Is This Career Change Right for Me? A master's in software engineering prepares students for careers in the cutting-edge field of software development and design. This field is projected for substantial growth in the coming years. According to the BLS, jobs for software developers are expected to grow 24% by 2026, resulting in more than 300,000 new positions. Growth projections for software applications developers are particularly strong. The median annual salary for software developers is more than $100,000.
Some schools prefer to admit candidates with a bachelor's in information technology or computer science. However, U.S. News & World Report notes that software engineering master's programs may admit students with undergraduate degrees in other subjects as long as they can demonstrate technical skills. Online programs are also widely available, which can be convenient for working students. These include accelerated options that allow students to earn their degree in less than two years.