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B.S. Software Development

Bachelor of Science Software Development

You’re creative, analytical, and a natural problem-solver. That’s why you love software development. Earn the degree and certifications that can advance your career. Build a career in software and app development.

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A course in this online degree program won a coveted CODiE award from the Software & Information Industry Association.

A course in this program won a coveted CODiE award from the Software & Information Industry Association.

2016 CODiE SIIA Award Winner for Best Learning Management Solution

Overview
Learn to be an application developer online—in Java or C#.

“Hands down, Western Governors University’s online Bachelor of Science in Software Development is the best in the country.” – College Choice

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 and CIW built in to the curriculum.

Two tracks: Java or C#.
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.

If you are unsure which track you want to follow, bear in mind that 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.

But 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#. Meanwhile, 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.

73% of graduates finish in

9–33 mos.

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.
See how it works

Tuition per 6-month term is

$3,225

Tuition charged per term—rather than per credit—helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. Finish faster, pay less!
See how time is money

On average, students transfer

31 credits

Certifications, an associate's degree, or previous college credit may waive some courses. A transcript review will determine your transfer credits.
Get started

Tuition as of January 1, 2019.
Software developer—one of the best jobs in technology.

Software developers are the creative visionaries that make nearly every aspect of our lives run smoothly: our cars, our computers, even our coffee makers. Every machine and device we use requires software to operate properly. In fact, the demand for trained software developers is so high that there are often more jobs than qualified people to fill them. Students who earn a software development degree will be prepared for a variety of rewarding careers including:
Computer programmer

Computer hardware engineer

Web developer

Computer network architect

Computer systems designer
Learn about our grads' careers
What you’ll learn: relevant, up-to-date curriculum developed by software experts.

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.

Download Program Guide

Earning a Bachelor of Science Software Development degree that's been designed by industry experts adds theoretical depth to the practical knowledge you already have. The experts who make up the WGU College of IT Program Council know exactly what it takes for a graduate to be successful in the fast-paced, ever-changing world of information technology.
Core Subject Areas

Lower-division courses may be cleared through transfer credit. Following are some examples:

Critical Thinking and Logic

Introduction to Communication

English Composition I

Introduction to Humanities

Introduction to Geography

College Algebra

Applied Probability and Statistics

American Politics and the US Constitution

See all courses
Key Subject Areas

Courses specific to the fields of IT and software/app development include:

Introduction to IT

IT Foundations

IT Applications

Structured Query Language

Integrated Physical Sciences

Natural Science Lab

Scripting and Programming - Foundations

Web Development Foundations

Web Development Applications

User Interface Design

Network and Security - Foundations

Business of IT - Project Management

More

See all courses
Certs Included

Your coursework incorporates certifications, with no added time or cost. This program includes:

CompTIA A+

CompTIA Project+

CIW Site Development Associate

CIW User Interface Designer

CIW Advanced HTML5 and CSS Specialist

Explore the curriculum
A supported, personalized experience.

WGU is unlike any university you’ve experienced before—in the best possible way! Take a look at what we mean:

Faculty Learning Assessment Capstone Alumni Support

Faculty

SUPPORTING YOU: Faculty focused on students.

WGU faculty members have one goal in mind: your success. Your Program Mentor is your individually assigned faculty member, providing guidance and instruction from the day you start to the day you graduate. In addition, Course Instructors provide subject-matter instruction and support, typically one-on-one, exactly when you need it.

Learning

YOUR ROADMAP: A personalized learning plan.

Your program is made up of a series of courses, each a personalized journey toward subject mastery. A preassessment provides insight into what you already know. You’ll then learn what you still need to learn, using online learning resources—available 24/7—along with one-on-one or cohort-based faculty instruction.

Assessment

PROVE IT: Show you know your stuff.

WGU measures learning, not time, so each course culminates in an assessment—a test, paper, project, or certification that allows you to prove what you know. As soon as you’re ready, take the assessment—including the ability to take proctored exams from the comfort of your own home— via webcam, any time of day!

