Work on the front lines of national security with Southern New Hampshire University's Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Homeland Security & Counterterrorism. By pursuing this highly focused homeland security degree online, you'll gain insights into an area of criminal justice that continues to grow in demand and develop a deep understanding of the threat of terrorism and how best to respond to it.

In the homeland security degree concentration, you'll examine the nature and history of terrorism, why terrorist groups succeed and fail, how to combat terror and how to respond to domestic and international terrorist campaigns. You'll also explore a wide range of security efforts and develop the analytical and policy skills required in this field. Courses in the homeland security degree program will take you deep into the realms of psychology, American politics, criminal law, and subjects specific to the study of terrorism and counterterrorism. Experienced, knowledgeable faculty can help you chart your course to a professional career in any number of related fields.

Learn how to:

- Gather and interpret intelligence to assess threats, develop responses and inform policy

- Examine new technologies and societal trends that affect how law enforcement operates

- Promote community relations and partnerships with cultural awareness

- Communicate effectively and professionally

- Understand discretionary decision-making in relation to laws, regulations, and ethics

- Develop research-based solutions to complex issues

- Understand theories of human motivation and behavior

Get credit for law enforcement training: If you have completed basic police, corrections, or probation and parole academy training, you may receive up to 12 credits toward your criminal justice degree at SNHU. This specialized program offers students a focused overview of the purpose and function of homeland security and counterterrorism. You'll explore how historical events and cultural differences within and outside of the U.S. have influenced the evolution of criminal justice. Strategies such as intelligence gathering, threat assessment, and collaboration among various branches of the criminal justice system will be examined.

Concentration courses in this homeland security degree program may include:

- Introduction to Homeland Security and Counterterrorism: Explore the differences between homeland security and counterterrorism to determine agencies' roles in keeping citizens safe. You'll also study the history of the Department of Homeland Security and how terrorism has both created and shaped this federal executive department.

- Intelligence and Counterintelligence: Study the history of espionage and counterintelligence to understand the benefits of methods used to gather and analyze information. You'll also explore how intelligence and counterintelligence are used in maintaining safety, informing policy, and supporting business.

- Terrorism in the United States: Examine how ideology and culture influence acts of terror and the evolution of homegrown terrorism throughout history. You'll analyze real terrorist organizations both domestic and foreign as well as the impact of terror on society as a whole.

- Security Management: Learn about security management strategies used to maintain public safety. By exploring asset and vulnerability identification, you'll examine the value of security partnerships, emerging trends in safety and emergency management, and how practices have evolved over time. Courses are taught by criminal justice professionals with years of experience in police departments, military branches, government agencies, and more.

"Students will reap the benefits of progressive and authentic course content taught by professionals working on the front lines of the homeland security profession," said Dr. Jeff Czarnec, SNHU's associate dean of criminal justice."

"They [instructors] helped me tremendously throughout all of my classes, were easily accessible, and always treated me with respect," said graduate Vince Farrell '21.

In addition to the help of his instructors, Farrell found the course content of his program to be extremely beneficial.

"My favorite class was CJ-120 Cultural Awareness in Criminal Justice," he said. "I learned a ton about diversity within the criminal justice system and why diversity is of the utmost importance. It has helped me identify my own implicit biases and helped me work to overcome them."

Embedded Communication Certificate Jobs in the criminal justice field demand critical thinkers with tip-top communication skills. That's why SNHUs online criminal justice degree program includes an embedded communication certificate. Built to prepare eligible learners with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills to communicate effectively with diverse groups of people, the certificate gives students resources to improve their ability to collect and convey field-related information. Upon graduating, some students also choose to gain more knowledge through a master's in criminal justice online. SNHU offers a graduate concentration in advanced counterterrorism and homeland security for more specialized graduate study.

What leads to deviant behavior? How does someone go from antisocial to a sociopath? Why does one person rise above adverse conditions while another adopts a life of crime? What's behind the criminal mind? Explore the answers to these questions and more in SNHU's online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Criminology and Crime Analysis. Building on our core criminal justice curriculum, this concentration will give you the opportunity to apply criminological theory to develop crime reduction and prevention strategies.

