Online Computer Software Engineering Degrees

According to research by CompTIA, the United States represents 31percent of the global tech market — approximately $1.5 trillion — making it the largest tech market in the world in 2018. Software engineers are an important part of this market. As technology develops, the scope of a software developer’s expertise has expanded beyond computers to include other forms of technology that need software like smartphones, robotics, and gaming and virtual reality devices.

According to the College Board, computer software engineers need to be able think abstractly and be puzzle solvers. Being able to work well in a team is important as most software is developed by a team with each individual contributing different parts of the program.

For high school graduates and working professionals who want to keep their jobs and study, an online software engineering degree offers a major benefit: the convenience and flexibility that a self-directed, hands-on distance learning program can give.

What is the difference between computer science and software engineering degree programs?

Computer science and software engineering are terms often used interchangeably. There can also be an overlap between the coursework in a computer science degree program and that of a software engineering degree program.

  • Computer science degree programs tend to have a broader focus that includes theoretical and practical areas of computer science as a whole. They include topics that give students a wide variety of skillsets from algorithms to programming languages.
  • Software engineering programs tend to focus more on the development and testing of different software systems. They typically include topics that build leadership skills like entrepreneurship and management.
The demand for software development skills makes it the largest category of tech occupations and one of the fastest growing.

Software engineers design, develop, maintain and test software that computers use to perform different operations using code and other elements of computer engineering. Apart from designing and developing software, the most skilled developers are not only able to identify when a piece of software has an issue; they also have the technical know-how to diagnose, repair and test the issue. Typically, the duties of a software engineers include:

  • Analyzing client needs in order to design and develop software to meet them
  • Instructing computer programmers on the code required for a particular software
  • Designing the flow of an application and creating models and diagrams for computer programmers to follow
  • Testing software to ensure it is bug free
  • Recommending upgrades to existing software and systems to clients
  • Documenting every aspect of an application for future maintenance and upgrades

In some cases, software engineers also take on the role of computer programmers and write the code for the programs they have designed themselves.

CompTIA reports software and services account for nearly half of spending in the US Information Technology (IT) market. Software development skills are highly in demand, making software engineering one of the fastest-growing occupations in the IT sector. A 2016 College Board report shows that computer science and related bachelor’s degree holders had the highest median earnings during their early careers amongst all bachelor’s degree recipients surveyed.

The table below lists the occupations related to this field along with job openings, average salary, total employment and job outlook for 2019 to 2029 using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Careers
Employment
Median Salary
Projected Job Growth
Computer Programmers199,540$86,550-7.2%
Computer and Information Systems Managers433,960$146,36011.3%
Network and Computer Systems Administrators354,450$83,5104.7%
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers1,406,870$107,51025.6%
Web Developers and Digital Interface Designers148,340$73,76013%

Choose a degree that can help you meet your career goals

Online degree programs in software engineering give students a chance to network with peers and professors across the country, which could build a greater potential understanding of the job climate. Being able to work with remote colleagues is often an important skill in high-tech settings. Take a look at the different degree levels, typical coursework and the professions related to each degree level.

What can I expect to learn in an online associate program?

In 2018 nearly 4 in 10 U.S. IT firms report having job openings and are actively recruiting candidates for technical positions.

Online associate software development degree programs introduce students to the basic concepts of software development including software design and programming languages.

Typical duration: Up to two years of full-time study

General prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent

Typical coursework: Apart from general education courses, students may learn the fundamentals of different types of program design, including computer, web and mobile software development, database applications and security concepts. Typical courses may include:

  • Programming logic
  • Introduction to networking
  • Programming fundamentals
  • Database concepts and applications
  • Computer architecture and troubleshooting

Possible electives: Introduction to operating systems; Linux administration; web scripting; discrete structures for computer science

What can I do after earning an associate degree?

An online associate computer software engineer degree can prepare you for entry-level roles in the software development and computer science industry. Potential jobs you may be able to apply for include:

  • Web developer
  • Systems developer
  • Junior applications developer
  • Computer systems analyst
  • Software developer
  • Software engineer

What can I expect to learn in an online bachelor’s degree program?

Bachelor’s degrees are the most common requirement for entry-level jobs in software engineering, according to the BLS. These degree programs are typically designed to give students a well-rounded education with an emphasis in software construction, testing design patterns and more.

