Software development is the process of building and maintaining computer software. As a Software Development student at Ivy Tech, you will:
Learn, understand, and document the software and systems development life cycles.
Create a functional software application.
Practice website development.
Adhere to a code of ethics.
Develop critical thinking skills.
Learn effective communication.
Understand the various programming models, including procedural, object-oriented, event-driven, and mobile device applications.
Create user interfaces using industry-standard practices.
Use testing strategies in the design and implementation of software.
Develop, operate, maintain, and evaluate information systems and applications.
Develop software solutions.
Learn industry-standard practices and principles regarding secure software development.
Create a prototype application that provides a solution to an industry need or problem.
Study for and take one or more industry certification exams.
Practice team-building skills.
No prior computer experience or knowledge is required.
Career Options
Software developers do everything from designing and programming to testing and fixing bugs. They can work in system software, furnishing operating systems, disk management, utilities, and hardware management.
Or, they might work in programming software, using text editors, compilers, linkers, and debuggers to create code. Developers also work in application software, which focuses on web and mobile applications, office productivity suites, data management software, media players, and security programs to help users perform tasks.
Here are some of the roles you could take on in the field:
Back End Developer
DevOps Engineer
Front End Developer
Full-Stack Developer
Game Developer
Junior Software Developer
Mobile App Developer
Quality Assurance Analyst
Software Support Engineer
Web Developer
Webmaster
High Demand Field
With a predicted job growth rate of 25% between 2021-2031, it’s safe to say software developers are in high demand (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT TOOLKIT
Leverage our Toolkit to access resources and information related to educational opportunities, competitions, certifications, programming languages, tools, blogs, forums, projects, volunteering, freelancing, events, professional associations, and jobs in Software Development.
You're looking to enter the workforce upon completion of your associate degree
You'd like to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor's degree
You're looking for an intermediate workplace credential to supplement existing educational or professional experience
You'd like to earn a certificate on the way to completing your associate degree
You're wanting to quickly start a career in software development by earning one or more certificates from Ivy Tech, which are designed to provide gateways to entry-level positions.
You'd like to earn a certificate on the way to completing your associate degree
You'd like to earn industry certifications to jumpstart a career in software development
You'd like to earn a certification while completing your associate degree
You're looking to obtain industry certifications to help launch a career in website design
You'd like to earn a certification while completing your associate degree
You would like to gain employable skills quickly and start working while you continue on to pursue an associate degree
You're wanting to quickly start a career in software development by earning one or more certificates from Ivy Tech, which are designed to provide gateways to entry-level positions.
You'd like to earn a certificate on the way to completing your associate degree
Note: Program availability varies by location and not all program tracks are offered at each campus/location.
Affiliated Partners
Software Development relies on various building blocks that students and professionals alike can use in unique ways to innovate and push technology further. To make sure our students are as successful as possible, Ivy Tech teaches on some of the most relevant systems in the industry, including:
Associate Degree – Career-Ready Degree
The Associate of Applied Science in Software Development will prepare you for a career in the industry. You'll take courses across development and related subjects, as well as general education courses to give you a solid foundation to help you land your first role.
Students must take 60 credit hours to graduate from the AAS in Software Development program. This typically takes four semesters to complete.
Earn a Certificate on the Way to Your AAS
A recommended path to the associate degree in Software Development is to complete one or more of the three certificates offered by Ivy Tech while working toward the degree. The certificates are designed to provide gateways toward entry-level software development careers, so you can begin working quickly. You may then choose to pursue a credential that requires more credits and time in order to learn more and move up in your professional career. You can apply the credits from your certificate to your higher-level credential at Ivy Tech to make the most of your time and tuition.
Required Courses
AAS Software Development graduates must complete a total of 60 credit hours:
A completion guide provides the recommended path to graduation, broken out by eight-week terms. For students taking fewer classes at a time, the courses are numbered to show the overall number that will be taken.
The Associate of Science in Software Development is perfect for students who wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree. You can save upward of $10,000 by completing your first two years at Ivy Tech and then transferring!
Talk to our transfer advocates for information about continuing your education after completing your associate degree at Ivy Tech. You are also encouraged to contact the university to which you plan to transfer. Note that admission is not guaranteed just by enrolling in the Software Development program. You will need to be admitted to the institution you intend to transfer to.
