Master's in software development programs

Master's in software development programs teach advanced technical skills to professionals with and without a computer science background. Program attendees study the software development process, programming languages, and project management skills.

Discover program benefits, common courses, and potential career paths.

What can you do with a master's in software development?

Most industries require the creation of specialized software to help internal processes or connect with customers. Master's in software development graduates can directly or indirectly build new programs through various roles, including software developer, project manager, and computer programmer.

Master's degree-holders can pursue additional education through Ph.D. programs or certifications. Individuals with specialized knowledge may have additional opportunities to pursue advanced positions, including software development lead or AI engineer. With a degree, here are a few of the potential careers that you can pursue:.

• Database administrator
• Data scientist
• Software engineer
• Game developer

Salary expectations for software developers

Software development program graduates can pursue various roles with differing incomes based on experience level, location, and education. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), software developers earned a median annual salary of $132,270 as of May 2023, while computer programmers earned an annual median salary of $99,700 during that same period.

Career outlook for software developers

The BLS projects careers within the computer and information technologies sector to grow much faster than the average career in the next decade. Specific career growth rate may depend on consumer demand, emerging technologies, and government regulations.

Software developer roles represent one of the fastest-growing careers, projected to grow 18% between 2023 and 2033, according to the BLS. However, the Bureau projects computer programmer roles to decrease by 10% within the same time period due to increased automation and efficient professionals.

What do you learn in a graduate software development program?

Master's in software development programs typically take 8 to 24 months and consist of about 30 to 40 credits. Attendees may study the software development cycle, software architecture, and secure coding. Graduates should understand how to create customized programs and solve real-life issues.

Since software development represents a specialized field, graduate programs do not commonly offer additional concentrations within the major. Attendees who wish to study a specific topic may need to take electives or find a relevant internship.

Curriculum for online master's in software development programs

Master's in software development programs offer various curricula that include core and elective courses. The list below highlights common courses found in multiple programs:

• Introduction to software development: This course covers the basic principles of software components, including operating systems, programming languages, and binary code. Students may study C++ and Linux environments.
• Data structures and algorithms: This course discusses various data structure types, including arrays, stacks, and hash tables. Attendees may create algorithms and analyze program complexity and run times.
• Software engineering: Software engineering courses may cover various methodologies and techniques to create software. Enrollees may learn about software design, programming techniques, and testing.
• Secure coding: Secure coding classes teach students secure coding concepts and principles. Students may learn about common security vulnerabilities and methods to identify and solve these issues.
• Mobile application development: This course discusses the creation of software for various mobile platforms. Attendees may study user interfaces, mobile device integrated sensors, and event processing.