Get a Master's in Software Engineering

Software engineering experts are in demand and will likely continue to be in demand as the technology-focused business environment expands.

Software engineers are the creative minds that analyze the needs of computer users to design and develop software applications to answer these needs. Software engineers are problem-solvers who are building the digital landscape, creating everything from operating systems, Internet browsers, and apps, to applications that run machinery, assembly lines, ATM machines, and specialized business processes.

A master’s in software engineering from Florida Tech gives graduates a comprehensive background in mathematics, computer science, and computer organization to become a software engineer. This degree gives students a disciplined, systematic approach to the field so they can implement and manage the development, maintenance, and evolution of software products.

When choosing a university for a software engineering master’s degree, consider Florida Tech where the curriculum blends classroom education, professional hands-on research experiences and the opportunity for internships for real-world career preparation.

International Reputation

Florida Tech has offered world-class engineering and technical education for more than 50 years. Innovative multidisciplinary programs, field research opportunities, faculty research mentorships, publishing opportunities, and conferences give students a real-world view of what their technology career will encompass once they receive a software engineering master’s degree. The university attracts faculty members from around the globe who are well-known researchers and experts in their field.

Florida Tech has long been recognized for the vast research opportunities available to students as part of its engineering education program. The master’s in software engineering degree combines classroom learning with hands-on field work similar to the challenges facing the industry, which provides students a chance to develop imaginative solutions to complex engineering problems.

Experienced Faculty and Professional Learning Environment

The Florida Tech learning environment is designed for collaborative study, giving those graduate students who are already industry professionals an advanced program of study they can apply to their work. Students earning a master’s in software engineering have access to state-of-the-art computing laboratories and a full suite of software development tools, including the software evolution lab, where they can further their expertise and do advanced research. The faculty at Florida Tech brings years of industry experience to the classroom, providing master’s in software engineering degree students with real-world understanding of the field.

Flexible Academic Opportunities

Professors provide an atmosphere of mentorship for students as well as real-world insight and experience on important topics in the field. Many classes are offered online or in the evenings to make it easier for working professionals to earn their degree. The curriculum in a software engineering master’s degree program covers a wide range of technology topics that prepare graduates for a challenging work environment.

Software engineering training at Florida Tech involves an integrated, interdisciplinary approach aimed at preparing graduates for a technology career. Florida Tech’s focus on research provides students the ability to work individually and collaboratively with faculty and fellow students in topical research areas, including:

• Computer security, malicious code, and information protection
• Software product architecture and design
• Software testing
• Process improvement and quality assurance
• Software maintenance and evolution
• Secure software development

Harris Institute for Assured Information

Founded in 2009, the Harris Institute brings together computer science, psychology, business, and biology to carry out cutting-edge research in computer security. A partnership with Harris Corp., a corporate leader in cybersecurity based in Melbourne, Florida, the institute is one of the primary sources for graduate-level information assurance and cybersecurity research at Florida Tech for solving real-world cybersecurity problems. In addition to their own resources, the Harris Institute for Assured Information actively collaborates with the Institute for Human Machine Cognition in Pensacola and Ocala, Florida, to offer additional resources.

The Research Portal and the Research Recap Project

The university is dedicated to preparing graduates for success who have the expertise to enter managerial roles in innovative companies focused on groundbreaking technological solutions. Since software solutions are part of nearly every aspect of our home and work life, master’s level software engineering training utilizes graduates’ knowledge and research experiences to create experts able to craft unique technology solutions.

Florida Tech also offers a research portal where students receiving software engineering training for a master’s degree can learn more about cutting-edge research in which they can participate.

Working toward a software engineering master’s degree involves a research recap project that prepares graduates for the type of work they’ll do on the job, working with colleagues and faculty. Florida Tech professors also involve students in projects related to machine learning, computer vision, biologically inspired computing, data mining, cryptography, speech recognition, and more.

Today’s digital technological environment continues to expand in every facet of our lives. Software engineering careers are available in nearly every segment of the economy, which gives Florida Tech graduates a strong outlook for job options and long-term career growth.

Software engineers are employed by computer system design companies, product manufacturing firms, software developers, and companies creating applications either in their own business or for use by others. Software engineering careers are typically collaborative, with engineers working on teams to design, develop, and program successful software and systems.

There are various roles in software engineering careers and a wide range of duties depending on the type and size of the company. Some engineers have the vision to create software, analyze computer user needs, or construct flowcharts to conceptualize solutions, while other engineers collaborate with programmers, perform usability testing, and supervise upgrades and maintenance.

No matter what role a graduate chooses for their career, each demands diverse and thorough technical expertise.

Career Outlook

The US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts demand for software engineers to grow 22% through 2022, with employment of applications developers projected to grow 23% as technology continues to diversify the demand for software. This includes industries such as healthcare and new solutions for growing mobile applications and computer security. Additionally, software engineering careers will expand in areas where products are becoming computerized, such as appliances and cars.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides information on systems management careers as well as hundreds of other occupations, including entry-level education, overall working environment, and employment prospects.

Career Options

• Chief technology officer (CTO)
• Chief information officer (CIO)
• Software developer/architect
• Lead software engineer
• Software integration engineer
• Computer engineer
• JAVA engineer (and other program-specific specialties)
• Software test engineer

Doctoral Program

Students planning to obtain a doctoral degree can do so at Florida Tech, continuing their research and established connections and affiliations without moving to a new university. Scholarships are available for full-time doctoral graduate research assistants.