You'll examine the important roles that criminologists and crime analysts play in the development of data-based, proactive policing methods and crime prevention policies. You'll then bridge the study of deviant behavior with the analysis of data designed to solve real-world problems associated with the prevention, control, and treatment of crime and delinquency. Plus, you'll learn this critical knowledge of the criminal justice system from faculty who've served on the front lines of the field. As you complete your criminology and crime analysis courses, you'll develop the skills and knowledge to succeed in law enforcement, social services, and related fields. Armed with specialized knowledge in data-driven problem solving, you can position yourself for success in today's criminal justice job market.

Learn how to:

- Evaluate the impact of technology and societal trends on criminal justice

- Communicate effectively and professionally to diverse audiences

- View other people and cultures with empathy and compassion

- Make sound decisions in relation to laws, regulations, and ethical standards

- Develop research-based solutions to complex problems facing the field

- Examine human behavior via social, behavioral, and criminological theories

A criminology degree provides an intense exploration of the criminal mind. Topics range from theories of crime and punishment to the psychological and social basis of criminal behavior. The degree also offers you a window into rehabilitation and recidivism, studies of specific types of crime, and social attitudes and policy. Throughout the criminology courses in the online criminal justice degree program, you'll acquire the skills and knowledge you need to pursue your career goals.

Our unique criminology degree online program gives you a foundation in essential criminal justice principles with courses such as:

- Cultural Awareness in Criminal Justice

- Communication Skills for Criminal Justice

- Technology in Criminal Justice

Critical thinking and communication are crucial for success in the field. That's why this program includes courses that build to a criminal justice communication certificate a bonus if you want to move up the ranks.

"Criminal justice programs have the direct responsibility to help ensure that future law enforcement professionals have an enhanced understanding of the human condition along with strong critical thinking skills in order to become culturally competent public servants, said Dr. Jeff Czarnec, SNHUs associate dean of criminal justice and social science programs. Beyond your core criminal justice courses, you'll enhance your knowledge with this criminology specialization."

The criminology and crime analysis degree concentration consists of 4 freshly designed courses:

- Criminology and Public Policy. Discover how the role and responsibilities of criminologists in the criminal justice field influence the development of various forms of public policies. Explore social control, deviance theories, and the relationship between the constitution and civil liberties and public policies.

- Prevention of Crime. Apply your knowledge of criminological theory to analyze how it contributes to the effective prevention of crime within communities. Study the relationship between environmental design, evidenced-based interventions, and criminological research in preventing crime.

- Data-Based Policing Strategies. Examine the historical evolution of data in policing strategies and study the challenges and benefits of data analysis in the deployment of proactive policing strategies. Apply knowledge of data to determine how it is used to prevent crime.

- Crime Analysis and Solutions. Learn the various methodologies used in research to analyze the successes and failures of research-based policing strategies. Use common tools and technology to determine patterns and trends related to criminal activity. Courses in our bachelor of criminology degree are taught by highly regarded, accomplished faculty with years of real-world, hands-on experience. SNHUs online faculty reflect the advanced academic qualifications and practical experience of a top-ranked, accredited university.

Bara Alkafil 16 appreciated that many of her criminal justice classes were taught by current and retired police officers. "Whenever they discussed what happens in the real world, it made me want to learn more about law enforcement, she said. Alkafil, a refugee from Iraq, chose criminal justice to help people the way she and her family were helped many years ago. It is because of people's ability to help one another and serves justice (that) I am no longer a refugee and (now) a citizen of the greatest country in the world, she said."

Our criminal justice faculty have experience working for major law enforcement agencies, including:

- Atlanta Police Department

- Chicago Police Department

- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

- Homeland Security

- Houston Police Department

- Miami Police Department

- New York City Police Department

Kelcey Kennedy '19 '21G could feel just how much the instructors wanted students to succeed. "They understand that life gets busy and that we all have different things going on, so they make the workload manageable," she said. "They are very fair with the workload and grading processes and if for any reason you need help, they are there every step of the way. In the end, they want you to learn and become successful and will do anything they can to be a positive piece in your educational journey."

