’s Seat of Your Software Development Degree
You’ve worked in tech for years. Your experience, skill, and hard work have gotten you this far, but the next step requires something you don't have: your degree. We believe your experience should count for something. You deserve a bachelor’s degree program that will take into account all the know-how you’ve gained over the years, allowing you to move through courses as quickly as you can prove you've mastered the material. No waiting for other students or the end of the semester. No sitting through classes you could teach. Just a smart, direct path to the degree your career needs and the respect you deserve.
"Would I recommend WGU to someone? Yes, for sure! It's not easy though. It takes time and dedication, but they have a great system, especially for those who cannot attend a traditional university. The money, time, and work are well worth the experiences and the degree that I've received from WGU. Thank you, WGU!"
—Reuben
B.S. Software Development
CAREER OUTLOOK
Find Success With a Highly Respected Software Development Degree and In-Demand Certs
Think about the number of times each day you come in contact with devices and services that depend on software applications to function. From our computers and mobile devices to the cars we drive, the games we play and the ways we access information, software is at the core of how we live our technology-driven lives. It's easy to understand why the demand is so great for highly skilled software developers who have the knowledge and skills to create and maintain today's complex computer programs and applications. In fact, in today's market, for every one qualified software developer in the job market, there are 10 posted job openings. And Java and C# just happen to be the two programming languages in the highest demand!
Return on Your Investment
22%
is the projected job growth for application developers is 22% from 2019 to 2029.
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Learn About All the Job Opportunities in Software Development
Some of the industries and job titles a graduate of this software development bachelor’s degree program are qualified for include:
Job Titles
- Software Developer
- Network Architect
- Software Engineer
- Hardware Engineer
Diverse Industries
- Consulting Firms
- Technology Companies
- Public Sector
- Communications/Telecom
Major Employers
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- U.S. Army
- Oracle
- U.S. Department of Justice
WGU Grads Hold Positions With Top Employers
ADMISSIONS
Software Development Admissions Requirements
To be considered for enrollment into this bachelor's degree program, students must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent AND demonstrate program readiness through one of the following:
- Option 1: Submit transcripts documenting completion of previous IT coursework. IT coursework must be 300-level or higher.
- Option 2: Possess a bachelor’s or associate degree (A.A., A.S. or A.A.S. acceptable) from an accredited post-secondary institution.
- Option 3: Demonstrate at least two years of IT work experience through resume review.
- Option 4: Submit official records of completion of current and active IT certifications, some of which may provide transfer credit into various programs.
NOTE: You do not need to take the ACT or SAT to be admitted to this program. Learn why we don't require these tests.
Get Your Enrollment Checklist
Download your step-by-step guide to enrollment.
Get Your Questions Answered
Talk to an WGU Enrollment Counselor.
Common Questions About Enrolling in a College of IT Degree Program
Ready to Start Your WGU Journey?