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US Colleges >> By Career >> Software Engineers For Applications

Career And School Info For Software Engineers For Applications

Schools by State for This Career

Career Highlights

Training generally required for this career includes: Bachelor's degree.

Jobs and Salary
Median Salary (2008)$85,430
Unemployment Vs. Other JobsVery Low
Jobs (2006)507,000
Job Growth (2006-2016)44.6%
Jobs (2016 forecast)733,000
Flexibility
Working Part-Time3%
Self-Employed2%
Education of Current Workers
Bachelor Degree or Higher85%
Some College13%
High School or Less2%

What Kind of Person Has This Career?

(Numbers are % of people choosing the item.)

Important Natural Abilities% Choosing
Anticipating Problems69%
Deductive Reasoning69%
Inductive Reasoning66%

Full List

Work Values% Choosing
Pleasant Working Conditions75%
Recognition72%
Achievement67%

Full List

Areas of Personal Interest% Choosing
Mental Problem-Solving95%
Hands-On Physical Work67%
Following Instructions61%
Work Style Characteristics% Choosing
Analytical Thinking87%
Attention To Detail84%
Dependability81%

Full List

Which Skills and Knowledge are Needed for this Job?

(Numbers are % of people choosing the item.)

Important Personal Skills% Choosing
Programming99%
Critical Thinking96%
Complex Problem Solving91%

Full List

Important Professional Knowledge% Choosing
Computers And Electronics94%
Mathematics69%
English Language62%

Full List

Which Activities and Situations Are Involved in Doing The Job?

(Numbers are % of people choosing the item.)

Common Work Conditions% Choosing
Electronic Mail98%
Spend Time Sitting96%
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled92%

Full List

Common Job Activities% Choosing
Interacting With Computers98%
Thinking Creatively85%
Making Decisions And Solving Problems83%

Full List

Tools and Technologies Used by Some
Software Engineers For Applications

  • Analytical Or Scientific Software
  • Application Server Software
  • Backup Or Archival Software

Full List

Information Sources

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Application Software Engineer Job Description

Software applications are used for business productivity, computer and network management, games and entertainment, conducting transactions on the Internet, and just about anything else that a computer can do. Application software engineers analyze the needs of people who will be using the software, and create packaged software or custom programs using programming languages.

Additional responsibilities of application software engineers include:

  • Collecting and analyzing client requirements
  • Making recommendations as to efficient and effective ways of applying, developing and implementing software applications
  • Planning and designing applications
  • Creating solutions for problems and better processes by developing software
  • Using different programming languages to construct applications
  • Providing support, fixes and enhancements of software products for clients
  • Overseeing testing and implementation of software applications

Many application software engineers travel frequently to client sites or different facilities to guide implementation and provide training to users.

Degrees and Schools

Most colleges and universities offer four-year degree programs in software engineering or computer science.

Classes

Students in a software engineering program usually divide their time between class and computer lab. Courses include:

  • Fundamentals of information technology
  • Principles of software application development
  • Requirements gathering and project planning
  • Systems analysis and design
  • Computer programming
  • Database design and development
  • Network technologies
  • Information systems security
  • Systems administration and management
  • Web technologies and development
  • Organizational behavior

Online Classes and Programs

Bachelors degree programs in software engineering and computer science are readily available online. E-learning programs that are offered by campus-based colleges and universities are more likely to have internship and job placement programs.

Online learning programs and/or the school should have accreditation through agencies recognized by the US Department of Education, such as the Accreditation Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), which focuses on certifying programs to a set of e-learning standards.

Employment Requirements

Most employers of application software engineers require:

  • Certification in relevant software packages, languages and technologies
  • Substantial experience in application development
  • A bachelors or masters degree in software engineering or computer science

How to Evaluate Software Engineering Schools

When evaluating software engineering and computer science degree programs, asking the following questions can be helpful:

  • Reputation and location - How does the program rank nationally and/or by reputation among employers? Is it located in a community where software engineering and technology is a prominent industry?
  • Classes and subjects - Does the curriculum offer sufficient elective courses in programming languages and technologies of interest? Are popular classes difficult to get into?
  • Practical experience - Are computer labs well-equipped with leading technologies? Does the program provide a variety of internship opportunities that are appealing?
  • Financial aid and expenses - Are students provided substantial guidance in finding scholarships, work / study programs, grants, student loans and other financial aid opportunities?
  • Graduate success - Over the past several years, what has the program's track record been for placing graduates in relevant jobs?

Example Job Titles

(Titles per survey respondents and career experts.)