Typical duration: Two to four years of full-time study

General prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent

Typical coursework: You may need to take general education courses along with a comprehensive overview of different software engineering mechanisms and techniques. Students can also expect to learn one or more programming languages. Typical courses may include:

  • Introduction to digital systems and their design
  • Intermediate programming
  • Mobile architecture and programming
  • User experience design
  • Software quality assurance

Students may also need to complete a capstone project.

Possible electives: Software reverse engineering; secure coding; web services

What can I do after earning a bachelor’s degree?

An online bachelor’s degree in software engineering may provide opportunities for employment across a host of industries like healthcare, manufacturing, architectural, engineering, mobile application development, finance, video games and more. Potential occupations include:

  • Software developer
  • Application developer
  • User interface designer
  • Software testing engineer
  • Video game designer

You may also be able to specialize in a particular aspect of computer software engineering through online undergraduate certificate programs.

While the tech industry is the largest employer of technology professionals, the majority work in other industry sectors, such as healthcare, finance, media, or government.

What can I expect to learn in an online master’s degree program?

A master’s degree may be the minimum requirement for high-level positions or for careers at companies that are highly competitive. At the master’s level, the coursework is typically designed to allow students to focus on core components of applications or system software engineering.

Typical duration: Two years of full-time study

General prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree

Typical coursework: Students may learn to work with complex software systems and be prepared for leadership roles in the industry. Students may find courses such as:

  • Agile software development
  • Software verification and validation, and testing
  • Software project, process and quality management
  • Software requirements engineering
  • Information systems analysis and design

You may also be required to complete a capstone project as a part of your master’s degree program.

Possible electives: Server-side web development; mobile application development; machine learning

What can I do after earning a master’s degree?

A master’s degree can prepare students for high-level job roles in a variety of different industries like finance or cybersecurity requiring software development expertise. Some potential job titles are:

  • Senior software engineer
  • Senior software developer
  • Software architect
  • Computer and information systems manager
  • Computer and information research scientist

What can I expect to learn in an online doctoral degree program?

Online doctoral degrees in computer software engineering are rare and are normally included as a specialization within the scope of a Ph.D. program in computer sciences.

Students may learn to develop new techniques of software design and innovation and are encouraged to be at the forefront of cutting-edge technology.

Typical duration: Between four to seven years of full-time study

General prerequisites: Master’s degree, GRE

Typical coursework: This may include advanced topics in software engineering and design along with research-based coursework. Examples of courses you may need to take are:

  • Theory of computation
  • Research methodology in computer science
  • Object-oriented technologies
  • Advanced topics in programming languages
  • Current topics in software engineering

Additionally, students are required to write and defend doctoral dissertations based on original research within the field.

What can I do after earning a doctoral degree?

Earning a Ph.D. in software engineering may allow you to have a career in academia and research and lead the development of exciting new technology. They may also allow you to take high-level jobs in tech companies. Some potential occupations are:

  • Computer and information systems manager/developer
  • Computer and information research scientist
  • Computer network support specialist
  • Computer systems engineers/architect
  • Geospatial information scientist
  • Professor

Accreditation

Accreditation is an important factor to consider while choosing an online software engineering degree program. It serves to show that the education you have received has met the high quality standards for technical education required to work in the software industry. It can also be a prerequisite for eligibility for scholarships, financial aid programs, loans and grants. Some employers may also require graduation from an accredited program. The Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is the main accrediting body in the U.S. that accredits software engineering programs at the programmatic level for bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Earning professional certifications for software developers can serve to demonstrate expertise in a particular aspect of software engineering.

Companies may require employees to be certified in the products or programming language they use; these are often offered by the companies that develop them.

