Software Engineering, MS
The Master of Science in Software Engineering (MSSE) program is designed to develop software professionals who are knowledgeable about and skilled in the application of principles related to the development and maintenance of computer software.
The master's program provides instruction and hands-on experience in planning and analysis, design, implementation, and maintenance of computer software and documentation.Program Specific Admission Requirements
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a preferred minimum grade point average of 3.00 (based on a scale of 4.00). A degree in computer science is preferred, but not required. Applicants who do not meet this minimum may be required to submit a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate management Admission Test (GMAT) score.
Applicants should demonstrate knowledge equivalent to undergraduate courses in:
- programming in object-oriented language
- operating systems
- discrete mathematics
- data structures
- file processing
- database systems
Domestic students lacking such background but otherwise highly qualified for admission may be admitted on condition that certain undergraduate courses in the above areas be completed.
For general application requirements, please Visit Our Admissions Webpage.
Curriculum
The MSSE program requires 36 graduate credits, divided as follows:
Fundamentals (12 credits)
- SE 500 - Mathematics for Software Engineering
- SE 501 - Introduction to Software Development
- SE 504 - Formal Methods and Models
- SE 507 - Requirements Analysis and Software Specification
Advanced courses (18 credits)
- SE 510 - Principles and Applications of Software Design
- SE 524 - Software Project Management
- SE 518 - Software Security
- Three elective courses
Thesis project (6 credits)
- SE 598 - Project Analysis & Design
- SE 599 - Project Implementation and Evaluation
Total - 36 credit hours
For additional information on the curriculum, visit the Loading... Catalog.
Mission Statement of the Computing Sciences Department
The mission of the Department of Computing Sciences is to serve the students of The University of Scranton. We provide undergraduate and graduate programs in the computing sciences and play a lead role in providing both general education and specialized courses in computing that serve other programs.
Our undergraduate program in Computer Science is based upon the curricula guidelines of the ACM and IEEE, and prepares students for careers in computing and for the life-long learning process that the discipline requires. Our graduate program in Software Engineering is based upon guidelines provided by the Software Engineering Institute, and provides graduate level preparation to those students seeking careers in modern software development. These programs are our first priority.
The Liberal Arts tradition of The University of Scranton emphasizes the importance of the Trivium; gathering, evaluating, and disseminating information. Today, computing and communications technology provide the fundamental means of accomplishing this. Our department plays an essential role in the development and delivery of general education and service courses that meet the needs of students in other disciplines.
Although our primary community is our campus community, the department's students and faculty develop methods to serve its local, regional, national, international, and professional communities as well.
A Closer Look
Assistantships
Graduate Assistants, who assist faculty in the delivery of course content, receive a stipend as well as tuition scholarships.

State of the Art Science Center
Inside the 200,000 square-foot Loyola Science Center are laboratories of Intel systems and specialized hardware.
Graduate Education at Scranton
With over 30 programs The University of Scranton can help you to achieve your goals, personally and professionally. Find out what our students have to say about graduate education at Scranton.
Successful Graduates
Career Opportunities
MSSE program graduates have been hired by companies such as IBM, New York Times, American Express, Tumblr, TMG Health, Benco Dental, and Metlife.
Combined/Accelerated Degree Option
Undergraduate students of the University may be admitted to the combined program of their undergraduate degree and the Master of Science in Software Engineering (MSSE) graduate degree.
Interested students should contact the director of the Master of Science in Software Engineering graduate program and the department of their undergraduate major to determine what Software Engineering graduate courses may be used to satisfy their undergraduate degree requirements
Meet the Program Director

Yaodong Bi, Ph.D.
Director of Graduate Program Professor
B.S., Northeast University of Technology M.S., Northeast University of Technology Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago
(570) 941-7774Yaodong.Bi@scranton.edu