Competency Proven. Not Just Credit Earned.
If you’re not just looking for another degree, but for a way forward that reflects what you can actually do, Southeastern University’s new Abridged Bachelor’s in Computer Science was created with that exact purpose in mind.
This isn’t a slight adjustment to a traditional model. It’s a total rethinking of what a computer science degree should be for today’s workforce. Instead of following a four-year path simply because it has always been the standard, you move through a program designed for relevance, efficiency, and real-world application.
A Degree Built With Intention
What you’ll find here isn’t a faster version of a traditional degree. It’s based on in-depth, focused learning. With 90 total credit hours instead of the traditional 120, every part of the Abridged Bachelor’s is designed to contribute directly to your career readiness.* The difference isn’t about cutting corners; it’s about removing what doesn’t serve your goals and replacing it with learning that does.
Mastery as the Standard
In many programs, progress is measured by whether you pass a class. Here, it’s measured by whether you’ve mastered the skill.
That shift means your degree reflects more than completed coursework; it represents your ability to apply what you’ve learned in meaningful ways.
How Competency-Based Education Works
Your progress is based on what you can demonstrate, not how long you’ve spent in a course.
Instead of fixed time and variable learning, mastery is a constant. As soon as you show proficiency in a defined skill or outcome, you can move forward with no unnecessary delays holding you back. Or, if you need more time to master a concept, this format takes the pressure off while ensuring you still have support available to finish within the semester.
Flexible Pacing Meets Absolute Standards
You set the pace, but the expectations remain high. If you come in with prior programming experience, you can move quickly through foundational concepts. If you need more time to fully understand complex topics like data structures, you have the space to do that without penalty. Either way, you’re working toward the same standard of mastery, but at a pace that works for you.
Built for the Technology Workforce
Everything in this program is aligned with what employers are actually looking for. You’ll build a strong foundation in core computer science concepts such as algorithms, data structures, and programming, while also gaining hands-on experience and earning industry-aligned certificates along the way.
Three Areas of Specialization
As part of your degree, you’ll choose at least two areas to deepen your expertise:
- Cybersecurity — Assess, secure, and monitor systems while responding to real-world threats.
- Data Science — Analyze and visualize data, applying foundational machine learning models to practical scenarios.
- Web Development — Design, build, and deploy modern web applications using current tools and frameworks.
Designed for the Modern Professional
- Finish with a Portfolio, Not Just a Transcript — By the time you graduate, you won’t just have a list of completed courses. You’ll have a body of work that shows what you can do. Your certificates are embedded directly into your degree and aligned with real career pathways. You’ll leave with portfolio-ready projects and the ability to clearly communicate your work to both technical and non-technical audiences … a skill employers consistently value.
- Flexibility as a Structural Commitment — Your education should fit into your life, not compete with it. You can start when you’re ready and move at a pace that works for you, balancing your studies with professional and personal responsibilities. Throughout the program, you’ll have access to personalized faculty mentorship to guide and support your progress.
- An Accessible Investment — At just $399 per credit hour, this program is designed to be both competitive and accessible. This pricing reflects SEU’s broader commitment to making high-quality computer science education more attainable, without compromising on the rigor or the outcomes.
Core Competencies
By the end of the program, you’ll be prepared to:
- Apply Core Computer Science Concepts — Use algorithms and data structures to solve real-world problems with confidence.
- Specialize in an Applied Domain — Demonstrate depth in at least two high-demand areas through your work and certifications.
- Communicate and Deliver Professional Work — Present technical solutions clearly and produce portfolio-ready projects that reflect your capabilities.
Program at a Glance
- Learning Model: Progress by demonstrating mastery, not time spent in class
- Duration: 90 total credit hours/approximately 3 years to completion
- Cost: $399 per credit hour
- Embedded, Industry-Aligned Certificates: Cybersecurity, Data Science, or Web Development (choose a minimum of two)
- Experience: Hands-on learning integrated throughout the program
- Support: Ongoing, personalized faculty mentorship
Ready to Begin Your Three-Year Path?
Get started by requesting more information, learning more about the program, or applying today. You can also connect with an SEU enrollment counselor to see how the Abridged Bachelor’s in Computer Science can align with your goals.
Learn More
Abridged Bachelor’s in Computer Science
*Program note: The Abridged Bachelor’s in Computer Science is a streamlined, three-year pathway designed for motivated students ready to enter the workforce quickly. As a reduced-credit undergraduate degree program, prospective students should be aware that this credential may not fulfill all admission or prerequisite requirements for certain graduate and professional degree programs, and may not meet the minimum credit-hour expectations of some employers or licensing bodies. SEU encourages students to review their post-graduation goals with an academic advisor to ensure this pathway aligns with their long-term plans.
**Students will choose a minimum of 2 certificates as part of their degree plan.
