MCA (Master of Computer Applications) is a "flagship" degree that is regarded as most demanded among the available options. The MCA programme offered by various universities/colleges is aimed at shaping meritorious graduates into competent software professionals for the IT industry.

In India MCA is a three year degree course and admission to this course is generally done through various MCA entrance tests.

Companies recruit MCAs at the same level as B.Techs/ M.Techs. The remuneration levels and the growth prospects of MCAs are comparable with those of B.Techs/M.Techs. There are many fields or areas that an MCA student can specialize in the final semester or the last year of his course. Some of these areas are :

• Systems Management
  
• Systems Development
  
• Systems Engineering
  
• Application Software
  
• Internet
  
• Management Information Systems (MIS)
  
• Software Development
  
• Troubleshooting
  
• Hardware Technology