In today’s digital age, where everything is automated, software engineering has been a highly demanded career. Pursuing a masters in software engineering can be one of the best decisions that someone interested in software engineering can make. By obtaining a masters in software engineering, you can gain a competitive advantage in the field and stand out in the market as a potential software engineer. Let’s first understand what software engineering is before we dig into the benefits of pursuing a masters degree in software engineering.
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What is Software Engineering
Software engineering is, simply, the process of understanding user requirements, and then creating software systems that satisfy those requirements. Creating software serves the main purpose of solving real-world problems that would’ve been significantly more difficult without it. Creating a software involves designing, building, and testing the software before deploying it to the real world. An important feature of a software is that it should be easily scalable. This means that a software should be able to handle increasing workloads and accommodate growth. All those tasks require certain skills that you can master by getting a masters in software engineering.
Software engineers use multiple programs and applications to create software that satisfies the requirements. Also, software engineers implement algorithms, create data structures, handle user interfaces, integrate with databases, and perform other tasks to develop software applications. Although programming might seem like the only thing a software engineer does, there are other things that a software engineer is responsible for. For example, a software engineer is expected to design and manage software systems, test new software applications, and optimize the speed and scalability of a software. Additionally, software engineers need to consult with customers, other engineers, security experts, and other parties that are involved in the creation of the software.
Importance of Software Engineering
The role of software engineers is a very important one in today’s world as they have a huge impact on our lives. Good software engineers are aware that they can make a difference in the world and choose to create useful programs that would help everyone. That’s why earning a masters in software engineering can be a crucial step that would allow you to use your knowledge to make a positive impact on the world. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of getting a masters in software engineering and why you should do it.
Benefits of Pursuing a Masters in Software Engineering
Networking Opportunities
While you are getting your masters in software engineering degree, you will meet many professionals that are going to be a great resource for advancing your career. Most universities have career centers that help students prepare for their careers while still studying. For instance, the university that you are getting your masters degree in software engineering from will be able to connect you to alumni that might give you an opportunity at an internship while studying or an entry level job after completing the program. Also, your professors and classmates are great resources that will help you advance in your career. By having the required skills through earning a masters in software engineering and expanding your network, you can be confident that you have a bright career ahead.
Software Engineering Skills
Even if you think you have enough software engineering skills from your undergraduate degree, you are most likely to develop new skills and expand your knowledge about several topics by pursuing a masters in software engineering. In your masters in software engineering you will become more proficient in several skills like system design and architecture, software development lifecycle management, data analysis and machine learning, and programming. Masters programs focus on teaching their students the principles of system design and architecture where students get to learn how to understand requirements, design software systems, and create scalable architectures.
Similarly, students participating in a masters in software engineering program get to learn in detail about the software development lifecycle which includes but is not limited to analyzing the requirements, testing the software, and running it through quality assurance. Also, in an era where tons of data is surrounding us, graduate students will learn to use data analysis and machine learning to make accurate business about how a business is running or to predict future trends. Moreover, graduates from masters in software engineering programs expand their knowledge of programming skills and are able to develop robust programs that demonstrate their expertise.
Specialization
Graduate students that are pursuing a masters in software engineering have the option to specialize in specific areas that they are interested in. By specializing in a specific area in software engineering, students gain deepened knowledge and skills in that area making them more valuable to potential employers. Some common specializations that are common in the software engineering field are software architecture and design, web development, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
Software Architecture
Graduates with a masters in software engineering will learn about applying software design principles, architectural patterns, and modeling reusable and flexible software systems. In this specialization, students are going to be able to create solutions to recurring design problems, and they will explore the newest trends in software architecture. A software architect creates a plan to address the requirements that are specific to the project that they are working on. They also set technical standards for the project like which tools, software coding standards, and platforms to be used.
Web Development
One specialization for students pursuing a masters in software engineering is web development. Web development is the process that involves developing a website that’s going to be accessed online – on the internet for example. A web developer’s job is to create and maintain a website. Some web developers are responsible for the website’s speed, performance and capacity. There are three types of web developers: back-end developers, front-end developers, and full-stack developers.
