In-person and online
Full time or part time
Two years (full time);
Three years (part time)
The Master of Science in software engineering prepares students to become leaders in the field with a balanced approach to teaching management skills – such as directing programming teams, scheduling and budgeting – and technical expertise necessary to succeed.
Many courses are based upon those proposed by the Software Engineering Institute, specifically founded by the Department of Defense to assist in the development of a solid foundation for this maturing field.
This dual-degree program is geared toward recent graduates as well as early-career professionals who desire to broaden and deepen their skills and become leaders in technology.
Envisioning a brighter future? Think grad school at SMU, where you join a lifelong family network and see immediate returns on your educational investment. Take your new big step at SMU.
Our graduates consistently secure positions at leading companies and organizations in both the private and public sector. SMU software engineering master’s students gain skills they can immediately apply in the workforce and become leaders across industries, finding innovative solutions in this critically important field.
Best National Universities
U.S. News & World Report (2026)
Average starting salary for M.S. software engineering graduates (2024)
Graduate student-to-faculty ratio
SMU Lyle alum and software engineering manager Kathy Nik ’21 shares how Lyle catalyzed decades-long success in national defense leadership.
He developed a quantum-powered platform for securing AI models against cyberattacks.
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All the essential admission requirements international students need to know.
Find answers to Lyle application questions.
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Explore the cost breakdown of tuition for graduate programs.
Find information on scholarships and financial support available at SMU.
CS 7315
Prepares students to plan, lead and manage software development, covering scheduling, risk, budgeting, scope, lifecycle models, quality assurance and process improvement.
CS 7319
Explores the role of design in the software life cycle, including different approaches to design, design trade-offs, and modeling object-oriented solutions.
CS 7312
Explores user interfaces, integrating HCI, usability metrics, user-centered design, and interaction styles from GUI to VR/AR, to create effective, user-friendly experiences.
Grow as an engineer with collectives that promote leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Get practical experience to develop industry skills, build a professional network and gain valuable insights. Internships can open doors to future opportunities and contribute to long-term career success.
Explore interests, develop leadership skills and connect with like-minded peers.
Apply your classroom knowledge to real-world issues while making a positive impact.
Lyle students and faculty perform research that has global implications, taking advantage of state-of-the-art facilities and funding from government agencies, foundations and private companies.
Our research opportunities include software testing, usability and user experience (UX), software measurement, reliability and safety, and cloud and service computing.
Our distinguished faculty are industry leaders and subject matter experts, bringing real-world experience and industry insights to the classroom. SMU Lyle maintains small class sizes, allowing students to develop meaningful mentorships with their professors.
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Advancing the science, policy, application and education of cyber security through basic and problem-driven interdisciplinary research.
Combines research innovation and industry partnerships to explore how digital twins, AI, virtual reality and more will shape the future of manufacturing.
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There are a wide variety of jobs for individuals with a Master of Science in software engineering, including application engineers, quality assurance analysts, testers, embedded software engineers, computer and information research scientists, and software developers. The most common industries to hire for these roles are manufacturing, software publishers, finance and insurance.
With a high demand and projected 15% job growth over the next decade, getting a master’s in software engineering is a great idea, as it can compel a higher salary, career advancement opportunities and broader skill development.
The average starting salary for SMU graduates of the M.S. software engineering program is $130,888 (2024).
The program is 30 credit hours, which typically takes full-time students two years to complete and part-time students three years to complete.
The online Master of Science in software engineering program, Lyle Anywhere®, is often obtained by working professionals, which allows them to choose synchronous online, Weekend Format or recorded classes.
Yes, M.S. software engineering grad students have multiple research opportunities that directly complement the program: software testing, usability and user experience (UX), software measurement, reliability and safety, and cloud and service computing.
The advantage to completing the dual M.S. in Engineering/M.B.A. program is to gain the necessary breadth and depth in business, management and technology acumen as a means to prepare for leadership roles at technology firms.
As a highly trained software engineer, you’ll be able to support digital transformation in business environments and improve efficiency, customer experience, data-driven decision making and overall competitiveness.
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