Software Engineering, M.S.S.E. < West Virginia University

Degrees Offered

Masters of Science, Software Engineering (M.S.S.E.)

Nature of the Program

The Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering offers the professionally oriented and applied Masters of Science in Software Engineering (M.S.S.E.) degree program. The M.S.S.E. provides graduate educational opportunities to working professionals with any accredited degree as well as recent graduates of an accredited BS CS, BS SE, or closely related bachelors degree. The M.S.S.E. degree is a unique fully-online program offered through WVU eCampus which is built upon Blackboard Ultra LMS technology that provides graduate level software engineering expertise to individuals who are currently working or endeavor to work in software engineering or the information technology industry. The program aspires to serve full-time working professionals seeking an applied master's program and wanting the flexibility an online graduate degree program offers. The coursework-only degree program allows students to complete their degree requirements with five core courses and five additional elective courses that deepen their understanding of aspects of software engineering relevant to their career goals.

Program Educational Objectives

The objective of the program is to produce graduates who have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will ensure success in professional positions in business, industry, research, or governmental service. After completing five core courses, students will achieve proficiency in:

Software Project Management.
Software Analysis and Design.
Object-Oriented Design of Software.
Software Verification and Validation.
Software Evolution.

Admissions for 2027-2028

Master Admissions

Students seeking admission to the Master of Science in Software Engineering (MSSE) program must satisfy the following requirements to be considered. All students must fulfill all items in the Admission Requirements for entry into the program.

Admission Requirements

Submit a completed application using Major Code 3081 for Software Engineering through the WVU Online Graduate Admissions page.
Submit a personal statement. Your personal statement should be 750 to 1,000 words and double-spaced. This is an opportunity to tell the admissions committee more about your reasons to earn an MSSE Degree and should not repeat your resume.
Submit 2 professional and/or educational references contact information only.
Submit official transcripts showing degree completion of a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited University, with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) or better.
- Students with a degree in other fields of study from accredited institutions will be considered for provisional admission.
- Provisional students will be required to complete SENG 505 during their first term and two additional core (SENG 510-SENG 550) courses with a ‘B’ or above. After successful completion of SENG 505 and the two core courses, the student will move to regular graduate status. The SENG 505 course may be waived based upon three or more years of progressive software development industry experience as a software engineer or similar.
Submit a resume that reflects your education and experience.
GRE is not required but may be submitted to assist in admission decision.
International applicants must meet the WVU requirement of English language proficiency.
Note: the credit earned for the SENG 505 course does not apply toward the required hours for the MSSE Degree.

Major Code: 3081

Curriculum in Master of Science in Software Engineering

A candidate for the M.S. degree in software engineering must comply with the rules and regulations as outlined in the WVU Graduate Catalog and the specific requirements of the Statler College and the Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.

Program Requirements

All M.S. degree candidates are required to follow a planned program of study. The student’s faculty advisor, in conjunction with the student’s Advising and Examining Committee (AEC) will be responsible for determining the plan of study appropriate to the student’s needs. The underlying principle of the planned program is to provide the student with the necessary support to complete their degree and prepare them for their career.

Curriculum Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required
Course Requirements
Plan of Study
Core Courses
SENG 510	Software Project Management	3
SENG 520	Software Analysis and Design	3
SENG 530	Software Verification and Validation	3
SENG 540	Software Evolution	3
SENG 550	Object Oriented Design	3
Advanced Courses		15
Select from the following:
CPE 520	Application of Neural Networks
CPE 538	Intro Computer Security Management
CPE 553	Advanced Networking Concepts
CPE 620	Deep Learning
CS 533	Developing Portable Software
CS 560	Big Data Engineering
CS 676	Machine Learning
CYBE 467	Ethical Hacking & Penetration Testing
CYBE 650	Cloud Computing and the Internet of Things
SENG 564	Software Engineering of Mobile Applications
SENG 565	Database Design and Implementation
SENG 581	Quality Software Process Management
SENG 582	Enterprise Architecture Framework
SENG 585	Software Engineering Economics
SENG 660	Engineering Secure Software
SENG 610	Strategies for Managing Software Projects
SENG 695	Independent Study (Experiential Learning)
Total Hours		30

SENG 505 is offered as a Preparatory Course and is required for those entering the program as Provisional Graduate Student with no credit counting toward fulfillment of the MSSE Program 30 credit hour requirement.

Suggested Plan of Study

The plans below illustrate the Coursework Option. It is important for students to take courses in the order specified as much as possible; all prerequisites and concurrent requirements must be observed. A typical M.S.S.E degree program that completes degree requirements in two years is as follows.

Fall Admits

First Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
SENG 520	3	SENG 510	3	SENG 540	3
SENG 550	3	SENG 530	3	CPE 538	3
	6		6		6
Second Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
SENG 564	3	SENG 565	3
SENG 581	3	SENG 582	3
	6		6
Total credit hours: 30

Spring Admits

First Year
		Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
		SENG 510	3	SENG 540	3
		SENG 530	3	CPE 538	3
	6		6
Second Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
SENG 520	3	SENG 565	3	SENG 585	3
SENG 550	3	SENG 582	3	SENG 660	3
	6		6		6
Total credit hours: 30

Summer Admits

First Year
				Summer	Hours
				SENG 540	3
				CPE 538	3
	6
Second Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
SENG 520	3	SENG 510	3	SENG 660	3
SENG 550	3	SENG 530	3	SENG 585	3
	6		6		6
Third Year
Fall	Hours
SENG 564	3
SENG 581	3
	6
Total credit hours: 30

Degree Progress

The Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering requires the following milestones for all students. Students in Coursework Master's programs will be evaluated for satisfactory progress each term, based on criteria provided below. Students who are either not making adequate degree progress or who are failing to uphold professional standards may receive notice of probation, suspension or dismissal. Students may be notified of academic consequences outside of routine evaluation processes if an issue must be addressed immediately.

Each year, no later than the first day of classes of the Fall semester, the department will distribute an updated version of the graduate handbook.

Benchmarks

Year 1:
- Submit Preliminary Plan of Study to Department (graduate coordinator or program assistant)
Penultimate Semester:
- Submit Final Plan of Study
Final Semester:
- Apply to Graduate (Registrar Form)

Satisfactory Progress

Maintain a 3.0 GPA in all coursework.

Major Learning Outcomes