What Is a Computer Science Degree? | Coursera

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Learn more about the academic programs and different degree levels you can explore if you're interested in earning a computer science degree.
A computer science degree refers to an academic program designed to build or strengthen your knowledge of computer systems and networks.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), computer science is among the most in-demand bachelor's degree majors [1].
As you deepen your computer science knowledge, you can choose to focus on key specialty areas, like data science, AI, or cybersecurity.
You can earn a computer science degree at many different levels, including associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctorate.
Learn about the different types of computer science degrees, the areas you can study to gain specialized knowledge, and the benefits of this kind of degree.
There are different levels of computer science degrees, and the kind you pursue will depend on your larger educational and career goals as well as your resources. Let's take a closer look at each.
Associate degrees require completing approximately 60 credits, which typically takes two years of full-time study. Once you complete basic general education requirements, which may require mathematics courses such as college algebra, basic calculus, and possibly discrete mathematics, you'll take a selection of courses in computer science fundamentals.
What you can expect to learn in an associate CS degree program:
Basic programming languages, like Java, Python, or C++
Writing and debugging code
Computer hardware basics
Basic networking concepts
After earning an associate degree in computer science, you may qualify for some entry-level positions, which we've outlined below. You may also want to consider transferring to a bachelor's degree program or pausing to gain professional experience before returning to school to earn your four-year degree, a more common educational credential in this field.
Jobs you can pursue with an associate in computer science:
Technical support specialist
Web developer assistant
IT support specialist
Computer science has a reputation for being a hard major because of how technical some of the subjects can be. Many programs expect you to learn a programming language (if you don’t already know one), take advanced math classes, and solve complex problems. But it can be an exciting challenge if you’re interested in the material.
Earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science takes four to five years, depending on how quickly you complete the 120 minimum credits usually needed to graduate. You'll spend your first two years completing general education requirements before focusing your final years on your computer science major.
What you can expect to learn in a CS bachelor's degree program:
Multiple programming languages
Advanced algorithms and data structures
Software engineering principles
Mobile and web development
Full-stack development
Operating systems design
Hardware architecture
Learn more: Is Computer Science a Good Major?
Jobs you can pursue with a bachelor's in computer science:
Database administrator
Full-stack developer
It’s worth noting that while a growing number of employers have been doing away with bachelor’s degree requirements for entry-level roles, the degree can still be useful as you advance in your career. While you may be able to get started in a computer science-related role, you may eventually need a bachelor’s degree to pursue more senior-level opportunities.
A master's in computer science is a graduate degree you can pursue once you've earned your bachelor's degree. Requirements will vary by program, but earning a master's in this area generally takes two to three years to finish the 30 to 45 required credits. Some programs may also expect a thesis or capstone project to demonstrate what you've learned.
At this level, you won't spend as much time focused on foundational computer courses, but will deepen your knowledge of an area you choose to specialize in, such as cybersecurity or machine learning.
What you can expect to learn in a CS master's degree program:
Advanced algorithms analysis
Computational theory
Advanced computer architecture