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Dale Dzielski is program director of the master of science in software engineering program at West Virginia University’s Statler College of Engineering. He is also a Project Management Professional (PMP), a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), a Certified SAFe Agilist, and an IEEE Senior Member with 35 years of extensive experience supporting complex, deadline-driven operations with IT professionals across various industries, including federal and state government sectors with related security clearances.
Dzielski led the Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) Supply Chain Technology and Analysis Research (SC-TAR) and Logistics Enterprise Services Integration (LESI) Projects, Defense Enterprise Logistics Technology Analysis (DELTA) and Defense Open Media Environment (DOME) Laboratories, as well as the Joint United States Army and Marine Corps Logistics Interoperability Demonstration (AMLID) Projects. His primary research interests include distance learning environments, collaborative environments, software engineering, effort and risk associated with architecture technical debt, business process management and supply chain, enterprise architecture frameworks, and interoperability.
OnlineEngineeringPrograms: What is something you wish the public understood about software engineering?
Dzielski: Software engineering is not as much about developing code as it is about engineering teams of cross-functional individuals to identify complex real-world problems, design advanced and complex autonomous systems to address those problems, and implement solutions by applying those designs to improve our world. The goal is to make our world a healthier, more efficient and productive work and living environment with improved quality of life in mind.
OnlineEngineeringPrograms: What advice would you give to aspiring students in software engineering?
Dzielski: Focus your energies on excelling at STEAM courses (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) to build a strong educational foundation for advanced higher education courses. Strong communication and social skills (sometimes considered soft skills) are also important. Since software is now used in every area of life, learn as much about how the world works now. Also, begin thinking about ways to solve the world’s biggest problems in the most creative ways.
OnlineEngineeringPrograms: What does the future of the field look like to you?
Dzielski: The present already is incorporating Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI) and advanced Machine Learning (ML) capabilities into Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) processes. There will be more time for the Software Engineer (SE) to be more creative, develop better designs, work more collaboratively with cross-functional teams, and take on newer activities not yet defined to build the future since many remedial activities such as planning, coding, and testing will be more automated using these and newer advanced tools. The universe will become smaller as international teams work around the clock to create a better, more enjoyable future for the next generations.
Dr. Michael J. Pelosi is an associate professor of software engineering in Mercer University’s School of Engineering. He holds a PhD in computer science and information systems from Nova Southeastern University, along with an MPA, MBA, and BS in business administration from City University of Seattle.
With over 30 years of teaching experience, Dr. Pelosi has instructed a wide range of computer science and software engineering courses, predominantly at the graduate level.
Dr. Pelosi’s research interests include artificial intelligence, software engineering, defense applications, and photovoltaic energy modeling. A U.S. Army veteran and entrepreneur, he has also successfully founded and operated a solar energy simulation software company, contributing to research for Sandia National Labs and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. He holds three U.S. patents and is currently focused on securing DARPA research funding.
OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What is something you wish the public understood about software engineering?
Dr. Pelosi: Writing any software program, except for the most trivial and simple program, is very hard. For those who have never coded a single line of computer code in their life, an analogy could be solving a crossword puzzle—[one] that covers 40 pages. And every word has to be 100 percent correct, or by analogy, the software program will not run.
Writing large software is a deeply intellectual and challenging endeavor which is definitely not for everyone. The uniqueness and complexity of writing large computer software programs was first noted formally in 1968 at the first NATO conference on software engineering. That was the first time the term “software engineering” was officially noted and recognized as a body of tools, techniques, and best practices to make writing correct software at scale more like in engineering practice similar to civil, electrical, aerospace, or mechanical engineering.
Since that time, when the difficulty of writing software for the Apollo moon missions was also recognized, the field of software engineering has been rigorously researched and moved forward in devising a plethora of appropriate approaches.
Software engineering has also become a lucrative profession for those willing to tackle the challenges of learning computer science, programming languages, and software development and engineering practices. Anything involving software is covered and included in the software engineering body of knowledge.
OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What advice would you give to aspiring students in software engineering?
