Software EngineeringIcon: laptop with code on display screen.

multiracial group of workers around table with computers

Application Deadline

  • Spring: November 15
  • Fall: July 15

Class begins

  • Spring: January 8, 2024
  • Fall: August 19, 2024

Degree Awarded

Master of Science
in Software Engineering

WSU College

Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture

Enhance Your Skills. Energize Your Career.

WSU’s software engineering master’s program, offered 100% online, is specifically designed for workplace advancement. Ensuring your skills will be in high demand, course requirements were created with input from an industry advisory board that includes representatives from pioneering companies including Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Boeing, Amazon, Ivycorp, and EMC Isilon. 

What You’ll Learn

Employment in software engineering is growing rapidly. As a graduate of WSU’s master’s degree in software engineering, you will be well prepared to apply your knowledge and skills to implement high-quality software, provide innovative solutions, and take leadership roles in industry and government. Graduates can choose to pursue a career as software developer, software engineer, requirements engineer, quality assurance engineer, project manager, and many others.

The program’s cutting-edge curriculum will teach you advanced skills in software design, development, validation, maintenance, management, and security. You’ll be able to identify problems and implement solutions, to document procedures and to exemplify professional standards. You’ll gain an in-depth mastery of one or more subdomains of software engineering through this non-thesis master’s degree. Along with core courses in software requirements and design, the degree includes advanced training in management, leadership, and ethics, skills in high demand from employers.

WSU Software Engineering Program Strengths

  • Employment in software engineering is growing rapidly. For example, software development engineer jobs in Washington State alone grew by 87% in 2012-2013. This, and similar jobs, typically offer six-figure salaries are expected to continue to be in high demand.
  • Online master’s software engineering courses are designed and taught by faculty members at WSU’s world-renowned Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Those faculty members include experts in computer science, data science, software maintenance and evolution, software testing, and security.
Photo: Programmer using a digital tablet while working on a source code at night.

Get Started

To apply for the program, you’ll need a BS degree in computer science or a related field or have had industry experience as a computer scientist or software engineer. For complete admissions information and to apply, visit the WSU Graduate School website.

Applications are currently being accepted.

For more information about the program, please contact Sakire Arslan Ay at sakire.arslanay@wsu.edu or 509-335-4089, or visit the WSU Online Masters in Software Engineering website


Program of Study—31 semester credits

9 credits

  • Cpt S 484: Software Requirements
  • Cpt S 582: Software Testing
  • Cpt S 587: Software Design and Architecture

13 credits

  • Cpt S 581: Software Maintenance
  • Cpt S 583: Software Quality
  • E M 564: Project Management
  • CPT_S 702: Master’s Special Problems, Directed Study, and/or Examination (4 credits) **

** Students should enroll in CPT_S 702 during the final semester

9 credits

  • CPT_S 415: Big Data
  • CPT_S 451: Introduction to Database Systems
  • E M 522: Leadership, Supervision and Management
  • Any other 500-level course in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Math

Please check the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Graduate Handbook for more information.


Sample Study Plans

Flexible Schedule

The online master’s degree in software engineering can be completed in under two years with a full-time course load. Working professionals may prefer to attend part-time for maximum flexibility.

31 credit hours

First Year

First Semester
CourseCredits
Cpt S 484: Software Requirements3
Cpt S 581: Software Maintenance3
E M 564: Project Management3
*Software Engineering Option Course3
Total credit hours12
Second Semester
CourseCredits
*Software Engineering Option Course3
Cpt S 587: Software Design and Architecture3
Cpt S 582: Software Testing3
Cpt S 583: Software Quality3
Total credit hours12

Second Year

First Semester
CourseCredits
*Software Engineering Option Course3
CPT_S 702: Master's Special Problems, Directed Study, and/or Examination 4
Total credit hours7

*Software Engineering Option Course can be CPT_S 415, CPT_S 451, E M 522 or any 5xx level course in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Math. The courses that are not offered online through the proposed degree can be taken locally and transferred into the program upon approval by the Graduate Studies Committee.

31 credit hours

First Year

First semester
CourseCredits
Cpt S 484: Software Requirements3
*Software Engineering Option Course3
Total credit hours6
Second Semester
CourseCredits
Cpt S 587: Software Design and Architecture3
E M 564: Project Management3
Total credit hours6

Second Year

First Semester
CourseCredits
Cpt S 581: Software Maintenance3
*Software Engineering Option Course3
Total credit hours6
Second Semester
CourseCredits
Cpt S 583: Software Quality3
*Software Engineering Option Course3
Total credit hours6

Third Year

First Semester
CourseCredits
CPT_S 702: Master's Special Problems, Directed Study, and/or Examination4
Cpt S 582: Software Testing3
Total credit hours7

*Software Engineering Option Course can be CPT_S 415, CPT_S 451, E M 522 or any 5xx level course in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Math. The courses that are not offered online through the proposed degree can be taken locally and transferred into the program upon approval by the Graduate Studies Committee.