Software Engineering, MS

Students in Lab

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 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.

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    Why Choose Scranton?

    Nationally Ranked

    US News & World Report rated The University of Scranton among the 10 top master's universities in the North in its "America's Best Colleges" ranking.

    Jesuit Education

    As one of the 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States, The University of Scranton is dedicated to developing the whole person.

    Dedicated Faculty

    Learn from an incomparable faculty with professional expertise that will challenge and inspire you.

    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

    A group of hands working on an engineering project.

    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 photo

    State of the Art Science Center

    Inside the 200,000 square-foot Loyola Science Center are laboratories of Intel systems and specialized hardware.

    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

    Dr. Yaodong Bi, Professor of Department of Computing Sciences.

    Yaodong Bi, Ph.D.

    Director of Graduate Program Professor

    Education

    B.S., Northeast University of Technology M.S., Northeast University of Technology Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago

    Contact

    (570) 941-7774

    Important Links

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