Required Courses
Associate degree graduates must complete a total of 60 credit hours:
Long-Term Certificates
known as Technical Certificates (TC)
Through the Software Development Technical Certificate (TC) program, students complete 32 credit hours in two semesters. Students take courses in programming languages, data analytics, project management, and more. They also prepare for and attempt to earn industry certifications.
Earn a Certificate on the Way to Your Associate Degree
A recommended path to either of the associate degrees in Software Development is to complete one or more of the three certificates offered by Ivy Tech while working toward the degree. The certificates are designed to provide gateways toward entry-level software development careers, so you can begin working quickly. You may then choose to pursue a credential that requires more credits and time in order to learn more and move up in your professional career. You can apply the credits from your certificate to your higher-level credential at Ivy Tech to make the most of your time and tuition.
FREE through Next Level Jobs
Software Development TC is part of Indiana’s Next Level Jobs degree program, funded by the Workforce Ready Grant. You may be eligible for a free Software Development TC. You are eligible to be a part of Next Level Jobs at Ivy Tech if you fulfill all of the following requirements:
Are an Indiana resident
Have a high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency
Have not previously received a certificate in a Next Level Jobs eligible program
Have not previously received an associate degree or higher (bachelor's, master's, etc.)*
*Note: Students who are admitted to the Next Level Jobs program to pursue the Software Development TC are required to pay for and submit to a criminal background check, drug testing, and physical exam.
Required Courses
Graduates must complete a total of 32 credit hours:
Earn a Certificate on the Way to Your Associate Degree
A recommended path to either of the associate degrees in Software Development is to complete one or more of the three certificates offered by Ivy Tech while working toward the degree. The certificates are designed to provide gateways toward entry-level software development careers, so you can begin working quickly. You may then choose to pursue a credential that requires more credits and time in order to learn more and move up in your professional career. You can apply the credits from your certificate to your higher-level credential at Ivy Tech to make the most of your time and tuition.
Required Courses
Graduates must complete a total of 31 credit hours:
CPIN - 269 - Information Technology Project Management
CSCI - 101 - Computer Science I
CSCI - 210 - Database Systems
DBMS - 110 - Introduction to Data Analytics
IVYT - 115 - Student Success - Information Technology
SDEV - 120 - Computing Logic
SDEV - 140 - Introduction to Software Development
SDEV - 153 - Website Development
SDEV - 155 - Content Management Systems
SDEV - 255 - Web Application Development
SDEV - 257 - Hybrid Apps and Frameworks
SDEV - 265 - Systems/Software Analysis and Projects
VISC - 104 - User Experience/Interface (UX/UI) I
VISC - 202 - User Experience/Interface (UX/UI) Design II
Short-Term Certificates
known as Certificates (CT)
The Web Application Development Certificate (CT) program takes about two semesters to complete. Students study informatics, computing logic, data analytics, and software development.
Earn a Certificate on the Way to Your Associate Degree
If your goal is to earn an associate degree or Technical Certificate (TC) in Software Development, you can earn this CT on your way. The CT is designed to provide a gateway into entry-level software development careers. That means you may be able to enter the workforce in your desired field even before you graduate, if your plan includes working while you’re in school.
FREE through Next Level Jobs
Web Application Development CT is part of Indiana’s Next Level Jobs degree program, funded by the Workforce Ready Grant. You may be eligible for a free Web Application Development CT. You are eligible to be a part of Next Level Jobs at Ivy Tech if you fulfill all of the following requirements:
Are an Indiana resident
Have a high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency
Have not previously received a certificate in a Next Level Jobs eligible program
Have not previously received an associate degree or higher (bachelor's, master's, etc.)*
*Note: Students who are admitted to the Next Level Jobs program to pursue the Web Application Development CT are required to pay for and submit to a criminal background check, drug testing, and physical exam.
Required Courses
Graduates must complete a total of 21 credit hours.
The certificate (CT) in Website Design prepares students to take certification exams for the Microsoft Software Development Fundamentals and HTML5 MTA certifications, as well as the CIW Web Foundations Associate certification.
Earn a Certificate on the Way to Your Associate Degree
If your goal is to earn an associate degree or technical certificate (TC) in Software Development, you can earn this CT on your way. The certificate is designed to provide a gateway into entry-level software development careers. That means you may be able to enter the workforce in your desired field even before you graduate, if your plan includes working while you’re in school.