Dr. Pelosi: For a student interested in a career in software engineering, any of the STEM majors will work well for a bachelor’s degree. However, most practicing professionals in the field regard a master’s degree in software engineering as the entry ticket to a recognized professional position in software development. A bachelor’s in computer science will work well, or in another scientific or engineering field, as a qualification for a specialty area. For example, a bachelor’s in physics will work well (combined with a master’s in software engineering later) to get a job in a physics research laboratory writing software for simulations research.
Depending on your interest area, a student could select a bachelor’s for that particular industry focus. Another example could be a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering to later work on software for driverless vehicles in the automotive industry. The possibilities are quite extensive, and with robotics and automation in full proliferation, the number of job listings is only slated to increase, according to the experts.
Factories are now tending to have more jobs for technology people than assembly-line workers, as the technology people’s job is to support and program the robots actually doing the assembly work. As a result, for a student, one should select a focus area of their interests and career aspirations, and plan their education in that regard, with the MS in software engineering being the capstone requirement.
OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What does the future of the field look like to you?
Dr. Pelosi: Experts and the Bureau of Labor Statistics are in strong agreement: the future of software engineering remains strong, with job prospects continuing to greatly expand through the foreseeable future. Possibilities in artificial intelligence, cyber security, mechanical engineering for autonomous and electric vehicles, aerospace, and military defense applications are not only extremely lucrative careers with tremendous job benefits but also challenging and rewarding as well. The future is truly bright.
An online software engineering degree can be a benefit to anyone interested in pursuing higher education, whether that’s at the undergraduate or graduate degree level. Some or all of the coursework in an online software engineering degree, whether for a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, may be available through distance-based learning and internet connectivity. Often, all students need is a laptop or personal computer to make a start in their instruction.
Online learning takes away the commitment of commuting to campus and generally allows you to do your coursework and homework assignments on a schedule that fits your needs.
Of course, like with any campus-based program, you’ll have assignments due and papers that certain dates must complete. At the same time, the actual learning component may provide more flexibility, whether reading material online or participating in group assignments and discussions. If you are employed full-time during the day or even at night, you may be able to squeeze in class work on lunch breaks, after work, or on the weekends. Before signing up for online learning, be sure you are well-educated about your options.
Keep reading to discover more about online software engineering degrees.
| School | City | State | Website | Undergrad | Graduate | Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pittsburgh |
PA | www.cmu.edu | 136 | |||
Fullerton |
CA | www.fullerton.edu | 74 | |||
Scottsdale |
AZ | www.asu.edu | 67 | |||
Houston |
TX | www.uhcl.edu | 66 | |||
Kennesaw |
GA | www.kennesaw.edu | 56 | |||
Hoboken |
NJ | www.stevens.edu | 49 | |||
Philadelphia |
PA | www.drexel.edu | 48 | |||
Ocala |
FL | rasmussen.edu | 35 | |||
Fargo |
ND | www.ndsu.edu | 25 | |||
Fairfax |
VA | www.stratford.edu | 21 | |||
Morgantown |
WV | www.wvu.edu | 15 | |||
Dallas |
TX | www.smu.edu | 13 | |||
Macon |
GA | www.mercer.edu | 11 | |||
St. Cloud |
MN | rasmussen.edu | 10 | |||
Greenville |
NC | www.ecu.edu | 8 | |||
Rockford |
IL | rasmussen.edu | 8 | |||
Saint Cloud |
MN | www.stcloudstate.edu | 7 | |||
Fargo |
ND | rasmussen.edu | 7 | |||
San Diego |
CA | www.sdsu.edu | 6 | |||
San Antonio |
TX | www.stmarytx.edu | 4 | |||
Fairfax |
VA | www.viu.edu | 3 | |||
Blue Bell |
PA | www.mc3.edu | 3 | |||
Scooba |
MS | www.eastms.edu | 3 | |||
Green Bay |
WI | rasmussen.edu | 2 | |||
Lubbock |
TX | www.ttu.edu | 2 | |||
University Park |
PA | worldcampus.psu.edu | 1 | |||
Topeka |
KS | rasmussen.edu | 1 | |||
Columbus |
OH | www.devry.edu | 1 | |||
Adelphi |
MD | www.umgc.edu | 1 | |||
Miramar |
FL | www.devry.edu | 1 | |||
Los Angeles |
CA | www.usc.edu | 1 | |||
Pomona |
CA | www.devry.edu | 1 |
Admission requirements for acceptance into online software engineering programs will vary. At the undergraduate level, the requirements may be general overall and applicable to many different fields of study, not just software engineering. However, a strong knowledge of math and technology could always be beneficial to succeeding in a software engineering program. Students looking at an undergraduate program in software engineering may also need to have a specific high school GPA and need to submit scores from the SAT, or even ACT.
