The Best Online Master’s in Software Engineering

As a master of software engineering, you’ll have the chance to pursue an independent research topic of your own design. Possible areas of specialization include:

• Computer Network Security
• Hardware and Computer Architecture
• Big Data and Analytics
• Software & Systems Development
• Applications Development

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A master’s degree in software engineering could be a pathway into a variety of industries, including:

• Gaming
• Telecommunications
• Cybersecurity
• Finance
• Healthcare Informatics

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This versatile engineering degree can open the door to a number of exciting career options. With a master’s degree in software engineering, you could:

• Manage computer system overhaul for a retail chain
• Oversee the in-house IT-team for large office building
• Train teachers adapting to online learning technology
• Serve as cybersecurity compliance office for a financial firm
• Become a project manager for a gaming company

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You can earn a master's degree in engineering online. However, as with your bachelor's degree in engineering, you'll want to make sure that your online master's degree program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Only degrees from ABET-accredited institutions will be viewed as credible by employers, professional associations, scholarly journals, and others.

To learn more, find out what you can do with an online master's degree in engineering.

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Accreditation is important in higher education, but it takes on added importance in certain fields. Engineering is one of them. Engineering accreditation is actually an essential requirement if you plan to become a licensed Professional Engineer (PE). So in addition to seeking out a college or university with accreditation from a Department of Education-recognized accreditor, you should also seek out a school with an engineering program that has earned programmatic accreditation. In the engineering field, programmatic accreditation must be granted by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) in order for the resulting degree to confer licensing eligibility.

To learn more, visit our Guide to Programmatic Accreditation for Engineering.

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Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)

The Master of engineering is considered a terminal degree in the field. This is the highest credential you can earn without pursuing a Master of Science degree. You will typically be required to choose a specialization and complete a practicum or final project (as opposed to a thesis). A Master of engineering degree does not qualify you to pursue a PhD in the field.

Master of Science in Engineering (M.Sc.Eng)

The Master of Science in Engineering degree is required as a basic qualification for enrolling in a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering program. If you plan to pursue your PhD in the field, which would qualify you to conduct research or teach engineering at the postsecondary level, you would need to earn your M.Sc.Eng. The Master of Science degree program typically requires the completion of a thesis based on your own original research question and undertaking.

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Your online master's in engineering program will likely require the following:

• A bachelor's degree in engineering or a closely related subject from an ABET-accredited undergraduate program;
• A minimum 3.0 GPA in your undergraduate studies; and
• Any prerequisite math or science courses that might not have been included in your undergraduate degree program.

Additionally, some engineering masters programs may require you to complete a Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Because engineering is an interdisciplinary subject, some graduate schools may alternately accept, or require, The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). If the GRE or GMAT is needed, your program may either require a general exam, or a GRE specific to the subject of engineering. Some programs may require you to meet a certain scoring threshold while others may merely require that you complete the exam. These requirements will vary from one engineering master's program to the next.

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An online master's degree in engineering will usually require you to earn between 30 and 50 credits, depending on the nature of your program.. For full-time students, this can typically be completed over the course of two to three years. Part-time students who are balancing their online education with job responsibilities and commitments to home and family may require longer. Your area of concentration or specialization may play a determinant role in the length of your commitment.

If you're interested in bundling your online bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering into a single program, learn more about Accelerated 4+1 Online Engineering Degree Programs.

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Engineering societies are an essential part of the engineering discipline and professional sector. In addition to the numerous benefits that these professional associations provide to members, many of the leading engineering societies also play a direct role in granting accreditation to degree programs and awarding licenses to professional engineers. It's a good idea to become familiar with the engineering societies, professional associations, and student-run groups that represent the engineering field. This can be especially appealing if you're working toward an online engineering degree. The following are some noteworthy professional engineering societies:

• Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET)
• American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
• Order of the Engineer
• National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
• Society of Women Engineers
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

For a closer look, check out our Guide to the top Professional Engineering Associations.

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