Daytona Beach Campus - College of Engineering

Department of Computer and Software Engineering

MSE Overview

Admission Requirements

Degree Requirements

Apply Online

Accreditation

Assistantships and Fellowships

Careers and Internships

FAQ

If you can meet the challenges here.....  

...you can be successful anywhere.

Overview

The Master of Software Engineering (MSE) program gives you the foundation on which to build an exciting and challenging career working on the cutting edge of modern software development.Within the MSE program, you learn how to engineer high performance software for some of the world’s most sophisticated and demanding applications–software that is embedded in aircraft, space, and medical systems. In these applications, not only must the software be done right, it must meet stringent performance standards.It must respond continuously and flawlessly while controlling intricate maneuvers or providing lifesaving support, often under extraordinarily demanding conditions.

This is the world of embedded real-time software -- the software you learn to engineer within the Master of Software Engineering Program at Embry-Riddle. When you have met the challenges and mastered the skills needed to engineer this kind of software, you can engineer software for any system, from an entertainment center to an inter-stellar spacecraft.

There are a variety of opportunities for financial support for you while participating in the program. These include industry sponsored fellowships and assistantships as well as departmental teaching assistantships. There are also a number of industry and government cooperative education and internship opportunities that provide you support and real-world learning experiences.

The goal of the program is to provide recent college graduates, or college graduates who have had several years of professional life, an in-depth understanding of the tools, techniques, and disciplined engineering practices that are needed to be successful in the rapidly changing field of software engineering. These experiences and skills provide the foundation for technical excellence and career growth. Graduates of the program can rapidly assume positions of substantial responsibility within a software development organization.

Classes are generally offered late in the afternoon and early evenings. This schedule enables working professionals to successfully complete a MSE degree on a part-time basis.

Admission Requirements

The Master of Software Engineering program offers admission to accomplished individuals with diverse academic backgrounds who are adept at problem solving and thrive on challenge. Regardless of your major, whether it is computer science, engineering, science, mathematics, business, or humanities, it you have a strong academic record, generally evidenced by a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and a credible background in computing, you are encouraged to apply.

Admission to the MSE degree program requires knowledge in the core areas of

• discrete mathematics
• data structures and algorithms
• computing systems (operating systems, computer architecture, etc.)

and demonstrated competence in programming using a high-level program language (e.g., C/C++, JAVA, Ada, Visual Basic, etc.).

While not required for admission, applicants are strongly encouraged to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) general test as part of their application to the MSE program. The GRE general test is required for consideration in fellowship and assistantship award programs.

Core knowledge and programming competency requirements can be met through course work, professional experience in software development, or a strong score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Computer Science subject test.

Consistent with University policy, conditional admission into the MSE program may be granted.

Apply online now to the MSE program, or for additional information contact:

Graduate Admissions
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Phone: (386) 226-6115
E-mail: gradadm@erau.edu

Degree Requirements

Throughout all aspects of the Master of SOftware Engineering program you are challenged. The required and the elective courses present state of the art software engineering techniques and offer the opportunity to excel and broaden your technical background. The requirements for graduating with the MSE degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University are summarized below: (See Course Outlines for details)

Other electives may be authorized based on the student's background, program of study, performance during MSE and advisor approval.

The MSE program has a course only option and a Graduate Research Project (GRP) option. If the GRP option is selected, the student must consult with his or her advisor and the MSE Program Chair regarding the requirements for the GRP.

Accreditation

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award degrees at the Associate, Baccalaureate, and Master's level. The Computer Science curriculum follows the guidelines of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Computer Science Accreditation Board (CSAB), and incorporates courses in software development, computer architecture, graphics, simulation, artificial intelligence, and database management.

Assistantships and Fellowships

A variety of opportunities for financial support are available for students accepted into the Master of Software Engineering Program. They not only provide financial support; they provide exciting opportunities for intellectual, professional, and personal growth.

Some of the most rewarding of these opportunities are fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships. In addition to these awards, other on-campus positions are available to MSE students. These include support positions with various academic departments and administrative organizations throughout the Daytona Beach Embry-Riddle campus.

These are competitive awards. Qualifications for each will vary. Specific information on the qualifications and application process can be found through the links provided below. GRE general exam scores are required for consideration in all fellowship and assistantship award programs

Departmental Teaching Assistantships

Department of Computer and Software Engineering teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and research and teaching support positions are available to qualified students on a competitive basis each year. The financial awards for these positions vary and may include a stipend and/or tuition waiver for up to nine credit hours per semester.

Other Financial Aid Programs

Other Financial Aid Programs available to graduate students include: Federal Stafford Student Loans; Federal Supplemental Loans to Students; Federal College Work Study; Embry-Riddle student employment program; and Embry-Riddle scholarship programs. In addition, all of the Embry-Riddle graduate programs have been approved for Veterans Administration educational benefits.

More on Other Financial Aid Programs

Career and Internship Opportunities

MSE Degree - Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I have a BA/BS degree for a non-engineering program. Can I apply to the MSE program?

A. Yes. However, you will need to take at least five undergraduate courses in Computer Science and Software Engineering. These courses will not count towards the ten required for the MSE degree. The five undergraduate courses must be taken for a grade. Courses that are taken under audit will not satisfy this requirement.

Q. Do you offer a part-time MSE program?

A. Yes, we do have an MSE part-time program. Most courses are offered in the late afternoon or evening to accomodate those who work full time.

Q. Is a thesis required for the MSE degree?

A. No, a thesis is not required. To obtain the MSE degree a student should complete a total of 30 credits. If you choose to do a graduate research project (GRP), it may count for up to 3 credits towards the degree.

Q. What is the deadline for applying to the MSE program?

A. U. S. citizens and permanent residents should apply at least 60 days prior to the first day of class. International students should apply at least 90 days prior to the start of the term.

Q. Can I apply to the MSE program for the spring semester?

A. Yes. The deadlines for application is October 1.

Q. Is there Financial Aid for MSE students?

A. Yes, fellowships and assistantships may be given to eligible applicants (U.S. citizens and International students) with exceptionally good backgrounds.

Q. Is the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) required?

A. The GRE is not required for admission into the MSE program; however, it is required for fellowship and assistantship consideration.

Q. What is conditional admission?

A. Students who are not eligible for full admission may be granted conditional admission under certain circumstances; i.e., to ascertain their ability to pursue graduate work if previous grades or GMAT scores (but not the TOEFL) are on the borderline of acceptability or when prerequisite courses are required.

Q. What are graduation requirements?

A. A summary of the graduation requirements follows:

1. successful completion of all required courses listed in the applicable catalog for the degree sought;
2. satisfaction of the ERAU graduate residency requirements;
3. successful completion of a thesis or graduate research project;
4. must have earned a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for all ERAU graduate course work.
   

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Daytona Beach, FL Residential Campus

600 S. Clyde Morris Boulevard, Daytona Beach, FL 32114-3900