Capstone

APPLY IT: Solve a problem.

Throughout your program, you will focus on acquiring and proving specific competencies. At program’s end, you’ll complete a final capstone project that allows you to show off everything you’ve learned by proposing a solution to an relevant issue in your industry. Your mentor can help you select your capstone topic.

Alumni Support

ALWAYS a Night Owl.

Continued support after you graduate includes many opportunities for professional development and enrichment, career support, and networking. Night Owls may be independent learners, but they also become highly engaged in our active alumni community through apps, groups, and events.

The accreditation you need, plus industry respect and recognition.

Accredited

Western Governors University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), which provides the accreditation of many other major institutions, such as the University of Washington, University of Oregon, Gonzaga University, University of Utah, University of Idaho, and Brigham Young University, to name just a few.

Respected

Recognized

“I’m impressed by the results in places like Western Governors University. Its low-cost online programs rely on competency-based progression, not class time or credit hours. It uses external assessments to evaluate student proficiency.”
Bill Gates
“Why American Colleges Have to Change”

Accredited

Respected

Recognized

Our programs check all the boxes. If this degree is your goal, get started toward becoming a student today—programs start the first of each month.

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Cost & Time
When we say affordable, we mean it.

$3,225

Tuition per 6-month term

+

+$295

Resource and Program Fees, per term

=

=$3,520

TOTAL PER TERM

+$65

One-time application fee

Apply FREE this week

$295 per-term fees include Resource Fee of $145 (covers all e-books and learning resources, saving you hundreds per term) and Program Fee of $150 (covers additional costs specific to this program).
Control the cost of your program: Our tuition links cost to time.

By charging per term, rather than per credit like other schools, WGU empowers students to get the most for their tuition dollars. You can accelerate through material you already know or are able to learn quickly, allowing you to control how much your degree will ultimately cost.
Flat-rate tuition of $3,520 per term links cost to time.

By charging per 6-month term rather than per credit hour—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or can learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees.

Adjust the time and see your costs change

Your time

2 yrs

Your cost

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2 yrs
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3 yrs

1 yr
1.5 yrs
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There's help if you need it.

Financial aid is available.

WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits.

View more about financial aid.

WGU students borrow less than half the national average.

Our goal: You graduate with little or no debt.

The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2016 (among those who borrowed) was less than half the national average. WGU’s three-pronged approach to keeping your debt low and your return on investment quick: One, provide useful information and advice on responsible borrowing before enrollment. Two, keep tuition low while you're enrolled. And three, offer degree programs that lead to better-paying jobs after graduation.

Read about our Responsible Borrowing Initiative.

Degree Cost Comparison*

For-Profit Online University

Other Nonprofit Online University

WGU

A B.S. Software Development degree for about half what you’d pay at another university.

Low tuition and the ability to accelerate make WGU more affordable than most other schools. When you compare us with other programs, WGU’s Bachelor of Science Software Development degree program offers rigorous curriculum with competitive post-graduation results for about half what you'd pay at another university—or even less.

*Estimates based on July 2017 WGU and comparable universities' tuition data. Learn more about WGU's tuition and how it compares.

Transparent fees, no hidden costs—what you see is what you get.

Earning a degree often has costs beyond tuition and fees—things like books, lab fees, and parking. At WGU, the amount you see listed is the amount you pay—no hidden costs, no surprise fees. Even your IT certifications are included at no extra charge.

Other universities bury you in unexpected costs. Not WGU.

Click to explore the extra costs:

Tuition Books

Parking Gas

Library / resource fees Babysitter every week for
nighttime classes

WGU

Other online college

Traditional
4 year school

This demonstration shows how various costs—including official fees and incidental costs of attending school—can add up in different learning environments. It's meant as an illustration only.

Scholarships make our already-low tuition even more affordable.

Many scholarship opportunities are available. Here are a few you may be eligible to apply for:

$2,000

Sage Scholarship

$3,000

Salute to Veterans Scholarship

$2,000

Future in IT Scholarship

The affordable, flexible programs offered at WGU put high-quality education within your reach. Start working toward your future.

