Degree Stats
Associate in Applied Science (64 credit hours)
Cost per credit hour: $250
Career Choices
Our Associate program can help prepare you to take on entry-level careers that include:
- Web designer
- Helpdesk support technician
- Graphic designer
CLASSES YOU’LL TAKE
This online Associate degree program is designed to provide our students with training and information on the use, application, and technological development of computing. You’ll learn about user interfaces, operating systems, current business trends, and software applications. With our flexible scheduling system, you can start almost any Monday in the year! Part-time, full-time, anytime: Learn at your own pace.
DEGREE TRACKS
Students seeking an Associate degree in Computer Technology must select one of three tracks: Advanced Computer Usage and Applications, Digital Design, or Web Design: User Interface.
TRACK 1: ADVANCED COMPUTER USAGE AND APPLICATIONS
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Topics Covered in This Degree
Topics covered in this degree
- Terms related to microcomputer usage and applications. (CIS105, CIS113DE, CIS114DE, CIS117DM, CIS121AE)
- Microcomputer hardware and software components. (CIS105, CIS121AE)
- Apply microcomputer operation skills: care and handling of diskettes, powering up the computer, keyboarding (required speed development: 25 words per minute), and powering down the computer. (CIS105)
- Microcomputer hardware and software for specific applications. (CIS105)
- Basic graphics, sound process control, and other special capabilities of a microcomputer. (CIS105, CIS118AB)
- Skills for using commercial software programs including electronic spreadsheets, micro word processing, and database management. (CIS113DE, CIS114DE, CIS117DM)
- Use of a computer operating system. (CIS121AE)
- Use suitable software to generate charts, graphs and graphics for business use. (CIS118AB)
- Various Internet communication, resource discovery, and information retrieval tools. (CIS133AA, CIS133BA, CIS133CA, CIS133DA)
- Use enhanced word processing software features such as math functions, columns, macros, style libraries, graphics, outlines and table of contents. (CIS213DE)
- PowerPoint software to incorporate sound and time-based data into presentations. (CIS118BB)
- Advanced use of an operating system. (CIS122AE)
- Use project management software to plan and schedule a project. (CIS124AA, CIS124BA)
- Process for modifying, tracking, updating, and consolidating projects. (CIS124BA)
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Full-Time Schedule
On a full-time schedule, it will only take five semesters for you to earn your Associates degree.
SEMESTER 1 (14 CREDITS)
CIS105 (3): Survey of Computer Information Systems
CIS113DE (3): Microsoft Word: Word Processing
CIS114DE (3): Excel Spreadsheet
CIS121AE (1): Windows Operating System: Level 1
CIS124AA (1): Project Management Software: Level 1
ENG101 (3): First-Year Composition
SEMESTER 2 (13 CREDITS)
CIS117DM (3): Microsoft Access: Database Management
CIS133DA (3): Internet/Web Development Level 1
CIS213DE (3): Advanced Microsoft Word: Word Processing
CIS118AB (1): PowerPoint: Level 1
CRE101 (3): College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking
SEMESTER 3 (12 CREDITS)
CIS214DE (3): Advanced Excel Spreadsheet: Level II
CIS233DA (3): Internet/Web Development: Level II
CIS118BB (1): PowerPoint: Level II
CIS122AE (1): Windows Operating System: Level II
CIS124BA (1): Project Management Software: Level II
GBS233 (3): Business Communication
SEMESTER 4 (12 CREDITS)
CIS217AM (3): Advanced Microsoft Access: Database Management
CIS250 (3): Management of Information Systems
ENG102 (3): First-Year Composition
COM100 (3): Introduction to Human Communication
SEMESTER 5 (13 CREDITS)
MAT142 (3): College Mathematics
PSY101 (3): Introduction to Psychology
MHL153 (3): Rock Music and Culture
GPH113 (4): Introduction to Physical Geography
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Part-Time Schedule
Rio's part-time schedule breaks the Computer Technology curriculum down into eight semesters.
