WA State Program of Study

Career Cluster: Information TechnologyCareer Cluster Pathway: Application Development and Software Engineering

This Career Pathway Program of Study can serve as a guide along with other career planning materials as learners continue on a career path. Courses listed within this program are only recommended coursework and should be individualized to meet each learner’s education and career goals. This Program of Study should be customized with course titles and appropriate high school graduation requirements as well as college entrance requirements.

EDUCATION LEVELS / GRADE / English/
Language Arts / Math / Science / Social Studies/
Sciences / Other Required Courses
Other Electives
Recommended
Electives
Learner Activities
Leadership Activities / Career & Technical Courses
And/or Degree Major Courses / SAMPLE
Occupations Relating
To This Pathway
Interest Inventory Administered and Plan of Study Initiated for all Learners
SECONDARY / 9 / English 9 / Algebra / Local Science / WA State History / Additional required:
2 credits- Health and Fitness
Suggested program courses to meet required credits:
1 Credit Business Communication and Technical Communication
1 Credit- Art: Web Design or Digital Design or Visual Communication
.5 Credit Social Studies: Economics or Business Law
2.0 Credits English: / Digital Communication Tools (One Course Digicom Fundamentals; One Course Digicom Communication)
Fundamentals of IT
Certification:
Microsoft Office Specialist / Extensive Preparation
Applications Engineer
  • Job Profile
  • Wages
Computer (Software) Engineer
  • Job Profile
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Data Modeler
  • Job Profile
  • Wages
Game Developer
  • Job Profile
  • Wages
Operating System Designer/Engineer
  • Job Profile
  • Wages
Mobile Applications Developer
  • Job Profile
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Programmer
  • Job Profile
  • Wages
Programmer Analyst
  • Job Profile
  • Wages
Project Lead
  • Job Profile
  • Wages
  • Program/Project Manager
  • Job Profile
  • Wages
Software Applications Specialist
  • Job Profile
  • Wages
Software Design Engineer
  • Job Profile
  • Wages
Systems Administrator
  • Job Profile
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Systems Analyst
  • Job Profile
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Test Engineer
  • Job Profile
  • Wages
Moderate Preparation
Applications Analyst
Software Applications Tester
10 / English 10 / Geometry / Local Lab Science / US History / Additional Courses for 4 year college or university minimum admission requirements:
.5 Credit Social Studies
2 Credits World Language / Intro. To Programming
11 / English 11 or
Technical Communication / Algebra 2 or
Statistics (Note:Industry recommends subject matter mastery in statistics will increase the likelihood of success in the understanding of programming concepts) / Computer Science or Physics / FutureBusiness Leaders of America
  • Business Communication
  • Business Presentation
  • Computer Applications
  • Computer Game and Simulation Programming
  • Computer Problem Solving
  • Computer Programming
  • Cyber Security
  • Database Design and Application
  • Desktop Application Programming
  • Desktop Publishing
  • E-Business
  • Introduction to Technology Concepts
  • Networking Design
  • Networking Concepts
  • Spreadsheet Applications
  • Technology Concepts
  • Word Processing 1 & 2
  • Web Site Design
Skills USA
  • Career Pathways Showcase
  • Computer Maintenance Technology
  • Computer Programming
  • Employment Application Process
  • Internetworking
  • Job Interview
  • Professional Development Program Modules
  • Web Design
/ Computer Programming
College Placement Assessments-Academic/Career Advisement Provided
12 / English 12 or
Business Communication / Statistics or Pre-Calculus
* a rigorous program of math is highly recommended for this program of study / AP Computer Science
* a rigorous program of science is highly recommended for this program of study / AP Exam / Computer Programming (AP if offered)
and/or Cooperative Worksite Experience
Certificates(Note:Thesemay be required for a programming position. They are aligned more closely to the technical knowledge and skills required for an applications developer position.)
Microsoft Gaming Development Fundamentals 98-374
Microsoft HTML5 Application Development Fundamentals 98-375
Microsoft MTA Database Fundamentals 98-364
Microsoft Mobile Development Fundamentals 98-373
Microsoft MTA .NET Fundamentals
Exam 98-372
Microsoft MTA Software Development Fundamentals Exam 98-361
Microsoft MTA Web Development Fundamentals Exam 98-363
Articulation/Dual Credit Transcripted-Postsecondary courses may be taken/moved to the secondary level for articulation/dual credit purposes.
POSTSECONDARY / Year
13 / 100+ Level English / 100+ Level Math or Statistics / 100+ Level Science / AAT, AAS, and other degree granting courses require additional general education requirements:
5+ Accounting Credits
5+ English/Comm. Credits
5+ Economics/Finance Credits
5+ Math Credits
10+ Social Science Credits
5+ Science Credits / Application Developer
  • Algorithm Analysis
  • Computer Architecture
  • Computer Programming Fundamentals of Computing
  • Database Design
  • Develop Software
  • Hardware Design
  • Modify Existing Software
  • Software Testing
/ Software Designer/Engineer
  • Algorithm Analysis
  • Database Design
  • Design Embedded Systems Software
  • Direct Software Programming
  • Modify Existing Software
  • Principles of Language Design
  • Software Engineering
  • Software Testing