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Courses & Competencies

Curriculum that ensures you graduate with the skills and knowledge employers want.

Program consists of:
34 Courses What about transfer credits?

At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to ensure your degree is proof you really know your stuff.

Every course focuses on a set of clearly defined competencies that you must prove you’ve learned—through tests, papers, projects, or other assessments. Demonstrating mastery is how you pass a course, so learning what it takes to be outstanding in your career is at the heart of WGU’s Bachelor of Science Software Development curriculum.

That means what you learn is often directly applicable the next day at work—and it means what you’re doing at work frequently informs the work you’re doing in your courses. It’s all about real-world applicability so every moment spent studying is time well spent.

Courses in this online degree program.

This program consists of the following courses. Some may be waived through transfer from your previous college experience. The rest you will typically complete one at a time as you make your way through your program, working with your Program Mentor each term to build your personalized Degree Plan. You’ll work through each course as quickly as you can study and learn the material. As soon as you’re ready, you’ll pass the assessment, complete the course, and move on. This means you can finish as many courses as you're able in a term at no additional cost. Note: The courses listed below make up the Java track of this program. The C# track is largely identical, with the only variation being the language used as the basis for Software I, Software II, and Mobile Application Development. Download the Program Guide for full details.

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IT Fundamentals

Introduction to IT

Introduction to IT examines information technology as a discipline and the various roles and functions of the IT department as business support. Students are presented with various IT disciplines including systems and services, network and security, scripting and programming, data management, and business of IT, with a survey of technologies in every area and how they relate to each other and to the business.

IT Foundations

IT Foundations is the first course in a two-part series preparatory for the CompTIA A+ exam, Part I. Students will gain an understanding of personal computer components and their functions in a desktop system, as well as computer data storage and retrieval; classifying, installing, configuring, optimizing, upgrading, and troubleshooting printers, laptops, portable devices, operating systems, networks, and system security; recommending appropriate tools, diagnostic procedures, preventative maintenance and troubleshooting techniques for personal computer components in a desktop system; strategies for identifying, preventing, and reporting safety hazards and environmental/human accidents in a technological environments; and effective communication with colleagues and clients as well as job-related professional behavior.

IT Applications

IT Applications is a continuation of the IT Foundations course preparatory for the CompTIA A+ exam, Part II. Students will gain an understanding of personal computer components and their functions in a desktop system. Also covered is computer data storage and retrieval, including classifying, installing, configuring, optimizing, upgrading, and troubleshooting printers, laptops, portable devices, operating systems, networks, and system security. Other areas include recommending appropriate tools, diagnostic procedures, preventative maintenance and troubleshooting techniques for personal computer components in a desktop system. The course then finished with strategies for identifying, preventing, and reporting safety hazards and environmental/human accidents in a technological environments, and effective communication with colleagues and clients as well as job-related professional behavior.

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General Education

Critical Thinking and Logic

Reasoning and Problem Solving helps students internalize a systematic process for exploring issues that takes them beyond an unexamined point of view and encourages them to become more self-aware thinkers by applying principles of problem identification and clarification, planning and information gathering, identifying assumptions and values, analysis and interpretation of information and data, reaching well-founded conclusions, and identifying the role of critical thinking in the disciplines and professions.

Introduction to Communication

This introductory communication course allows students to become familiar with the fundamental communication theories and practices necessary to engage in healthy professional and personal relationships. Students will survey human communication on multiple levels and critically apply the theoretical grounding of the course to interpersonal, intercultural, small group, and public presentational contexts. The course also encourages students to consider the influence of language, perception, culture, and media on their daily communicative interactions. In addition to theory, students will engage in the application of effective communication skills through systematically preparing and delivering an oral presentation. By practicing these fundamental skills in human communication, students become more competent communicators as they develop more flexible, useful, and discriminatory communicative practices in a variety of contexts.

