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SOFTWARE ENGINEERING MASTER’S DEGREE M.S.S.E.

Aug. 16, 2023

Next Start Date

10

Courses Required

$698

Cost Per Credit Hour

30

Total Credit Hours

Online Asynchronous and Synchronous

Learning Formats

Mastering in-demand skills for one of the fastest growing occupational fields

The Master of Science in Software Engineering program is offered through West Virginia University’s Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering and hosted online through Coursera’s learning platform. This program will provide you with the expertise to better understand the holistic design, development, and management process of software applications and systems.

You will learn how to identify and analyze user and client needs, while gaining the skills necessary to implement or create software-based solutions. Software Engineering is one of the most in-demand and fastest growing occupational fields in the country, with careers in any number of industries including technology, healthcare, automotive manufacturing, green energy, remote sensing, aeronautics, and finance.

The Master of Science in Software Engineering degree requires completion of a total of 30 graduate credit hours. The coursework is comprised of five required courses that form the core of the program, plus additional five advanced electives as described below. A student successfully completing all 30 hours with a 'C' or above in each course with an overall 3.0 GPA is considered for graduation.


Engineering student working on computer with code in the background.

Earn your Master of Science in Software Engineering from a top-20 program

The Master of Science in Software Engineering program is offered through West Virginia University and hosted online through Coursera’s learning platform beginning Summer 2023.

Enrollment coach, Gary Phillips.

Gary is here to help.

Gary Phillips, Your Personal Online Admissions Coach

"Being a WVU graduate and a first-generation college student, I’m happy to be back to help you navigate the WVU System. Something WVU Online wants to do is assist you in creating your sense of community and continuity, making sure you have the answers to any and all questions."

Learn More About Gary Request Information


Student Support: Should you have additional questions once you are admitted into the program, please use the following email: statler-mssesupport@mail.wvu.edu.

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Software Engineering Master's Degree M.S.S.E. Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in software engineering, computer science, computer engineering or a closely related major. Minimum grade point average of 3.0 with at least a 3.0 grade point average in the major.

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to the M.S.S.E. program must satisfy the following requirements to be considered. All students must fulfill all items required in Category A - Academic-Related Background or Category B - Professional Experience Consideration.

Category A - Academic-Related Background

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering or a closely related field
    • Submit official transcripts showing degree completion of a Bachelor degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited University, with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) or better.
    • Submit the GRE General Test results only if from a non-ABET accredited universities with under a 3.5/4.0 GPA.
  • Personal statement
    • Your personal statement should be 750 to 1,000 words and double-spaced. This is an opportunity to tell the admissions committee more about your reasons for your desire to earn an MSSE Degree and should not repeat your resume. Please refer to the personal statement/essay prompt within your application for more details.
  • Resume
    • Resume that should reflect your education and experience with the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
  • 2 letters of professional reference
    • They should discuss your education or experience with the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
    • Once you enter their information into the online application, your recommenders will be notified to submit a letter of reference or complete a brief online information form. Letters of reference can be received after an application is submitted.
    • Letters must come directly from the recommender. Letters submitted by the applicant are not accepted.
  • International Applicants

Category B - Professional Experience Consideration

Students should use Major Code 3081 when completing the application.

  • Bachelor's degree in any field of study
    • Submit official transcripts showing degree completion of a Bachelor's degree in any field of study from an accredited University with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) or better.
  • Personal statement
    • Your personal statement should be 750 to 1,000 words and double-spaced. This is an opportunity to tell the admissions committee more about your desire to earn an MSSE Degree and should not repeat your resume. Please refer to the personal statement/essay prompt within your application for more details.
  • Resume
    • Submit a resume that should reflect education and 1 year of experience with the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
  • 2 letters of professional reference
    • They should represent 1 year or more of software engineering experience with the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) in any industry.
    • At least one should be from a current or former supervisor and the other can be from a colleague or customer.
    • Once you enter their information into the online application, your recommenders will be notified to submit a letter of reference or complete a brief online information form. Letters of reference can be received after an application is submitted.
    • Letters must come directly from the recommender; letters submitted by the applicant are not accepted.
  • International Applicants
  • Programming Experience (recommended)
    • It is strongly recommended that students without a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, or a closely related field complete SENG 505: Programming Applications with JAVA. Note: the credit earned for the SENG 505 course does not apply toward the required hours for the MSSE Degree.

If you do not fall in Category A or Category B but still believe that the Master of Science in Software Engineering is the correct program for your academic goals, please reach out to Statler-MSSEsupport@mail.wvu.edu.

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Student Spotlight

Learn more about student experiences in the Software Engineering Master’s Degree M.S.S.E.