At the graduate level, requirements often become more specific. For online software engineering programs, these could include a 3.0, or similar, grade point average (GPA), background knowledge in the field (usually through a related bachelor's degree), letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and even a statement of purpose. Some schools also may require students to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. (If this is the case at the school you are considering, you may want to consider preparing well in advance, as the GRE is typically a test that students study for).
The process usually begins by filling out an online application, for which there may be fees, and submitting all needed materials before an upcoming deadline. Many online software engineering schools have more than one enrollment date during the year, so if you miss one deadline, you may be able to apply to start the next program. Additional steps may also be needed for international students, including submitting materials earlier, so it is always best to be clear on expectations and requirements beforehand.
The Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is the main accrediting agency in the U.S. that accredits mostly bachelor's level software engineering programs. There are more than 40 ABET-accredited software engineering programs (online and on-campus) in the U.S. ABET reports that accreditation is important for several reasons, including that:
Licensing is not required for the software engineering field, although several related certifications are available through the IEEE. These fall into content areas, such as Software Engineering Management and Software Engineering Process, and include credentialing, such as Software Engineering Management Associate Engineer Certification. Organizations, like Cisco, also offer related software certifications.
Requirements for online software engineering programs will vary from school to school, but in general, they will focus on building skills in software engineering, including through different math and IT types of coursework.
Students in an undergraduate program in online software engineering can start building math, analytical, and engineering skills right along with their general education coursework. Within the first few years, they may learn about programming languages, software enterprise design and analysis, engineering statistics, and more. As they advance, they may learn more about web application programming and mobile systems and even need to complete a capstone project.
Most graduate-level programs in online software engineering expect that students already have the core foundational knowledge to continue in their studies. Students typically gain theoretical and practical skills that are applicable in today's modern software environment and that could range from software construction and design to software project planning and estimation. They also might take classes that are related to database design concepts, software systems architecture, web security, and more.
Many master's degree programs require the completion of 11 to 12 graduate-level courses and also may necessitate students to take a comprehensive exam or complete some type of final project toward the end of their degree program. Some schools also may allow students to pursue software engineering concentrations, which may be found either at the full master's degree or certificate level. This could include a master's degree with a choice to take more classes in management rather than the technical side or vice versa, or even a master's level certificate that offers concentrations in areas, such as:
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University offers an online bachelor of science program in computer science with a concentration in software engineering. Students in this program will learn the fundamental principles and concepts of software engineering that can help give them the experience and skills they need to break into this exciting field.
The 120-credit curriculum of this program will include courses such as UI/UX design and development; emerging systems architectures & technologies; secure coding; software reverse engineering; fundamentals of programming; object-oriented programming; data structure and algorithms; database systems; operating platforms; software development lifecycle; and software security, among others.
At the end of the program, graduates can pursue opportunities such as software engineers, systems architecture designers, UI/UX developers, full-stack developers, and secure software developers.
Penn State University offers a master’s in software engineering that is available 100 percent online. This online program is taught by the same faculty members who teach on campus. Penn State Online has been nationally recognized by the U.S. & News World Report as being among the best schools offering graduate education programming online in engineering. Students in this program gain software development skills which can be used for implementing new technologies.
The program is 36 credits (12 classes) and can be completed in seven-week terms over two years. Accepted students progress along with their learning cohort from the start to finish of the program, and for their final course, complete a software project allowing them to incorporate the knowledge they have gained. Sample some of the coursework: Software construction; requirements engineering; software systems architecture; software system design; software project management; and software testing.
Applicants to the program must have a baccalaureate degree (or a comparable degree) from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, official transcripts from each institution attended, a current resume, a statement of intent, and TOEFL or IELTS scores for international applicants.
Graduates of the program will be able to creatively and critically manage and plan the development of software-intensive systems using project management tools and methods. They will be able to communicate effectively and work collaboratively. Graduates will also be able to demonstrate mastery of methods and concepts to model, design, develop, and test software solutions using contemporary and legacy environments.
