Associate in Applied Science in Computer Technologies

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Build Your Skills and Boost Your Career with an AAS in Computer Technologies

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Whether you want to manage an organization’s hardware, software, and systems or eventually advance into the exciting fields of software design, artificial intelligence, or data science, Excelsior University’s Associate in Applied Science in Computer Technologies equips you with the fundamental knowledge you need to start your career in a variety of computer technology–based fields.

Explore your areas of interest and learn how to apply technical skills to real-world situations in this online program that emphasizes the practical solution-finding you need to succeed in growing industries.

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PROGRAM DETAILS

AAS in Computer Technologies

Degree Requirements 60 Credits

General Education21 Credits
Major Core27 Credits
University4 Credits
Electives8 Credits

What courses will I take?

Degree Pathway

Associate in Applied Science in Computer Technologies

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 1 - Term 1
The future: the only constant is change. The only certainty is uncertainty. So how do you prepare today for what might come tomorrow? In this introductory, interdisciplinary course unique to Excelsior University, you will learn through questions, not answers. You will challenge your prior assumptions, open your mind, and consider society s future dilemmas, progress, and crises. You will plan and question your own future your educational path, career trajectories, personal interests, ambitions, and mindsets. And you will build the foundational skills and flexibility of mind research and writing, critical thinking, argumentative reasoning, metacognition, and self-regulation to help you navigate the uncertainty and change of our future societies, workplaces, and selves. Note: This course must be completed with a grade of C or higher. Registration in this course is restricted to incoming students with fewer than 60 transfer credits. This course duplicates IND301 and CCS120. Credit for only one of these courses will be applied toward graduation. The Cornerstone cannot be completed in the same term as a Capstone course.

Prerequisites
None

Credit Hours
3

University Requirement
This course considers technological change and its effect on human needs and concerns. A range of current technological innovations are explored in terms of intended and unintended consequences. Attention is given to ethical and social dilemmas framing technological change. Upon completion, students should be able to critically evaluate the implications of technology upon society.

Prerequisites
None

Credit Hours
3

Zero Textbook Cost

Major Requirement
Year 1 - Term 2
In this interdisciplinary course, students will develop the analytical skills necessary to examine ethical issues in the workplace. Students explore conventional ethical theories and principles, develop ethical decision-making, and resolve common dilemmas. Students discuss the multiple challenges faced by professionals and identify ethical practices or codes that apply to each of their own professions.

Prerequisites
None

Credit Hours
3

Zero Textbook Cost

General Education: Ethics
Information literacy is the ability to find, evaluate, interpret, and use information legally, ethically, and effectively. This course provides a broad overview of information literacy concepts, including the differences between academic and popular research methods, finding and evaluating sources, reading sources critically, writing with sources, and safely navigating information networks such as the internet. Students must complete information literacy within their first 13 credits at Excelsior.

Prerequisites
None

Credit Hours
1

Zero Textbook Cost

University Requirement
Year 1 - Term 3
This class provides students with foundational knowledge and skills to prepare them for academic and professional writing. By analyzing the work of other writers, students will learn to approach writing from a rhetorical and genre-based perspective. They will practice sentence- and paragraph-level writing, learning to revise and correct their own work. They will also work on finding, documenting, and effectively integrating sources into a research-based essay. Both traditional (textual) and multimodal (textual and visual) composition will be addressed.

Prerequisites
None

Credit Hours
3

Zero Textbook Cost

General Education: Written English I
The purpose of this course is to give the student an overview of current and emerging trends in science and technology so that s/he will be able to make informed decisions and be an informed consumer. The course will introduce the scientific method and terminology used in reporting scientific results. A survey of current topical science issues will be covered as examples. This course will also prepare the student to read accounts about scientific, technological, and medical advances in the press and assess the scientific conclusions presented.

Prerequisites
None

Credit Hours
3

Zero Textbook Cost

Alternative Courses Available

General Education: Natural Science
Year 1 - Term 4
Are you a problem-solver? Learn effective technical approaches in written and digital communications (email, presentations, technical reporting, and technical instructions). This course will introduce students to writing technical problem statements, presenting information to target audiences, conducting research with proper citation, preparing written arguments, and written exercises in voice, tone, and style for the technologist.