John DeCarlo profile image.

John DeCarlo

"Every day I rely on the teachings and tools provided from the WVU MSSE program to lead and find ways for success."

Read More About John

Adison Nordstrom profile.

Adison Nordstrom

“WVU Online is a super flexible program that has allowed me to further my education while also beginning my professional career.”

Read More About Adison

Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

Financial aid is available. Students are encouraged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to determine their eligibility for federal and state funds as well as scholarships. WVU’s FAFSA Code is 003827. Please contact the WVU Financial Aid Office at (304) 293-5242 or financialaid.wvu.edu for additional information.


Software Engineering Master’s Degree requires 30 credit hours to complete. Cost per credit hour is $698.

Total Degree Cost
$20,940 – Residents and Non-Residents
$23,034 – Residents and Non-Residents**

Credits Cost
1 $698
3 $2,094
6 $4,188
9 $6,282

**Tuition as of November 29, 2022; Tuition is subject to change. If students without a bachelor’s in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, or a closely related field apply and are accepted to the program, they must complete SENG 505, which brings the full degree cost for these students to $23,034. More information can be found in the WVU catalog.

Courses and Curriculum


The Master of Science in Software Engineering degree requires completion of a total of 30 graduate credit hours. To graduate, students must complete five required courses (totaling 15 credit hours) that form the core of the program, plus an additional five advanced courses (totaling 15 credit hours).

Core Courses:

Course Title Credit Hours
SENG 510 Software Project Management 3
SENG 520 Software Analysis and Design 3
SENG 530 Software Verification and Validation 3
SENG 540 Software Evolution 3
SENG 550 Object-Oriented Design of Software 3

Advanced Coursework:

Course Title Credit Hours
SENG 564 Software Engineering of Mobile Applications 3
SENG 581 Quality Software Process Management 3
SENG 585 Software Engineering Economics 3
SENG 660 Engineering Secure Software 3
CPE 538 Intro Computer Security Management 3

Total Hours: 30

Your future in Software Engineering

It is our goal that in the first five years after graduation our students will:

  • Apply software engineering practices to solve complex problems by analyzing and assessing needs and implementing improvements.
  • Achieve success and proficiency in the software engineering profession by making significant contributions to technology advancements.
  • Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed decisions in software engineering practices.
  • Advance as a team member or lead engaged in the software engineering discipline.

The Benefits to Choosing Our Program

The Master of Science in Software Engineering is one of the best online graduate software engineering programs. The Statler College programs have been ranked among the top universities in the nation including the best software engineering degree, most affordable online software engineering degree, and the best online graduate programs for over five years.

Career Outlook for Software Engineering

The Master’s Degree in Software Engineering will prepare you for a career in the following occupations (please note list is not indicative of all options): software developer, quality assurance analysts and testers, computer systems analysts, computer systems engineers and architects, and postsecondary engineering teachers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take me to earn my Software Engineering Master's Degree?

Completion of the Master’s Degree in Software Engineering should take a student 24 months to complete. The degree has a total of 10 courses, 30 credit hours and approximately 15-18 hours of work per week.

How would you rate the coursework demand for Software Engineering Master's Degree?

Prior students have described the demand for the course as flexible and doable. Our student testimonials are a great resource into how to make the most of an online learning experience.

Will my online degree be respected?

Yes, an online degree holds just as much weight as a traditional degree. Most employers don’t even differentiate between the two.

Is an online Software Engineering degree worth it?

As more products incorporate software, professionals such as software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers can expect a surge in job opportunities. This trend is exemplified by the growing demand for software systems in consumer electronics, IoT-connected devices, and electric vehicles. The employment prospects for these professionals are expected to increase significantly, with a projected growth rate of 25 percent from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

What access can I expect to have to professors?

You can expect access to professors and fellow students through email, discussion boards and Zoom; in fact, many of our students testimonials have mentioned faculty engagement.

What do employers think of online Software Engineering degrees?

Employers hold online engineering degrees from a regionally or nationally accredited school, in high regard. According to a CareerBuilder.com survey, an overwhelming 83 percent of employers believe that online degrees provide a quality education that is equivalent to that of a more conventional, on-campus experience.

What kind of jobs can I get with a Master’s Degree in Software Engineering?

Jobs in this field can include but are not limited to the following careers: software developer, quality assurance analysts and testers, computer systems analysts, computer systems engineers and architects, and postsecondary engineering teachers.

How much does a master's degree increase your salary?

As with most occupations, additional opportunities may arise with increased education and experience.

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Email: WVUOnlineInquiry@mail.wvu.edu

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