Computing programs differ in purpose, educational level, and disciplinary emphasis. The resources below provide published curriculum guidance from ACM and collaborating organizations. They support curriculum design and review; institutions determine their own programs and admission requirements.
For additional editions, translations, and updates, consult ACM’s official curriculum directory. The year in a report’s title identifies its edition; consult the issuing organization for its publication status.
Overview
Computing Curricula 2020 (CC2020) provides an overview of computing education across computer engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, information systems, information technology, software engineering, and data science.
Published Degree-Level Resources
- Computer Engineering: CE2016: Computer Engineering Curricula 2016.
- Computer Science: CS2023: ACM/IEEE-CS/AAAI Computer Science Curricula.
- Cybersecurity: CSEC2017: Cybersecurity Curricular Guidelines.
- Data Science: DS2021: Computing Competencies for Undergraduate Data Science Curricula.
- Information Systems — Undergraduate: IS2020: A Competency Model for Undergraduate Programs in Information Systems.
- Information Systems — Graduate: MSIS2016: Global Competency Model for Graduate Degree Programs in Information Systems.
- Information Technology: IT2017: Curriculum Guidelines for Baccalaureate Degree Programs in Information Technology.
- Software Engineering — Undergraduate: SE2014: Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs in Software Engineering.
- Software Engineering — Graduate: GSwE2009: Curriculum Guidelines for Graduate Degree Programs in Software Engineering.
DS2021 focuses on computing competencies within the wider, interdisciplinary field of data science.
Schools and Foundational Cybersecurity
The 2026 CSTA PK–12 Computer Science Standards provide learning expectations for school-level computer science.
The 2025 Supplement to CSEC2017 provides foundational cybersecurity content and instructional guidance for secondary and postsecondary education. Read it alongside CSEC2017.
Associate-Degree and Transfer Programs
The ACM Committee for Computing Education in Community Colleges maintains guidance for associate-degree and transfer programs. Use the resource appropriate to the program’s intended qualification and transfer pathway.
Translations and Earlier Editions
Translations available from ACM include CE2016 in Chinese and IT2017 in Chinese.
Earlier editions remain useful as historical references:
- Overview: CC2005.
- Computer engineering: CE2004.
- Computer science: CS2013 (Chinese translation), CS2008, and CC2001.
- Information systems: IS2010, IS2002, and MSIS2006.
- Information technology: IT2008.
- Software engineering: SE2004.
Developing Projects
The IT2027 task force is developing updated guidance. Consult its project page for publication status.
Resource guide updated on 23 October 2026.