SEMESTER 1 (9 CREDITS)
CIS105 (3): Survey of Computer Information Systems
CIS113DE (3): Microsoft Word: Word Processing
CIS114DE (3): Excel Spreadsheet
SEMESTER 2 (8 CREDITS)
CIS121AE (1): Windows Operating System: Level 1
CIS124AA (1): Project Management Software: Level 1
ENG101 (3): First-Year Composition
CIS117DM (3): Microsoft Access: Database Management
SEMESTER 3 (9 CREDITS)
CIS133DA (3): Internet/Web Development Level 1
CIS213DE (3): Advanced Microsoft Word: Word Processing
CRE101 (3): College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking
SEMESTER 4 (7 CREDITS)
CIS118AB (1): PowerPoint: Level 1
CIS214DE (3): Advanced Excel Spreadsheet: Level II
CIS233DA (3): Internet/Web Development: Level II
SEMESTER 5 (9 CREDITS)
CIS214DE (3): Advanced Excel Spreadsheet: Level II
CIS118BB (1): PowerPoint: Level II
CIS122AE (1): Windows Operating System: Level II
GBS233 (3): Business Communication
CIS124BA (1): Project Management Software: Level II
SEMESTER 6 (9 CREDITS)
CIS217AM (3): Advanced Microsoft Access: Database Management
CIS250 (3): Management of Information Systems
ENG102 (3): First-Year Composition
SEMESTER 7 (9 CREDITS)
COM100 (3): Introduction to Human Communication
MAT142 (3): College Mathematics
PSY101 (3): Introduction to Psychology
SEMESTER 8 (7 CREDITS)
MHL153 (3): Rock Music and Culture
GPH113 (4): Introduction to Physical Geography
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Flexible Block Calendar Scheduling
Rio offers flexible start dates and class times, so you can create a schedule that works for you. Plan out your degree and certificate classes by checking out our Block Calendar System.
TRACK 2: DIGITAL DESIGN
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What Will I Learn?
Topics covered in this degree
- Terms related to microcomputer usage and applications. (CIS105, CIS113DE, CIS114DE, CIS117DM, CIS121AE)
- Microcomputing hardware and software components. (CIS105, CIS121AE)
- Microcomputing operation skills: care and handling of diskettes, powering up the computer, keyboarding (required speed development: 25 words per minutes), and powering down the computer. (CIS105)
- Microcomputing hardware and software for specific applications. (CIS105)
- Basic graphics, sound, process control, and other special capabilities of a microcomputer. (CIS105, CIS118AB)
- Skills for using commercial software programs including electronic spreadsheets, micro word processing, and database management. (CIS113DE, CIS114DE, CIS117DM)
- Use of a computer operating system. (CIS121AE)
- Suitable software to generate charts, graphics and graphics for business use. CIS118AB)
- Various Internet communication, resource discovery, and information retrieval tools. (CIS133AA, CIS133BA, CIS133CA, CIS133DA)
- Electronic techniques to create, manipulate, and edit images, text, abstract art, graphic design, color graphics, and business charts. (CIS120DB, CIS120DF)
- Project management software to plan and schedule a project. (CIS124AA, CIS124BA)
- Process for modifying, tracking, updating, and consolidating projects. (CIS124BA)
- Various desktop publications using Adobe InDesign. (CSI138DA)
- Multimedia technology. (CIS/MMT140)
- Various hardware devices and software tools used in developing and delivering multimedia. (CIS/MMT140)
- Process of analysis and design of a multimedia application. (CIS/MMT140)
- Advanced features of Adobe Photoshop, including filters, typography, painting, image compilation, and color and text manipulation. (CIS220DF)
- Design and publish an electronic portfolio, showcasing one's best work and providing evidence of one's knowledge, skill, and learning. (CIS288)
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Full-Time Schedule
SEMESTER 1 (14 CREDITS)
CIS105 (3): Survey of Computer Information Systems
CIS113DE (3): Microsoft Word: Word Processing
CIS114DE (3): Excel Spreadsheet
CIS121AE (1): Windows Operating System: Level 1
CIS124AA (1): Project Management Software: Level 1
ENG101 (3): First-Year Composition
