MS in Software Engineering
Overview
Overview
The M.S. in Software Engineering caters to students interested in software engineering and also other contemporary topics of long-term value to the industry. Most early careers in the industry are based on either software development or managerial aspects of software development. This degree places more weight on software development. For those seeking a greater focus on managerial aspects, we offer the M.S. in Information Technology.
STEM Designation
With a national shortage of professionals trained in STEM-related fields, employers are actively pursuing STEM degree holders. Distinguish yourself in technology with a STEM-designated degree.
The MS in Software Engineering has been granted a STEM designation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The program achieved STEM designation because of its emphasis on teaching students how to solve software engineering problems with a suite of quantitative and technological tools.
Under this STEM classification, international students can extend their training in the U.S. by working in their field of study. Students can qualify for a 24-month OPT (Optional Practical Training) Extension, bringing the total OPT time granted to 36 months.
Curriculum
This program is for students entering the program in Spring 2014 or later. If you were enrolled in the program prior to Spring 2014 you may use the older degree requirements located here.
- Features Common to all Programs
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- See the Master Programs' Prerequisites.
- Each program requires a total of 30 credit hours, generally 10 three-credit courses.
- Students can receive up to 6 credit hours (replacing two of our courses) for graduate work taken elsewhere: See the transfer credit section of the Graduate Student Handbook for details.
- Students who have taken undergraduate Loyola classes: Many 400-level courses in the department have closely related 300-level analogs, e.g. COMP 443: Computer Networks and COMP 343: Introduction to Computer Networks. Students who enter the MS program after taking a Loyola course in this category must choose to take 400-level courses that are not closely related to any 300-level courses taken earlier unless they have GPD permission.
Overall, to achieve depth and breadth, Software Engineering students must complete the following:
- Two (2) required courses addressing ethical and social issues in the computing field and a firm base in object-oriented programming.
- Three (3) courses from restricted categories to ensure a strong software engineering center, while still allowing considerable flexibility of interests.
- Five (5) courses or 15 credits are general electives.
Major Requirements (6 credits)
- COMP 413: Intermediate Object-Oriented Development (prereq to some other courses - take early!)
- COMP 417: Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues in Computing
Restricted Electives (9 credits)
MSSE students must take at least one course from the following Group 1 list:
- Group 1
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- COMP 424: Client-Side Web Design
- COMP 433: Web Services Programming
- COMP 434: Enterprise Software Development
- COMP 437: Concurrent Programming
- COMP 439: Distributed Systems
- COMP 442: Server-Side Software Development
- COMP 460: Algorithms and Complexity (note special prereq, COMP 363: Design and Analysis of Computer Algorithms )
- COMP 471: Programming Languages
- COMP 473: Object-Oriented Programming
- COMP 474: Software Engineering
Most of these Group 1 courses require COMP 413: Intermediate Object-Oriented Development as a prerequisite. Exceptions are Comp 424, 474, and 460.
MSSE students must also take two additional courses from either the list above or the following Group 2 list:
- Group 2
If a student enters the program with an academic record of success in a course similar to COMP 413: Intermediate Object-Oriented Development, or if the student can demonstrate programming experience with the concepts of COMP 413: Intermediate Object-Oriented Development, then the Graduate Program Director may substitute for the COMP 413: Intermediate Object-Oriented Development requirement a course in Group 1 or 2 that has COMP 413: Intermediate Object-Oriented Development as a prerequisite.
The Computer Science department may declare that other courses (eg new courses and individual COMP 488: Topics in Computer Science offerings) may count as members of either Group 1 or Group 2.
General Electives (15 Credits)
The elective course options are common for all programs, differing only in the total number of credits required.
Electives can be any COMP 400 level class.
Students may take up to a maximum of 6 credit hours of COMP 490: Independent Project and/or COMP 499: Internship.
There are numerous options for independent study, including a programming project, research, or a service-oriented project.
Career Paths:
Here are some possible career paths:
