Computer Programming

Computer Programming

About the Program

Houston Community College’s Computer Programming offers Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees and certificates that help students develop the knowledge, communication and creative skills, critical thinking, and technical competencies required in the modern workplace.

AWARD TYPES: Associate in Science, Certificate Level 2, Associate of Applied Science, Associate in Arts

AREA OF STUDY: Science, Technology, Engineering & Math

Degrees and Certificates

Learn more about the Degrees and Certificates offered by this program by visiting the HCC Catalog.

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Program Outcomes

Students will be able to:
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Understand the fundamental principles of programming, including those of algorithm analysis, software design, operating systems, and databases.

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Design and write computer programs that are correct, simple, clear, efficient, well organized, and well documented. Know and be able to apply important data structures and algorithms.

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Identify the hardware and software aspects of computer systems that support application software development.

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Demonstrate knowledge of technology applicable to the field, and a proficiency in appropriate software.

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Technology Knowledge/Proficiency -Demonstrate knowledge of technology applicable to the field, and a proficiency in appropriate software.

Program Information

General Requirements

 

General Requirements - AAS

This option is best suited for persons who want to focus on software analysis, development, and implementation. It prepares Information Technology (IT) students and professionals in developing software products and services for industry and government through software analysis, design, and architecture; system verification; data storage and retrieval.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) allows students to earn only one AAS in Computer Programming-Applications Development. Students may choose from one of the following specializations: Microsoft C#, Java, or Database Administration.

In addition, please note that a student may only earn one Occupational Skills Award (OSA) per academic year.

TSI testing required prior to first enrollment for all AAS degrees and Level II certificates.

General Requirements - AA, AS

To be eligible for an Associate in  Arts (AA), an Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT), or an Associate in Science (AS) degree from HCC, a student must successfully:

Complete at least 60 semester hours of credit as follows: (a) for the AA degree, 43 hours of required core courses and 17 hours of transferable electives, usually focusing on the student's transfer major (b) for the AAT degree, 44 hours of required core courses plus 16-18 hours of required pre-teaching courses (c) for the AS degree, 43 hours of required core courses plus six additional hours of mathematics, four additional hours of natural science, and 7 hours of transferable electives, usually focusing on the student's transfer major.

A student who has received an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution must meet specific requirements to earn an additional degree from HCC.

  • The student must complete a minimum of 18 semester hours at HCC for each additional degree. These hours may not repeat credit applied from a previous HCC degree.  These hours may not be satisfied through credit by exam.
  • All additional hours must be applicable toward the additional degree. If the student has prior credit in required courses, appropriate substitutions may be arranged.
  • All courses required by the specific HCC program of the additional degree must be completed.
  • A grade point average of at least 2.0 must be earned on all hours since the previous degree.
  • Academic courses from previous degrees may be applied to an additional AAS degree required academic core where equivalent and appropriate, which waives the need for approval, except where program restrictions prevail.
  • If the first degree was an Associate in Arts, an Associate of Arts in Teaching, Associate in Science, a bachelor degree, or higher degree from an accredited educational institution in the United States, the student will be considered to be “Core Complete”, thus needing to complete only the requirement of 18 additional semester hours at HCC toward a new associate degree.
  • Each additional academic associate degree obtained from HCC must be of a different type.  Thus, a student may only obtain one Associate in Arts, one Associate of Arts in Teaching, and/or one Associate in Science from HCC. For example, if one degree from HCC was an AA, then any additional degrees must be an AAT, AS, or AAS.
  • Multiple Associate of Applied Science degrees may be earned from HCC if all AAS program requirements are met including earning at least 18 additional semester hours at HCC, 12 of which must be earned in the major program of the additional degree. In most cases, however, there is only one AAS degree allowable per workforce program. See counselor or program chair for clarification.
  • Multiple workforce Certificates of Completion may be earned from HCC if all program requirements are met for each certificate including earning at least 9 additional unique semester hours at HCC toward the major program of the additional certificate.
  • All other state and institutional graduation requirements, including TSI policies and financial obligations, must be met.

TSI testing required prior to first enrollment.

 

Employment

 

There are 4,930 Computer Programmers employed in the Greater Houston Area. This number is expected to increase by 5.8% over the next four years.

 

Online Program Restrictions

Some online programs may require up to 15% of their curriculum be taken in-person on one of HCC’s campuses.  Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements.

Language Option Restrictions

Some online programs require students to participate in foreign language courses as part of the program’s required curriculum. Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements and available language options. If you would like to take courses in a language that is not offered online, you would have to do so on campus.

Elective Course Restrictions

Some online programs may have a limited number of elective options available, based on which of the designated electives are currently offered online.  Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements.

Required Course Restrictions

Some online programs may require students to participate in one or more campus-based courses as part of a given program’s required curriculum. Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements.  

Potential Course Restrictions

Some online courses may have face-to-face requirements for exams, laboratory sessions, and other activities. Please review your course syllabus to determine if your online course has an on-campus laboratory or examination requirement.

 

Hybrid Programs Restrictions

Hybrid programs allow students to take a mix of online and face-to-face courses. Hybrid programs offer 50% to 85% of their courses online and the remainder of the curriculum is taken in-person on one of HCC’s campuses. Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements.

