Program Description
Students will gain both comprehensive software engineering knowledge and skills, in addition to increased exposure to coursework in leadership, communications, management, and ethics. The MPS degree provides hands-on applied experience, real-world application of relevant concepts, mentorship, and industry connections.
1) Students will learn modern approaches to software development: requirements analysis, system design techniques, formal specification techniques, implementation, testing, debugging, metrics, human factors, quality assurance, cost estimation, maintenance, and tools.
2) Students will be introduced to, and gain firsthand experience on, the fundamentals of software testing and the main phases in the software development process.
3) Students will gain experience working on hands-on programming projects that prepare students to work in co-located or geographically distributed software development team environments
Degrees Offered: M.P.S.
Certificates: Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Professional Studies
Tracks/Concentrations: Software Engineering
Department: Information Systems (IS), and Computer Science and Electrical Engineering (CSEE)
Part-Time or Full-Time: Full-Time, Part-Time
Online or On Campus: On campus
Admissions Requirements (website)
- B.S. degree with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Introductory programming courses completed in the last 10 years with a grade ‘B’ or above (see note below)
- Official Transcripts
- Goal statement outlining the student’s goals and expectations in the program
- Resume or CV
- Recommendation letters (optional)
- International applicants should refer to the International Admission Page for special admission information
- GRE scores are not required for admission
- Applicant’s prior coursework should include college-level math, for example, MATH 155 or MATH 151
Note:
- IT industry work experience that demonstrates the applicant’s programming abilities might be considered as a substitute for introductory programming courses.
- Applicants who do not have introductory programming courses or IT experience should take courses equivalent to IS 147 and IS 247 or CMSC 201 and CMSC 202 and earn a ‘B’ or above.
_______________________________________________
International Student Admissions Requirements (website)
- B.S. degree with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Introductory programming courses completed in the last 10 years with a grade ‘B’ or above (see note below)
- *Official Transcripts
- Goal statement outlining the student’s goals and expectations in the program
- Resume or CV
- Recommendation letters (optional)
- GRE scores are not required for admission
- English proficiency scores (Exceptions to English Proficiency Requirement):
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores: 90 iBT
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores: Minimum score 6.5
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic scores: 61
- For Fall 2021 applicants, we will also accept Duolingo English test. The minimum required score is 115.
- Scores must be less than 2 years old.
*If you have a three-year degree versus a four-year degree, your transcript will be reviewed to determine whether you have met the necessary prerequisites for the program. Eligibility for admission can only be determined upon receipt of a complete application.
Note:
- IT industry work experience that demonstrates the applicant’s programming abilities might be considered as a substitute for introductory programming courses.
- Applicants who do not have introductory programming courses or IT experience should take courses equivalent to IS 147 and IS 247 or CMSC 201 and CMSC 202 and earn a ‘B’ or above
Term of Admission: Fall and Spring
Application Deadlines: August 1 (Fall admission), December 1 (Spring Admission)
Contact Us
Graduate Program Director:
Mohammad Samarah, msamarah@umbc.edu
Graduate Program Coordinator:
Dustin Hodgson, softwareengineering@umbc.edu