Criminal justice is an ever-evolving field that requires qualified professionals who have both a deep understanding of our legal system and adept interpersonal skills. At Southern New Hampshire University, you can earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice with a real-world perspective.

Expanding the boundaries of a traditional criminal justice program, you'll be exposed to:

- Current criminology theories

- Discretion in decision making

- Emerging national and global trends

- Effective communication strategies

The bachelor's degree in criminal justice includes an embedded communication certificate, which can help give you the tools to write and speak effectively in situations where every detail matters.

Learn how to:

- Evaluate the impact of technologies and trends on criminal justice agencies

- Promote community relations and partnerships

- Communicate effectively and professionally to diverse audiences

- Apply laws, regulations, and ethical standards to decision-making practices

- Develop research-based solutions to complex problems

- Examine human motivation and behavior

Get credit for law enforcement training: If you have completed basic police, corrections, or probation and parole academy training, you may receive up to 12 credits toward your criminal justice degree at SNHU. Throughout the courses in this online criminal justice degree program, you'll gain practical, hands-on experience that can help you pave your way in the field.

It was a major benefit for David Lemieux '18. "(My criminal justice degree) has provided me with the knowledge in constitutional law to conduct proper police-community involvement," said Lemieux, a criminal justice graduate and an employee of the Portland (Maine) Police Department. "Every instructor had a vast array of knowledge; they got back to you within 24-48 hours on a question that you might have."

Critical thinking and communication are crucial for success in the field, and it's why this program includes courses that make up an embedded criminal justice communication certificate a bonus if you want to move up the ranks. Our criminal justice faculty have experience working for major law enforcement agencies, including:

- Atlanta Police Department

- Chicago Police Department

- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

- Homeland Security

- Houston Police Department

- Miami Police Department

- New York Police Department (NYPD)

"Criminal justice programs have the direct responsibility to help ensure that future law enforcement professionals have an enhanced understanding of the human condition along with strong critical thinking skills in order to become culturally competent public servants," said Dr. Jeff Czarnec, associate dean of criminal justice and social science programs at Southern New Hampshire University." Czarnec spent decades with the Manchester (N.H.) Police Department.

Casey Dickson with the text Casey Dickson"Having professors that have combined centuries' worth of knowledge is incredibly handy," said Casey Dickson '21, a graduate of the bachelor's in criminal justice program. "You can pick their brain on just about anything you want."

Gain a better understanding of law enforcement with an Associate of Science (AS) in Criminal Justice degree online at Southern New Hampshire University. You'll have an array of courses to choose from, allowing you to obtain a thorough overview of the American justice system, criminal law, social science, and more, expanding your opportunities when you graduate. Our criminal justice associate degree was created with a real-world perspective. Expanding the boundaries of a traditional criminal justice program, you'll be exposed to current criminology theories and emerging national and global trends. Our AS in Criminal Justice program is suited for both experienced criminal justice professionals who want to upgrade their skill set and those seeking entry-level professional positions in the field.

Learn how to:

- Explore career possibilities and responsibilities in criminal justice

- Collect and convey information to diverse audiences within the profession and community

- Examine laws, regulations, and best practices to inform decision-making

Get credit for law enforcement training: If you have completed basic police, corrections, or probation and parole academy training, you may receive up to 12 credits toward your criminal justice degree at SNHU. In our criminal justice associate degree program, you'll find your classes are mostly an even split of general education courses and classes for your major and you'll discover how well they can all work together.

For instance, both sets of courses can help you develop such in-demand skills as:

- Communication

- Cultural awareness

- Research literacy

- Statistical analysis

The criminal justice curriculum introduces you to a spectrum of ideas, theories, and practices related to the criminal justice system in the United States. Designed to give you a strong foundation, the coursework can provide you with core principles to help you start or advance your career.

