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  1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Bachelor's Degrees
  4. Information Technology Degree

Application Development Option

man works on computer develops software application

What does an application developer do?

Application developers gather requirements, create prototypes, test, implement, integrate and maintain program applications for computers and mobile devices. They collaborate to identify ideas and concepts for the general public, or fill a specific need brought to them by a customer, client or organization. 

How do you become an application developer?

To prepare for a career as an application developer, a bachelor's degree in information technology is recommended. These programs teach critical computer programming skills, such as Java, MS/SQL, HTML, JavaScript, CSS, Node.JS, Python, and PHP, as well as general computer, software and application functionality.

Application Development Option Highlights

The Application Development Option at Penn State Scranton consists of 12 credits of the 120-credit bachelor’s degree in information technology and prepares students for the design and development of software applications for use in Web and mobile computing.

Students in the program will learn to create usable, reliable software applications that address some of the world’s most pressing problems. 

In this option, students will use state-of-the-art tools to learn how to understand users’ needs, design and develop software applications, and evaluate the usability and usefulness of different technologies.

Related Coursework for this Option

Select 12 credits (with at least 3 credits at the 400-level):

  • IST 261: Application Development Design Studio I
  • IST 311: Object-Oriented Design and Software Applications
  • IST 361: Application Development Design Studio II
  • IST 411: Distributed-Object Computing
  • IST 413: Usability Engineering

UNDERGRADUATE BULLETIN FOR IT

Careers for Application Developers

Skilled application developers continue to be in very high demand as organizations look for new ways to leverage software applications that work on mobile and web, including applications in the health care industry and computer security.

At Penn State Scranton the application development option prepares students for the design and development of complex programming and technical skills to succeed in a fast-paced development and operations environment.

Upon graduation, students will be qualified to work as an application software developer, software engineer, web developer, systems analyst, in software quality assurance and more.

The average annual salary being reported for a software engineer is $103,322 in Pennsylvania.  Application Developers also might work with graphic artists, data specialists, and software experts. 

Request information about Information Technology B.S.

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Information Technology Degree

  • Application Development Option
  • Business Applications Option
  • Customized Information Technology Option
  • Cybersecurity Option
  • Information Technology Faculty

Contact Information Technology Program Coordinators

Fred Aebli, MA

Lecturer, Information Sciences and Technology
[email protected]
Dawson Building, 114D

    Debra Smarkusky, PhD

    Associate Professor, Information Sciences and Technology
    [email protected]
    570 963 2593
    Dawson Building, 114B
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