Prerequisites
None

Credit Hours
3

Zero Textbook Cost

Major Requirement
This course offers an introduction to the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, research methods, and scholarship in sociology. Sociology is the scientific study of human social behavior, and this course examines several important sociological topics, including: culture; socialization; deviance; social inequality; social institutions; and social change. This course also explores various socio-historical and socio-cultural frameworks across the world, promoting an appreciation for unique cultural identities and institutions. Students will improve their analysis, understanding and interpretation of contemporary social issues in this rapidly changing world. This course encourages the practice of "doing" sociology through exploration of students' everyday social world, and the often invisible and taken-for-granted social forces that shape it.

Prerequisites
None

Credit Hours
3

Zero Textbook Cost

Alternative Courses Available

General Education: Social Science & History
Year 1 - Term 5
Covers an intermediate level of algebra in order to prepare students for subsequent courses in mathematics. Major topics include real numbers and algebraic expressions, equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, systems of equations and inequalities, polynomial expressions and functions, rational and radical expressions, and quadratic equations and functions.

Prerequisites
None

Credit Hours
3

Alternative Courses Available

General Education: Math
This course offers a series of mini-lectures, summary notes, simulations, and practice quizzes to help you develop fundamental computer skills. Topics will cover computer hardware (including mobile devices), operating systems, basic networking, and basic security. In addition, you will engage in discussions on computer roles and practices of a PC technician and information technology issues. After the completion of this course, you will be prepared for an entry-level PC technician career. This course aligns with the exam objectives of two industry certification programs: CompTia A+ and TestOut PC Pro. This course aims to assist you in preparing for the two certification exams.

Prerequisites
None

Credit Hours
3

Major Requirement
Year 1 - Term 6
Free elective credit may be earned in any field of collegiate study. Please contact your academic advisor to discuss course options.

Prerequisites
None

Credit Hours
3

Free Elective
In this course, you'll apply psychological principles and theory to your everyday life. In addition to foundational topics like psychology as a science, learning and memory, human development, and consciousness, you will learn about some more specific topics like stress and health, psychological disorders and therapy, and human sexuality. Concepts learned in this course can be applied in any career to better understand behavior, thought, and emotion. Note: This course uses lower cost interactive courseware instead of textbooks.

Prerequisites
None

Credit Hours
3

Alternative Courses Available

General Education: Social Science & History
Year 2 - Term 1
Free elective credit may be earned in any field of collegiate study. Please contact your academic advisor to discuss course options.

Prerequisites
None

Credit Hours
3

Free Elective
This course provides students with a fundamental knowledge of the computer system and its components, including computer hardware and architecture, application software, operating systems, networks, and the Internet. Advanced topics such as information privacy and security, database and data warehouse, data mining, and legal, ethical, and privacy issues in the information technology field will also be introduced in this course. Additionally, students will participate in learning activities to develop the needed skills to work with Microsoft Office suite.

Prerequisites
None

Credit Hours
3

Major Requirement
Year 2 - Term 2
This course introduces students to the skills and theories of interpersonal communication, which are essential for building and maintaining successful personal and professional relationships. Students will evaluate the complicated interactions of psychological, social and cultural forces involved in interpersonal exchanges, while learning about personality traits, the perception of self and others, listening, managing conflict, and verbal and non-verbal communication.

Prerequisites
None

Credit Hours
3

Alternative Courses Available

General Education: Humanities
This course provides an overview and application of the concepts and practices of data communications and networking within a business environment. Topics of this course include data communications models, protocols, standards, and services; networking technologies and communication media; network topology, design and architecture; network management; wireless technologies; network security; and cryptography. Students will practice their knowledge and skills through hands-on labs and assignments, which are based on real-world business case scenarios. IT 250 begins to prepare the student for the CompTIA Network+ certification exam.

Prerequisites
None

Credit Hours
3

Major Requirement
Year 2 - Term 3
This course will introduce students to basic concepts in programming through the Python language. The concepts to be covered include, but will not be limited to: variables, Boolean logic, loops, collecting user input, displaying output and/or saving it to an external file, lists, strings, objects, inheritance, recursion, and Graphic User Interface (GUI) programming. Students will have multiple opportunities to practice the debugging process throughout the course. By the end of this course, students will be able to apply these concepts to create executable programs to meet many real-world needs.

Prerequisites
None

Credit Hours
3

Major Requirement
Free elective credit may be earned in any field of collegiate study. Please contact your academic advisor to discuss course options.

