Software Engineering, MS

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Software engineering represents the fastest growing segment of software professionals, men and women who solve problems and issues in the development of mission-critical software to meet the needs of business and industry. The MS in Software Engineering (MSSWE) at Kennesaw State University prepares students for careers in this field by exposing them to real-time strategies and procedures that will give them a competitive edge in the market. All courses in the program are available both face-to-face and online, and students can decide which delivery mode is best for them for a particular course.

The MS in SWE assumes that students have a significant background in computing. It both deepens and broadens their knowledge of computing, and prepares them for positions of more responsibility in the computing industry, as well as for further postgraduate studies. Students interested in the MS in SWE will typically have a first degree in computing. For those students who are interested in the program but do not have the required prerequisite knowledge, we offer the Graduate Certificate in SWE Foundations.

If any of the following foundation courses in computing has not been taken in another program, these must be completed at the earliest . Other students may satisfy foundation courses by passing an exam during a designated time prior to the first semester of enrollment or by taking these courses.

Foundation Courses

(taken prior to admissions if the student does not have a bachelors degree in computing):

CS 5000 Foundations of Programming
SWE 5123 Advanced Programming and Data Structures
CS 5020 Computer Architectures and Operating Systems
CS 5060 Databases: Design and Applications
CS 5070 Mathematical Structures for Computer Science

Admission Requirements

Meet all KSU Graduate College Admission Requirements.
Resume/Vita required.
Statement of purpose.
Two letters of recommendation.
Undergraduate degree from an accredited university.
Minimum undergraduate degree GPA 2.75. Lower GPA is considered on a case-by-case basis.

Program of Study

Core Courses (21 Credit Hours)

Select one of the following program options (15 Credit Hours)

A. Capstone Option

SWE 7903 - Software Engineering Capstone
12 Credit Hours of 6000-level Software Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or System Engineering courses (at least 2 courses must be from SWE and at most 2 from either CS, IT, or SE)

B. Thesis Option

SWE 7803 - Master’s Thesis (6 Credit Hours over two semesters)
Choose 9 Credit Hours of 6000-Level SWE, CS, IT, or SE courses (at least 2 courses must be from SWE)

Elective SWE Courses

Depending on whether students take the capstone or the thesis option, they are required to complete 4 or 3 elective courses, respectively. In addition to the software electives listed below, students can take any 6000 level courses in Computer Science or Information Technology or approved courses in Systems Engineering, which are listed below. At least two electives must be in Software Engineering.