English Composition I

English Composition I introduces learners to the types of writing and thinking that are valued in college and beyond. Students will practice writing in several genres with emphasis placed on writing and revising academic arguments. Instruction and exercises in grammar, mechanics, research documentation, and style are paired with each module so that writers can practice these skills as necessary. Comp I is a foundational course designed to help students prepare for success at the college level. There are no prerequisites for English Composition I.

Introduction to Humanities

This introductory humanities course allows students to practice essential writing, communication, and critical thinking skills necessary to engage in civic and professional interactions as mature, informed adults. Whether through studying literature, visual and performing arts, or philosophy, all humanities courses stress the need to form reasoned, analytical, and articulate responses to cultural and creative works. Studying a wide variety of creative works allows students to more effectively enter the global community with a broad and enlightened perspective.

Introduction to Geography

This course will discuss geographic concepts, places and regions, physical and human systems and the environment.

College Algebra

This course provides further application and analysis of algebraic concepts and functions through mathematical modeling of real-world situations. Topics include: real numbers, algebraic expressions, equations and inequalities, graphs and functions, polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and systems of linear equations.

Applied Probability and Statistics

Applied Probability and Statistics is designed to help students develop competence in the fundamental concepts of basic statistics including: introductory algebra and graphing; descriptive statistics; regression and correlation; and probability. Statistical data and probability are often used in everyday life, science, business, information technology, and educational settings to make informed decisions about the validity of studies and the effect of data on decisions. This course discusses what constitutes sound research design and how to appropriately model phenomena using statistical data. Additionally, the content covers simple probability calculations, based on events that occur in the business and IT industries. No prerequisites are required for this course.

American Politics and the US Constitution

American Politics and the US Constitution examines the evolution of representative government in the United States and the changing interpretations of the civil rights and civil liberties protected by the Constitution. This course will give students an understanding of the powers of the branches of the federal government, the continual tensions inherent in a federal system, the shifting relationship between state and federal governments, and interactions between elected officials and the ever-changing electorate. This course will focus on such topics as the role of a free press in a democracy, the impact of changing demographics on American politics, and the debates over and expansion of civil rights. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to explain the basic functions of the federal government, describe the forces that shape American policy and politics, and be better prepared to participate in America’s civic institutions. This course has no prerequisite.

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Data Manipulation

Structured Query Language

This course prepares the student for the Oracle Database SQL (1Z0-071) certification exam. Students will master the SQL language that will allow them to restrict and sort data, create schema objects, control user access, and manage data, objects and tables.

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General Science Content

Integrated Physical Sciences

This course provides students with an overview of the basic principles and unifying ideas of the physical sciences: physics, chemistry, and Earth sciences. Course materials focus on scientific reasoning and practical and everyday applications of physical science concepts to help students integrate conceptual knowledge with practical skills.

Natural Science Lab

This course gives you an introduction to using the scientific method and engaging in scientific research to reach conclusions about the natural world. You will design and carry out an experiment to investigate a hypothesis by gathering quantitative data.

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Scripting and Programming

Scripting and Programming - Foundations

Scripting and Programming - Foundations provides an introduction to programming, covering basic elements such as variables, data types, flow control, and design concepts. The course is language-agnostic in nature, ending in a survey of languages and introduces the distinction between interpreted and compiled languages. There are no prerequisites for this course.

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Web Development

Web Development Foundations

This course prepares students for the CIW Site Development Associate certification. The course introduces students to web design and development by presenting them with HTML5 and CSS, the foundational languages of the web, by reviewing media strategies, and by using tools and techniques commonly employed in web development.

Web Development Applications

This course prepares students for the CIW Advanced HTML5 and CSS3 Specialist certification exam. This course builds upon a student's manual coding skills by teaching how to develop web documents and pages using the Web Development Trifecta: HTML5 (Hypertext Markup Language version 5) and CSS3 (Cascading Style Sheets version 3) and JavaScript. Students will utilize the skills learned in this course to create web documents and pages that easily adapt to display on both traditional and mobile devices. In addition, students will learn techniques for code validation and testing, form creation, inline form field validation, and mobile design for browsers and apps, including Responsive Web Design (RWD).