Some of these key courses you'll be able to explore are:

- Cultural Awareness in Criminal Justice

- Communication Skills for Criminal Justice

- Discretion in Criminal Justice

You'll learn from instructors who have been gaining hands-on experience in the field firsthand knowledge they want to pass on to you. Our criminal justice faculty have worked for major law enforcement agencies, including:

- Atlanta Police Department

- Chicago Police Department

- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

- Homeland Security

- Houston Police Department

- Miami Police Department

- New York Police Department (NYPD)

And so have our students. Joseph Medina earned a promotion with the Boston School Police Department after completing his associate degree coursework in 2017. "I feel that through my education I learned more about the other agencies that I interact with, such as the court system and the corrections system," Medina said. "I also learned a great deal about how a lot of the principles and tactics utilized in modern policing came to be."

With over 7,500 students at Southern New Hampshire University also studying criminal justice, you'll be in good company especially if you decide to continue your education after earning your associate degree. Your coursework throughout your criminal justice associate degree can seamlessly transfer into the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice online degree program. Aside from building off the hands-on curriculum you've become familiar with, you also have the option to add one of 7 concentrations to your program:

- Corrections

- Criminology and Crime Analysis

- Homeland Security & Counterterrorism

- Human Services & Advocacy

- Police Administration & Operations

- Security Management

- Substance Abuse

Concentrations allow you to develop additional expertise in a specific area which may give you the opportunity to get ahead in the workplace. Beyond a bachelor's, you have the opportunity to earn a master's in criminal justice with concentration options of public safety administration and advanced counterterrorism. Another benefit of earning your criminal justice associate degree online at SNHU is that your program includes 12 free elective credits. These are ideal for transfer students who may have changed majors and want to keep the credits they've earned, as well as for students who are interested in further criminal justice study beyond the program requirements.

If you have a passion for storytelling and want to pursue a career using your writing talents, the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Creative Writing and English program can help you get on the right path. You'll develop your writing skills alongside students from across the country, who represent an incredible range of voices and experiences. Together, you'll participate in workshops, producing work and presenting it to your peers for commentary and discussion. Additional courses focus on the publishing industry and provide students the chance to reflect and build their writer's platform. With a catalog of courses in literature, students will also use literary analysis to inform their imaginative application of storytelling elements. After advanced study in our creative writing program, graduates will have essential writing and critical-thinking skill sets that can translate to a wide range of professions, including journalism, content writing, editing, copywriting, publishing, filmmaking, communications, and more.

Learn how to:

- Analyze and appreciate literary form, genre, structure, and style

- Employ the conventions and techniques of genres to shape your work

- Create advanced work using skills developed during your workshop training

"Everything I learned during my degree journey added to my understanding of how to write and boosted my creativity," said Aubrie Arnold '20, a graduate of the creative writing program. I now feel like I can and will write novels, I'm working on that now and I feel like I have the correct tools to make those novels successful."

When you choose to study creative writing at SNHU, you have the option to stay with the general track which gives you the flexibility to study a variety of genres or you can opt to add one of our 4 concentrations to your degree: fiction, nonfiction, poetry or screenwriting. Southern New Hampshire University is home to one of the largest creative writing programs in the country. Our unique online creative writing degree allows you to take writing courses from the start. The program features 4 writing workshops, including an advanced workshop in which you'll complete a polished piece in the genre of your choice. The courses in our BA in Creative Writing can help develop your talent for creating stories, novels, and characters and turning them into finished, professional pieces. Whether you choose the general track or a specific genre, you'll learn from published writers with valuable industry insights. In addition to the courses and electives within the major, SNHU's online writing degree program includes 36 credits of free electives.

This leaves you with room to choose courses or a minor in an area of study that you'd like to write about like history or psychology or the opportunity to complement your studies with career skills, such as graphic design or marketing. The amount of free electives also makes our creative writing degree an attractive option for transfer students. Throughout your program, you'll learn from published writers, professional editors, publishers, and established literary critics subject-matter experts who can help guide you to improving your craft.