Language Option Restrictions

Some hybrid programs require students to participate in foreign language courses as part of the program’s required curriculum. Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements and available language options. If you would like to take courses in a language that is not offered online, you would have to do so on campus.

Elective Course Restrictions

Some hybrid programs may have a limited number of elective options available, based on which of the designated electives are currently offered online.  Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements.

Required Course Restrictions

Hybrid programs require students to participate in campus-based courses as part of a given program’s required curriculum. Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements. 

Potential Course Restrictions

Some online courses may have face-to-face requirements for exams, laboratory sessions, and other activities. Please review your course syllabus to determine if your online course has an on-campus laboratory or examination requirement.

 

Field of Study Curriculum

Computer Science & Information Technology Field of Study (FOS) Curriculum

Field of Study Coursework:

  • PHYS 2325        University Physics I (Lecture)
  • PHYS 2125        University Physics I (Lab)
  • PHYS 2326        University Physics II (Lecture)
  • PHYS 2126        University Physics II (Lab)
  • MATH 2413        Calculus I
  • MATH 2414        Calculus II
  • COSC 1436        Programming Fundamentals I
  • COSC 1437        Programming Fundamentals II
  • COSC 2425        Computer Organization
  • COSC 2436        Programming Fundamentals III
  • COSC 2425        Computer Organization

 

Fully Transferable: 

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has designated the Field of Study Curriculum courses as “fully transferable” to other public colleges and universities in Texas. Students planning on transferring to either private or out-of-state institutions should direct transfer questions to that college or university.  

For more information, refer to the HCC Catalog (https://www.hccs.edu/programs/catalog/ ) and Field of Study Curricula Approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board thecb.state.tx.us/institutional-resources-programs/public-universities-health-related-institutions/transfer-resources/field-of-study-curricula/

 

 

Texas Education Association (TEA) Industry Based Certification Resource

 

Certification NameTEA Resource Link Third-Party Certification AgencyThird-Party Certification Agency Website

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA): Database Administration Fundamentals

https://tea.texas.gov/sites/
default/files/Microsoft%20Tech%
20Assoc%20Database%
20Admin%20FundamentalsFINAL.pdf

Certiporthttps://certiport.pearsonvue.com

  

Certification NameTEA Resource Link Third-Party Certification AgencyThird-Party Certification Agency Website

 Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA): Introduction to Programming - Using HTML and CSS (Exam 98-383)

https://tea.texas.gov/sites/
default/files/Microsoft%20Tech%
20Assoc%20Intro%20to%
20Programming%20HTML
%20CSSFINAL.pdf

Certiporthttps://certiport.pearsonvue.com

 

Certification NameTEA Resource Link Third-Party Certification AgencyThird-Party Certification Agency Website

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA): Introduction to Programming - Using Java
(Exam 98-388)
(Exam 98-382)

https://tea.texas.gov/sites/
default/files/Microsoft%20Tech
%20Assoc%20Intro%20to%
20Programming%20JavaFINAL.pdf

Certiporthttps://certiport.pearsonvue.com

  

Certification NameTEA Resource Link Third-Party Certification AgencyThird-Party Certification Agency Website

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA): Introduction to Programming - Using Python (Exam 98-381

https://tea.texas.gov/sites/
default/files/Microsoft%20Tech%
20Assoc%20Intro%20to%
20Programming%20PythonFINAL.pdf

Certiporthttps://certiport.pearsonvue.com

 

Certification NameTEA Resource Link Third-Party Certification AgencyThird-Party Certification Agency Website

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA): Software Development Fundamentals

https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/
files/Microsoft%20Tech%
20Assoc%20Software%20
Development%20FundamentalsFINAL.pdf

Certiporthttps://certiport.pearsonvue.com

 

Certification NameTEA Resource Link Third-Party Certification AgencyThird-Party Certification Agency Website

Oracle Certified Database Associate

https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/
Oracle%20Certified%20Database
%20Associate%20FINAL.pdf

Oraclehttps://education.oracle.com/database/oracle-database/pFamily_32?certPage=true

 

 

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Marketable Skills

Learn more about the marketable skills—skills valued by employers that can be applied in variety of work settings—so you can communicate these to potential employers. Click on the relevant award title below to see descriptions of marketable skills for that area.

Cloud Computing & Applications Development - Specialization, A.A.S.

Computer Programming - Applications Development - Java Specialization, A.A.S.

Computer Programming - Applications Development - Microsoft C# Specialization, A.A.S.

Computer Programming - Applications Development - Microsoft C++ Specialization, A.A.S.

Computer Programming - Database Administrator, C2

Computer Programming - Mobile Application Developer, C2

Computer Programming - SharePoint Administrator, C2

Computer Programming - Web Application Developer, C2

Computer Information Systems, A.A.

Computer Science - Field of Study, A.S.

Application Development, A.A.S.

Data Science, A.A.S.

Mobile Application Development - Specialization, A.A.S.

Career Opportunities

Explore real-time labor market data on occupations you may pursue post-graduation, offering insight into career opportunities, potential earnings, and job demand in the Greater Houston region.

For more in-depth information about this career and other career pathways, visit Career Coach.

Resources

Search for a Computer Programming Professor or request more information

Get in touch

Anci Shah

Computer Programming

Hours of Operation: Mon.-Fri. 8am-5pm