The master of science in software engineering degree available at West Virginia University is offered through distance-based education and is 30 credits in all. Courses in this program are hosted online through Coursera’s learning platform.
This master’s degree provides students with the expertise needed for a better understanding of the holistic development, management, and design processes of software systems and applications. Students will learn to identify client and user needs and gain the necessary skills to implement or create software-based solutions. Some of the courses in the curriculum are software project management; software analysis and design; software verification and validation; software evolution; object-oriented design; and software engineering economics.
To get accepted into the program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related major, a minimum GPA of 3.0, official transcripts, a current resume, and proof of English language proficiency for international students, among others.
Both a master’s in software engineering and software systems engineering are offered through distance learning at Mercer University, based out of Macon, Georgia. Students not only learn how to program proficiently in Java, C++, or C#, but also develop capabilities that include enterprise architectures, software architectures, software testing, and/or software security. Students learn to define, analyze, and solve complex problems and learn to communicate technical aspects of those solutions to technical audiences.
Both programs are 30 credits long. The curriculum explores topics such as object-oriented design, advanced computational techniques, software tests, software architecture, software security, software risk management, and database design in software engineering.
The MSE in software engineering is for students with undergraduate degrees in engineering, while the master of science in software systems degree is designed for students with undergraduate degrees in subjects other than engineering, e.g., computer science.
University of Maryland Global Campus
The University of Maryland Global Campus' master of science in information technology is a distance-learning program with numerous specializations, including one in software engineering. This specialization provides developers with advanced software design, coding, and methodology techniques. They learn about object-oriented and aspect-oriented programming and the techniques and principles for leading a software development team.
The program comprises 36 credits, out of which nine are for core courses and the remaining 27 are for specialization courses. Students with no recent programming coursework may be encouraged or required to take necessary computer programming courses before starting the program. As part of the program, students will delve into computer systems architecture; information systems analysis, modeling, and design; information technology project management; modern software methodologies; relational database systems; and software design and implementation.
The major admission requirements for the program include a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited degree-granting university or college, a completed application, official transcripts, and English language proficiency for international students.
The program teaches students about the basics of developing and testing software, designing software using UML models, writing software documents, analyzing, designing, and implementing information systems, planning projects, building teams, and creating and modifying effective control mechanisms.
Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering offers an online bachelor of science (BS) in software engineering, helping students acquire proficiency in modeling and coding while practicing creative problem-solving. Students in this program will complete software engineering projects during each semester of this program. The classes offered in this program will help students build skills in areas such as database management, programming fundamentals, physics & mechanics, calculus for engineers, and computer and operating system management.
To apply, students must possess a high school diploma, an ACT score of 24, or a SAT Reasoning score of 1,210 for Arizona residents, a completed online application, and a grade point average of 3.0 in competency courses.
The program consists of 120 credits, including courses such as object-oriented programming and data structures; principles of programming; computer organization and assembly language programming; computer systems fundamentals; principles of distributed software systems; and engineering secure software systems.
At the end of the program, graduates can take up roles such as software developers, computer programmers, web developers, software engineers, and computer software quality engineers.
Apart from the bachelor’s, ASU also offers an online master of science in engineering with a concentration in software engineering with 30 credits.
Drexel University’s online master of science program in software engineering provides students with the foundational knowledge of key software engineering topics such as software architecture and design, systems analytics, and engineering management. This online program is ideal for software engineering working professionals interested in managerial and technical software work. The faculty of the program includes accomplished professionals and prepared educators in the software engineering field.
Applicants to the program must have a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0, a completed application, official transcripts from all universities or colleges attended, one letter of recommendation, a 500-word essay, a current resume, and TOEFL scores for international students. GRE scores are not required for admission.
The program requires the successful completion of 45 credits. The curriculum consists of courses such as software design; software reliability and testing; software architecture; software project management; requirements engineering and management; distributed systems software; and security engineering.
The program graduates can take up roles such as applications developers, chief technology officers, computer and information systems managers, cybersecurity managers, software architects, and systems developers.
