Study Programming At Dallas College


15 Certificates 3 Associate Degrees 1 Bachelor's Degree

Discover your passion for coding with our specialized programs in computer programming. Gain expertise in programming languages such as C++, Java and Visual Basic.NET as you learn to design and update software for various platforms, from desktop to mobile to web.

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We also now offer a Bachelor of Applied Technology in Software Development. You’ll pay community college prices for a bachelor’s degree in an in-demand and high-paying field.

Programming at a Glance

Dallas College offers many different ways to reach your career goals. Whether you want to jump into the workforce quickly or spend more time building advanced skills, we have the programs that fit your needs and timeline.

Certificate Programs

Estimated total tuition cost2:

$891-$4,320

Estimated time to complete1:

2-8 months


Courses offered at: Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, El Centro, Mountain View, North Lake, and Richland 3

Associate Degrees

Estimated total tuition cost2:

$5,940

Estimated time to complete1:

2 years


Courses offered at: Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, El Centro, Mountain View, North Lake, and Richland 3

Bachelor's Degree

Estimated total tuition cost2:

$11,880

Estimated time to complete1:

4 years


Courses offered at: Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, El Centro, Mountain View, North Lake, and Richland 3

Which Degrees and Certificates are Right for Me?

Workforce Training

Workforce training teaches you job skills fast. It can prepare you for a new job or help you grow at your current job. You will not earn "traditional" credits toward a degree, so your courses may not transfer to other colleges or universities. But you may earn Continuing Education Units or CEUs (which will appear on a transcript).

Estimated tuition total: $891 for in-county residents
Estimated time to completion: 8 months for full-time students

Learn more about C# Programming Occupational Skills Award

Estimated tuition total: $891 for in-county residents
Estimated time to completion: 8 months for full-time students

Learn more about C++ Programming Occupational Skills Award

Estimated tuition total: $891 for in-county residents
Estimated time to completion: 8 months for full-time students

Learn more about Intro to Data Analytics Occupational Skills Award

Estimated tuition total: $2,880 for in-county residents
Estimated time to completion: 2 months for full-time students

Learn more about JAVA Programming Fundamentals

Estimated tuition total: $891 for in-county residents
Estimated time to completion: 8 months for full-time students

Learn more about Java Programming Occupational Skills Award

Estimated tuition total: $2,880 for in-county residents
Estimated time to completion: 2 months for full-time students

Learn more about Mobile App Programming Fundamentals

Estimated tuition total: $891 for in-county residents
Estimated time to completion: 8 months for full-time students

Learn more about Mobile Applications Occupational Skills Award

Estimated tuition total: $4,320 for in-county residents
Estimated time to completion: 4 months for full-time students

Learn more about Python Programming Fundamentals

Estimated tuition total: $891 for in-county residents
Estimated time to completion: 8 months for full-time students

Learn more about Python Programming Occupational Skills Award

Estimated tuition total: $891 for in-county residents
Estimated time to completion: 8 months for full-time students

Learn more about SQL Occupational Skills Award

Can I Get a Job?

Dallas College offers a variety of certificates and degrees to help you gain the skills you need to start working right away.

  • These credentials are often considered Career and Technical Education (CTE).
  • These credentials are established with the assistance and cooperation of representatives from local business, to meet local and regional employment needs.
  • Higher-level certificates and degrees will typically lead to a higher salary in the workforce.
  • Workforce (CE) certificates can often be completed faster than traditional credit certificates but typically do not offer college credit.
  • Level 1, Level 2, Enhanced Skills certificates and others offer college credit and are often stackable to help you build skills as you work toward an associate degree.
  • Workforce credentials may give you college credit at Dallas College, but they may not transfer to other colleges or universities.

If you're unsure if this is the right path for you, you can talk to a pathway specialist for advice.

Pathway Specialist

Credit Certificates

Credit certificates are short programs that teach you job skills fast. Think of them as a quick way to learn what you need for a career without spending years in school. These programs give you college credit, which means they count toward a degree if you decide to keep studying later.

Estimated tuition total: $1,782 for in-county residents
Estimated time to completion: 8 months for full-time students

Learn more about C# Developer Certificate

Estimated tuition total: $1,782 for in-county residents
Estimated time to completion: 8 months for full-time students

Learn more about C++ Developer Certificate

Estimated tuition total: $1,782 for in-county residents
Estimated time to completion: 8 months for full-time students

Learn more about DBA Certificate

Estimated tuition total: $1,782 for in-county residents
Estimated time to completion: 8 months for full-time students

Learn more about Java Developer Certificate

Estimated tuition total: $1,782 for in-county residents
Estimated time to completion: 8 months for full-time students

Learn more about Python Developer Certificate

Can I Get a Job?

Dallas College offers a variety of certificates and degrees to help you gain the skills you need to start working right away.

  • These credentials are often considered Career and Technical Education (CTE).
  • These credentials are established with the assistance and cooperation of representatives from local business, to meet local and regional employment needs.
  • Higher-level certificates and degrees will typically lead to a higher salary in the workforce.
  • Workforce (CE) certificates can often be completed faster than traditional credit certificates but typically do not offer college credit.
  • Level 1, Level 2, Enhanced Skills certificates and others offer college credit and are often stackable to help you build skills as you work toward an associate degree.
  • Workforce credentials may give you college credit at Dallas College, but they may not transfer to other colleges or universities.