As a bonus at SNHU, you can choose to further your study of creative writing with one of our popular graduate programs:

- Online MA in English and Creative Writing: Building on the learnings from your bachelor's degree, you can choose from the same 4 concentrations fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, or poetry in this 36-credit online master's in writing program, which allows you to develop creative works that can contribute to your professional advancement.

- Online MFA in Creative Writing: Gain both the writing skills and the professional skills to succeed in areas like marketing, publishing, content writing, teaching, and freelancing in this fully online, 48-credit online MFA in creative writing program. You can also focus on a wide range of fiction genres such as contemporary, romance, young adult, or speculative plus you'll add one of two embedded certificates to your program: professional writing or the online teaching of writing.

- Low-Residency MFA in Fiction or Nonfiction: This highly focused 2-year program consists of 4 workshops and 4 in-person, weeklong residencies in New Hampshire. Within the 60-credit low-residency MFA program, you'll complete both a manuscript suitable for submission to editors and a critical essay that's ideal for literary journals.

From open-source databases to popular online payment systems, mobile games, and ride-share apps some of today's most notable innovations wouldn't be possible without software engineers. With the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science with a concentration in Software Engineering from SNHU, you'll learn the fundamental concepts and principles of software engineering that can help give you the skills and experience you need to break into the field. A systematic approach used to develop software on time, on budget and within specifications, software engineering stands on the cutting edge of innovation and is highly valued by employers across various industries and geographic locations. Through the software engineering concentration, you'll dive into several key software engineering topics.

Learn how to:

- Apply user interface/user experience (UI/UX) design and development techniques

- Develop secure code

- Explore various approaches to reverse engineering code

- Explore emerging trends in systems architecture

Online computer science degree students will work to solve real-world problems in courses that emphasize the design and development of computer software. As you progress toward graduation, you'll create and save examples of your work, building a portfolio that demonstrates your ability to apply sound user experience principles and secure coding practices with a concentration in software engineering.

Courses within this specialized software engineering program emphasize the design and development of computer software, providing you with the specialized math, science, and engineering skills you'll need for career success. In the software engineering concentration, you'll learn how to use secure coding techniques and reverse engineering strategies while exploring emerging trends in software engineering. You'll also explore user interface and user experience (UI/UX) concepts and techniques, helping you gain the software engineering skills employers are looking for.

Ulugbek Miniyarov '21 uses those skills regularly. "The Software Reverse Engineering class really helped me understand about the software and the inner working of computer programs in-depth," he said. "I never had a chance to learn assembly language and reverse engineering. This class helped me shape not only the language but also how CPU and memory actually execute the programs. Also, the interactive guide in the class helped me learn step by step without distracting with unnecessary information."

Our expert faculty bring with them decades of experience as computer scientists, software engineers, and beyond and exhibit strong leadership both in the classroom and in their professional careers. This experience helps inform courses and curricula that can help position graduates for success in a field that's always changing. For people like Dr. Cheryl Frederick, executive director of STEM at SNHU, that means leading the pack for education innovation. Backed by years of software engineering experience, Frederick was 1 of 4 university faculty members whose proposal was selected by the U.S. Department of Education to receive a $25,000 innovation grant. Spearheaded by Dr. Scott Overmyer, our associate dean of IT and technical program coordinator with over 30 years of software experience, the proposal represented a commitment to the success of young technologists, specifically in IT and computer science fields.

"To retrain the numbers of people required to fulfill open jobs in the modern technology-driven economy, we need new approaches, thinking in new ways, and providing new opportunities for students at all levels," Overmyer said.

Gain the skills you need to enter one of the nation's fastest-growing fields with your online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science from SNHU. SNHU's online degree program employs industry-standard software development with popular programming languages such as Python, Java, and C++. You can further expand your toolbox with experience in full-stack development and cloud integration using JavaScript, NoSQL, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Armed with these skills, along with fluency in today's most widely used programming languages, you'll be proficient with software employers use giving you a critical advantage that can help advance your career.