SEMESTER 2 (13 CREDITS)
CIS117DM (3): Microsoft Access: Database Management
CIS133DA (3): Internet/Web Development Level 1
CIS213DE (3): Advanced Microsoft Word: Word Processing
CIS118AB (1): PowerPoint: Level 1
CRE101 (3): College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking
SEMESTER 3 (12 CREDITS)
CIS220DF (3): Adobe Photoshop Level II: Advanced Digital Imaging
CIS120DB (3): Computer Graphics: Adobe Illustrator
CIS140 (2): Survey of Multimedia Technology
CIS124BA (1): Project Management Software: Level II
ENG102 (3): First-Year Composition
SEMESTER 4 (12 CREDITS)
CIS138DA (3): Desktop Design and Publishing Using Adobe InDesign
CIS288 (2): Digital Design Portfolio
CIS250 (3): Management Information Systems
CIS102 (1): Interpersonal and Customer Service Skills for IT Professionals
COM100 (3): Introduction to Human Communication
SEMESTER 5 (13 CREDITS)
MAT142 (3): College Mathematics
PSY101 (3): Introduction to Psychology
MHL153 (3): Rock Music and Culture
GPH113 (4): Introduction to Physical Geography
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Part-Time Schedule
SEMESTER 1 (9 CREDITS)
CIS105 (3): Survey of Computer Information Systems
CIS113DE (3): Microsoft Word: Word Processing
CIS114DE (3): Excel Spreadsheet
SEMESTER 2 (8 CREDITS)
CIS121AE (1): Windows Operating System: Level 1
CIS124AA (1): Project Management Software: Level 1
ENG101 (3): First-Year Composition
CIS117DM (3): Microsoft Access: Database Management
SEMESTER 3 (7 CREDITS)
CIS133DA (3): Internet/Web Development Level 1
CIS213DE (3): Advanced Microsoft Word: Word Processing
CIS118AB (1): PowerPoint: Level 1
SEMESTER 4 (9 CREDITS)
CRE101 (3): College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking
CIS220DF (3): Adobe Photoshop Level II: Advanced Digital Imaging
CIS120DB (3): Computer Graphics: Adobe Illustrator
SEMESTER 5 (9 CREDITS)
CIS140 (2): Survey of Multimedia Technology
CIS124BA (1): Project Management Software: Level II
ENG102 (3): First-Year Composition
CIS138DA (3): Desktop Design and Publishing Using Adobe InDesign
SEMESTER 6 (9 CREDITS)
CIS288 (2): Digital Design Portfolio
CIS250 (3): Management Information Systems
CIS102 (1): Interpersonal and Customer Service Skills for IT Professionals
COM100 (3): Introduction to Human Communication
SEMESTER 7 (6 CREDITS)
MAT142 (3): College Mathematics
PSY101 (3): Introduction to Psychology
SEMESTER 8 (7 CREDITS)
MHL153 (3): Rock Music and Culture
GPH113 (4): Introduction to Physical Geography
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Flexible Block Calendar Scheduling
Rio offers flexible start dates and class times, so you can create a schedule that works for you. Plan out your degree and certificate classes by checking out our Block Calendar System.
TRACK 3: WEB DESIGN: USER INTERFACE
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Topics Covered in This Degree
Topics covered in this degree
- Terms related to microcomputer usage and applications. (CIS105, CIS113DE, CIS114DE, CIS117DM, CIS121AE)
- Microcomputing hardware and software components. (CIS105, CIS121AE)
- Microcomputing operation skills: care and handling of diskettes, powering up the computer, keyboarding (required speed development: 25 words per minutes), and powering down the computer. (CIS105)
- Microcomputing hardware and software for specific applications. (CIS105)
- Basic graphics, sound, process control, and other special capabilities of a microcomputer. (CIS105, CIS118AB)
- Skills for using commercial software programs including electronic spreadsheets, micro word processing, and database management. (CIS113DE, CIS114DE, CIS117DM)
- Use of a computer operating system. (CIS121AE)
- Suitable software to generate charts, graphics and graphics for business use. CIS118AB)
- Various Internet communication, resource discovery, and information retrieval tools. (CIS133AA, CIS133BA, CIS133CA, CIS133DA)
- Basic animation techniques for creating, manipulating, and editing flash animation graphics. (CIS120DC)
