Finding a degree program in mobile development is a bit tricky. Universities are a bit behind the curve of this relatively new area of IT. The whole sector has moved so quickly, that it's definitely a challenge to offer students the right mix of classes so they'll actually have the necessary skills needed to land good jobs in the industry two to four years down the line. The uncertainty of the American economy, coupled with the upcoming elections, has also put a tremendous damper on decision-making both for the universities and the students. How should the school invest its cash, time, and energy for new programs or courses, specifically geared toward mobile development? At the same time, how will students ever fund their education, even while the sector continues to evolve at a phenomenal rate? It wasn't a surprise that an on-site Bachelor of Science degree in Mobile Development didn't turn up in my search across the Internet. Don't be discouraged, a few interesting programs are available. I'm sure more will follow over time. The George Herbert Walker School of Technology at Webster University has a B.S. program called Computing With Emphasis On Mobile Computing. The program covers programming, Java, mobile computing, operating systems, and mobile development. It's a mix of online and on-campus classes and requires 128 credit hours to complete. Walden University is an accredited online school that's been around since 1970. They have 15 degree programs in 85 areas of concentration. Mobile development is a specific area under the B.S. in Information Technology. In addition to the normal classes you would expect in this curriculum, there are also higher-level, five credit courses in subjects such as: Web and mobile user experience design, implementing effective mobile user interfaces, and developing multi-platform mobile applications. The program requires 181 quarter-credit hours to complete. Full Sail University is on the forefront of online mobile development college programs. The course brochure says that it “provides students with the tools to start a career producing a range of interactive content for different mobile platforms.” In addition to core computing courses, studies investigate JavaScript, PHP, XHTML, and special development kits for mobile platforms like iOS and Android. The program is a 32-month commitment. I visited Full Sail's Orlando campus to find out about their on-site computer animation, graphics, and videography programs. My group saw full-sized sets, green-screens, tons of video cameras, and advanced animation software. They prepare students for work in the movie and entertainment business. As you might expect, the 32-month programs are extremely intense and students take their studies extremely seriously. The school certainly doesn't lend itself to late-night parties or goofing off. The curriculum is very hands-on with an emphasis on technical skill development. Based on my observations, the school offers supremely comprehensive programs, and I'd imagine their online studies to be just as rigorous as regular on-site classes. Related Links: Webster University Walden University Full Sail University