User Interface Design

This course covers tools and techniques employed in user interface design including web and mobile applications. Concepts of clarity, usability and detectability are included in this course as well as other design elements such as color schemes, typography, and layout . Techniques like wireframing, usability testing, and SEO optimization are also covered. This course prepares students for the CIW User Interface Designer certification.

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Network and Security

Network and Security - Foundations

Network and Security - Foundations introduces students to the components of a computer network and the concept and role of communication protocols. The course covers widely used categorical classifications of networks (e.g., LAN, MAN, WAN, WLAN, PAN, SAN, CAN, and VPN) as well as network topologies, physical devices, and layered abstraction. The course also introduces students to basic concepts of security covering vulnerabilities of networks and mitigation techniques, security of physical media, and security policies and procedures.This course has no prerequisites.

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Business of IT

Business of IT - Project Management

In this course, students will build on industry standard concepts, techniques, and processes to develop a comprehensive foundation for project management activities. During a project's life cycle, students will develop the critical skills necessary to initiate, plan, execute, monitor, control, and close a project. Students will apply best practices in areas such as scope management, resource allocation, project planning, project scheduling, quality control, risk management, performance measurement, and project reporting. This course prepares students for the following certification exam: CompTIA Project+.

Business of IT - Applications

Business of IT – Applications examines Information Technology Infrastructure Library ( ITIL®) terminology, structure, policies, and concepts. Focusing on the management of Information Technology (IT) infrastructure, development, and operations, students will explore the core principles of ITIL practices for service management to prepare them for careers as IT professionals, business managers, and business process owners. This course has no prerequisites.

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Software

Scripting and Programming - Applications

Scripting and Programming - Applications for undergraduates explores the various aspects of the C++ programming language by examining its syntax, the development environment, and tools and techniques to solve some real-world problems.

Software Engineering

This course introduces the concepts of software engineering to students who have completed the core courses in programming and project management. The principles build on previously acquired concepts, switching the emphasis from programming simple routines, to engineering robust and scalable software solutions. This course does not cover programming, but provides an overview of software engineering processes, and their challenging nature focusing on the need for a disciplined approach to software engineering. A generic process framework provides the groundwork for formal process models. Prescriptive process models such as the Waterfall Model and Agile Development are included. An introduction to the elements and phases of software engineering is included which explores requirements engineering, design concepts, and software quality.

Software I

Software I builds object-oriented programming expertise and introduces powerful new tools for Java application development. You will learn about and put into action class design, exception handling, and other object-oriented principles and constructs to develop software that meets business requirements. This course requires foundational knowledge of object-oriented programming.

User Experience Design

User Experience Design explores multiple tools and techniques used in user experience design. Students are presented with an in-depth view of activities involved in the design of user experience and have the opportunity to create several deliverables including persona profiles, information architectures, and prototypes of different levels of fidelity. In addition, the course also covers usability testing and the evaluation of quantitative and qualitative data derived from these and other experiments.

Software II - Advanced Java Concepts

Software II – Advanced Java Concepts refines object-oriented programming expertise and builds database and file server application development skills. You will learn about and put into action lambda expressions, collections, input/output, advanced error handling, and the newest features of Java 8 to develop software that meets business requirements. This course requires intermediate expertise in object-oriented programming and the Java language.

Software Quality Assurance

Software Quality Assurance applies a QA focus to every phase of the software development life cycle. This course investigates best practices for quality analysis, quality planning, and testing strategies as they pertain to the everyday practice of software development. Students will come to understand how their work fits into the bigger picture: how QA, testing, and code-writing practices interact within specific process models; the potential impact of new code on existing code or on other applications; the importance of usability and the influence users have on the ultimate success of an application. Students will explore test plans, test cases, unit tests, integration tests, regression tests, usability tests, and test and review tools.

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Technical Communication

Technical Communication

This course covers basic elements of technical communication, including professional written communication proficiency; the ability to strategize approaches for differing audiences; and technical style, grammar, and syntax proficiency.