Learn how to:

- Apply collaborative strategies for software projects

- Create a portfolio of software applications

- Develop software with agile software methodologies

- Gain experience with full-stack development

- Develop a security mindset

Aligned with industry standards: SNHU's online CS degree program employs industry-standard software development and testing tools like Eclipse, OpenGL, Cucumber with Maven, and Junit testing. Technology resources: SNHU provides cloud-based virtual environments in some courses to give you access to the technology you need for your degree and your career. Learn more about our virtual environments.

Students enrolled in the online computer science degree program at Southern New Hampshire University will have the opportunity to develop critical technical and professional skills through work on authentic, collaborative, industry-specific projects, as well as through the exploration of emerging tools, technologies, and environments in the field of computer science. The program curriculum will help you gain a solid understanding of fundamental programming techniques, algorithms, and data structures, as well as the mathematical computation and quantitative reasoning skills that underpin the work done in the field of computer science. Instructors with real-world experience in their field will help you build skills you can use immediately in your career. Plus, you'll create a portfolio that showcases your work.

"As a part of their coursework, students will develop a digital portfolio of artifacts to demonstrate their technical skills to prospective employers," said Dr. Sharon Kibbe, an associate dean of STEM programs at SNHU.

Courses To Prepare You For Your Career SNHU's BS in computer science program includes:

- Degree-specific courses: The courses in this program prepare the learner for a career in software with relevant and emerging topics in the software industry, such as industry-standard programming languages and tools, operating systems, systems architecture and design, algorithms and data structures, software security concepts, agile team development, mobile, and full-stack development. You'll gain the experience required to develop professional programs using the full software team development process with career-focused experience that employers expect.

- General education: All bachelor's students are required to take general education classes. Through these foundation, exploration, and integration courses, students learn to think critically, creatively, and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.

- Earn transfer credits for IT certifications and credentials: If you've earned IT certifications through organizations like Cisco, CompTIA, (ISC)2, or Oracle, you may be eligible to receive credit toward your degree program. If you're seeking certification, some IT and computer science courses can help you prepare for specific exams.

- Earn math credits for what you already know: Save time and tuition with our Pathways to Math Success assessments. Depending on your scores, you could earn up to 12 math credits the equivalent of 4 courses toward your degree for less than $50 per assessment.

Today's computer-driven world calls for software analysts, designers, and developers. With your Associate of Science (AS) in Computer Science, you're on the path to filling this demand. With coursework emphasizing the design and development of computer software, this online degree program can help you gain a solid foundation in problem-solving using technology and algorithmic thinking. Throughout the program, you'll learn applied programming skills using Python, Java, and C++. You'll also use design and testing tools including Netbeans and Eclipse to support all aspects of the software development life cycle. To prepare you for work on a development team, the program also teaches you how agile project management works.

Learn how to:

- Analyze complex computing problems and use computing principles to solve them

- Design, implement and evaluate computing-based solutions to meet a given set of computing requirements

- Communicate professionally and effectively in a variety of situations

- Apply computer science theory and software development to create computing-based solutions

The associate in computer science curriculum was developed by experts in the computer science industry whose years of experience are embedded into each course. With a heavy focus on experiential and applied learning, this program will allow you to work on real-world problems while developing a digital portfolio of artifacts. Upon graduating, your portfolio can give you a way to demonstrate the technical skills you have gained to potential employers.

You'll work on honing your programming techniques and mathematical computation and quantitative reasoning skills in major courses such as:

- Programming Languages. Using best practices and several programming languages, you'll develop programs that comply with industry regulations. You'll learn the importance of developing code that focuses not only on functionality but also on security and efficiency.

- Data Structures and Algorithms: Analysis and Design. Learn how to develop code and use non-coding development methodologies in algorithmic design and problem-solving. You'll use advanced algorithmic designs to evaluate complex data structures. - Software Development Lifecycle. Explore the stages of the software development lifecycle. Taking on the perspective of developers and testers, you'll examine the characteristics, documentation, and purpose of each stage.