Year
14 / 100+ Level Communication / Certifications:
Microsoft:
Microsoft Certified Professional Developer
Oracle
Oracle Certified Associate, JAVA SE Programmer
Oracle Certified Professional, JAVA SE Programmer
Oracle Certified Expert JAVA Platform, Enterprise Edition 6 JavaServer Pages and Servlet Developer
Oracle Certified Expert, Java Platform, Enterprise Edition 6 Enterprise JavaBeans Developer
Oracle Certified Expert, Java Platform, Enterprise Edition 6 Java Persistence API Developer
Oracle Certified Expert, Java Platform, Enterprise Edition 6 Web Services Developer
Oracle Certified Professional, Java ME 1 Mobile Application Developer
Oracle Certified Professional, Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Forms Developer
Oracle PL/SQL Developer Certified Associate
Oracle Forms Developer Certified Professional
Oracle Advanced PL/SQL Developer Certified Professional
Security +
Note:Internships, Co-Ops, Volunteering, Part- or Full-Time Employment are highly recommended as employers in the software industry typically hire four-year graduates with experience.
Year
15 / 300+ Level Courses app / Complete Programming and Software Development Major (4 Year Degree program)
Year
16

Programs

Certificate

Bellevue College

Bellingham Technical College

Cascadia Community College

Clark College

Clover Park Technical College

Columbia Basin College

Edmonds Community College

Highline Community College

Lake Washington Institute of Technology

Lower Colombia College

Peninsula

Renton Technical College

Seattle Central Community College

Skagit Valley College

South Puget Sound Community College

Spokane Community College

Spokane Falls Community College

Walla Walla Community College

University of Washington - Tacoma

Associate

Bates Technical College

Bellevue College

Bellingham Technical College

Cascadia Community College

Clover Park Technical College

Columbia Basin College

Edmonds Community College

Everett Community College

Green River Community College

Highline Community College

Lake Washington Institute of Technology

Lower Colombia College

Peninsula College

Pierce College

Renton Technical College

Seattle Central Community College

Shoreline Community College

Skagit Valley College

South Puget Sound Community College

Spokane Community College

Spokane Falls Community College

Tacoma Community College

Wenatchee Valley College

Walla Walla Community College

Whatcom Community College

Yakima Valley Community College

Bachelor

Central Washington University

Eastern Washington University

University of Washington

Washington State University

Western Washington University

Skills Standards for Information Technology Programming/Software Engineering

Perform Analysis

A1. Gather data to identify customer requirements

A2. Define scope of work

A3. Define system and software requirements.

A4. Identify measurable performance and reliability requirements.

A5. Develop test requirements

A6. Develop high-level systems and functional specifications.

A7. Identify risks and determine security requirements and risk reduction strategies.

Develop Structure

B1. Choose architecture

B2. Identify major subsystems and interfaces

B3.Assist with selecting design tools

B4. Develop object and data models

B5. Validate design scheme and models.

Design/ Develop Program

C1. Develop design and interface specifications

C2. Identify system platform, components and dependencies

C3. Develop appropriate data model and database scheme.

C4. Prepare and conduct design review.

C5. Identify maintenance requirements

C6. Create and test prototypes.

Implement Program

D1. Write code

D2. Perform unit testing

D3. Integrate subsystems

D4. Lead and/or participate in peer code review.

D5. Resolve defects and revise and adapt existing code.

D6. Oversee data migration from existing application(s).

Test and Validate Program

E1. Develop test plan and system

E2. Develop test procedures

E3. Perform tests

E4. Document test results and make recommendations

E5. Modify code and regression test iteration based upon approval of recommendations

E6. Perform acceptance testing.

E7. Perform post-project analysis and validation.

Release Product

F1. Participate in development of release plan.

F2. Train technical support staff

F3. Participate in development of user training plan

F4. Transition to new system

F5. Evaluate, correct and document defects.

F6. Evaluate, implement and document enhancements.

C8. Incorporate security requirements into design

C7. Review and provide input to user documentation

Subject
Grade Level Expectations can be reviewed at: / Programming and Software Development Competencies
(How skills attained from GLEs and CTE frameworks are used after high school)
Math
Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra & Trigonometry / College students or entry-level workers use the content learned in Math in these kinds of ways:
Can select, implement and evaluate problem solving techniques and tools
Apply analytical and logical thinking to gathering and analyzing information, designing and testing solutions to problems, and formulating plans
Use number systems and internal data representation
Apply prior knowledge to new problems
Translate word problems to formulas
Evaluate variables in functions
Solve complex problems using mathematical concepts
English
Reading, Writing and Communication / College students or entry-level workers use the content learned in English in these kinds of ways:
Listen and ask critical questions to identify relevant issues and concerns
Develop and use effective written and oral communication
Adapt communication strategies and styles to specific audiences
Articulate complex problems and concepts
Read and apply needed information using company and manufacturers' references (e.g., procedural manuals, documentation, standards, work flowcharts)
Convey technical concepts to a non-technical audience
Summarize and paraphrase information from multiple sources
Document step by step procedures, using clear and effective notes, for future use
Read and understand large amounts of technical information