  • .NET Developer
  • Application Architect
  • Application Integration Engineer
  • Application Integrator
  • Applications Analyst
  • Applications Developer
  • Applications Engineer
  • Applications Programmer
  • Applications Quality Assurance Specialist
  • Applications Software Engineering Information Technology Specialist
  • Applications System Analyst
  • Artificial Intelligence Specialist
  • Automation Engineer
  • Beta Tester
  • Bioinformatics Specialist
  • Business Analyst
  • Business Systems Analyst
  • Computer Applications Developer
  • Computer Applications Engineer
  • Computer Architect
  • Computer Consultant
  • Computer Engineer
  • Computer Programmer
  • Computer Programmer Analyst
  • Computer Software Engineer
  • Configuration Manager
  • Data Analyst
  • Data Modeler
  • Data Warehouse Architect
  • Database Analyst
  • Database Designer
  • Database Technician
  • Enterprise Architect
  • Firmware Engineer
  • Game Developer
  • Game Engineer
  • Implementation Specialist
  • Information Architect
  • Information Systems Analyst
  • Information Technology Analyst (IT Analyst)
  • Information Technology Consultant (IT Consultant)
  • Internet Application Developer
  • Internet Consultant
  • Internet Site Designer
  • Java Programmer
  • Lotus Notes Developer
  • Program Analyst
  • Programmer
  • Programmer Analyst
  • Quality Assurance Analyst (QA Analyst)
  • Quality Assurance Engineer (QA Engineer)
  • Software Analyst
  • Software Applications Engineer
  • Software Applications Specialist
  • Software Architect
  • Software Computer Specialist
  • Software Design Engineer
  • Software Designer
  • Software Developer
  • Software Development Engineer
  • Software Development Specialist
  • Software Engineer
  • Software Engineering Supervisor
  • Software Installer
  • Software QA Tester
  • Software Quality Assurance Specialist
  • Software Quality Engineer
  • Software Requirements Engineer
  • Software Systems Engineer
  • Software Tester
  • Software Writer
  • Solutions Architect
  • Supplier Quality Engineer
  • Systems Administrator
  • Systems Analyst
  • Systems Analyst Programmer
  • Technical Consultant
  • Technical Support Engineer
  • Test Engineer
  • Usability Engineer
  • Video Game Engineer
  • Windows Software Engineer

Apply For a BrainTrack Computer Science Scholarship

To help students currently pursuing a computer science degree, the BrainTrack Computer Science Degree Scholarship gives a winning and second place award every semester. Through entrant essays, the scholarship is designed to be a resource for future students considering fields such as programming, software engineering, systems analysis, database administration, network administration, systems administration, network analysis, and communications analysis. Eligible studies include associate, bachelor, master, or doctoral degree programs in computer science, information science, or information technology.

For recent winners and a selection of entries please visit BrainTrack's Computer Science Student Stories section.

Scholarship Details and Submission Form

Relevant Schools for This Career That Respond Quickly to Info Requests Through This Site

Schools below offer related online and distance education programs. School names link to detailed profiles. Please use the More links to contact one or more schools directly for additional information.

SchoolCampusesAwardsInfo
AIU OnlineOnlineBachelor
American InterContinental UniversityGABachelor
American Sentinel UniversityOnlineBachelor, Master
Baker College OnlineOnlineAssociate, Bachelor
Briarcliffe CollegeNYDiploma
Brown Mackie CollegeKYDiploma
CDM InstituteNJ, PACertificate
CHI InstitutePADiploma
California College San DiegoCABachelor
Capella UniversityOnlineBachelor
CollegeAmericaAZ, CO, WYBachelor
Colorado Technical UniversityCO, SDBachelor, Doctorate, Master
Colorado Technical University OnlineOnlineBachelor, Doctorate, Master
DeVry UniversityMN, TXBachelor
DeVry University OnlineOnlineBachelor
Everest CollegeCO, UT, MO, ORAssociate, Bachelor
Everest InstituteNY, MIDiploma
Grantham UniversityOnlineAssociate, Bachelor
Heald CollegeCA, HIAssociate
Herzing CollegeMB, ON, QC, OnlineAssociate, Bachelor
Herzing UniversityAL, GA, WI, FL, LAAssociate, Bachelor
Herzing University OnlineOnlineAssociate, Bachelor
Kaplan CollegeCODiploma
McCann School of Business & TechnologyPAAssociate
Missouri TechMOAssociate, Bachelor
Morrison UniversityNVAssociate
New England Institute of TechnologyRIAssociate, Bachelor
NewSchool of Architecture & DesignCAAssociate
Rasmussen CollegeIL, FL, ND, WI, MNBachelor
Stevens-Henager CollegeID, UTBachelor, Certificate
Strayer UniversityDE, VA, AL, MD, UT, GA, NC, KY, PA, WV, OH, NJ, TN, FL, SC, DCGraduate Certificate, Master
Strayer University OnlineOnlineExecutive Graduate Certificate, Master
TUI UniversityOnlineBachelor
TechSkillsAZ, NC, UT, IN, TX, OH, CA, MN, MO, KS, OK, NV, CO, TN, WI, FLCertificate
The Career Institute of American International CollegeMACertificate
The University of LiverpoolOnlineMaster
University of PhoenixAZ, IL, MD, IN, TX, MI, OH, MN, KS, SC, MO, OK, DC, DE, WA, KY, OR, FL, WI, HI, LA, NC, UT, NE, PA, NJ, CA, WY, NM, VA, AL, GA, IA, NV, PR, AR, CO, ID, TN, CT, MABachelor
University of Phoenix OnlineOnlineBachelor
Vatterott CollegeIL, OH, TN, KS, MO, NE, OK, IADiploma
Walden UniversityOnlineMaster
Westwood CollegeCO, IL, CA, OnlineBachelor
Wood Tobé-Coburn SchoolNYDiploma