- Operating Platforms. Develop a deeper understanding of operating platforms and architectures by analyzing and evaluating their characteristics, advantages, and weaknesses. You'll learn about software design templates as well as how to use them to solve problems.

- System Analysis and Design. Explore the principles, methods, and techniques used in systems development to create system models using appropriate industry tools. As a part of creating system models, students will also learn to effectively communicate technical concepts and design decisions to various audiences in a professional manner.

"Through hands-on, experiential learning opportunities you'll have in your courses and beyond you can demonstrate your skills in a tangible way, giving you real experiences you can talk about with potential employers. It provides resume-building opportunities, said Dr. Gwen Britton, associate vice president of STEM professions at SNHU. As a student engages in an experiential-learning opportunity, they are acquiring skills and knowledge that involve doing. As they are doing, they are generating artifacts and stories that can be used to describe these skills and knowledge and, oftentimes, result in something they can share."

As an associate in computer science student, you could gain experience by getting involved in these opportunities:

- National Cyber League. Competitions held by this collegiate cybersecurity league give you an opportunity to show off ethical hacking skills. With 2 seasons to join annually (spring and fall), there's ample opportunity to put your cybersecurity skills to the test.

- Teradata University Network Data Challenge. Through TUN's annual data and analytics challenges, you can contribute solutions to a real-world problems. As part of a team, you'll examine, analyze and visualize data to answer business questions. The 60-credit AS in Computer Science can help prepare you for entry-level positions, but it's also a great stepping stone to your bachelor's. You might also decide to pursue the following programs available at SNHU:

- BS in Computer Science. Our associate degree directly aligns with our bachelor's in computer science. This means that upon completing the AS in Computer Science, you could have half of your BS in Computer Science completed.

- BS in Cybersecurity. Add to your computer science knowledge with skills that defend against cybersecurity attacks and assess risks that threaten the safety of an organization's data.

- BS in Computer Information Systems. Learn how to develop information systems that support executive decision-making. The 18 free electives in this program make it a great option for utilizing your associate in computer science credits.

- BS in Information Technologies. Learn how to create and apply technologies that support business operations. You can then specialize your skillset with one of the 5-course concentrations.

- BA in Information Technologies. While the Bachelor of Arts in Information Technologies program has the same IT courses as the BS in IT, its 21 free electives may allow you to apply for more transfer credits saving you time and money.

Take the first step to a high-demand software development career with the online Introduction to Computer Programming Certificate from Southern New Hampshire University. Designed by SMEs with real-world experience, this 12-credit, 4-course certificate program can help prepare you for entry-level positions in your field and save time along the way. With 8-week terms and multiple-term starts per year, you can earn your certificate in as few as 4 months.

The computer programming certificate hones in on critical areas to succeed in today's workforce from competency with programming languages like Java, C++, and Python, to collaboration and problem-solving skills. Upon earning your computer programming certificate, you'll be prepared for entry-level roles in a variety of industries. You may also opt to transfer all 12 certificate credits to continue your education at SNHU. For example, our AS in Computer Science, BS in Computer Science, and BS in IT with a concentration in Software Development all seamlessly build upon the certificate program saving you even more time and tuition in pursuit of your goals.

Learn how to:

- Use foundational programming and software development knowledge and skills to develop efficient software applications

- Apply object-oriented programming concepts and principles throughout the various phases of the Software Development Lifecycle

- Develop collaborative skills to create solutions to problems within an agile development environment

- Explore various programming and software development concepts and principles such as data structures, inheritance, polymorphism, abstraction, and encapsulation

"The curriculum for the Certificate in Computer Programming is designed by SMEs with real-world experience in their field. It is specifically designed to help position you for professional success whether you're changing your career or just getting started. The curriculum of the Introduction to Computer Programming Certificate is one of the most advanced and inclusive being offered online," said Dr. Sharon Kibbe, associate dean of STEM programming at SNHU. "Preparing students for a job or enhancing the skills of a current job were foremost in the minds of the course developers to offer a flexible and career-focused opportunity."

