Master’s in Software Development Online

Danny P., Master’s in Software Development — 2019 Grad

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Learning to code takes time.
Mastering it takes skill.

Today more than ever, companies need software developers who can keep up with the latest trends — in coding, apps, agile methodology, project management, and interface design — and turn this technology to their strategic advantage. When you earn your master’s in software development online at Maryville University, you’ll gain the skills to begin or advance your career in software development and seize the extraordinary opportunities this field has to offer.

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100% online with no campus visits required

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No GMAT, GRE, or application fee

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Graduate in as little as 12 months

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3 start times per year (Spring, Summer, and Fall)

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4 coding classes, 5 management courses, 1 capstone

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No previous experience in business required

Why Earn Your Master’s in Software Development Online?

 

Software developers create the computer programs essential to our modern world. Virtually all of today’s industries and organizations rely on software to support their operations, resulting in tremendous demand for software development professionals who command higher-than-average earnings.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that software developers typically earn salaries two to three times higher than the average for all occupations. The BLS projects the employment of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers to grow 22% from 2020-30 — much faster than the 8% average for all occupations.

What Can You Do with an Online Software Development Degree?

Software development encompasses a wide range of roles and responsibilities. For example:

  • Applications software developers design computer applications for use in consumer or commercial software to be sold to the public. In some organizations, software development professionals create databases or programs for use internally or online.
  • Software engineers are responsible for assessing a project’s system and software needs so they can plan its scope and the order of work. Professionals in this role may direct software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers.
  • Systems software developers create the operating systems that control the consumer electronics we use today, from cellphones and tablet computers to smart cars and home appliances. Systems software developers may also build the interfaces through which users interact with computers.

Software development experts with a master’s degree and the relevant experience can become project managers or computer and information systems managers — senior-level positions that oversee the software development process.

Careers in Software Development

Earn your online software development degree from Maryville, and you can begin or advance your career as an:

  • UX (user experience) designer
  • Web software developer

In settings such as:

  • Business and finance
  • Government and defense
  • Healthcare
  • Information technology
  • Research and development
  • Retail

Find out more about careers in software development.

What Is the Typical Median Software Development Salary?

Your online master’s in software development can qualify you to pursue careers with median annual salaries such as these:

Applications software developer

$105,310*

UX Designer

$77,200*

Web Software Developer

$77,200*

DevOps engineer

$96,000**

Software consultant

$79,000**

Data scientist

$126,830*

*BLS, May 2020; **PayScale.com, July 2021

Industry Outlook for Software Developers

A master’s in software development online puts you in an excellent position to advance in a rapidly growing field where career possibilities are wide and varied.

Software developers held about 1.5 million jobs in 2020 (Statista).

The median annual salary for software developers was $110,140 in 2020 (BLS).

The BLS projects employment in software development to grow 22% from 2020-30.

U.S. News & World Report ranks software developer second on its 2021 list of the 100 best jobs.

Why Choose Maryville for Your Master’s in Software Development Online?

Our master’s in software development online program, which is part of the John E. Simon School of Business, prepares you for a career on the leading edge of software technology project management, and troubleshooting. Equipped with the knowledge this program provides, you can be the leader who creates the big ideas, develops them, and then manages them to launch and beyond. Your Maryville degree will carry the distinction of a university respected worldwide for its quality, value, and affordability.

Why Maryville?

Named an Apple Distinguished School through 2024.

Maryville University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Forbes America's Top Colleges
Kiplinger Best College Values
Money's Best Colleges

Maryville’s Online Software Development Curriculum

As a student in Maryville’s online software development degree program, you’ll receive broad-based instruction in software design and development, coupled with deeper vertical studies of more complex and specialized applications.

The result is a curriculum structured for long-term success in a growing industry. You can complete the program 100% online in as little as 12 months. Learn more on our curriculum page.

Maximize your opportunity with our diverse curriculum.

Want to build your programming and agile methodology skills? Need to grow your knowledge of databases, automation, and cloud environments? Looking to create clean, user-friendly interfaces and design? We’ve built our online Master of Science in Software Development curriculum to help you achieve all of this and more.

At Maryville, you can gain an advanced understanding of the creation, architecture, and presentation of software and applications. And to top it off, you’ll have the opportunity to see your skills in action in our capstone course as you design, plan, develop, problem solve, and deploy a web application of your own.

Prepare for a high-tech career.

At Maryville, we designed our Master of Science in Software Development curriculum to help you meet today’s technology challenges and take advantage of the opportunities in this booming field. Our goal is to help you deepen your understanding of the tech and principles behind software design so you can grow into a capable and confident leader in the field.

Insights from Our Faculty

Joseph Gradecki, program coordinator and instructor of software development, shared his thoughts about the software development program.

One of the core differences between our program and others is we do not chase trends, nor do we merely teach a language. Our goal is to give the students the fundamental skills of software development so they can use them in any programming language. We want to produce a software developer who can immediately move into the workplace regardless of the technology the employer uses. At the same time, we stay current, working with cloud platforms, for example. Employable software developers are those who have been exposed to the solid and proven technologies used today, and cloud is one such technology.

The Master’s in Software Development Online: Admission Requirements

The following criteria are considered during the admission process for the online software development degree. Learn more on our admissions page.

  • A four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Official academic transcripts
  • A completed online application — no fee required
  • Personal letter explaining qualifications for graduate work

International applicants:

Demonstrated English proficiency in one of the following ways:

  • Test score (TOEFL IBT 79, IELTS 6.0 PTE 58)
  • College degree earned in the U.S.
  • College degree where language of instruction is English

*Low sub-scores may disqualify a student. Test dates must be within five years of application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Software development encompasses many different roles and responsibilities, including project management, quality assurance, and testing. Completing your online master’s in software development can prepare you for careers in virtually any industry and sector, such as retail, financial services, government, or healthcare.

Find out more about careers in software development.

 

Apply to the online master’s degree in software development program at Maryville University.

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Learn more about the online software development master's program.
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