- Electronic techniques to create, manipulate, and edit images, text, abstract art, graphic design, color graphics and business charts. (CIS120DF)
- Project management software to plan and schedule a project. (CIS124AA)
- Multimedia technology. (CIS/MMT140)
- Various hardware devices and software tools used in developing and delivering multimedia. (CIS/MMT140)
- Process of analysis and design of a multimedia application. (CIS/MMT140)
- Presentations using the World Wide Web authoring hypertext markup language (HTML). (CIS233DA)
- e-Commerce, its uses and common components in web sites. (CIS235)
- Design and publish and electronic portfolio, showcasing one's best work and providing evidence of one's knowledge, skill, and learning. (CIS288)
-
Full-Time Schedule
SEMESTER 1 (14 CREDITS)
CIS105 (3): Survey of Computer Information Systems
CIS113DE (3): Microsoft Word: Word Processing
CIS114DE (3): Excel Spreadsheet
CIS121AE (1): Windows Operating System: Level 1
CIS124AA (1): Project Management Software: Level 1
ENG101 (3): First-Year Composition
SEMESTER 2 (13 CREDITS)
CIS117DM (3): Microsoft Access: Database Management
CIS133DA (3): Internet/Web Development Level 1
CIS120DF (3): Adobe Photoshop Level I: Digital Imaging
CIS118AB (1): PowerPoint: Level 1
CRE101 (3): College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking
SEMESTER 3 (11 CREDITS)
CIS120DC (3): Adobe Animate: Digital Animation
CIS233DA (3): Internet/Web Development Level II
CIS140 (2): Survey of Multimedia Technology
ENG102 (3): First-Year Composition
SEMESTER 4 (13 CREDITS)
CIS235 (3): e-Commerce
CIS288 (2): Digital Design Portfolio
CIS250 (3): Management Information Systems
CIS102 (1): Interpersonal and Customer Service Skills for IT Professionals
CIS124BA (1): Project Management Software: Level II
COM100 (3): Introduction to Human Communication
SEMESTER 5 (13 CREDITS)
MAT142 (3): College Mathematics
PSY101 (3): Introduction to Psychology
MHL153 (3): Rock Music and Culture
GPH113 (4): Introduction to Physical Geography
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Part-Time Schedule
SEMESTER 1 (9 CREDITS)
CIS105 (3): Survey of Computer Information Systems
CIS113DE (3): Microsoft Word: Word Processing
CIS114DE (3): Excel Spreadsheet
SEMESTER 2 (8 CREDITS)
CIS121AE (1): Windows Operating System: Level 1
CIS124AA (1): Project Management Software: Level 1
ENG101 (3): First-Year Composition
CIS117DM (3): Microsoft Access: Database Management
SEMESTER 3 (7 CREDITS)
CIS133DA (3): Internet/Web Development Level 1
CIS120DF (3): Adobe Photoshop Level I: Digital Imaging
CIS118AB (1): PowerPoint: Level 1
SEMESTER 4 (9 CREDITS)
CRE101 (3): College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking
CIS120DC (3): Adobe Animate: Digital Animation
CIS233DA (3): Internet/Web Development Level II
SEMESTER 5 (8 CREDITS)
CIS140 (2): Survey of Multimedia Technology
ENG102 (3): First-Year Composition
CIS235 (3): e-Commerce
SEMESTER 6 (7 CREDITS)
CIS288 (2): Digital Design Portfolio
CIS250 (3): Management Information Systems
CIS102 (1): Interpersonal and Customer Service Skills for IT Professionals
CIS124BA (1): Project Management Software: Level II
SEMESTER 7 (9 CREDITS)
COM100 (3): Introduction to Human Communication
MAT142 (3): College Mathematics
PSY101 (3): Introduction to Psychology
SEMESTER 8 (7 CREDITS)
MHL153 (3): Rock Music and Culture
GPH113 (4): Introduction to Physical Geography
-
Flexible Block Calendar Scheduling
Rio offers flexible start dates and class times, so you can create a schedule that works for you. Plan out your degree and certificate classes by checking out our Block Calendar System.
A Support Network You Can Count On
Every project needs a team: Why should your education be any different? That’s why we have a dedicated team of Success Coaches on hand to help you achieve your goals. When it comes to enrollment, advising, and financial aid, our Success Coaches have the expertise to help you find the most flexible and affordable college options to get you on the fast track towards a brighter future.