CU Boulder Applied Computer Science Post-Baccalaureate Program

Many students who arrive here are exploring the idea of a second bachelor’s degree in computer science or a post-baccalaureate computer science program. These programs are designed for students who already hold a degree in another field but want to build a serious foundation in computing. Some are making a career transition into software development or data science. Others are preparing for graduate study in computer science.

This page is based on my experience teaching in the program and working with students, and is intended as an informal guide rather than an official program description.

The Applied Computer Science Post-Baccalaureate program at the University of Colorado Boulder is designed for exactly this audience, and in my experience teaching in the program, it serves this group particularly well. The program is fully online and designed for students who may already be working full time, but it is also structured and rigorous in ways that reward steady progress and sustained engagement with the material. Students work through core areas of computer science while gradually building the skills needed for modern software development.

I teach several courses in the program, including data structures, software development methodologies and tools, professional development in computer science, and natural language processing. I am also involved in broader student experience initiatives such as program pathways, advising resources, and outreach to prospective students. One of the distinctive features of the program is the range of backgrounds students bring with them. Many arrive from engineering, business, the sciences, or the humanities, and that diversity often leads to thoughtful discussions and interesting projects as students connect computer science ideas with the domains they already know well.

Program Overview

Who the program is for

This program is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and want to build a strong foundation in computer science. Many are career changers. Others want to deepen their technical skills or prepare for graduate study. The common thread is that students are choosing to learn computer science deliberately and with clear goals.

What students learn

Students develop core computer science skills including programming, data structures, algorithms, computer systems, and software development. Many also explore modern areas such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data science while building the mathematical and computational foundations needed to understand these technologies.

Courses and pathways

The program includes curated pathways that help students align their coursework with specific goals such as internships, graduate school in computer science, data science, or artificial intelligence. These pathways highlight how different courses fit together and help students make informed decisions about electives and specialization.

Student projects

Coursework emphasizes building real systems rather than memorizing concepts. Students write code, design algorithms, test their solutions, and document their work. Over time they build a portfolio of technical artifacts including repositories, projects, and written explanations of their design decisions.

Career direction

Students use the program in different ways. Some are preparing for internships or software engineering roles. Others are positioning themselves for graduate programs in computer science or data science. Because students enter with different backgrounds, many combine computer science with their prior domain expertise in areas such as healthcare, finance, education, or the sciences.

Learning environment

Although the program is fully online, courses are structured and interactive. Students work through weekly modules, participate in discussion forums, and meet instructors during office hours. The community that forms around these discussions often becomes one of the most valuable parts of the learning experience.

How Students Typically Use the Program

Students enter the program with different goals. Some are preparing to transition into software engineering or other technical roles and want a strong foundation in programming, data structures, and software development practices. Others use the program as preparation for graduate study in computer science, data science, or artificial intelligence. Many students also combine their new computing skills with experience from a previous field such as finance, engineering, healthcare, education, or the sciences.

Because students already hold a bachelor’s degree when they enter the program, they often bring a level of focus and maturity that shapes the learning environment in productive ways. Courses emphasize building real systems, writing code, and explaining design decisions clearly. Over time students develop both technical skills and the professional habits needed to work effectively in computing-related fields.

Why this page exists

The official university pages are the authoritative source for admissions requirements, policies, and program details. My goal here is slightly different. I want to describe how the program works from the perspective of someone teaching in it and working closely with the students.

In my experience, the program works best for students who approach computer science as a craft. The students who thrive are the ones who show up consistently, ask thoughtful questions, and build real systems over time. If you do that, the program gives you the structure and community to make serious progress.

Official Program Information

Guides for Prospective Computer Science Students

Students who are exploring a second bachelor’s degree in computer science or considering a transition into software development often have similar questions. The pages below address some of the most common topics students ask about when researching post-baccalaureate computer science programs.

CSPB Speaker Series

We regularly invite researchers and industry leaders to speak with our students about emerging topics in computing and AI.

Recent Talk

AI for Poets (or Poets for AI)
Ben Snyder, Senior Applied Scientist, Amazon Web Services

This talk explores why creative thinkers and interdisciplinary backgrounds are becoming increasingly important in the age of AI.

Read the full (lightly edited) talk transcript →

More About Me

Note: This page reflects my personal perspective as a faculty member teaching in the Applied Computer Science Post-Baccalaureate program at the University of Colorado Boulder. It is intended as an informal guide and does not represent official university program materials or policies.