If you're unsure if this is the right path for you, you can talk to a pathway specialist for advice.

Pathway Specialist

Associate Degrees

An associate degree is a two-year college program that helps you reach your goals. It gives you skills for a career or prepares you to continue at a four-year college. This degree can open doors to better jobs and new opportunities.

Estimated tuition total: $5,940 for in-county residents
Estimated time to completion: 2 years for full-time students

Learn more about Software Development A.A.S.

Can I Transfer?

Our Associate of Applied Science degrees and certificates may not fully transfer to a four-year college or university.

  • If your goal is to transfer, you may want to explore our Core Curriculum and Transfer Pathways.
  • You may also want to explore a transfer degree, like an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science.
  • The classes you take will count towards a bachelor's degree and are designed to be accepted by any public college or university in Texas.

If you're not sure if this is the right choice for you, you can talk to a Pathway Specialist for guidance.

Pathway Specialist

Bachelors Degrees

A bachelor's degree is a four-year college program that builds your knowledge and skills in a subject. It prepares you for many careers or for further study. Earning this degree can lead to more advanced job options and higher pay.

Estimated tuition total: $11,880 for in-county residents
Estimated time to completion: 4 years for full-time students

Learn more about Bachelor of Applied Technology in Software Development

Can I Transfer?

Our Associate of Applied Science degrees and certificates may not fully transfer to a four-year college or university.

  • If your goal is to transfer, you may want to explore our Core Curriculum and Transfer Pathways.
  • You may also want to explore a transfer degree, like an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science.
  • The classes you take will count towards a bachelor's degree and are designed to be accepted by any public college or university in Texas.

If you're not sure if this is the right choice for you, you can talk to a Pathway Specialist for guidance.

Pathway Specialist

Transfer Degrees

A transfer degree is a two-year program that prepares you to continue your education at a four-year college or university. It builds the academic foundation you need before transferring. Earning this degree can save you time and money because it's designed for smooth transfer to the university of your choice.

Estimated tuition total: $5,940 for in-county residents
Estimated time to completion: 2 years for full-time students

Learn more about Associate of Science Degree in Computer Science (Richland/UTD)

Estimated tuition total: $5,940 for in-county residents
Estimated time to completion: 2 years for full-time students

Learn more about Associate of Science Degree in Software Engineering (Richland/UTD)

Pathway Specialist

Have Questions? We're Here To Help

Whether you're exploring programs, getting ready to apply or already a Dallas College student, it's normal to have questions.

We're here to make the process easier. Reach out to our team, and we'll help you find the information and support you need.

Contact a Recruitment Coach

What Can I Earn? Will There Be Plenty of Jobs?

With next-level coding skills, you can design and update software for all kinds of applications. Check out a few of the incredible career opportunities you’ll be ready for. Your future starts here!

male workers in a white collared shirt sitting in front of a laptop with a blue backdrop

Computer and Information Scientists

$50/hr

Median Salary

58

Job Openings

+45%

Projected Outlook


Top Skills:

  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Systems Analysis
  • Active Listening
  • Systems Evaluation
  • Programming
  • Active Learning
  • Speaking
male and female coworker sitting in front of a computer monitor with a laptop

Computer and Information Systems Managers

$83/hr

Median Salary

3006

Job Openings

+22%

Projected Outlook


Top Skills:

  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Monitoring
  • Speaking
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Writing
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Coordination
  • Systems Evaluation
male worker standing in front of a large screen with graphs and charts

Information Security Analysts

$64/hr

Median Salary

776

Job Openings

+37%

Projected Outlook


Top Skills:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Monitoring
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Systems Analysis
  • Active Learning
male worker in a green sweater at a computer desk looking at a monitor with code

Software QA Analysts and Testers

$50/hr

Median Salary

750

Job Openings

+20%

Projected Outlook


Top Skills:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Writing
  • Programming
  • Monitoring
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Systems Evaluation

All jobs data gathered for Dallas/Fort Worth. Source: Dallas College Labor Market Intelligence and Lightcast4.

“The instructors were great. They really knew their stuff and brought real-world experiences to the classroom. After I received my associate degree, my career skyrocketed. It opened doors for me that I never thought were possible unless you had a bachelor’s degree.” Read Tommy Alsbrooks's story.
Tommy Alsbrooks
Tommy Alsbrooks
Assistant Vice President Desktop Services Division The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

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*By providing your cellphone number, you agree to receive text messages from Dallas College. Message frequency may vary, and message and data rates from your carrier may apply. Reply to any Dallas College text message with 'STOP' to opt out at any time.

1Length of time is based on catalog degree plans. Prerequisites may be required, which are not included in this estimate. For most programs, full-time student status is assumed, a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.

2Cost for credit courses is based on tuition rates for program hours for Dallas County residents. The price of most required learning materials (books, software, supplies, etc.) is included with the price of tuition. Certain programs may have additional costs above the standard tuition. Continuing Education courses may vary by program. Please review the Area of Study Overview and/or the Health Information Packets for additional costs and details. Visit our Paying for College site to learn more about cost, financial aid, scholarships and more.

3Each location offers a unique combination of certificate and degree options. Not all degree and certificate offerings are available for admission/start at all campuses every semester.

4A portion of Lightcast’s data comes from O*NET Online by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Lightcast has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Updated September 8, 2026