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Data Management

Data Management - Foundations

This course introduces students to the concepts and terminology used in the field of data management. They will be introduced to Structured Query Language (SQL) and will learn how to use Data Definition Language (DDL) and Data Manipulation Language (DML) commands to define, retrieve, and manipulate data. This course covers differentiations of data—structured vs. unstructured and quasi-structured (relational, hierarchical, XML, textual, visual, etc); it also covers aspects of data management (quality, policy, storage methodologies). Foundational concepts of data security are included.

Data Management - Applications

This course covers conceptual data modeling and provides an introduction to MySQL. Students will learn how to create simple to complex SELECT queries including subqueries and joins, and will also learn how to use SQL to update and delete data. Topics covered in this course include exposure to MySQL; developing physical schemas; creating and modifying databases, tables, views, foreign keys/primary keys (FKs/PKs), and indexes; populating tables; and developing simple Select-From-Where (SFW) queries to complex 3+ table join queries.

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Operating Systems

Operating Systems for Programmers

This course covers operating systems from the perspective of a programmer including the placement of the operating system in the layered application development model. Primarily OSs provide Memory Management, Task Scheduling, and CPU allocation. Secondarily, OSs provide tools for file storage/access, permission control, event handling, network access, and cross-process interaction. OSs also provide tools for debugging problems within a single process or within groups of programs.

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Leadership and Management

Organizational Behavior and Leadership

Organizational Behavior and Leadership explores how to lead and manage effectively in diverse business environments. The course requires students to demonstrate the ability to apply organizational leadership theories and management strategies in a series of scenario-based problems.

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Software Applications

Mobile Application Development

This course introduces students to programming for mobile devices using a Software Development Kit (SDK). Students with previous knowledge of programming will learn how to install and utilize a SDK, build a basic mobile application, build a mobile applications using a graphical user interface(GUI), adapt applications to different mobile devices, save data, execute and debug mobile applications using emulators, and deploy a mobile application.

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Capstone

Software Development Capstone

The capstone assessment challenges students to demonstrate mastery of all the BSITSW program outcomes. Students will develop a software application to solve a problem of their choice constrained only by the technology requirements provided in the assessment DRF.

Plan to work hard: Program requirements and expectations.

The Bachelor of Science Software Development degree program is an all-online program that you will complete by studying and working independently with instruction and support from WGU faculty. You will be expected to complete at least 12 competency units (WGU's equivalent of the credit hour) each 6-month term. (Each course is typically 3 or 4 units).

The first person you speak with at WGU will be your Enrollment Counselor, an expert in your program who can explain all the requirements and expectations in more detail. You can also read more about each course in the Program Guide.

Request info from an Enrollment Counselor.

Download the Program Guide.

Special requirements for this program:

Capstone project: At the end of your program, you will complete a capstone project that represents the culmination of all your hard work—a project that allows you to take what you’ve learned and apply it to a real-world situation, proposing a solution to an actual issue you face in your place of business.

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Quality you can trust: Curriculum developed with guidance from IT employers and experts.

Program councils, composed of industry and academic experts, drive the creation of our online degree programs, providing input on the competencies a graduate needs to have mastered for success in the field.
How You'll Learn
Competency-based education puts working IT professionals in the driver’s seat of their education.

Competency-based education allows you to set the speed of your progress—no waiting for other class members to catch up or for a new semester to start.

Taking a course covering concepts you’ve been using for years at work? Review the course material, take the assessment, and move on to the next course in your program. Taking a course in a subject you’ve never tried? Maximize all available resources to ensure you’re comfortable with the material by the time you take the assessment.

As an online, competency-based university, WGU is the ideal choice for an information technology professional looking for an efficient path to increased respect for their hard work and experience, new and highly relevant knowledge and skills, and a rewarding career boost.

"Information technology has two paths: You can go down the degree path, or you can go down the certification path. The way that WGU interweaves those together made the choice to enroll an absolute no-brainer." Bill Burns,
B.S. Information Technology, 2015

Designed for professionals with tech talent.

