Propel Your Career in Technology Innovation
Earn your Master of Science in Software Engineering at the University of Michigan-Flint to elevate your technical skill set and embark on an exciting professional career. With both online and on-campus program formats available, you can pursue your graduate education without pausing your career.
In our master’s program, you learn the core software engineering principles, build a robust computer science foundation, and enhance your expertise. Additionally, you specialize in your master’s degree program by choosing one of our seven concentrations:
- Artificial Intelligence Engineering
- Embedded Software Engineering
- Mobile Development
- Games, Human-Centered Software Engineering and Augmented Virtual Reality Development
- Cyber Security
- Information of Things and Cloud Engineering
- Data Engineering.
No matter your previous experience, our graduate program meets you where you are. We offer fast-track courses and non-credit certificates in Algorithms, Programming, and Data Structures to get you up to speed and ready to take graduate-level courses.
On This Page
Why Choose UM-Flint’s Software Engineering Master’s Degree Program?
Flexible Online or On-Campus Formats
UM-Flint offers our MS in Software Engineering program 100% online or on campus, depending on your scheduling needs. With this additional flexibility, you can pursue your master’s degree while working or maintaining other commitments.
If you opt for the online program, you can learn in our leading-edge cyber classroom, which seamlessly blends the convenience of online study with the communal aspect of face-to-face interaction.
Preparatory Fast Track for Non-CS Students
If you want to become a software engineer without previous computer science experience, you are welcome to join our master’s degree program! Prior to entering the program, you must demonstrate proficiency with algorithms, object-oriented programming, and data structures to qualify for a computing-related MS program. The following two options are in place to qualify for admission to UM-Flint graduate programs in the College of Innovation & Technology:
- Non-credit certificates in Algorithms, Programming, and Data Structures
CIT offers non-credit certificates in three areas of preparation: Algorithms, Programming, and Data Structures. You must pass the certificate tests with 85% or better and provide proof of successful completion to the Graduate Programs Manager in CIT at [email protected]. These certificates are not for academic credit, are guided self-study of the topics, and take approximately four weeks per certificate. - Fast Track
CIT offers an accelerated “Fast Track” program of five undergraduate courses for students seeking more traditional, slower-paced instruction. The program assists students from any background in preparing for success in CIT graduate programs. Students must earn a grade of C (2.0) or better in each Fast Track course and maintain a B (3.0) or better cumulative grade point average in all Fast Track courses.
Software Engineering students must show proficiency in CSC 175 and 275 (certificates and/or Fast Track courses).
Test Your Skills in Real-World Programming Projects
The fastest way to acquire new skills is through practical application. UM-Flint’s software engineering program creates opportunities for you to put your programming competencies to the test and strengthen your professional development. From collaborating with faculty members on their real-world research projects to teaming up with your peers to tackle in-class projects, you learn to craft innovative solutions and think outside the box.
CIT Non-Resident Graduate Tuition Scholarship
Covers up to 100% of the difference between the residential and non-residential graduate tuition rates.
MS in Software Engineering Curriculum
The curriculum for UM-Flint’s MS in Software Engineering offers a fast-paced graduate education that accelerates skill acquisition and empowers you to excel as a software engineer, designer, developer, programmer, or various other careers in the tech industry.
The core of our software engineering curriculum aims to develop your problem-solving, technical support and training, and software and hardware management abilities. You’ll take classes in advanced software engineering, software architecture and design, software visualization, and more. These courses ensure you have a robust understanding of software engineering principles upon which you can build more specialized knowledge.
After completing your core classes, you advance to choosing your concentration. With seven concentration tracks, you can personalize your master’s degree program to align with your niche professional interests and goals. From cybersecurity to creating human-centered software, our concentration classes support your development as a highly qualified software engineer and sharpen your competitive edge.
In total, the software engineering master’s degree program consists of 32 credit hours, which include:
- 12 credits of required core courses
- 12 credits of concentration courses
- Eight credits of electives or thesis track courses
Review the MS in Software Engineering curriculum.
Concentrations
- Artificial Intelligence Engineering: This concentration provides in-depth knowledge about the principles of building AI systems to create intelligent systems that can complete certain tasks or reach specific goals. The skills covered include Artificial intelligence for IT operations, human-centered design, machine learning, ethics of AI, testing AI systems, edge AI, and beyond.
- Embedded Software Engineering: In this track, you develop the skills to create software systems running in embedded devices. Additionally, you learn in-depth about designing, implementing, testing, and maintaining embedded software within constrained resources, including limited memory, CPU, and energy.
- Mobile Development: This concentration covers the necessary topics for creating, designing, and implementing mobile applications, including agile development, Information of Things, security, and more.
- Games, Human-Centered Software Engineering, and Augmented Virtual Reality Development: Develop the necessary knowledge and skills to become an XR developer/designer/gameplay engineer. These competencies include UX/UI design and an understanding of user-centered design principles, proficiency in XR platforms such as Unity or other emerging products, and programming languages such as C#, C++, and Java.
- Cyber Security Engineering: Learn how to build and enhance secure software applications. In this concentration track, you gain experience evaluating the organization’s security needs and establishing best practices and standards accordingly; designing, implementing, maintaining, overseeing, and upgrading all security measures needed to protect organizations’ data, systems, and networks; responding to all security breaches to the network and associated systems; and troubleshooting all network and security issues and incidents.
- IoT and Cloud Engineering: This concentration covers in-depth knowledge related to software virtualization, DevOps and Containerization, Edge AI, Containers, Cloud Computing, and the design of IoT systems.
