Dallas College is launching a new bachelor’s degree in software development in the fall of 2025, aimed at addressing the growing demand for technology professionals in North Texas.
The Bachelor’s of Applied Technology in Software Development offers students an affordable, flexible path into high-demand fields such as data analytics, software engineering and machine learning.
With this addition, Dallas College has become one of the few community colleges in Texas to offer a four-year applied technology degree.
It is the college’s third bachelor’s program, following the launch of the Bachelor of Education in 2020 and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2024. The program has been approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
“Dallas College is once again breaking barriers in higher education with the launch of our third bachelor’s degree,” Chancellor Justin Lonon said in a press release. “This new program reflects our commitment to providing students with accessible, high-quality pathways to the skills needed for the careers of today and tomorrow.”
Unlike many bachelor’s programs that require students to transfer after completing lower-division coursework, the software development degree will be completed entirely through Dallas College
“We would recommend starting with the Software Development AAS with the ‘Specialization A’ track of Python for 100% prep and course match as the first two years of the four-year program,” said Juli Hart, department chair of computer information technology.
The curriculum was developed with guidance from industry professionals. To ensure students gain real-world experience, the program includes cumulative projects at both lower and upper division levels. Each specialization ends with a project designed by profes-sionals in the field.
New instructors are being hired to lead each specialization. Moreover, existing faculty will be used with the skill tracks of Machine Learning, Data Analytics, and Advanced Soft-ware Development.
“We will have a new faculty member for each track, and we have pulled a strong team from existing faculty from the CIT, CS, Manufacturing and Cyber departments to join the team,” said Hart.
The college is offering the software development bachelor’s degree at the same cost as its associate degrees: $99 per credit hour for in-county residents. That rate includes most textbooks and learning materials.
“There are around 50,000 programming jobs in the DFW area making upwards of $70K in entry level positions, but they require a bachelor’s degree. We are hoping to help bridge the skills to jobs gap for our students with this degree. The determined student will find many opportunities after completing our program,” said Hart
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 17% increase in software development jobs by 2033. Texas ranks second in the nation for the number of software developers and the Dallas-Fort Worth region has nearly 60,000 such jobs. The starting salary for new college graduates average about $77,000.
Applications are now open. About 20 students have already been accepted for the fall semester following a degree audit for prior learning credit.
With a focus on affordability, job-readiness and industry relevance, Dallas College’s new Bachelor of Applied Technology in Software Development is positioned to help students build rewarding careers in tech and to meet workforce needs in the region and beyond.
