Online Master’s Degree in Software Engineering

The best online schools are now offering online Master’s Degrees in Software Engineering. Designed to meet the rising, changing needs in our society, a quality online master’s degree in software engineering can be essential to prepare students for key roles in industry, government, academia, and other organizations. An online program is formatted to create a challenging and engaging experience for students, while providing flexibility and convenience for working professionals.

Online Master’s Degrees in Software Engineering Requirements

An online master’s degree involves rigorous course work, which requires self-directed learning ability, strong motivation to succeed, and the patience to remain detail-oriented. Students should be organized and ready to meet challenges head on, as software engineering students are preparing to fulfill more comprehensive roles in meeting the needs of today’s technological fields. Students often take part in reading, class discussions, master’s level papers, and workplace-oriented assignments based on technological advances in the software engineering field. Some hands-on courses will be required.

Master’s programs in software engineering from the top online schools are usually pursued by professionals who are already in computer technology fields. A bachelor’s degree is typically required prior to admission to an online master’s program. Some common degrees include:

• Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Online Software Engineering Master’s Degree Education

Accredited online master’s degree programs in software engineering require about 45 credit hours, and typically take between 2 to 3 years to complete. The types of software engineering master’s degrees offered by the best online programs include:

• Software Systems Management
• Practicing Software Engineering

Information on Software Engineering Courses

A master’s degree in software engineering focuses on developing software systems, programming languages, and techniques designed to maintain software systems. Some courses in an online masters degree in software engineering may include:

• Software Design
  This course teaches the techniques and mathematically-based notation for specifying the various properties of software systems. Systems and subsystems are covered at various levels.
• Dependable Software Systems
  In this course, students take part in an in-depth treatment of software testing and software reliability. A variety of testing topics are covered, including path, data-flow, and mutation testing, as well as program perturbation and fault interjection.
• Requirements Engineering and Management
  This course focuses on the relationship between requirements engineering, strategic information systems, and business process re-engineering. It provides students with an opportunity to explore and experience methods, tools, and techniques for analyzing, and managing requirements in modern software development organizations.
• Information Technology Information
  This course provides information on information technologies (IT), including IT produce, service selection, and evaluation. Students look at the impact of emerging technologies, standards, and vendor strategies, with an emphasis on financial considerations.
• Computer Science Foundations
  This course is a survey of the basic mathematics concepts needed for the study of computer science, including induction, iteration, and recursion.

Specializations and Concentrations

Because software engineering is a broad field, in order to become an expert in a specific niche, some online master’s software engineering students will pursue specialties or concentrations such as:

• Software Engineering Management
• Information Systems

Careers in Software Engineering

The best online masters programs in software engineering will promote growth potential in all fields, and qualify students to seek employment or advancement in the following areas:

• Software Engineer
  Software engineers design, modify, write and implement software programming applications. They are responsible for installing software applications and operating systems, and directing the testing process for software. Software engineers’ average yearly salary is between $51,000 and $62,400.
• Software Engineering Director
  This position is responsible for all the software engineering in an organization, including the development, release, and application of operating systems. Software engineering directors’ average yearly salary is between $132,900 and $190,000.
• Web Software Developer
  Web software developers design, develop, and implement software packages and applications for websites. They also troubleshoot software, identify issues and debug problems, and implement new software programs and code. Web software developers’ average annual salary is between $60,400 and $82,600.
• Software Quality Assurance Engineers
  Software quality assurance engineers develop, publish, and implement test plans for software. They write tests and develop quality assurance standards, such as defect densities and open defect counts. Software quality assurance engineers can make an average annual salary between $56,400, and $76,200.
• Software Support Manager
  Software support managers oversee software support staff. They manage department budgets and establish and maintain relationships with engineering departments and software development. They can also contribute specialized troubleshooting skills for resolving technical problems, and correct quality assurance issues. Software support managers can make an average annual salary between $86,800 and $118,200.

An accredited master’s degree in software engineering from an online masters degree school provides an opportunity for great advancement in a rapidly growing, challenging field. Professionals in software engineering fields with master’s degree are especially valued and regularly sought out for their knowledge and skills.