College of Engineering

Software Engineering Systems

Master's: Arlington, VA
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Certificate : Arlington, VA
Master's : Boston, MA
Certificate : Boston, MA
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The Master of Science in Software Engineering Systems degree prepares students for in-demand careers as software developers engineering complex software systems for social impact.

Arlington, VA
Location
Full-Time
Part-Time
Commitment
2 Years
Duration of Program
Fall, Spring
Entry Terms
Yes *
Meets F1 Visa Requirements
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Overview

The Master of Science in Software Engineering Systems approaches software development from the analytical and methodological perspective of an engineer. You’ll build advanced design and engineering skills, enhance knowledge in cloud computing, and develop machine learning algorithms. With your passion for high-performance technology, large-scale machine learning, and AI-type algorithms, you’ll become an intuitive problem solver, experienced engineering architect, and results-focused leader. Your knowledge of the three-way intersection of computer science, engineering, and ethics will enable you to have real-world societal impact in a high-demand field across industries.

Our program offers a multitude of courses in Big Data engineering and analytics in addition to supplementary courses that are required to deliver the data analytics results in a meaningful way to management. We cover data management, advanced data management, business intelligence, column databases, data science, and Big Data engineering. We offer advanced functional programming using the powerful Scala language and a course on advanced data science as well as cloud computing. Multithread concurrent computing is also offered, which is important for synchronizing a huge set of servers working in parallel to help large-scale analytics run faster by a hundredfold increase in speed. Due to the high-level mathematical operations required to run these programs, only software engineers have the capacity to work in such complicated areas.

More Details

Unique Features

  • Students may pursue a PhD after completion of the master's degree. 

  • Study in Arlington, Virginia, home to world-leading companies and organizations developing the ideas and technologies of tomorrow. The campus is located in the heart of the Arlington/Virginia corridor, embedded within a network of companies and peers at world-leading companies.

  • According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for software developers is around $110,000, with employment projected to grow 22 percent from 2020 to 2030. 

  • Pursue a graduate certificate along with your master’s degree such as in Block Chain and Smart Contracts Engineering. A variety of certificates are offered, allowing you additional flexibility to specialize in areas that map to your career goals. Not ready for a master’s degree? Earn a graduate certificate, such as in Software Engineering Systems. In just four courses you will enhance your skills or build expertise in a new area. Credits earned can be applied toward an eligible master’s degree in the College of Engineering at Northeastern University, such as the MS in Software Engineering Systems.

  • Select from coursework-only or thesis-based options

Program Objective

We are committed to shaping our MS in Software Engineering Systems students to be intuitive problem solvers, experienced engineering architects, and result leaders who will have a great impact at the exciting three-way intersection of computer science, engineering, and ethics.

Testimonials

"I was excited to join the Software Engineering Systems program because of the robust coursework and it allowed me to pursue my passion in R&D, as well as open source software."

-Manoj Reddy Amireddy, MS Software Engineering Systems

"Northeastern's programs are led by skilled and experienced industry leaders who are committed to the engagement and growth of their students."

— Stephen O'Halloran, '14

"Professors consistently took deep dives into their areas of expertise and made sure to tie it back to real-world examples. That allowed me to bring new ideas to the workplace that were directly applicable to the problems we were facing."

— Rick Keilty, Alumnus

Looking for something different?

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Admissions

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-ranked university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Program Costs

$59.6K *
Tuition

Finance Your Education We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships.

How to Apply Learn more about the application process and requirements.

Requirements

  • Completed online application form
  • Application fee
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Transcripts from all institutions attended
    • The Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) is a required assessment of all transcripts and documents from non-U.S. accredited post-secondary education institutions. (Review the FCE requirements by country.)
  • GRE is not required for terms starting during the 2023-2024 or 2024-2025 academic years
  • Statement of purpose
  • Resumé
  • TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo for international applicants

Are You an International Student? Find out what additional documents are required to apply.

Admissions Details Learn more about the College of Engineering admissions process, policies, and required materials.

Admissions Dates

Applications received after the stated deadline dates will be accepted and processed as quickly as possible; however it may not be possible to have a decision rendered in time for the applicant to begin taking classes for the desired term if admitted.

Applications submitted by the referenced dates will receive full consideration for the referenced term. Applications received after the referenced dates will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Fall Semester Entry
Spring Semester Entry
Early Action December 1
Final Deadline International Students outside the US June 1
Final Deadline: International Students Inside the US July 1
Domestic applicants August 1
International Students Outside the US October 1
International Students Inside the US December 1
Domestic Applicants December 1
Curriculum

Industry-aligned courses for in-demand careers.


For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.

 

Experiential Learning

Northeastern combines rigorous academics with experiential learning and research to prepare students for real-world engineering challenges. The cooperative education program, also known as co-op, is one of the largest and most innovative in the world, and Northeastern is one of only a few that offers a co-op program for graduate students. Through this program, students gain professional industry experience in their field of interest as part of the academic curriculum while employed from four to eight months in a wide variety of organizations, from large companies to entrepreneurial startups.
 
In 2021, the Graduate School of Engineering placed nearly 1000 students in co-op positions. We have a team that prepares students for the cooperative education experience through resumé building, developing interview skills, and guiding professional development.

Faculty

Our Faculty

Northeastern University faculty represents a broad cross-section of professional practices and fields, including finance, education, biomedical science, management, and the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside you to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

Students

By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll be connected to students at our 13 campuses, as well as 300,000-plus alumni and more than 3,500 employer partners around the world. Our global university system provides you with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally and serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

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