You’ve worked in tech for years, and have achieved the biggest promotion you can get until you earn your degree. But your experience should count for something. You deserve a degree program that will take into account all the know-how you’ve gained over the years, and maybe even offer an opportunity to graduate faster. That’s where WGU’s online, competency-based software development degree program can help. You can move through courses as quickly as you master the material: no waiting for other students, or the next semester. And because we charge tuition at a flat rate, you may save both time and money.

Competency-Based Education

How it helps you

Efficient

Maximize your life experience and study dedication to move more quickly through coursework.

Your knowledge, experience, and drive to finish your degree are valuable. Put those qualities to work and master material more quickly, potentially graduating ahead of schedule.

Flexible

Learn on your own terms.

No two college students—or their schedules—are the same. Whether you’re at your best in the early morning or more energized when you get home from work, your study schedule can be personalized to accommodate your lifestyle and responsibilities.

Results

Know you’re learning real-world skills.

You earn an IT degree for results—not simply to accrue credits. Competency-based education centers on competencies—the clearly defined knowledge and skills that leading employers are looking for. How do we know what they’re looking for? They tell us—and their input drives our curriculum.

Finish courses by proving what you know, as soon as you’re ready.

With competency-based education at WGU, success is measured by actual learning, not class time. You advance by demonstrating that you've mastered the course subject matter—whether you learned it through your study at WGU or picked up that knowledge through years of work experience.

Your progress through a course is driven by you.

How quickly you learn

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The time you devote to studying

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How much previous knowledge you bring
See it in action

Play this game to see how a competency-based course works at WGU.
competency, noun

Demonstrated knowledge, skill, or ability required to advance in a degree program.

At WGU, course competencies are defined by an expert council, including employers.

For this course, there are 3 areas you need to prove competency in.

Start

First, let's take a pre‑assessment.

Determine what you already know from previous work and education experience, and where you need to focus your studies. Prove your competency in 3 areas in this exercise.

Start Pre-Assessment

Competency 1: Retrieving results...
Competency 2: Retrieving results...
Competency 3: Retrieving results...

Start Course

Second, study course materials.

Click on the free learning resources created by education experts that will help you master the competencies.

E-textbook

Web-based Tutorials

Online Classes

Simulations

Learning Communities

Course Mentors

Ready? Take Assessment

Result:

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Measuring:

Skills

Knowledge

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Your experience pays at WGU.

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Career Outlook
Apps have redefined the way we live our lives. The people who develop them are in serious demand.

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!

31%

The projected job growth for application developers is 31% from 2016 to 2026—with another 24% in growth projected for software developers and programmers.

—The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Graduates of WGU's software development bachelor's degree program have rewarding careers.

Our alumni are working in jobs like:
Job Titles

Senior software developer

Java developer

Manager

Application developer
Diverse Industries

Consulting firms

Technology companies

Public sector

Communications/telecom
Major Employers

Booz Allen Hamilton

U.S. Army

Oracle

U.S. Department of Justice
Explore a career in software development.

Learn about an app developer's salary, job outlook, work environment, and more.

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WGU is a university committed to producing successful grads.

The ultimate test of your degree's value is whether it helps you become an outstanding employee and advance your career. Our happy grads—and their happy employers—confirm that WGU is the path to that kind of degree.
Happy employers

Happy grads

They're Prepared.

Employers said that WGU graduates were prepared for their jobs.

They Perform.

Employers rated WGU graduates' job performance as very good or excellent.

They Wow.

Employers said their WGU graduates have exceeded their expectations.

They're Confident.

Graduates said the majority of their coursework was related to their jobs.

They're Working.

Graduates are working full-time.

They're Satisfied.

Graduates said their degrees were worth the cost of their education.

