MS Software Engineering at Arizona State University

Programme overview

In the Master of Science program in software engineering, you develop advanced knowledge and abilities in the design and application of software. This innovative program involves the application of engineering principles to software development, including design methodologies, operation principles, and maintenance and testing approaches. You learn to solve problems and address issues through engaging projects, commonly as a member of a development team.

What you will study

30 credit hours and a thesis, or 30 credit hours including the required capstone course (SER 517) Required Core (9 credit hours) SER 501 Advanced Data Structures and Algorithms (3) SER 502 Emerging Languages and Programming Paradigms (3) SER 515 Foundations of Software Engineering (3) Electives (15 or 18 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours) SER 517 Software Factory Capstone (3) or SER 599 Thesis (6) Additional Curriculum Information Students should see the academic unit for a list of approved electives.

Career pathways

Graduates are able to design and engineer innovative systems, such as those that include mechanical and electrical components that interact with software. They are prepared for advanced study in computing or in an allied field, or to enter the computing profession, most commonly as an application software engineer.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in information technology, computer science, applied computing, engineering or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution (or international equivalent). Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts personal statement resume or CV proof of English language proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language with a TOEFL iBT® score of 4.5, or 90 (taken at a testing center) if taken before Jan. 21, 2026; 7 on the IELTS; or 115 on the Duolingo English test, regardless of current residency.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search; the application opens almost a year before the start term. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S. Apply with ASU's graduate application (Law applicants use the law college's site); GRE/GMAT requirements vary by programme.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

Explore more study programmes

Engineering