- Data Engineering: In this concentration, you gain skills related to programming, database systems, distributed computing systems, and big data technologies.
Thesis or Non-Thesis Track
Whichever concentration you select, you also must choose between the thesis track or non-thesis track to complete the degree program requirements.
In the thesis track, you take eight credits in thesis research courses. Additionally, you must select a faculty member to serve as your advisor, write a research paper, and conduct an oral defense of your thesis before a faculty panel.
If you pursue the non-thesis track, you must complete eight additional credits in graduate-level electrical and computer engineering electives.
4+1 Joint Degree
If you’re a current UM-Flint student, you may wish to consider enrolling in our Joint BS/MS in Software Engineering program. This program allows you to simultaneously earn undergraduate and graduate credits and work toward your bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Program Information Request
At UM-Flint, we provide dedicated staff that work with you as you choose a program to meet your career goals.
For more information about starting your MS in Software Engineering graduate program, contact CIT Graduate Programs at [email protected].
Career Outlook for Software Engineers
The technology industry is rapidly changing and presents many exciting career opportunities. Earning a master’s degree in software engineering helps you stay competitive and develop your computing and leadership skills to pursue high-level career positions.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in the computer and information technology field will grow 25% over the next decade, exceeding the average growth rate in the United States. This heightened rate of employment translates into over 377,000 positions opening annually.
Likewise, careers in software engineering generally offer high earning potential compared to the national average. The median annual wage for related occupations is over $104,000, while the median annual salary for all occupations is $48,060. With the advanced training you receive, you can enrich your career prospects and create a stable life for yourself.
Admission Requirements (No GRE)
If you are interested in applying to UM-Flint’s Master of Science in Software Engineering program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor of Science from an accredited institution. Preference will be given to students with a background in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics field. Applicants who lack eligibility requirements in coursework (Algorithms, Programming, and Data Structure) will be required to complete courses from the prerequisite list by taking the online non-credit certificates option or the Fast-Track option.
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0-point scale.
- Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements may be offered admission. In such cases, admission depends heavily on other indices of the student’s ability to handle graduate-level work. These might include a strong performance GPA in the major and/or other experiences indicative of strong academic ability.
- Applicants with a three-year bachelor’s degree from an institution outside of the U.S. may be eligible for admission at the University of Michigan-Flint if it is determined through the credential review process that the three-year degree completed is equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree.
- The University of Michigan will consider a three-year degree from India equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree if the degrees were earned with a minimum of 60% marks and the awarding institutions have been accredited by India’s National Assessment and Accreditation Council with a grade of “A” or better.
State Authorization for Online Students
In recent years, the federal government has emphasized the need for universities and colleges to comply with the distance education laws of each state. If you are an out-of-state student intending to enroll in this program, please visit the State Authorization page to verify the status of UM-Flint with your state.
Applying to the Master’s in Software Engineering Program
To apply to our MS in Software Engineering program, please submit all of the application materials outlined below:
- Online application for graduate admission.
- $55 application fee (non-refundable).
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Please read our full transcript policy for more information.
- For any degree completed at a non-U.S. institution, transcripts must be submitted for an internal credential review. Read the following for instructions on how to submit your transcripts for review.
- If English is not your native language, and you are not from an exempt country, you must demonstrate English proficiency (additional information can be found below).
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate your scholarly and/or professional ability.
- At least one recommendation must be from an academic reference. This requirement is waived for all University of Michigan Alumni.
- Statement of Purpose describing your objectives for graduate study and reasons for selecting the software engineering program.
- Students from abroad must submit additional documentation.
Please email all additional application materials to [email protected] or deliver them to the Office of Graduate Programs, located at 251 Thompson Library.
This program can be completed 100% online or on campus with in-person courses. Students living abroad may also complete this program online in their home country. For other non-immigrant visa holders currently in the United States, please contact the Center for Global Engagement at [email protected].
As a new academic degree, this program is not currently accepting applications from international students seeking an F-1 visa. This program will accept applications from international students who are required to have an I-20 as soon as authorization from the Department of Homeland Security is received.
Application Deadlines
The Master of Science in Software Engineering program offers rolling admission with monthly application reviews. Submit all application materials to the Office of Graduate Programs by 5 p.m. on the deadline.
- Fall – May 1
- Fall – Aug. 1 (if space permits) (U.S. Citizens and permanent residents only)
- Winter – Oct. 1
- Winter – Dec.1 (U.S. Citizens and permanent residents only)
- Summer – April 1 (U.S. Citizens and permanent residents only)
We encourage all interested applicants to submit their applications and supporting documents early to support a more efficient application process and a quicker admissions decision.
Estimated Tuition and Cost
At the University of Michigan-Flint, your success is not far from reach. We strive to make graduate education accessible by offering competitive tuition rates and helpful financial aid resources to support you as you work toward earning your Master of Science in Software Engineering.
Explore UM-Flint’s tuition and financial aid resources to start planning for your graduate degree.
Transform Your Future at the University of Michigan-Flint
In the Master of Science in Software Engineering degree program from UM-Flint, you build a repertoire of in-demand technical and problem-solving skills so you can envision new possibilities and innovate current solutions. Whether you study on campus or earn your degree online, UM-Flint helps sharpen your competitive edge and position you for success in the tech industry.
Make your career goals a reality—begin your UM-Flint application today! Or, if you have more questions about whether our software engineering master’s program is right for you, request more information.