25 BEST ONLINE MASTER’S DEGREES IN SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

Mercer University's Master of Science in Software Engineering and Systems is designed to teach students the necessities required to sustain a software development or maintenance project throughout its lifecycle. Classes in the program will work towards students' proficiency in Java, C++ or C#, as well as advance their familiarity with Design Patterns and Refactoring. Mercer's MSSE also allows graduates to participate in real-world projects, readying them to enter the competitive workforce upon graduation. Mercer graduates have gone on to explore work with the Warner Robins Air Force Base, close by Macon, and the Mercer University Research Center.

Kansas State University's Master of Science in Software Engineering takes place over a semester system and involves completing 33 credit hours online. Students are not required to have professional experience to be admitted to KSU, nor is the GRE required. The MSE degree at KSU teaches students how to apply engineering principles to the building of computer software, focusing on the theories, tools, and methods for systematic representation, development, and maintenance of software. Very few students take more than two courses at a time, and all have up to six years to finish the degree. KSU's flexible MSE program also provides scholarship opportunities to students.

Students with two years of experience in professional software development will further their marketable skills upon completion of Carnegie Mellon University's Master of Software Engineering degree. The degree involves 12 classes and completable within 16 intensive months, or longer if students decide to follow a flexible multi-year plan. All students will help develop systems in the collaboration between the university and clients such as Google, IMB, Intel, General Motors, and Bosch. In addition, CMU is partnered with the Software Engineering Institute, providing accessible resources within the fields of software architecture and software project management.

North Dakota State University designed its Master of Science in Software Engineering with the intention of giving professionals an opportunity to update and upgrade their credentials. However, it is not an admissions requirement that all students have professional work experience in the field. The flexible MSSE is 36 credits, including a two-semester project, and can be completed within one, two, or five years depending on the needs of the student. To ensure student success, NDSU does not allow students to enroll in more than four classes per term. The program consists of studies in the basic methodologies, techniques, and tools required to sustain a software's life cycle. Students will also become thorough in project management and maintenance.

The University of Alabama's Master of Science in Software Engineering program gives students an interdisciplinary approach to software engineering. Concentrations are required, with the options of Big Data or Data Mining, Project Management, Parallel Programming, Embedded Systems, or Advanced Cybersecurity. Students can complete their degree with a capstone or thesis.

The MSSE is hosted by, both, the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department in the College of Engineering, and the Computer Science Department in the College of Science. Students must declare a home department, and those who choose the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department must complete 15 credits of computer engineering classes.

Regis University's Master of Science in Software Engineering prepares its students for careers as Computer Systems Engineers, Application Designers, Information Architects, and other highly demanded opportunities. The 36-credit MSSE focuses on giving its students experience with architecture-centric design and provides knowledge on the specification, design, implementation, and security of applications. The eight-week terms begin six times per year, making an entrance into the program accessible to varying schedules. Many degree courses equip students with the basic tools to develop and maintain software used every day, such as Android and Java. Students can choose between a Graduate Capstone, Thesis, and Software Engineering Practicum before completing their degree.

Boston University's Master of Science in Software Development can be completed in less than two years, with mentorship from faculty members who have a history of experience in high-technology and business industries as well as ongoing research projects. The Software Development graduate program at BU is proudly one of the only in the country. The MSSD prepares students with not only the teachings of software engineering but the reason for the software and an understanding of its development and production from start to finish. Software developers will also be responsible for working alongside stakeholders to describe the required goals and outcomes for the product.

Lewis University is proud to prepare its students as candidates for Software Engineering Manager positions upon completing their Master of Science in Computer Science with Software Engineering. The full MSCS is 32 credit hours and the Software Engineering concentration accounts for 15 of those, all of which can be completed within two years. The program is accessible to students without an undergraduate degree in Computer Science or a related field, so long as they take up to four courses of foundational work. Upon graduation, students will have completed a capstone consisting of a publication-worthy document on a research topic, or a technology-focused project conducted for a real external organization.

The Master of Science in Computer Science with Software Engineering at the University of Southern California is designed to equip graduates with experience in systems engineering, customer collaboration, and management skills alongside the traditional set of abilities in software development. USC developed the 32-unit MSCS to produce students capable of entering the workforce as desirable engineering candidates. Following technological trends of the century and future, USC's degree focuses on mobile and distributed network-centric architectures, rapid software development and maintenance, and more. Graduates are also braced to continue their research into their future Ph.D. career. For those interested, students may also participate in completing a Master research thesis.

Stevens Institute of Technology's Master of Science in Software Engineering prepares students to design, build, test, and maintain software systems and projects. Students in the program have various backgrounds, such as computer science, mathematics, business, and liberal arts. The degree at SIT is a total of eight core classes, and two electives offered entirely online. Students without a related undergraduate degree, such as Engineering or Computer Science, are welcomed to apply upon taking the GRE. If a student enters the MSSE with extensive prior experience in software engineering, some credits may be awarded the approval of an advisor.

The Master of Science in Computer Science program at The University of West Florida offers its students three specializations: Computer Science, Database Systems, and Software Engineering. The 30-credit Software Engineering specialization indoctrinates students in the development of software systems by focusing on a specification, analysis, and software project management.

All students curate, either, a research thesis or final project before graduation. The degree offers department assistantships for additional funding, as well as annual scholarships and fellowships. The CSSE degree is designed with students both with and without professional experience in mind. UWF Graduates go on to work in fields involving maintenance, project management, medical software, or continue to their doctoral studies.

Classes for Colorado Technical University's Master of Science in Computer Science with Software Engineering degree are five and a half weeks long, and all are online and mobile friendly. Course sessions begin every eight weeks, so students have the opportunity to join the 48-credit program at their convenience. Students are required to have an educational background in computer science. The university's MSCS is meant to take 18 months, with no cost for textbooks as they are provided online. Those who graduate from CTU with the MS in Computer Science have gone on to work in fields such as Software and Web Development, Search Marketing Strategists, Geospatial Scientists and Technologists, Computer Programmers, and more.

Rather than the traditional semester system, Drexel University's online Master of Science in Software Engineering consists of four ten-week quarters. Drexel's flexible curriculum allows students to complete more courses per term in the 45-credit program. The degree at Drexel gives students an interdisciplinary approach to the software industry, encouraging all types of careers post-graduation. Graduates of Drexel typically enter professional fields focused on software design, engineering management, or systems analytics.

All faculty members are both doctorally educated and professionals in the software engineering field, giving students the ability to receive feedback and guidance about their post-grad options. Studies encompass behavioral, managerial, and technical aspects of software, with topics such as Human-Computer Interaction and Software Project Management.

University of Maryland University College's 36 credit Master of Science in Information Technology is designed to prepare students for careers in large software engineering projects. Online students working toward their online MSIT can incorporate a minor in Software Engineering with their major studies Students, however, are expected to apply after having prior work experience in software development and programming. Rather than assign textbooks, UMUC provides all online students with no-cost digital materials in nearly every course. To accommodate working students with a busy schedule, UMUC does not enforce scheduled times for online sessions. Most online classes are six-credits each, allowing the students to focus on one lecture each term. If students want to combine the traditional university experience with the online platform, there are select hybrid courses available.

Pennsylvania State University provides online students with a 36-credit Master of Software Engineering that is completable within two years. Every PSU student is assigned a cohort for remote experiences in completing projects together. Those with professional experience in the industry choose the program to develop skills further for implementing new technologies. To be admitted, students must have earned an undergraduate degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science, or information science. Student's without a relevant undergraduate are still considered so long as they have extensive work experience in software engineering.