Master of Software Engineering

The Penn State Great Valley Master of Software Engineering will provide you with the technical IT skills needed for various IT and web-based careers from applications developer to web designer.

With our Master of Software Engineering program, you can:

• Prepare to create large-scale software products and services for industry and government through software analysis, architecture, design, development, and testing.
• Work on industry-sponsored projects or research with faculty through the Big Data Lab.
• Pursue your degree at your own pace, completing in as little as two to three years if attending part-time, or 12-
• 18 months if attending full-time.
• Engage in courses taught by world-class faculty and industry experts.
• Experience a collaborative and innovative experience rooted in practice—providing you with the skills, experience, and perspective to become a leader.
• Become a part of the more than 750,000 Penn State alumni across the world.
• GRE is not required.

Program Advantages

• Partner with alumni and local employers on relevant projects while fostering industry connections, networking, and job opportunities.
• Immerse yourself in small classes and develop meaningful relationships with faculty and classmates who are business professionals and managers in the private and public sectors.
• Prepare for future leadership roles.
• Take advantage of Career Management Services, which offers a variety of programs, resources, and networking opportunities for students and graduates.
• Explore different areas of interest through a wide range of electives.
• Engage in hands-on courses through weekly assignments and team-based, term-long projects.
• Benefit from a STEM designated program, allowing 36 months total of Optional Practical Training (OPT).

In U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 "Best Online Programs," Penn State Great Valley is ranked:

• #3 in Master’s in Engineering programs
• #10 (tie) in Master’s in Computer Information Technology programs

In U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 "Best Online Programs for Veterans," Penn State Great Valley is ranked:

• #1 in Master’s in Engineering

Flexibility/Delivery

• Seven-week courses are delivered in an in-person/online hybrid format. Some courses may be delivered fully online.
• Participate in online course activities throughout the week, including discussion forums, teamwork, and more.
• Ability to simultaneously pursue another degree as part of the concurrent degree program.

Penn State Great Valley brings the resources and reputation of one of the United States’ top research universities—the Pennsylvania State University—to the tech-savvy suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We offer STEM-designated master’s degrees in software engineering, engineering management, information science, data analytics, and finance.

Penn State Great Valley’s online engineering master’s programs have consistently been ranked #6 and above in U.S. News & World Report rankings. In 2023, they were ranked #3.

Our outstanding faculty members teach valuable practical skills, share cutting-edge knowledge, and work with corporate, government, and educational neighbors to address real-world problems and enhance employee performance.

Penn State Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and our management division is accredited by AACSB International.

Our full-time students benefit from a variety of programming including our Student Engagement Series, community arts and culture events, robust career services, and more. A variety of non-credit professional development programs such as Lean Six Sigma, project management, leadership development, and agile business analysis are also available.