The program includes 4 courses:

- Introduction to Scripting

- Foundation in Application Development

- Programming Languages

- Software Development Lifecycle

In the Introduction to Scripting course, you'll learn the fundamentals of programming concepts including data types, variables, decision statements, loops, functions, and file handling. By developing simple scripts, you'll use common scripting language constructs including lists, and literal and regular expressions to build useful applications. Foundation in Application Development will have you use programming as a problem-solving technique in business and engineering applications. You'll write computer code in a logical, structured, and organized manner, then learn how to incorporate the key concepts of object orientation into your programming. Additionally, you'll learn to write, review and document interactive applications and work with Software Development Kits and Integrated Development Environment tools.

In Programming Languages, you'll develop functional programs that comply with industry regulations and best practices using various programming languages. You'll also focus on the importance of developing code that is not only functional but also secure, efficient, and professional. Finally, the Software Development Lifecycle course will have you explore the stages of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC). Looking through the lens of developers and testers, you'll examine the characteristics, documentation, and purpose of each stage in the cycle. You'll then apply SDLC stages within an agile development environment, helping you learn the principles and best practices used to develop high-quality software while also assessing the impact of communication, documentation, and ethics on the SDLC.

Use technology to drive crucial business strategies with the online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Information Systems program at Southern New Hampshire University. A CIS degree will help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to bridge the gap between IT and business. You'll take an active role in helping support your organization's strategic goals through technology. If you've completed your associate degree in business or an AS in IT, this program is especially well-suited for you. With 18 free electives, you'll have the power to finish your program faster saving you time and money along the way.

Learn how to:

- Use business intelligence applications to analyze the data models

- Analyze existing business information systems and identify new ones

- Develop communication strategies

- Apply learned concepts to develop and implement systems that support an organization's goals

- You also have the option to enroll in the general track or in one of 2 career-focused concentrations.

"The Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems prepares graduates to implement effective solutions in support of organizational needs," said Ann Marie Moynihan, associate dean at SNHU. The curriculum helps accomplish this goal by exploring key tech concepts like systems thinking, scripting, database environments, application development, and object-oriented analysis and design."

You'll think about these ideas in a business context, with courses that cover client systems and support, enterprise information systems, and business intelligence and reporting. You'll also apply what you've learned through a culminating capstone experience.

"The capstone course offers an opportunity to work on a CIS project-based design where you can work with a team to generate a plan in support of business needs," Moynihan said. Using practical, real-world situations as a launchpad, you'll apply what you've learned throughout the program. "The knowledge, skills, and principles of systems analysis and design, project management, quality assurance, and resource management are applied as the team works to formulate and recommend solutions."

Introduction to Quantitative Analysis and Applied Statistics for STEM are dictated courses for the General Education Program.

- General education courses: All online bachelor's students are required to take general education classes, if not obtained in prior coursework. Through these foundation, exploration, and integration courses, students learn to think critically, creatively, and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.

- Technology resources: We provide cloud-based virtual environments in some courses to give you access to the technology you need for your degree and your career. Learn more about our virtual environments.

- Save time and tuition: Depending on your scores, you could earn up to 12 math credits the equivalent of 4 courses toward your degree for less than $50 per assessment with our Pathways to Math Success assessments. Earn Credits for What You Already Know

- Earn transfer credits for IT certifications and credentials: If you've earned IT certifications through organizations like CompTIA, Google, or Amazon Web Services (AWS), you may be eligible to receive credit toward your degree program. Or If you're seeking certification, some IT and computer science courses can help you prepare for specific exams.

- Earn credits for work and life experience: Did you know certain work and life experiences - like industry-recognized certifications, law enforcement training, and math knowledge - could save you time and money at SNHU? Learn how you could get credit for work or life experience.