Arizona Community Colleges
Computer Science Programs
Computer science and IT pathways at community colleges in this state. Programming, networking, cybersecurity, and transfer-track CS courses.
16 colleges · 230 sections · 98 unique courses · Summer 2026 · Updated today
Arizona community colleges offer two distinct CS pathways: an associate of applied science (AAS) for students aiming directly at help-desk, network admin, or junior developer roles, and a transfer-track AS that articulates to a bachelor's in computer science at a four-year school. The 230 sections this term across 16 Public 2-year institutions cover programming (Python, Java, JavaScript), data structures, networking, cybersecurity, and intro computer science theory.
Two-year CC programs aren't a shortcut to a software engineering career — most SWE roles still require a bachelor's — but the IT-support, sysadmin, and cybersecurity-tech career paths absolutely start here. For students who want to be a software developer, the transfer-track AS lets you complete two years at community-college tuition before continuing to a CS bachelor's, with credit articulation in place at most Arizona four-year programs.
Colleges offering Computer Science
Pick a college to see its full plan — every required course, which ones transfer to the school you want, and what’s open now.
Computer Science is a transfer program — community colleges offer the coursework; you earn the degree, and its earnings, at a four-year university. See where it transfers →
Computer Science Availability Snapshot
How computer science sections are being offered across 16 colleges in Arizona this term (230 sections total).
Delivery format
- online209 (91%)
- in person16 (7%)
- hybrid5 (2%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)39
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)1
- Evening (5 PM and after)10
- Asynchronous / TBA180
Start dates
Sections begin on 13 distinct dates. 179 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 128 distinct instructors across 16 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
Common Computer Science courses
- CIS 105Survey of Computer Information Systems(21 sections)
- CIS 114DEExcel Spreadsheet(8 sections)
- CIS 120(SUN# CIS 1120) Introduction to Computer Information Systems(7 sections)
- CIS 156Python Programming: Level I(7 sections)
- CIS 110Intro to Computer Info Systems(6 sections)
- CIS 136Microsoft Excel(6 sections)
- CIS 104Computer Fundamentals (6 sections)
- CSC 120Digital Design Fundamentals(4 sections)
- CSC 230Computer Organization and Assembly Language(4 sections)
- CIS 103Introduction to Social Media(4 sections)
- CIS 126DLLinux Operating System(4 sections)
- CIS 227Cyber Law and Ethics (4 sections)
Career outlook for Computer Science graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare Arizona’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I become a software engineer with an associate degree?
- Possible but uncommon. Most software engineering roles require a bachelor's in computer science or equivalent experience. The realistic CC-grad direct path is IT support / help desk → junior systems administrator → systems engineer, often with industry certifications (CompTIA Network+, Security+, AWS) earned alongside the degree.
- Does community college CS credit transfer to a CS bachelor's?
- Yes, if you pick the transfer-track AS rather than the career-track AAS. The two tracks share courses but have different math sequences — transfer-track requires Calculus I and II; AAS often uses applied math or business math. Confirm with your target four-year school's transfer office before enrolling.
- What programming languages do Arizona community colleges teach?
- Python is dominant for intro courses and data-science tracks. Java is common in transfer-track CS sequences (mirroring what most four-year schools teach in their first two years). JavaScript appears in web-development AAS programs. C++ shows up in some game-dev and embedded-systems tracks. Check each college's catalog below for specifics.
- Is cybersecurity a good track at Arizona CCs?
- Yes — it's one of the highest-employment direct-career paths from a CC. Most Arizona community college cybersecurity programs are aligned with the NSA / DHS Center of Academic Excellence framework and prepare students for industry certifications like Security+ and CySA+. Graduates step into SOC analyst, junior pen-test, or IT-security-admin roles.
Compare Computer Science programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how Arizona’s computer science programs stack up.
Other programs in Arizona
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.