Other professional certifications can be obtained from organizations like the IEEE Computer Society that offers the well regarded Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) and Professional Software Engineering Master Certification. Other professional bodies offering certifications are:

Employment Statistics

Computer Programmers

Industries with the highest concentration of employment
  • Computer Systems Design and Related Services
  • Software Publishers
  • Management of Companies and Enterprises
  • Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
  • Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services
States with the highest level of employment
  • California
  • Texas
  • New York
  • Florida
  • Pennsylvania
Top-paying metropolitan areas
  • San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
  • Midland, TX
  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
  • Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
  • Mobile, AL

Software developers, application

Industries with the highest concentration of employment
  • Computer Systems Design and Related Services
  • Software Publishers
  • Management of Companies and Enterprises
  • Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services
  • Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
States with the highest level of employment
  • California
  • Texas
  • Washington
  • New York
  • Virginia
Top-paying metropolitan areas
  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
  • San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
  • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
  • Wenatchee, WA
  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA

Software developers, systems software

Industries with the highest concentration of employment
  • Computer Systems Design and Related Services
  • Software Publishers
  • Management of Companies and Enterprises
  • Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services
  • Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
States with the highest level of employment
  • California
  • Texas
  • Washington
  • New York
  • Virginia
Top-paying metropolitan areas
  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
  • San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
  • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
  • Wenatchee, WA
  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA

Computer and Information Systems Manager

Industries with the highest concentration of employment
  • Computer Systems Design and Related Services
  • Management of Companies and Enterprises
  • Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
  • Software Publishers
  • Insurance Carriers
States with the highest level of employment
  • California
  • Texas
  • New York
  • Illinois
  • Massachusetts
Top-paying metropolitan areas
  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
  • San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
  • New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
  • Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Source: 2020 Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov.

There are plenty of financial aid programs, scholarships and grants available for eligible students of software engineering. In fact, many technology giants offer scholarships to promote further education for students who are interested in the aspects of software development they are affiliated with. Some scholarships are:

Other resources for those aspiring computer software engineers

Methodologies and Sources

  • Associate of Science Degree in Software Engineering, Dallas County Community College District,https://www1.dcccd.edu/catalog/AcademicDegrees/utd_rlc_as_software.cfm?use_nav=_cdc, accessed September 2018
  • Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering, Penn State World Campus, https://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees-and-certificates/penn-state-online-software-engineering-bachelors-degree/overview, accessed September 2018
  • Bachelor of Science: Software Development, Western Governors University,https://www.wgu.edu/online-it-degrees/software-development-bachelors-program.html, accessed September 2018
  • BS in Computer Science: Software Engineering, Southern New Hampshire University,https://www.snhu.edu/online-degrees/bachelors/bs-in-computer-science/software-engineering, accessed September 2018
  • Computer Programmers, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook,https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-programmers.htm, accessed September 2018
  • Computer Science and Software Engineering – PhD, Auburn University, http://bulletin.auburn.edu/thegraduateschool/graduatedegreesoffered/computerscienceandsoftwareengineeringmswemsphd_major/computerscienceengr_phd/, accessed September 2018
  • Computer Science Vs. Software Engineering: Which Degree Is Right For Me?, Drexel University Online,https://online.drexel.edu/general/computer-science-software-engineering.aspx, accessed September 2018
  • Computer Science, PhD, George Mason University, https://catalog.gmu.edu/colleges-schools/engineering/computer-science/computer-science-phd/#text, accessed September 2018
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science, Northcentral University,https://www.ncu.edu/programs-degrees/doctoral/doctor-philosophy-computer-science#gref, accessed September 2018
  • IT Industry Outlook 2018, CompTIA, 2018, https://www.comptia.org/resources/it-industry-trends-analysis
  • Ma, J., Pender, M., Welch, M., Education Pays 2016: The Benefits of Higher Education for Individuals and Society, College Board, 2016, https://trends.collegeboard.org/sites/default/files/education-pays-2016-full-report.pdf
  • Major: Computer Software Engineering, Big Future, The College Board, https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/majors/engineering-computer-engineering-computer-software-engineering, accessed October 2018
  • Master of Science in Computer Science – Software Engineering, Colorado Technical University,https://www.coloradotech.edu/degrees/masters/computer-science/software-engineering, accessed September 2018
  • Online Master of Science in Engineering in Software Engineering, Arizona State University Online,https://asuonline.asu.edu/online-degree-programs/graduate/master-science-engineering-engineering-science-concentration-software, accessed September 2018
  • Online Master of Science in Software Development Degree, Boston University,https://www.bu.edu/online/programs/graduate-programs/software-development/,accessed September 2018
  • Software Developers, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook,https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm, accessed September 2018
  • Software Development Degree Program, Herzing University,https://www.herzing.edu/technology/software-development-degree, accessed September 2018
  • Software Development, ECPI University, https://www.ecpi.edu/programs/software-development-associate-degree, accessed September 2018
Methodologies and Sources