Purdue University is offering a new, 100% online Master of Science degree in software engineering designed for professionals who want to enhance their knowledge of how to identify, formulate and solve complex software engineering problems.
Purdue’s online software engineering master’s degree also is designed to develop expertise in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, machine learning, controls, cybersecurity, embedded software, robotics and systems software. Students in the program work as a member of a team to solve software engineering problems and effectively communicate decisions about software design and development, with consideration for global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors as well as public health, safety and welfare.
“There are relatively few universities that offer master’s degrees in software engineering,” said James Davis, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering who has been involved in developing the program. “I think this is a problem for our society, because software governs more and more of our everyday interactions. Purdue’s master’s in software engineering helps fill this need, and it combines two of Purdue’s strengths: excellence and scale.”
The online software engineering master’s degree is an interdisciplinary program that includes focus areas in cybersecurity; embedded software, robotics and controls; machine learning and data science; and systems software. These focus areas are designed to give students hands-on experience in in-demand specialty areas within the software engineering field.
“Together, Purdue electrical and computer engineering and computer science have enormous depth and strength in various aspects of software engineering,” said Mithuna Thottethodi, professor and interim associate head of teaching and learning in Purdue’s Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “Our program leverages that and is designed to offer students who are seeking a career in the software industry a strong foothold. Online delivery broadens access to our program to a wide audience for whom in-person attendance is not practical.”
Online courses are taught by the same internationally known faculty as on Purdue’s flagship campus and with the same level of quality and rigor. Graduates of the program will be prepared for careers in software engineering, systems engineering, software development and other fast-growing fields.
“Purdue’s promise with our online degree programs is that students are getting the exact same degree and, as much as possible, the same experience, as residential students — the same assessments, the same projects, the same professors,” said Milind Kulkarni, professor and Michael and Katherine Birck Head of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “Students will have the opportunity to be on virtual project teams with fellow students from around the world.”
A bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer engineering is good preparation for succeeding in the master’s program. Individuals with related undergraduate degrees and appropriate work experience, such as software development for themselves or others, may be admitted pending review.
Students also should have a working knowledge of relevant topics such as algorithms, compilers, data structures, microprocessors, operating systems, programming languages, calculus, linear algebra, discrete mathematics, and probability and statistics.
Purdue established the first computer science department at an American university in 1962, and its undergraduate and graduate programs have been ranked among the top 20 nationally. Purdue’s online engineering graduate programs are ranked No. 3 by U.S. News & World Report.
“Online education is an area where Purdue is fully committed to innovation and excellence at scale, and it shows as we continue to launch online offerings for professionals in high-impact fields such as software engineering and artificial intelligence,” said Dimitrios Peroulis, Purdue’s senior vice president for partnerships and online.
Ready to take the next step in your software engineering career? Learn more and apply for the next cohort of Purdue’s online master’s in software engineering at the program’s website.
