Department of Computer Science

CS@NJIT

Leading Faculty
Carnegie R1 Institution
Highly Ranked for ROI

Expertise

Software Architecture
Development Lifecycle
Systems Engineering

Location

Newark, Online
Minutes from NYC
Open to the World

Program Summary

The M.S. in Software Engineering provides comprehensive expertise in designing, building, and evolving large-scale software systems. Students delve into the entire software development lifecycle - from requirements and architecture through implementation and maintenance - while gaining deep experience with modern development methodologies and tools. The program covers both technical dimensions (system performance, reliability, security, scalability) and organizational aspects (project management, team coordination, software economics).

Unlike tasks that can be automated, software engineering requires complex problem-solving, stakeholder collaboration, and architectural thinking that remains uniquely human. Graduates emerge prepared to architect complex software solutions, lead development teams, and drive innovation in any industry where software creates competitive advantage - skills that become even more valuable as AI reshapes routine programming tasks.

Curriculum

Industry Demand

The software engineering field continues to experience strong growth as organizations across industries increasingly depend on custom software solutions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 17% growth rate for software developers and engineers from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. This demand stems from the proliferation of digital transformation initiatives, cloud computing adoption, and increasingly complex software needs. As AI automation transforms routine coding tasks, the value of comprehensive software engineering expertise - including systems design, architecture, and project leadership - has become even more crucial in the technology landscape.

Program Details

Admission Prerequisites ▼

The MS program in Software Engineering requires an undergraduate degree in computing. At a minimum, such a degree must have exposed the prospective student to object-oriented languages, and to materials from at least three from the following courses:

For students not eligible for direct admission, NJIT offers a Graduate Certificate in Software Engineering, Analysis & Design, which provides a pathway to the MS-SE program. Earning the certificate with a GPA of 3.0 or higher guarantees admission into the MS-SE program.

Learning Outcomes ▼

After completing the program, graduates will be able to:

Design and implement large-scale software architectures that meet complex business requirements
Apply modern software development methodologies and tools throughout the entire development lifecycle
Evaluate and improve system performance, reliability, security, and scalability
Lead software development teams using industry-standard project management techniques
Make informed technical and architectural decisions balancing business needs, technical constraints, and future scalability
Integrate software engineering principles with emerging technologies including AI and cloud computing

Campus Options & Tuition ▼

Campus Options

The online program is available to both U.S. residents and international students
The online rates are available only to students fully enrolled to the online program
U.S. residents can choose a combination of face-to-face and online courses
F-1 students can take at most one course per semester online

Tuition & Fees by Campus (based on AY 2024-2025 rates)

Online: $34,290
Newark, NJ residents: $36,426-$46,450
Newark, non-NJ residents: $44,748-$63,120

For details, see NJIT's Tuition and Fee Schedule.
For information about cost of living see Tuition and Costs at NJIT.

Application Requirements ▼

All applicants are required to submit:

Transcripts from previous degree(s)
At least one letter of recommendation
Statement of purpose

All international applicants are required to submit scores for the following standardized tests:

GRE
TOEFL, or IELTS, or Duolingo

Test Waiver: International applicants who hold a degree from an accredited US institution can ask for a waiver of standardized tests. To request a waiver, please first submit your application and then contact the NJIT admissions office.