Majors
Our four associate’s degree majors prepare you for specialized careers in education, business, health, and STEM fields. You will also be well positioned to further your studies and pursue a bachelor’s degree.
Majors
Supported by faculty in the Computer Science Department of the Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences, students completing the Applied Data Science associate’s degree will gain skills in an exciting, interdisciplinary field that includes areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), statistics, and software engineering. We are surrounded by data, and data science leverages AI and other computer science techniques to extract information and use data in business operations. The skills students learn can be applied across a variety of industries to process and analyze data, identify patterns, create powerful visualizations, build machine learning (ML) models, and make predictions and inferences. For example, a credit card company could use data science to detect fraud, or a streaming company could use data science techniques to determine what movies to recommend to each of its users.
Learning Outcomes
- Gain skills in data processing, management, and visualization.
- Learn the fundamentals of computer programming.
- Use artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze data and perform statistical modeling, to quantify uncertainty in conclusions and predictions made with data.
Post-Graduation Pathways
Workforce—Organizations across industries rely on data to guide their strategies and decisions, and Applied Data Science graduates are prepared for a range of roles in this rapidly growing field. Graduates can pursue entry-level positions such as business analysts, operations analysts, operations research analysts, data analysts, data architects, and database administrators.
Education—Students are also well-positioned to transition into a wide range of bachelor’s degree programs, including Computer Science, either at Boston College or another peer university.
| Applied Data Science Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| Programming in R for Data Science | 1 |
| Principles of Economics (Social Science Core) | 3 |
| Principles of Computer Science | 3 |
| Data Science Principles | 3 |
| Database Systems and Applications OR Computer Science I | 3 |
| Data Visualization | 3 |
| Data Science Methods and Applications | 3 |
Supported by faculty in the Carolyn A. and Peter S. Lynch School of Education and Human Development, students completing the associate’s degree in Applied Psychology and Human Development will attain an understanding of concepts, issues, and theories related to children’s learning and development. They will acquire the foundational skills needed for meaningful careers that support the lives of children and families.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the concepts, issues and theory related to both neurotypical and neurodivergent children’s learning and development.
- Analyze cultural/ethnic, contextual, and educational factors in human development.
- Critically interpret and evaluate research in order to make evidence-based decisions and advocate for children and families.
Post-Graduation Pathways
Workforce—Graduates are prepared for professional support roles in early childhood education programs such as child care professionals; in schools or social services; and in academic and non-profit settings as research assistants or support workers.
Education—Students can use the associate’s degree in Applied Psychology and Human Development as a stepping stone to pursue a bachelor’s degree in more advanced psychology and education careers.
| Applied Psychology and Human Development Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| Family, School, and Society (Social Science Core) | 3 |
| Research Methods for Applied Psychology | 3 |
| Adolescent Psychology | 3 |
| Cognition and Learning | 3 |
| Education and Development for Students with Disabilities OR Learning & Curriculum in the Elementary School | 3 |
Supported by faculty in the Carroll School of Management, students completing the associate’s degree in General Business will gain an overview of the various functional areas of business while developing skills in finance, accounting, operations, marketing, and business law. They will also develop foundational skills in data literacy, communication, and ethical reasoning.
Learning Outcomes
- Gain an overview of the various functional areas of business
- Develop skills in data literacy
- Develop strong communication skills
- Develop ethical reasoning skills
Post-Graduation Pathways
Workforce—Graduates are equipped for a wide variety of business-related careers in areas such as human resources, sales, and finance. They are prepared for entry-level positions, including functional specialists (e.g., payroll specialist), customer service representatives, office managers, and administrative assistants.
Education—Students are well positioned to transition smoothly into many of the bachelor’s degree programs at the Carroll School of Management at Boston College and other undergraduate schools.
| General Business Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| Excel for Business Analytics | 1 |
| Principles of Economics (Social Science Core) | 3 |
| Coding for Business | 3 |
| Marketing Principles OR Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| Financial Accounting | 3 |
| Fundamentals of Finance | 3 |
| Law I: Introduction to Law and Legal Process | 3 |
| Statistical Computing: Programming in R | 1 |
Supported by faculty in the William F. Connell School of Nursing, students completing the associate’s degree in Health Sciences will gain practical skills in patient care through both classroom and clinical placements. They will develop the foundational skills needed to pursue meaningful careers in the healthcare industry, including positions in hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, laboratories, clinics, and home health agencies.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop the knowledge and skills of a well-rounded healthcare support professional.
- Learn practical skills in patient care and teamwork.
- Prepare for immediate employment in the healthcare field.
- Implement a philosophy congruent with values that support the intrinsic worth and dignity of each human being.
- Develop the communication skills necessary to contribute to quality healthcare delivery.
Post-Graduation Pathways
Workforce—Graduates are prepared for immediate employment in professional support roles, such as certified nursing assistants, patient care assistants, medical assistants, or emergency room technicians.
Education—Students are well positioned to continue to bachelor’s degree studies in nursing. While designed as a pre-nursing curriculum, the Health Sciences major can also position students for further studies in allied health fields such as physical and occupational therapy or public health, and as physician’s assistants.
| Health Science Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| Life Science Chemistry + Lab (Natural Science Core) | 4 |
| Anatomy and Physiology 1 + Lab (Natural Science Core) | 4 |
| Anatomy and Physiology 2 + Lab | 4 |
| Microbiology for Health Professionals + Microbiology Lab | 4 |
| Health Assessment Clinical | 3 |
| Nursing Assessment of Health Across the Lifespan (Social Science Core) | 3 |
| Pathophysiology | 3 |
| Adult Health Nursing Theory 1 | 3 |
| Adult Health Nursing Clinical 1 | 3 |
| Clinical Pharmacology | 3 |
| Principles of Nutrition Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| Intro to Professional Nursing (optional for B.S. Nursing candidates) | 0 |