Software Development | Anoka Technical College (2023)

The Anoka Technical College Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Information Technology with an emphasis in Software Development is a 72-credit program designed to prepare graduates to successfully compete for high-paying, rewarding careers in IT fields with the highest demand, both today and in the future.

The Software Development Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree emphasis provides students with the knowledge to become part of a software application team that builds applications to solve industry needs. Students develop both the front-end graphical user interface (GUI) as well as the software code and back-end database for business applications. Students are given the opportunity to collaborate in a team environment for development and practice documenting and critiquing code. Collaboration and communication are emphasized as a part of the software development coursework.

The program requirements were determined through consultation with employers, those working in the industry, technical training professionals, and those currently seeking training and retraining for IT careers.

Anoka Tech'sIT curriculum offers more than 90 courses in the following career concentration areas:

• Business Data Analysis
• IT Support
• Network Management and Security
• Web Design and Development

This unique program allows technical specialization in Software Development while the common core courses and required electives from other specializations build the broad IT foundation needed to understand the terminology and methodologies of other IT specialties in the workplace. The Software Development Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree includes general education credits, which broaden knowledge beyond what is required in the technical field and places the student on track for future managerial positions.

Anoka Technical College graduates will be specialist in their area of emphasis and will also have a broad base of foundational knowledge from the common core courses that span the seven areas of concentration. Professional standards, proper methodology, such as sound engineering principles and project management, are emphasized throughout the courses.

Wage information is available from theMinnesota Department of Educationand theMinnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

By completing this program, students will achieve the following learning outcomes.

1. Apply critical thinking skills in the identification, analysis and resolution of information technology problems.
2. Exhibit interpersonal skills and a professional attitude while working in an information technology environment.
3. Clearly express ideas and information in written and spoken form.
4. Analyze, design and document system specifications to meet client needs.
5. Apply project management techniques to solve business problems.
6. Collaborate with a team to design and develop customer software-based solutions and integrate them into the user environment.
7. Apply logical reasoning to a problem.

Take a virtual tour to get an idea of what it's like to be a student at Anoka Tech.

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Some courses in this program may require a prerequisite. Please seecourse descriptionsfor more details.

MnTC General Education Requirements

This program requires completion of the following twenty-two credits of general education from at least three goal areas of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC).

Program Sequence

After completing the 15-credit core curriculum, IT students work with a faculty advisor to plan their course sequence to complete the Network Management and Security degree or diploma.

Students can choose to complete any of Anoka Tech’s IT programs part-time. Part-time students will take longer to complete their program than students who follow the full-time sequence listed on the official program guides.

Because every course may not be offered each semester, it is important for part-time students to reach out to their faculty advisor for help in planning their long-term, part-time course sequence.

First Semester Course Options

Required: TLIT1005

Additional: BDAT 1005, ITEC 1003, ITEC 1011, ITEC 1016

VIEW COURSE SCHEDULE

For detailed questions about your program or to plan your long-term part-time sequence, reach out to the faculty advisor.

Information Technology Management
AAS degree

Business Data Analyst
AAS degree, diploma

IT Support
Certificate

AAS degree, diploma

AAS degree, diploma

Students must earn a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher to be eligible for graduation from this program.

Apply to Graduate

By completing this program, students will achieve the following learning outcomes.

1. Apply critical thinking skills in the identification, analysis and resolution of information technology problems.
2. Exhibit interpersonal skills and a professional attitude while working in an information technology environment.
3. Clearly express ideas and information in written and spoken form.
4. Analyze, design and document system specifications to meet client needs.
5. Apply project management techniques to solve business problems.
6. Collaborate with a team to design and develop customer software-based solutions and integrate them into the user environment.

Some courses in this program may require a prerequisite. Please seecourse descriptionsfor more details.

First Semester Core Curriculum

After completing the 15-credit core curriculum, IT students work with a faculty advisor to plan their course sequence to complete the Network Management and Security degree or diploma.