A back-end developer is responsible for creating the structure of the website and writing the code that the website is built on. Back-end developers do the work that the users that are interacting with the website can’t see. On the other hand, there are front-end developers, and their main job is to make the website visually appealing. They design the physical layout of each page in the website and are responsible for the graphics. The third type of web developer is the full-stack developer. A full-stack developer is capable of doing what both the front-end and back-end developers do. They have the knowledge and skill to design a fully functioning website on their own.
Artificial Intelligence
A newly emerging trend among graduates pursuing a degree in software engineering, is to specialize in Artificial Intelligence (AI). An AI engineer uses machine learning, deep learning neural networks, and other complex networks of algorithms to train machines to work like a human brain. AI can have several uses. It can be used to predict future trends and make assumptions based on analyzed data for business. Also it can be used to facilitate manufacturing and production, to handle daily tasks, and create smart machines, like smart cars. AI could be applied in simple things as well. For example, the song or youtube recommendations that you get are a result of AI applied through machine learning. Generally speaking AI engineers are focused on creating AI systems that can be applied in the real world.
Cybersecurity
Considering cybersecurity as your specialization as a student pursuing a masters in software engineering can be a great choice. A cybersecurity engineer protects systems from digital attacks and cyber threats. Cybersecurity engineers test their systems against potential threats and make sure to address all the weak points in a system that a hacker might exploit. By getting a masters in software engineering with a concentration in cybersecurity, graduate students will learn about the possible methods a system can be attacked with and how to prevent that.
Timeline and Curriculum
Most masters in software engineering programs take full time students about two years to complete, and some students complete the program in as little as 15 months. However, if you enroll in a part-time program, it could take you between three to four years to complete a masters in software engineering program. Most programs will require students to complete the core courses of the program. Then, students will have the ability to choose elective courses based on their interests or desired specializations. Depending on what the students want, in some programs, students can work on a thesis as they complete the program or they can pick a project heavy curriculum.
A thesis option is usually picked by students that want to focus more on research in their careers, while a project option is usually picked by students that want to gain practical, hands-on experience.
Tuition and fees for each program differ depending on which program you join. However, many programs offer financial assistance through need-based financial aid, merit-based financial aid, fellowships, scholarships, and student loans. Applying for loans could be more difficult for international students, but international students could still receive private loans through specific institutions.
Requisites and Admissions
Although every masters in software engineering program has its own requirements, there are some requirements for admission that most programs have in common. Most programs in the U.S. require students to have completed a Bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer engineering. If not a U.S. Bachelor’s degree, a four year equivalent should suffice. Usually you will need a GPA of 3.0 or higher since it is required to be considered for admission. Also, programs will ask students to submit a resume or a CV, at least one letter of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
Masters in Software Engineering for International Students
A masters in software engineering program qualifies as a STEM program according to the qualifications set by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Graduating from a STEM program allows international students holding an F1 visa to legally work in the U.S. after graduating. Generally speaking, International students have 12 months to legally work in the U.S. via their Optional Practical Training (OPT). However, a STEM degree gives international students an additional 24 months of OPT, which allows international students with a F1 visa to legally work for 36 months after graduating.
International students that come from countries that don’t speak English as their first language are expected to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores to demonstrate their ability to speak the English language. However, some exceptions exist. For example, international students that attended school in the U.S. or attended a school where the language of instruction was English are usually exempt from taking the TOEFL or IELTS exams.
Masters in Software Engineering Post-Graduation Salaries
Graduates with a masters in software engineering have 240% average increase over entry level programmer salary. As of June 2023, the average salary for a master software engineer is $117,527 per year. Although salaries can go up to $170,000 or down to $32,500. Most master software engineers earn between $102,500 and $131,500.
In conclusion, pursuing a masters in software engineering is a great investment for your career. There are many benefits that you gain with earning a masters degree in software engineering, like specializing in a specific area of your interest. There are various job roles that you can work as a masters in software engineering graduate, like software engineer, data analyst, AI engineer, software architect, and web developer. The nice thing is that all jobs that you can get with a masters in software engineering are high paying jobs. The ultimate choice of what job you want to take is yours. Make sure to choose the program that fits your needs so you can be comfortable pursuing your degree.