Prerequisites
None

Credit Hours
3

Free Elective
Year 2 - Term 4
In this course, students will be immersed in the terms and concepts vital to understanding cybersecurity at an introductory level. The course aligns with the (ISC)2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) credential that will allow students to take their first step toward showing proficiency in the field of cybersecurity. This credential is designed to demonstrate knowledge and provide recognition for their achievement. They will gain knowledge and skills in areas such as risk management, incident response, and security architecture and design.

Prerequisites
None

Credit Hours
3

Major Requirement
This class investigates the aspects of cloud technology including the responsibilities of the various parties, the complexities of governing cloud resources, deliver issues, cybersecurity, and uptime performance. Assessing risk in utilizing cloud technologies and the application of the CIA Triad are stressed. Students will complete lab exercises working with cloud technology to replicate the business experience. This course begins to prepare the student for the CompTIA Cloud Essentials certification.

Prerequisites
None

Credit Hours
3

Major Requirement
Year 2 - Term 5
An online portfolio development experience that requires students to reflect on their past academic and professional experiences and use the information gained from this reflective exercise to develop learning statements related to the Associate in Applied Science in Technology degree outcomes. The learning statements must be supported by documented evidence that demonstrates that the outcomes have been met. Students learn how to develop an online portfolio during the first module of the course and then work under the guidance of a faculty mentor during the remainder of the semester to compose learning statements, compile appropriate evidence, and create the Integrated Technology Assessment report.

Prerequisites
The Capstone must be the last course taken. All major core and university requirement courses must be complete. The capstone can be paired with 1 other course that is considered to be general education course (excluding courses to meet the Written English Requirement and the Ethics Requirement), a concentration course, elective, or lab course (even if the lab is in the major).

Credit Hours
3

Zero Textbook Cost

Major Requirement

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Explore Common Careers

The program’s focus on ethics and future trends ensures that graduates are not just prepared to thrive in the dynamic world of technology but also equipped with the technical and practical wisdom to solve the challenges of tomorrow. This is more than a degree—it’s a path to becoming a leader in the field.

James Tippey, DCS
Associate Dean
School of Technology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Accreditations & Recognitions

Institutional Accreditation

Excelsior University is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE or the Commission) www.msche.org. Excelsior University’s accreditation status is accreditation reaffirmed. The Commission’s most recent action on the institution’s accreditation status on June 23, 2022 was to reaffirm accreditation. MSCHE is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education to conduct accreditation and pre-accreditation (candidate status) activities for institutions of higher education including distance, correspondence education, and direct assessment programs offered at those institutions. The Commission’s geographic area of accrediting activities is throughout the United States.

All of Excelsior University’s academic programs are registered (i.e., approved) by the New York State Education Department.

FAQ

How long does it take to complete an AAS in Computer Technologies?

It’s possible to complete an associate degree program at Excelsior University in two years. The AAS in Computer Technologies program is 60 credits. Your time to completion depends on the amount of credit you transfer into the program and the number of courses you take per term.

Is this degree more focused on technical skills or theory?

Excelsior’s AAS in Computer Technologies program focuses on a combination of skills and technology theory to help you build a well-rounded, career-ready foundation of technical knowledge.

What jobs can I get with an AAS in Computer Technologies?

An AAS in Computer Technologies can lead to various entry-level and mid-level IT positions, including computer support specialists, IT support specialists, network technicians, web developers, and computer programmers. Graduates may also find opportunities as systems administrators, database administrators, or quality assurance testers.

What skills will I gain from an AAS in Computer Technologies program?

You’ll gain skills in technology ethics, technical writing, operating systems, basic networking and security principles, cloud computing, and programming.

Can I transition into a bachelor’s degree in computer science or IT after earning an AAS in Computer Technologies?

Yes. The AAS in Computer Technologies is a strong starting point to continue your education in any of Excelsior’s bachelor’s-level computer technology programs:

BS in Computer Science
BS in Cybersecurity
BS in Information Technology
BPS in Information Technology Management
BPS in Technology Management

Frequently Asked Questions

Associate in Applied Science in Computer Technologies

Associate in Applied Science in Computer Technologies

Talk with us.

Build Your Skills and Boost Your Career with an AAS in Computer Technologies

PROGRAM DETAILS

AAS in Computer Technologies

Degree Pathway

Associate in Applied Science in Computer Technologies

Explore Common Careers

Institutional Accreditation

FAQ