At a Glance
- 100% online coursework
- Grounded in the Software Engineering Body of Knowledge (SWEBOK)
- Prepare to sit for the IEEE certification exam
- Pursue a software engineering project or thesis for your capstone
- No GMAT/GRE required
A Complete Software Engineering Curriculum
Pace University’s online MS in Software Development and Engineering forges professionals who are ready to compete in one of the world’s most in-demand industries. This online software development and engineering master’s program balances the theoretical with the practical, as students build a lasting technical foundation through hands-on learning using state-of-the-art tools.
Housed in the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, the online software development and engineering master’s degree program covers all aspects of the software life cycle, including requirements, design, testing, and maintenance. Students learn the best practices and ethical standards necessary to support high-quality, secure software systems. Most courses in the program are group project-based, enabling students to hone their professional skills so that they can effectively communicate ideas and collaborate with teammates and clients.
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To learn more about the online Master of Science in Software Development and Engineering, fill out the fields in this form to download a free brochure. If you have any questions at any time, please contact an admission advisor at (866) 843-7205.
COMPLETE THIS STEM-DESIGNATED DEGREE IN TWO YEARS
As a STEM-designated program, our curriculum incorporates science, technology, engineering, and math in order to prime our students to be competitive in the global workplace. The program emphasizes three core themes: (1) system and software design, (2) software management and evolution, and (3) managing team resources.
This 36-credit curriculum can be completed in just two years as a part-time student.
ADD A CERTIFICATE WITHOUT INCREASING YOUR DEGREE TIME
MS in Software Development and Engineering students can choose to add a certificate to their degree program. They can complete this optional certificate through electives without adding extra credits to their degree program.
These certificates are also available as stand-alone options.
- Advanced Certificate in Software Development and Engineering
- Advanced Certificate in Secure Software and Information Engineering
Complete the Degree in 11 Courses
Gain top-to-bottom knowledge of every step of the software development life cycle.
Personalize Your Degree
Add an optional certificate in Software Development and Engineering or Secure Software and Information Engineering.
In-Demand Skills
Develop your expertise in software design and development, software management, and team resources management.
Course Highlights
Software Design Methodologies
Explores advanced techniques for building robust, large-scale software systems with object-oriented principles, emphasizing design patterns and frameworks to enhance system quality and maintainability throughout the development life cycle.
Component Architectures for Enterprise Application Development
Examines enterprise-level software development, focusing on object-oriented techniques for building scalable applications using Java technology such as Enterprise JavaBeans, Swing, and database integration tools.
Software Development Process Improvement
This course explores the Software Engineering Institute’s Capability Maturity Model (CMM) and its integration (CMMI), examining each maturity level through in-depth case studies.
A Software Engineering Program that Preps for Certification
The Seidenberg School is the only IEEE Registered Education Provider in the eastern United States. That means the school is officially qualified to prepare students for the Associate Software Developer Certification and the Professional Software Developer Certification. These credentials offer concrete documentation of software engineering competency and tell employers that an applicant has proven skills.
Students can apply for certification as part of the program and earn three credits towards their degree by passing the exam. Past MS in Software Development and Engineering cohorts have passed with a 90 percent success rate.
Our lives depend on software. We have to be serious about it. That’s why we need good programs that will teach the foundations of software engineering and the IEEE certification topics.
Sotiris Skevoulis, Program Chair
Software Development and Engineering Program
A Career in Software Engineering
At Pace, we know that career advancement is an important goal to our students. That’s why we emphasize a workplace-ready education that can be personalized to learners’ needs.
One-third of the master’s degree in software development and engineering can be fulfilled through electives, allowing students to target a specific area of interest, such as programming languages, internet software development, human-computer software interaction, software process management, and secure software development.
All courses are kept small so that learners have room to ask questions and engage in useful discussions. Instructors take the time to get to know their students’ strengths and offer individualized support. The focus on group work and presentations mirrors the collaborative environment that students can expect to find in the field.
Students also have access to professional development opportunities and internships, as well as Pace’s renowned career center.
Software engineers are among the top occupations projected to grow the fastest and add the most new jobs in this decade, with a projected growth rate of 25% and a median salary of $130,160.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Who Can Benefit?
Who can benefit from an online master’s in software development and engineering? We serve learners from around the world, from a range of backgrounds:
- Recent graduates with related technical degrees who want to focus on software development
- Career changers, especially those who are curious, enjoy problem-solving, and are enthusiastic about learning new skills
- Experienced software developers who would like to update their skills, fill in knowledge gaps, and align themselves for career advancement
Since 2015, the Pace online software development and engineering master’s program has seen a 90 percent success rate in graduates finding jobs within six months from graduation. Our graduates become software developers, software designers, software requirements engineers, software quality assurance managers, and more.
Pace’s software development and engineering master’s program is a great opportunity. It’s a very well-designed and polished master’s that touches every single aspect of the software engineering process, every single phase. I also appreciated the supportive, multicultural learning environment that was a place to exchange opinions and find new opportunities.
Dionysios Kakaroumpas
Pace MS in Software Development and Engineering graduate
Full Stack Engineer at IBM
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the online software development and engineering master’s degree program should have knowledge of computer science and some programming abilities. Those who lack current programming skills can still apply but will be required to take a Java fundamentals course before beginning the core courses in the program.
For more details on admission requirements and the application process, visit our admission page.
