Master of Science in Software Engineering

Available online and on-campus, the University of Michigan-Flint’s Master of Science (MS) in Software Engineering program provides a solid understanding of software engineering principles. With seven concentration options—Artificial Intelligence Engineering, Embedded Software Engineering, Mobile Development, Games, Human-Centered Software Engineering and Augmented Virtual Reality Development, Cyber Security, IoT and Cloud Engineering and Data Engineering—the program builds your in-demand skills in the areas that align with your career goals.

Click here for more information

The MS in Software Engineering program welcomes students without a computer science background after taking non-credit certificates in Algorithms, Programming, and Data Structures. Through rigorous study, you are empowered to enter and excel in a career as a software engineer, software tester, software designer, architect, analyst, developer, manager, quality assurance or programmer leading technology teams.

Current UM-Flint students may wish to consider enrolling on our Joint BS/MS in Software Engineering. The joint program curriculum allows students to simultaneously earn undergraduate and graduate credits, which count for bachelor’s and master’s degrees.


Whether you live far from campus or nearby, the MS in Software Engineering is designed to accommodate your life and goals with our leading-edge Cyber Classroom learning format. It allows you to tailor your learning experience with the convenient 100% online format, the face-to-face interaction of the classroom, or a combination of both. Our approach redefines the traditional classroom experience by seamlessly blending in-class and online learning.

UM-Flint’s Master’s in Software Engineering program immerses students in the lectures captured in our unique cyber classroom experience through an advanced robotic audio-video recording system. The system processes multiple cameras, microphones, and digital input devices such as digital whiteboards and document cameras with an intelligent autonomous recording system to capture everything.

As an online student, you can interact with the faculty through our Canvas online content management system. You also can utilize the playback on-demand feature, allowing you to watch the lectures as many times as necessary to grasp concepts.

The MS in Software Engineering program empowers you to apply the knowledge you gain in the classroom and research to real-world technology projects at the University of Michigan-Flint. During the program of study, you learn through team-based projects to build the collaborative and problem-solving skills needed to be an effective team member and leader.

Flexible learning options

Students with undergraduate degrees in non-computing fields may need to demonstrate proficiency with algorithms, object-oriented programming, and data structures to qualify for a computing-related MS program. The following two options are in place to qualify for admission to UM-Flint graduate programs in CIT:

  1. Non-credit certificates in Algorithms, Programming, and Data Structures
    CIT offers non-credit certificates in three areas of preparation: Algorithms, Programming, and Data Structures.  Students must pass the certificate tests with 85% or better and provide proof of successful completion to the Graduate Programs Manager in CIT at [email protected]. These certificates are not for academic credit, are guided self-study of the topics, and take approximately four weeks per certificate.
  2. Fast Track
    CIT offers an accelerated “Fast Track” program of five undergraduate courses for students seeking more traditional, slower-paced instruction. The Fast Track program assists students from any background to prepare themselves for success in CIT graduate programs. Students must earn a grade of C (2.0) or better in each Fast Track course and must maintain a B (3.0) or better cumulative grade point average in all Fast Track courses.
  3. Software Engineering students must show proficiency in CSC 175 & 275 (certificates and/or Fast Track courses)

Graduate students of the Software Engineering program have ample opportunities to engage in research with our esteemed faculty. These scholarly pursuits encourage collaborations between faculty and students and drive innovation in the industry. Check out the current research interests of our faculty.

Master’s in Software Engineering Program Curriculum

The MS in Software Engineering offers a curriculum that allows students to personalize their degree through concentration courses and electives based on their academic and career aspirations. Through rigorous study, students can improve their skills in problem-solving, technical support and training, and software/hardware management.

Concentration Options

  • Artificial Intelligence Engineering Concentration: This provides in-depth knowledge about the principles of building AI systems to create intelligent systems that can complete certain tasks or reach certain goals. The skills covered include AIOps, human-centered design, machine learning, ethics of AI, testing AI systems, edge AI, and beyond.
  • Embedded Software Engineering Concentration: It will empower you with the skills to create software systems running in embedded devices such as ECUs in the car. You will learn in-depth about designing, implementing, testing, and maintaining embedded software within constrained resources, including limited memory, CPU, and energy.
  • Mobile Development Concentration: Covers the necessary topics for creating, designing, and implementing mobile applications, including agile development, IoT, security, and beyond.
  • Games, Human-Centered Software Engineering and Augmented Virtual Reality Development Concentration: Provides you the necessary knowledge and skills to become an XR Developer/Designer/Gameplay Engineer, including UX/UI design and an understanding of user-centered design principles; XR platform proficiency such as Unity or other emerging products, programming languages such as C#, C++, Java.
  • Cyber Security Engineering Concentration: It will provide you with the needed skills related to building and enhancing secure software applications, including the evaluation of the organization’s security needs and establishing best practices and standards accordingly; Designing, implementing, maintaining, overseeing, and upgrading all security measures needed to protect organizations’ data, systems, and networks; Responding to all security breaches to the network and associated systems; and Troubleshooting all network and security issues and incidents.
  • IoT and Cloud Engineering Concentration: Covers in-depth knowledge related to Software Virtualization, DevOps and Containerization, Edge AI, Containers, Cloud Computing, and the design of IoT systems. 
  • Data Engineering Concentration: Provides you with skills related to programming, database systems, distributed computing systems, and big data technologies.

