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Software Engineering, M.S.

Earn your Master of Science in Computer Science 100% online. Learn how to create software, advance your career, and prepare for the future of technology. Offered through the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, this top-ranked program helps you gain the real-world skills you need for the current job market.

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Program quick facts

Course Delivery

100% Online

Total Credits

30

Campuses Hosting

  • Indianapolis

Degree Type

Master of Science

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Degree overview

The M.S. in Software Engineering is purposefully designed to help you stay on top of emerging trends and job requirements. Whether you're looking for backend development or leadership roles, your degree will prepare you to tackle the challenge and make a difference in your career.

At IU Online, you take classes on your own time. While earning your M.S. in Software Engineering, you have 24/7 access to your coursework and campus resources.

You’ll graduate with an Indiana University degree respected by employers worldwide—and you can work on yours anytime and anywhere. Plus, you’ll enjoy personalized support services throughout your academic journey.

And the benefits start long before graduation. More than half of IU Online students advance in their careers before they complete their degree.

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

  • A bachelor's degree
  • A 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
  • Courses in:
    • Calculus
    • Linear algebra
    • Statistics or probability theory
    • Programming
    • Data structures
    • Discrete structures or discrete mathematics

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is optional for master's applicants.

Projected demand for software developers and computer systems engineers and architects is up by more than 20 percent in Indiana (2020-30) and by 18 percent nationally (2023-33). Annual salaries are in the range of $90,000 in Indiana and more than $100,000 nationally.

Software engineering career options include:

  • Software developer
  • Systems engineer
  • Quality assurance (QA) engineer
  • DevOps engineer
  • Data engineer
  • Product manager

To earn your M.S. in Software Engineering, you must complete the necessary 30 credit hours, which includes 6 core credits and 24 specialization credits.

Computer Science core (6 credits)

Foundations (3 credits)

  • CSCI-B 503 Algorithms Design and Analysis (Fall and Spring, on-campus IUI)
  • CSCI-B 505 Applied Algorithms (Fall, online IUB)

Systems (3 credits)

Choose one:

  • CSCI-P 536 Advanced Operating Systems
  • CSCI-P 538 Computer Networks
  • An elective listed below

Software Engineering Specialization (24 credits)

Required (9–12 credits)

Foundations of Software Engineering, including Project Management

This requirement is waived for students who have completed a bachelor's in computer science or software engineering or who have tested out based on relevant software engineering coursework or experience.

  • CSCI-P 565 Software Engineering I

Advanced Software Design and Architecture

  • CSCI-P 532 Object-Oriented Software Development

Software Testing and Quality Assurance

  • CSCI-P 567 Software Quality Assurance

DevOps and Cloud-Native Software Engineering

  • CSCI-P 566 Software Engineering II

Electives (6–9 credits)

Choose two:

  • CSCI-B 516 Engineering Cloud Computing
  • CSCI-B 544 Security for Networked Systems
  • CSCI-B 547 Systems and Protocol Security and Information Assurance
  • CSCI-B 547 Systems and Protocol Security and Information Assurance
  • CSCI-B 551 Elements of Artificial Intelligence
  • CSCI-B 555 Machine Learning
  • CSCI-B 561 Advanced Database Concepts
  • CSCI-B 561 Advanced Database Concepts
  • CSCI-P 556 Applied Machine Learning
  • ENGR-E 516 Engineering Cloud Computing
  • DSCI-D 532 Applied Database Technologies
  • INFO-H 541 Interaction Design Practice
  • INFO-H 543 Interaction Design Methods
  • INFO-H 563 Psychology of Human–Computer Interaction
  • INFO-H 570 Experience Design for Tangible and Embodied Systems

Project (6 credits)

  • CSCI-Y 794 Master's Project: Software Engineering

Program cost information

Plan your finances

Program cost can vary by campus, resident status, and type of program. Use the resources below to get accurate cost estimates for your specific situation.

Contact Student Financial Services at iuosfs@iu.edu for cost information.

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