Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

A master’s degree in Software Engineering is designed to prepare students to work in finance, gaming, healthcare, research, and numerous other industries. Most places of employment rely on some form of software to facilitate day-to-day operations. A degree in Software Engineering will teach you the ins and outs of designing and maintaining this kind of software.

Common Specializations for an Online Master’s in Software Engineering

Degree programs often have specializations students can choose to focus their coursework towards their desired career. Below are a few emphases students may choose to guide their academic and career prospects.

Online Master’s in Software Engineering Admission Requirements

So how do you get into these programs? Typically each online master’s degree in Software Engineering will have its own entry requirements, so you’ll want to research different programs closely. Below are a few common entry requirements.

• Coding Experience: Although not always required, some master’s degree programs in Software Engineering may be looking for applicants who already have some career experience under their belt.
• Undergraduate Degree in Similar Field: Most students applying into one of these programs will be required to hold a corresponding bachelor’s degree. If you don’t have an undergraduate background in computer science or a similar field, consider reaching out to an academic advisor or admissions representative for a school you’re interested in attending to see if they have an alternative route into applying.
• Letters of Recommendation: Many graduate programs are looking for students who can be vouched for by other professionals in the field. If an application is asking for letters of recommendation, consider reaching out to former professors who taught similar coursework, or perhaps employers in the same industry.

Curriculum for an Online Master of Software Engineering Program

• Software Architecture: In this course, students will gain an understanding of programs and how they are built and managed while learning how to utilize and choose relevant software design patterns.
• Software Development in C++: As one of the most widely-used programming languages, having an advanced understanding of C++ can help students get ahead in their education and career. This course helps students learn how C++ is used in the foundation of software development and how to apply it.
• Web Development: This course looks into programming in the development and design of web creation and examines how we use the internet and how to properly engineer websites for growth and success.
• Software Development Methodology: Software Development Methodology (SDM) is a course in which students are exposed to standard processes that are followed by technology companies when developing software. Students go through various stages of software development, such as designing, creating a minimum viable product (MVP), development, testing, deployment, and production support.
• Modern Technologies: Many schools have added modern software engineering concepts such as cloud computing, data science, virtualization, etc. Depending on the school and specialization, students can expect to go through courses that deal with theoretical courses such as software foundations, software design fundamentals, etc.

Online Master’s in Software Engineering Program Length

Typically, the overall time frame for an academic program is dependent upon how quickly the student wants to finish their program. Many programs allow for both full-time or part-time scheduling, meaning students can choose whatever pacing best fits their extracurricular schedule.

The primary benefit of online learning is its flexibility. Online learners are able to worry less about in-person time obligations and more on the other busy aspects of their lives. With this flexibility, schools often allow students to choose the heaviness of their semesterly courseload. A student who is looking to finish a program quicker may finish in 1.5-2 years, while a different student may want to pace themselves and spread their curriculum out over the span of 2.5-3 years.

Free or Low-Cost Master’s in Software Engineering Programs

Graduate students continue to seek out affordable options for college, but did you know that there are some software engineering programs that are free? While there are no full master’s programs in software engineering that are free and accredited by reputable institutions, there are some programs that allow students to watch lectures from past sessions and free courses from reputable schools. Students will not get a masters diploma in software engineering, but they can learn on par with master’s students at other online master’s institutions. While these courses are free to watch and learn, some of these courses will award a certificate for a small fee. Explore the following programs below:

• MIT OpenCourseware – Foundations of Software Engineering
• Stanford University – Algorithms, Design and Analysis
• Stanford University – Compilers
• Duke University/Coursera – Java Programming and Software Engineering
• MIT OpenCourseware – Laboratory in Software Engineering
• MIT OpenCourseware – Software Engineering Concepts

Online Master’s in Software Engineering: No GRE Requirement

Many online master’s degree programs in software engineering do not require applicant’s scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Explore the following schools to learn more about online master’s degrees in software engineering that don’t require the GRE:

• Arizona State University
• Penn State University, World Campus
• Walden University

One-Year, Accelerated Software Engineering Degrees

Accelerated programs are a great option for students who need to earn their online degree quickly, whether due to professional obligations or other time commitments. To learn more about accelerated graduate programs for software engineering students, explore the following schools to learn more:

• California State University, Fullerton – 22 months
• Boston University – 16-24 months

Master’s In Software Engineering For Non-Engineers

A graduate program focused on engineering is still possible for students who didn’t earn their undergraduate degree in an engineering-specific field. Some schools accept students who have unrelated undergraduate degrees or may require a few prerequisite courses to meet their admissions requirements. Explore a few of these schools and learn more about these programs below:

• East Carolina University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Kennesaw University

Before graduating and earning a master’s degree in software engineering, students should take advantage of professional organizations and resources to help them connect with others in their field, access helpful and relevant data and information, and apply what they learn to their degree and career down the road. These organizations can provide software engineering students with career development, networking, and other valuable resources.

• IEEE Computer Society Technical Council on Software Engineering:TCSE works to encourage lifelong learning and the application of vital engineering methods to further develop the field. Members can gain access to software engineering tools, shared knowledge, techniques, and empirical data.
• International Association for Social Science Information Service & Technology: IASSIST has been connecting science professionals from all backgrounds since 1974. Members can gain access to IASSIST’s official conference and get connected to a large-scale science-based community, including networking opportunities and research resources.
• INFORMS: INFORMS allows research and analytics professionals to connect with other research and analytics professionals. Members receive access to professional development opportunities, industry tools, and an extensive professional network.