Dallas College has been approved for its third bachelor’s degree, with this new program. 

Dallas College is proud to announce the launch of its Bachelor of Applied Technology in Software Development, which will provide students with an affordable pathway to high-paying, in-demand occupations starting this fall.

The program has been approved by both the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

“Dallas College is once again breaking barriers in higher education with the launch of our third bachelor’s degree,” said Dallas College Chancellor Justin H. Lonon. “This new program reflects our commitment to providing students with accessible, high-quality pathways to the skills needed for the careers of today and tomorrow. As the future of work evolves, so will our efforts to ensure Texas remains at the forefront of innovation and opportunity.”

Dallas College became the first community college in Texas to offer a bachelor’s degree in education in 2020 and then expanded its offerings to include a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2024. 

The software development program has industry skill focus areas in Data Analytics and Machine Learning, subject areas that are in high demand. Students will enjoy flexible and convenient classes as the program will offer in-person classes at the Dallas College Richland Campus, or the option of being completely online.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects by 2033 employment for software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers will grow by 17%, outpacing the average occupation rate. Additionally, new graduates are expected to apply for jobs with a starting salary in the $77,000 range. 

“As more businesses and organizations relocate to our area, the need for skilled and educated software developers is only going to increase,” said Dr. Raghunath Kanakala, vice provost, Dallas College School of Engineering, Technology, Mathematics and Sciences. “Our program is designed to meet that workforce need as well as provide students with another pathway to a rewarding career. Students will enjoy a hands-on experience, industry-relevant curriculum and mentorship from seasoned professionals to ensure they are job-ready when they graduate.” 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas has the second-highest number of software developers, with over 138,000 in the state and nearly 60,000 in the region.

Kanakala describes the skills students will obtain: 

• Software design and object-oriented design/programming (OOD/OOP) principles 
• Data structures and algorithmic principles 
• Machine learning technologies 
• Data visualization, data analytics and harvesting 
• Ethics in data collection, usage and management 

Dallas College students will pay the same rate per credit hour for both bachelor’s and associate degree programs. The current tuition rate is $99 per credit hour for in-county students, significantly less compared to four-year universities. The $99 rate also covers most learning materials and books.

For more information about the B.A.T. program, please visit: DallasCollege.edu/BAT. 

About Dallas College 

Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025, Dallas College consists of seven campuses — Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, El Centro, Mountain View, North Lake and Richland — plus a dozen centers located throughout Dallas County. As one of the largest community colleges in the U.S., Dallas College offers online and in-person learning, serving more than 127,000 credit, workforce and continuing education students annually. Students benefit from partnerships with local school districts, four-year universities, industry and community leaders. Dallas College offers associate degrees and career/technical certificate programs in more than 100 areas of study, as well as bachelor’s degrees in education, nursing and software development. As the largest provider of dual credit in Texas, Dallas College serves 30,000 high school students through 63 dual credit programs.