Some South Carolinians choose to begin their career in software development by earning a two-year degree in programming from one of the state's technical colleges. That degree qualifies graduates for entry-level programming jobs at many companies around the state. But some positions request a higher level of training, particularly occupations leading to management positions. Thus, some students wish to earn a four-year software engineering degree soon after completing their two-year programming degree. Also, four-year degree holders have a higher average salary.
Winthrop University's Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Software Software Engineering (ASEN) degree is intended for students that have completed their Associate in Applied Science in Computer Technology - Programming Specialization (AAS.CPT.PROG) at a South Carolina technical college. ASEN students should be able to finish their degree at Winthrop in two years - two fall semesters and two spring semesters.
The ASEN degree program was approved by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education in May 2024.
The ASEN program provides two paths to graduation. One is a four year ASEN degree and the other is a 2+2 degree. Acceptance into the 2+2 ASEN is limited to students that have completed the AAS.CPT.PROG degree from a South Carolina technical college. Additional admissions criteria can be found on Winthrop's Transfer Information web page.
Graduates from the BS in Applied Software Engineering degree will be qualified for many careers, including:
software developer
front-end or back-end engineer
mobile application developer
DevOps engineer
quality assurance (QA) analyst
cloud application developer
software test engineer
Software engineering skills are in high demand across industries—from healthcare and finance to logistics, education, and entertainment. A 2021 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report projects a 17% growth rate for software developer roles from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by the ongoing expansion of software-based services, the rise of cloud computing, and the continued demand for mobile and web applications.
The BS in Applied Software Engineering with a Comprehensive Programming Concentration provides students with a solid foundation in software development, computing principles, and practical skills for today’s technology-driven industries. Students begin with fundamental programming and analytics coursework and advance to applied topics such as database systems, cybersecurity, operating systems, and software project management.
This concentration emphasizes hands-on learning, collaboration, and mastery of multiple programming languages and environments. Graduates will be prepared for careers in software development, mobile and web applications, systems analysis, DevOps, and more.
York Technical College's Catalogs - requirements for their AAS Programming degree
Winthrop University's Catalogs - detailed requirements for the ASWD degree
Academic Pathways - Winthrop and York Tech bridge program