Source: 2016 Harris Poll survey of 301 employers; 2016 Harris Poll Online survey of 1,403 new college graduates nationwide compared with survey of 1,207 WGU graduates; WGU--Gallup 2016 Report
“I recommend WGU to anyone who is interested in going back to school. It's really the way I think college should be done. The fact that you can go at your own pace, the fact that you can prove what you know, and the fact that you can come away with both the degree and the certifications made WGU an absolute no-brainer.” Bill Burns
B.S. Information Technology

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Your Enrollment Counselor is there to help you make an informed decision.
The first step toward change can be the hardest—we get it. Your "welcoming committee" at WGU is made up of Enrollment Counselors, Admissions Specialists, and faculty members. Your initial interactions at WGU will be guided by an Enrollment Counselor who specializes in the programs you're interested in.

Your Enrollment Counselor is ready with as much help as you may need:

Get your cost and admissions criteria questions answered.

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Admission requirements unique to this degree.
To be considered for enrollment into the online Bachelor of Science Software Development degree program, you must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent. You must also be able to demonstrate IT experience through at least one of the following:

Option 1: Possess an associate’s degree in information technology or equivalent (A.S. or A.A.S. acceptable).

Option 2: Possess a high-level IT certification in network, security, programming, data management, operating systems, or hardware management earned within the last five years.

Option 3: Provide your résumé showing three-plus years of IT work experience.

Option 4: Show completion of high-level IT coursework within the last five years:

Two or more upper-level networking courses; OR

Two or more upper-level object-oriented programming courses (Java, C#, etc.); OR

One or more upper-level operating systems courses; OR

One or more upper-level information security and assurance courses.

View general admissions requirements
Making an informed admission decision.

WGU seeks to admit individuals who have the capacity and determination to complete a rigorous WGU degree program…and graduate. The admission process is designed to help you and the university reach an informed decision about your likelihood of success.

At WGU we want you to graduate, not just enroll. Consequently, not every applicant is admitted because not every individual is a good fit for WGU’s programs and competency-based, online academic model.
Your existing IT certifications may transfer to WGU.

See which certs transfer.

Common questions about enrolling in a College of IT degree program.

What if I can't meet the eligibility requirements to enroll in the IT program I am interested in?

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You should speak with an Enrollment Counselor. WGU can often provide advice or resources to help a prospective student fulfill enrollment prerequisites.

Why are certifications and other prerequisites required?

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When you enroll in a WGU degree program, our goal is to see you through to graduation. Admission requirements are designed to increase your likelihood of success. Years of data and experience with the nontraditional students WGU serves have shown us how various types of academic and professional experience can be highly important in helping a student persist to graduation. Industry certifications are one of many ways a student can meet eligibility.

Why doesn't WGU accept certifications that are older than five years?

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WGU has an obligation to our graduates—and their current and future employers—to ensure WGU alumni have mastered the the most up-to-date, current competencies and skills needed in the workplace. Recency of certifications helps us ensure that students have demonstrated competency in skills as they are needed in today's working world.

Is this program truly "at your own pace"?

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As a full-time student, you will be required to maintain a minimum pace of 12 competency units (CUs) per term for undergraduate programs or 8 CUs per term for graduate programs. However, there is no maximum speed—once you complete a course, you move immediately to the next, and you complete a course not by waiting for the syllabus, the professor, or the rest of the class. You progress by learning the material and proving it—so you can move through your coursework at the speed of your own learning and experience.

If there aren't classes or lectures, what role do Course Instructors play?

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Course Instructors are highly educated, experienced experts in the subject matter of a course. Unlike in a traditional university where going to class means listening to an instructor lecture while you take notes and try to learn in a group setting, WGU's Course Instructors provide one-on-one instruction and support when you need it—tailoring the instruction to your precise needs when you need it. Course Instructors also provide additional resources, lead topical discussions in online communities, and find countless other ways to bring a specific course to life for students.

Have more questions? We're here to answer them!
Speak with an Enrollment Counselor.

“From the very beginning, the whole process was very smooth. My enrollment counselors were knowledgeable and helpful. If I did run into any kind of little snag, somebody was always there to help me.” Cindy Krupinski
B.S. Information Technology

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