FREE through Next Level Jobs
Website Design CT is part of Indiana’s Next Level Jobs degree program, funded by the Workforce Ready Grant. You may be eligible for a free Website Design CT. You are eligible to be a part of Next Level Jobs at Ivy Tech if you fulfill all of the following requirements:
Are an Indiana resident
Have a high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency
Have not previously received a certificate in a Next Level Jobs eligible program
Have not previously received an associate degree or higher (bachelor's, master's, etc.)*
*Note: Students who are admitted to the Next Level Jobs program to pursue the Website Design CT are required to pay for and submit to a criminal background check, drug testing, and physical exam.
Required Courses
Graduates must complete a total of 18 credit hours.
The Software Application Developer Certificate (CT) prepares students in software development using either Java, Python, C++, C#, or Swift. It also covers game, web application, and mobile application development concepts. Students can also gain credits through a co-op, internship, or externship experience.
Earn a Certificate on the Way to Your Associate Degree
If your goal is to earn an associate degree or technical certificate (TC) in Software Development, you can earn this CT on your way. The certificate is designed to provide a gateway into entry-level software development careers. That means you may be able to enter the workforce in your desired field even before you graduate, if your plan includes working while you’re in school.
FREE through Next Level Jobs
Software Application Developer CT is part of Indiana’s Next Level Jobs degree program, funded by the Workforce Ready Grant. You may be eligible for a free Software Application Developer CT. You are eligible to be a part of Next Level Jobs at Ivy Tech if you fulfill all of the following requirements:
Are an Indiana resident
Have a high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency
Have not previously received a certificate in a Next Level Jobs eligible program
Have not previously received an associate degree or higher (bachelor's, master's, etc.)*
*Note: Students who are admitted to the Next Level Jobs program to pursue the Software Application Developer CT are required to pay for and submit to a criminal background check, drug testing, and physical exam.
Required Courses
Graduates must complete a total of 18 credit hours.
Software development can be fast-paced as technology is always changing and developers must stay up-to-date. This career path can be an exciting choice for those who love to learn and have a passion for tech. A career in development can provide some flexibility as you can work from home, the office, or anywhere you can take your computer. Dreaming of a career in software development? Read through the traits below to see if it could be a good fit for you.
Software development careers often involve:
Analytical thinking
Problem solving
Patience
Communication
Organization
Time management
Technical skills
Adaptability
Creativity
Sound Like You?
If you identify with the traits above, software development may be the path for you! Take the next step to get started or speak with your local advisor to learn more.
All Software Development students must demonstrate competency through appropriate assessment or earning a grade of “C” or better in at least one course from each of the following categories:
Principles Math Course: The prerequisite courses for math vary based on your knowledge assessment scores and specific credential you're pursuing. Students can expect to take at least two of the following courses.
MATH 023 - Essentials of Algebra
MATH 043 - Intermediate Algebra
MATH 080 - Mathematical Principles
MATH 123 - Quantitative Reasoning
MATH 136 - College Algebra
No Expiration of Credits
There is no expiration date for course credits that were earned in previous years from Ivy Tech Community College.
Transfer Credit for Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisite courses completed at colleges other than Ivy Tech will only be considered for general education selection points if transfer credit has been awarded and courses appear on the Ivy Tech transcript prior to the application deadline.
TR grades are not recognized by the online application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that transfer credit has been awarded and that TR grades are updated to transfer letter grades (TA, TB, TC) on their Ivy Tech transcript.
It is recommended that college transcripts be submitted to the Registrar’s office for evaluation and transfer credit at least four weeks prior to the program application deadline to ensure adequate time for processing.
Software Development Courses
Descriptions of software development courses can be found in our online course catalog.
View required classes and course descriptions for:
See when specific courses will be offered by searching our course list in Schedule Builder. First, select the semester you’re looking for and then enter the name of the course in the search bar.
If you’re a current student, upcoming courses are easy to find in Schedule Builder in MyIvy.
Course Formats
Software development courses are offered both in person and online.
Big Dreams? Go for Honors
If you're motivated and want a more robust, personalized academic experience, consider enhancing your associate degree in Software Development by pursuing an Honors pathway. Honors courses are fully virtual with opportunities to meet and network with honors students and faculty across the state. The coursework is designed to support a student’s spirit of inquiry and intellectual growth, as well as foster multicultural awareness and leadership. View eligibility requirements
Graduating with a Software Development degree with an Honors pathway can help you stand out as a high-achieving college student, boost your resume, and help you land an acceptance letter to a top four-year college or university.
