Accreditation ensures a college or university meets academic quality and rigor for its programs of study. Institutions that are accredited are eligible for Federal Financial Aid. Regional accreditation allows for ease of transfer of credits and tuition reimbursement opportunities by employers. If considering graduate programs, regional accreditation is an important aspect to consider when deciding upon a career plan.

Accreditation information can be found on an institution’s website.

Coursework at an accredited school

A software development or engineering degree at an accredited school will typically have a set of required general education courses and a set of major courses. Usually, a capstone course or internship is required for completion of the program. A program from an accredited school will also usually design the curriculum based upon industry standards. Current thought is that students in the software development field should learn two programming languages, one quite well and one at a basic proficiency level. Also, students should be able to take electives in a field in which computers are used.

Programs at accredited school

Generally, accredited schools will offer a BS or BA degree in Software Development, Software Engineering, or Computer Science. Some will also offer an AS degree or a MS degree. Diplomas are less common.

Delivery options at accredited schools

Although most schools offer courses at a physical campus with a typical classroom setting, it is becoming more common to find software development courses and programs available online. While physical campuses may offer some courses online, it is now possible to obtain a complete bachelor degree in software development online. Online programs obviously offer a more flexible and convenient educational option.