Thesis or Non-Thesis Track

Whichever concentration you select, you then get to choose between a thesis track or non-thesis track to complete the degree requirements. The thesis track challenges students to write a research paper and conduct an oral defense in addition to the required coursework. Students completing the non-thesis track complete additional credits in elective graduate-level courses.

Review the MS in Software Engineering curriculum here.

The University of Michigan-Flint’s master’s degree in Software Engineering arms you with competitive advantages to pursue leadership positions in the technology industry. It can also assist career changers to break into the fast-growing technology industry with advanced skills in computing.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in Software Engineering is projected to grow 25% from 2022 to 2032, exceeding the average growth rate in the United States. The median annual wage for the related occupations is $124,200.

$124,200 median annual wage for
Software Developers

How to Apply to the MS in Software Engineering?

Admission Requirements

Interested applicants to the Master of Science in Software Engineering program should meet the following requirements:

  • Bachelor of Science from an accredited institution. Preference will be given to students with a background in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field. Applicants who lack eligibility requirements in coursework (Algorithms, Programming and Data Structure) will be required to complete courses from the prerequisite list by taking the online non-credit certificates option or the Fast-Track option.
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale. Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements may be offered admission. Admission in such cases will depend heavily on other indices of the student’s ability to handle graduate-level work. These might include strong performance on GPA in the major and/or other experiences that are clearly indicative of strong academic ability.
  • Applicants with a three-year bachelor’s degree from an institution outside of the U.S. may be eligible for admission at the University of Michigan-Flint if it is determined through the credential review process that the three-year degree completed is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
  • University of Michigan will consider a three-year degree from India equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree if the degrees have been earned with a minimum of 60% marks and the awarding institutions have been accredited by India’s National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with a grade of “A” or better.

State Authorization for Online Students

In recent years, the federal government has emphasized the need for universities and colleges to comply with each state’s distance education laws. If you are an out-of-state student intending to enroll in an online program, please visit the State Authorization page to verify the status of UM-Flint with your state.

Application Requirements

To be considered for admission, submit an online application below. Other materials can be emailed to [email protected] or delivered to the Office of Graduate Programs, 251 Thompson Library.

  • Application for Graduate Admission
  • $55 application fee (non-refundable)
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Please read our full transcript policy for more information.
  • For any degree completed at a non-US institution, transcripts must be submitted for an internal credential review. Read the following for instructions on how to submit your transcripts for review.
  • If English is not your native language, and you are not from an exempt country, you must demonstrate English proficiency (additional information can be found below).
  • Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate your scholarly and/or professional ability (At least one recommendation must be from an academic reference). This requirement is waived for all University of Michigan Alumni.
  • Statement of Purpose describing your objectives for graduate study and reasons for selecting this program
  • Students from abroad must submit additional documentation.

This program can be completed 100% online or on-campus with in-person courses. Students living abroad may also complete this program online in their home country. Other nonimmigrant visa holders currently in the United States, please contact the Center for Global Engagement at [email protected].

As a new academic degree, this program is not currently accepting applications from international students seeking an F-1 visa. This program will accept applications from international students who are required to have an I-20 as soon as authorization from the Department of Homeland Security is received.

Special Requirement for Citizens of India

Applicants who attended an institution in India where the language of instruction was exclusively English cannot use that method exclusively to meet the English proficiency requirements. Applicants who attended a verified English-medium institution must also submit an approved test score or use one of the other approved methods. Those with a 5.0 IELTS score will be eligible for standard admission and will have no further English proficiency requirement; those with below a 5.0 IELTS score will not be admitted.

*If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and wish to waive this requirement, you may make your case to the director of the SE program. The director, in turn, must make the case to the Dean of Graduate Programs. You must provide sufficient evidence that you have the requisite English proficiency.

**The university reserves the right to require an applicant to provide other evidence of English proficiency if independent sources cannot verify that the language of instruction was exclusively English.

Application Deadlines

Submit all application materials to the Office of Graduate Programs by 5 p.m. on the application deadline. The Master of Science in Software Engineering program offers rolling admission with monthly application reviews.

To be considered for admission, all application materials must be submitted on or before:

  • Fall – May 1 (guaranteed consideration*)
  • Fall – Aug. 1 (if space permits)
  • Winter – Dec. 1
  • Summer – April 1 

*You must have a complete application by the early deadline to guarantee application eligibility for scholarships, grants, and research assistantships.

As a new academic degree, this program is not currently accepting applications from international students seeking an F-1 visa. This program will accept applications from international students who are required to have an I-20 as soon as authorization from the Department of Homeland Security is received.

The University of Michigan-Flint takes education affordability seriously. You can learn more about our tuition for our program here.


At the University of Michigan-Flint, we provide a dedicated academic advising expert to help guide your educational journey toward the MS in Software Engineering.For any questions, contact Aubree Kraut at [email protected] or 810-766-3121 or Book an appointment today.


Do you envision yourself starting a rewarding career or advancing your current role in the technology field? If so, take the next step to submit your application!

Our online and on-campus learning format makes it convenient for you to earn an MS in Software Engineering. Want to learn more about the program? Request information.