The Ivy Tech application is free and easy—you don’t need a certain test score, GPA, or class rank to get started at Ivy Tech. Applying takes about 10-15 minutes and can be completed entirely online.
No Application Deadlines
Ivy Tech does not have a deadline for admission. Our 8-week class sessions start throughout the year—in January, March, June, August, and October—and there is no hard deadline for applying for any of the start dates. It's important, though, to apply early enough that you'll be able to complete all the degree planning, financial aid, and registration activities that need to happen before your first day. We recommend you apply about one month before you intend to start classes. See upcoming start dates
Steps to Apply
(1) Apply to Ivy Tech
If you’ve never applied to Ivy Tech Community College before (or if it’s been two years since you last attended classes here), your first step is to apply to Ivy Tech. You can apply online or in person. To apply in person, reach out toyour local admissions team and arrange a meeting. Or, stop by any campus on any Tuesday for Tuesdays@TheTech to receive personal assistance with applying and registering for classes.
After you submit your application, you'll be asked to upload documentation—such as SAT/ACT/PSAT scores or high school and college transcripts—that can assess your readiness for college-level coursework and help us make sure you are taking classes that are the right fit for you. How to upload assessment documents
If you don't have your scores or transcripts at your fingertips, don’t worry. Go ahead and submit your application. You can go back to upload assessment documents at any time until the end of the term for which you applied.
(3) Look for a Confirmation Email
Once your application is processed, you will receive a confirmation email at the email address provided on your application. Typically the email will arrive within 1-2 business days of submission, but during peak processing periods (April-June) could take up to 5-10 business days.
The email will contain instructions on how to register for classes, as well as important information regarding your Ivy Tech student portal (MyIvy account), tuition, payment options, and more.
(4) Create an Account in MyIvy
MyIvy is Ivy Tech's online student portal. Students use MyIvy to check e-mail, register for classes, pay tuition, manage financial aid, get the latest news and announcements, and much more. MyIvy also contains "QuickLinks" to the Ivy Tech websites and online tools you will use most often. Learn more about MyIvy
Before you can register for classes you will need to submit documentation or complete an assessment test. Your test scores can help us determine the best English and math starting classes for you. See the Test Score Course Placement Chart
If you submitted assessment documentation during the application process, your advisor will likely be able to work with those documents to determine course placement and you won't need to take any further steps. If you don't have any of those documents or the scores don't meet minimum thresholds, don’t worry! Your advisor will direct you to complete our freeKnowledge Assessment to help develop your customized learning path to better prepare you for courses.
(6) Register for Classes
Once you have completed the steps above, you may register for classes. Ivy Tech students register for courses using the Schedule Builder tool which can be accessed withinMyIvy. If you are a new, first-time Ivy Tech student, we recommend that you meet withyour advisor who will help you develop your Academic Completion Plan and help you sign up for courses that are the best fit for you.
For a complete list of registration steps, including detailed registration steps, deadlines, and information about holds, withdrawals, waitlists, and refunds, visit our Registration 101 page.
(7) Pay Your Tuition
After registering for your courses, your bill can be viewed in yourMyIvy account > Student Dashboard- > View/Pay Balance. Payments can also be made in your MyIvy account. For complete information about payments, including payment options, payment plans, how to make immediate payments, due dates, information about refunds, and more, visit our Payments page.
William (Bill) Ruben Program Chair, Faculty Advisor & Professor Computer Science, Informatics, Information Technology Support, Software Development wruben@ivytech.edu (574) 289-7001 ext. 7374
Angela Boembeke Department Chair & Professor School of Information Technology & Visual Communications aboembek@ivytech.edu (574) 289-7001 ext. 5409
Dr. Funmi Olorunda Department Chair and Professor of Information Technology Ivy Tech Community College 345 S. High Street Muncie, IN 47305 765-289-2291 ext. 1736 oolorunda@ivytech.edu
William (Bill) Ruben Program Chair, Faculty Advisor & Professor Computer Science, Informatics, Information Technology Support, Software Development wruben@ivytech.edu (574) 289-7001 ext. 7374
Kevin O'Neill Department Chair & Professor School of Information Technology & Visual Communications koneill16@ivytech.edu 574-830-0375 ext 4413
Associate Professor, Department Chair, and Statewide Lead Chair
Chris Francis
Instructor
Julie Byrd
Professor and Program Chair
Nick Laplante
Assistant Professor and Department Chair
Kristopher Roberts
Associate Professor, Department Chair, and Statewide Lead Chair
Chris Francis
Instructor
Julie Byrd
Professor and Program Chair
Nick Laplante
Assistant Professor and Department Chair
Kristopher Roberts is the Statewide Lead Chair for the Software Development program. He is also the Department Chair and Associate Professor at the Fort Wayne campus. Kristopher earned his Bachelor's in Computer Systems Engineering at Norwich University and Master's in Computer Design at Penn State University. He has previously worked at Medco and Rosenbluth International. Kristopher has over 20 years experience in Software Engineering and proficient in a variety of programming languages, hardware, operating systems, networking, and database.