Brandeis University offers a fully online master of software engineering program with a real-world curriculum regularly refreshed through rigorous reviews by industry leaders. Students learn to design, develop, validate, and maintain software systems. They will learn to build software solutions using different languages, best practices, and technologies.
The major admission requirements include a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or equivalent, official transcripts from every college or university attended, a statement of goals, a current resume, one letter of recommendation, and TOEFL or IELTS scores for international students. GRE or GMAT scores are not required for admission.
The 30-credit program includes courses such as expert software development in Java, software development methodologies, software testing techniques, software engineering studio, software development in C++, network security, and object-oriented design with UML. Students can also choose a concentration in cybersecurity.
Upon completion, graduates can apply software engineering best practices for designing, developing, operating, and maintaining software systems, communicating with team members, and building software solutions using different technologies. They can take up roles such as market solutions managers, software engineers, senior software engineers, systems engineers, section managers, systems specialists, and many more such roles.
East Carolina University offers an online industry-recognized master of science in software engineering degree program, equipping graduates with the necessary skills to design, develop, test, and maintain reliable, high-quality software systems.
Admission requirements for the program include an undergraduate degree in software engineering, computer science, computer engineering, information systems, electrical engineering, or a related discipline, a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0, GRE test scores, and TOEFL scores for international students.
The program comprises 30 credits, including courses such as software engineering foundations; software project management; and foundations of software testing; among others.
East Carolina University also offers an on-campus bachelor of science degree in software engineering with 120 credits.
Kennesaw State University offers an online master of science in software engineering, preparing students for a wide variety of careers in this software engineering field by exposing them to real-time procedures and strategies, which will ultimately give them a competitive edge in today’s market.
For admission to the program, applicants must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited university, a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.75, two letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a current resume.
The program consists of 30 credits, including courses such as requirements engineering; software project planning and management; software architecture; software testing and verification; web service engineering; and software evaluation and measurement, among others.
Students in this program will learn about designing and building high-quality software and will be exposed to real-world procedures and strategies that will give them a competitive edge in the market.
Notably, Kennesaw State University also offers a 120-credit bachelor of science program in software engineering that is fully accredited by ABET.
Many of the programs offering online software engineering degrees do not require campus visits throughout the year as online programs in other fields, like nursing, may do. That said, some on-campus attendance may still be required for the program that you enroll in, allowing you to meet with other students in your learning cohort or become more familiar with the overall program or the instructors who will be teaching.
On-campus visitation also may be necessary for thesis requirements or to complete a comprehensive final exam that has to be passed before a degree can be granted. Again, these visitation requirements will vary from school to school, but it may be in your best interest to be clear on these upfronts.
When it comes to selecting the right online software engineering program for you, many factors can impact your decision. These can range from overall cost to the time needed to complete the program, whether part-time enrollment is available, and even whether a school accepts transfer credits.
Another consideration may be whether on-campus visits are required and, if yes, whether you are available to travel to school and have the funds to do so. The quality and reputation of the program are also important, as are the overall skills and depth of knowledge of the professors. You may want to ask about the success stories of graduates and how many students who enroll in the program complete it to be able to more appropriately assess a program.
Prospective software engineers may be interested in learning the field’s average annual salaries. The BLS does not track details for software engineers in particular. However, it does have details for software developers.
According to the BLS (May 2023), the average annual salary for 1,656,880 software developers across the U.S. is $138,110, significantly higher than the average mean wage for all occupations nationally ($65,470). Software developers working in web search portals, libraries, archives, and other information services earned the highest salaries, followed by taxi and limousine services.
In more precise terms, here’s a breakdown of the annual wage percentiles of software developers in the U.S.:
| United States | |
|---|---|
| Number of Software Developers Employed |
1,656,880 |
| Annual Mean Wage |
$138,110 |
| 10th percentile |
$77,020 |
| 25th percentile |
$101,200 |
| 50th percentile |
$132,270 |
| 75th percentile |
$167,540 |
| 90th percentile |
$208,620 |
Additionally, data from PayScale (2024), a site using self-reported salaries, indicates that software engineers earn the following salaries:
Job opportunities for software developers are expected to grow 26 percent from 2022 to 2032, according to the BLS (2024). This is more than eight times the average growth projected across all occupations during that decade (3 percent).
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