Graduate - Master of Science

Software Engineering, MS

Study locally. Graduate globally. Start your degree at your home university and continue your academic journey at Arizona State University through the Cintana Alliance.

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Transfer up to 4 courses (an estimated 12 credits)
ASU Online
NA
Length
NA
Credits
Tuition
OR
On Campus
1 year
Length
18 Credits
Credits
$4,600
Tuition
Same degree from ASU
OPT eligibility
Up to 3 years: 1 year OPT + 2-year STEM OPT extension
Tuition cost and Credit Transfer

Tuition estimates are based on ASU's published 2026–2027 tuition and fee rates and are subject to change. The number of credits that transfer and the length of the one-year timeline may vary by student and by home institution.

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Program description

Software Engineering, MS

This program strengthens students' advanced knowledge and technical ability in designing and building high-quality software systems. The Master of Science in Software Engineering applies core engineering principles to the software development lifecycle, covering design methodologies, operational principles, and approaches to maintenance and testing. Students tackle real-world problems through applied projects, frequently working as part of a development team, while also building professional skills and pursuing research opportunities within the discipline.
Curriculum

Featured courses

Advanced Data Structures and Algorithms

Advanced algorithms and how they are effectively applied to solve problems. Algorithm design, analysis, classification, optimization, and application. Practice implementing and employing algorithms to solve realistic problems.

Foundations of Software Engineering

Software engineering overview, with an emphasis on component and service-based architectures, reliability, safety, dependability and software reuse. Introduces software engineering research methods and critical inquiry.

Software Agility

Focuses on quality software construction principles in an agile community context. Agile methods, open source communities, coding best practices, configuration management, software delivery and building in quality.

Admissions

Admission requirements

Program requirements

For admission requirements, refer to the academic unit program page. Some programs have additional requirements — check with your local Enrollment Advisor for details.

Software Engineering, MS, MS →
Transfer applicants

International graduate and undergraduate transfer applicants should review ASU's international transfer guidance before applying.

https://admission.asu.edu/apply/international/transfer →

Key admission dates & deadlines

Program start
Campus Immersion Online Campus Immersion Online
Application deadline
Classes start
Outcomes

Career opportunities & applicable roles

Graduates are able to design and engineer innovative systems, such as those that include mechanical and electrical components that interact with software. They are prepared for advanced study in computing or in an allied field, or to enter the computing profession, most commonly as an application software engineer. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, software engineers earn competitive salaries with robust job growth projections. Career paths for graduates may encompass creating applications for mobile devices, creating web applications, and designing, creating and validating software for avionics, robotics and similar systems fields.

Career examples include
Application Software Engineer
The school

Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering

The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering is the largest and most comprehensive engineering program in the United States, with students from 150 countries and all 50 states. It offers 28 undergraduate and more than 55 graduate programs across eight schools. Faculty lead high-impact research, including EPIXC, a $70 million clean energy institute funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, and the $39.8 million SWAP Hub supported by the CHIPS and Science Act. The college is also home to five Science and Technology Centers. U.S. News & World Report ranks its graduate engineering programs No. 23 among public universities (2025–2026), and its faculty have received more than 130 U.S. patents and launched 13 startups.

Ready to take the next step in your career?

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