Chris Francis is the Statewide Vice Chair for the Software Development program. He is also the Assistant Professor at the Sellersburg campus. Chris earned his Associate's in Computer Information Systems and Engineering Technologies at Ivy Tech Community College, Bachelor's in Mathematics at Indiana University Southeast, and currently pursuing his Master's in Mathematics at Indiana State University. He is also certified in MTA Software Development Fundamentals, MTA HTML5 Application Developer Fundamentals, and AWS Cloud Practitioner.
He came to Ivy Tech as a student without a real plan in 2011, nearly a random and sudden choice between careers. He drifted around a little, took classes part-time, and eventually ended up in two programs: Computer Information Systems and Engineering Technologies. He started tutoring in 2014 and remembered two decades earlier, at 18, that he wanted to be a teacher, so he switched pathways again. He continued tutoring at Ivy Tech while getting his Bachelor's in Mathematics from Indiana University Southeast. Upon completion, he began teaching Software Development Courses and Informatics Courses as an adjunct faculty. The pandemic delayed his graduate studies, but eventually, he began pursuing his Master's in Mathematics at Indiana State University. While working through that program, he moved up to a full-time faculty position and then to Department Chair for Informatics and Software Development Programs at the Sellersburg campus. Coming to Ivy Tech truly changed his life for the better in ways he could not even have imagined when he walked through those doors for the first time.
Julie Byrd is the Program Chair and Professor at the Kokomo campus. She earned her Associate's in Information Data Management at Ivy Tech Community College, her Bachelor's in Management at Indiana Wesleyan University, and Master's in Information and Communication Sciences at Ball State University. Julie has previously worked at Logansport Memorial Hospital.
She is also certified in Microsoft Office. Julie has volunteered at Lewis Cass High School, United Way, Salvation Army, and Rotary Club. She was also the President and Volunteer of the Year at the Cass County Rotary Club. Likewise, Julie was the Campaign Chair, President of the Board, and Volunteer of the Year at United Way. She also received the Outstanding Alumni and Instructor of the Year awards at Ivy Tech Community College.
Nick Laplante is the Department Chair and Assistant Professor at the Bloomington campus. He earned his Bachelor's in Informatics and currently pursuing his Master's in Computer Engineering at Indiana University Bloomington. Nick has previously worked at SendPie Studios and Indiana University Bloomington. He is also certified in CompTIA A+ and Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician.
Find Local Admissions Contact Info
Don't see a nearby location?
Call 1-888-489-5463 and we'll get you started.
Madison Advising Center
590 Ivy Tech Drive
Madison, IN 47250
Fax 812-265-4028
Zoom Video Calls Available by appointment only. Call 812-256-2580, ext. 4502 to make an appointment.
Advising Team Tricia Miracle 812-265-2580 ext. 4137 tmiracle2@ivytech.edu Text during business hours 812-510-3844 Virtual Drop-In Advising Hours: Wednesdays 9:00-1:00pm & Thursdays 2:00-5:30pm Zoom Link
Lisa Kelley 812-265-2580 ext. 4163 lkelley3@ivytech.edu Text during business hours 502-414-1597 Virtual Drop-In Advising Hours: Tuesdays 1:30pm-5pm & Thursdays 8:30am-12pm Zoom Link
Starting Oct. 28th Tuesdays: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All other days by appointment from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. **Special Saturday December 7 @ 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
1 Source: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2022 State Occupational Employment and Wage estimates: Indiana.(2023). Lightcast™, lightcast.io. Occupational Overview for Indiana, 2023-2024
2 Associate degree cost is determined by tuition for an in-state, full-time student. Certificate and technical certificate costs are determined by tuition for an in-state, part-time student. Additional fees may be applied. Visit the Tuition & Fees page to learn more.
