![[Featured Image] A man sits at his laptop at home to research whether you need a degree to be a software engineer.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/8xENeAlF6cGKiKOthV0qf/e09375d141d138a90a3d3e2ff547f505/GettyImages-1314769885.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
Status: Featured
Do You Need a Degree to Be a Software Engineer?
Discover how to become a software engineer without a degree and which skills you need to start a successful career in the field.
January 28, 2025
Article
Degrees by Topic
Explore articles about degree options, majors, and career paths. Learn how to evaluate your interests, strengths, and job market opportunities to choose a degree program that aligns with your personal and professional goals.
![[Featured Image] A college student uses a laptop to search 'what degree do you need for real estate agent'](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/vxFVCdc4CDBDAiN9doryS/1ceea848636f3b75a4e83f066caec790/GettyImages-521535828.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A museum curator shows a display to a visitor after learning the job is suitable for people wondering what else can I do with a teaching degree.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4lG56ZKa0VbmnAadNEFLDl/b7d3b4fee6503cfedd79e6af1c92c0fb/GettyImages-494323611.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[featured image] Dartmouth MEng student Naisha poses with her diploma against a green background. The words "Coursera Learner" are on the left and "Meet Naisha" are on the right.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/18u7YGI1QjYLZC12rptajF/d542b246fbdf88d89ef1d11d809370ef/Naisha_lead_image_Dartmouth_1.png?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image]: A person stands in front of a large monitor and holds a laptop in their hands as they speak about concepts they learned for a DevOps degree.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/2DuAUJs3eIhHPTPfhTMo2X/834d241c67cec5c34f4bdb39b437098f/GettyImages-2264962212.webp?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured thumbnail] What Can You Do With a Public Health Degree?](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4zvhDXDS4gYZO6pSGPibZp/8443dd2163a2df8256244507887fff33/RC_-_VID0181_-_Chelsea_-_What_Can_You_Do_with_a_Public_Health_Degree_-_Thumbnail__1___3_.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
These courses may be eligible for degree credit
Skills you'll gain: Vibe coding, AI powered creativity, Debugging, Prompt Patterns, Brainstorming, Planning, Visual Storytelling, Generative AI, Data Wrangling, Data Analysis, Content Creation, Presentations, AI literacy, Responsible AI, Business Communication, Artificial Intelligence, Data Visualization, Research, Project Management, Machine Learning
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Rmarkdown, Data Visualization, Data Presentation, Data Ethics, Data Cleansing, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Validation, Ggplot2, R (Software), Sampling (Statistics), Spreadsheet Software, Data Analysis, Stakeholder Communications, LinkedIn, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Data Literacy, Web Presence, Data Structures, Interviewing Skills
Skills you'll gain: Threat Modeling, Network Security, Vulnerability Management, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, Hardening, Computer Security Incident Management, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Threat Management, Security Awareness, Incident Response, Cybersecurity, Network Protocols, Endpoint Detection and Response, Threat Detection, Bash (Scripting Language), Debugging, Linux, Web Presence, Python Programming, SQL
![[Video thumbnail] What Jobs Can I Get With a Computer Science Degree](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4ZCaSu9EriKRFVwyHMloiT/5f24fc3753bc7984e1a2ecc6ad231828/Why_-CAREER-_Needs_to_Understand_AI_-_Project_Management_-_Image_BG__2___1_.png?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Feature Image] A learner smiles as they research computer engineering degree options and the careers that they support.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4b3aqFtLbN3AKuuy8OaH5n/52143367fb358550ead13223836fd287/GettyImages-691573507.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A university professor teaching learners in a computer lab, with multiple screens displaying graphical data related to MATLAB studies.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/6ddgV2kly5U3XP0OiBDrK8/08116e9b00b98fb8d29f55a0e30ddeed/GettyImages-691693114-converted-from-jpg.webp?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A manager with an engineering management degree evaluates engineering blueprints at a job site.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/6lhQugYjjqlESMVC666PAS/3ec1d643b24f04c29738ad42b23bba81/GettyImages-1419293677.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Feature Image] As part of their business analytics degree program, learners walk their class through insights using data visualizations.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4DGmBReHKJN0qkNf0oM52D/bce7bc20982306d40af58fcfc2cd22f8/GettyImages-748346373.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Feature Image] A prospective master’s degree learner researches MS in CS salary details on a laptop while planning their educational and career pathways.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/7hyGTmCRB09jwiOkqcnH0K/c9201e5d3295a5e5262b92ca877b24ce/GettyImages-2196790819-converted-from-jpg.webp?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A person answers MBA interview questions to gain entrance into a business school graduate program.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/ZYzDI30XfT2wsLRkqMvrb/5f0461e546f938b471b1953ca64267ea/GettyImages-1200305405-converted-from-jpg.webp?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Feature Image] Two aspiring developers discuss software engineer degree pathways as they plan their educations.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/B1yymoos0Z5GaP0uaK1Ro/041bcef08d13f0ad3877900959e2e790/GettyImages-2029000903.webp?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A video editor working on a computer with a video editing platform open, making adjustments to a project.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/2sevMyMJKzJjqgsQZ2pWUE/3be32092342fdbff320713971465c205/GettyImages-1434722625-converted-from-jpg.webp?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
Choosing a degree topic can be an exciting moment in your learning journey, but it can also feel overwhelming with so many subjects available. While it's becoming increasingly common to choose a degree topic based on the career options you'll have after graduation, that's only one factor. Many students pursue their passion, develop their interests, or follow their values, knowing they're building useful skills to pursue a range of opportunities. Some popular degree topics include:
Business degrees
Health degrees
Computer science degrees
Data science degrees
IT degrees
Humanities and liberal arts degrees
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