MSE Engineering Science (Software Engineering)

The MSE in Engineering Science (Software Engineering) focuses on the fundamentals and principles of software engineering. The program provides the knowledge and skills needed by a software engineer or software task leader on large and small projects requiring either agile methodologies or formal capability maturity model integration approaches.

In addition, MSE addresses major software development methodologies, techniques, tools and processes for developing and managing software projects.

Attendance type

Full-time

Credit hours

Study method

Online

STEM-OPT option

Not available

About Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering

The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University is the largest and most comprehensive engineering program in the United States, with 31,752 students enrolled in Fall 2023 and 209 National Merit Scholars for 2022-23. Recognized for its excellence, the school ranks #2 for its online Master’s in Electrical Engineering and #34 overall for undergraduate engineering programs (U.S. News & World Report, 2024).

Students at the Fulton Schools benefit from a globally diverse student body, bringing a wide range of perspectives and ideas to tackle the world’s most significant challenges through engineering and technology.

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ASU degree pathways

Students enrolled at an ASU Cintana Alliance Network institution have the chance to start their courses at their home institution and transfer those credits* to finish their remaining years at ASU.

Models available: Gaduate dual degree and accelerated masters.

Courses at home university

CSE 565: Software Verification, Validation, and Testing

CSE 598: Software Integration and Engineering

CSE 566: Software Project, Process and Quality Management

FSE 501: Technology Entrepreneurship

Courses at ASU

Concentration (3 credit hours)

CSE 591: Software Engineering Principles and Concepts (3)

Restricted Electives (18 or 21 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (0 or 3 credit hours)

CSE 593: Applied Project (3) or

Portfolio (0)

*Transfer eligibility is subject to student performance in bridge courses and Arizona State University transfer requirements.

Featured courses

Software Project, Process and Quality Management

In this course, you’ll learn about project management, risk management, configuration management and quality management. You’ll also encounter simulated project management experiences.

Software Verification, Validation and Testing

In this course, you’ll focus on test planning, requirements-based and code-based testing techniques, tools, reliability models and statistical testing.

Software Engineering Principles and Concepts

In this course, you’ll gain an overview of best practices in software development, including software requirements specification, construction, software verification and validation and software design. You’ll also learn about integrated product and process development, personal and team software processes and project management.

Career opportunities and applicable roles

This master’s degree prepares graduates for advanced study in computing and engineering, and it provides leadership to software engineering development projects and teams. Graduates of the program have experience using the software development life cycle and tools to solve complex, real-world problems.

Application Developer

Computer Programmer

Software Architect

Computer System Analyst

Electronics Engineering Technician

Software Developer

Program Start	Application Deadline
Spring start (January)	December 11, 2024
Fall start (August)	July 25, 2025
Spring start (January)	December 11, 2025