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Develop a career in software engineering
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Software Engineering Degree Concentration Overview
From open-source databases to popular online payment systems, mobile games and ride-share apps – some of today's most notable innovations wouldn't be possible without software engineers.
With the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science with a concentration in Software Engineering from SNHU, you'll learn the fundamental concepts and principles of software engineering that can help give you the skills and experience you need to break into the field.
A systematic approach used to develop software on time, on budget and within specifications, software engineering stands on the cutting edge of innovation and is highly valued by employers across various industries and geographic locations.
Online computer science degree students will work to solve real-world problems in courses that emphasize the design and development of computer software. As you progress toward graduation, you’ll create and save examples of your work, building a portfolio that demonstrates your ability to apply sound user experience principles and secure coding practices with a concentration in software engineering.
What You'll Learn
- User interface/user experience (UI/UX) design and development techniques
- Secure coding techniques
- Reverse engineering strategies
- Emerging trends in systems architecture and software engineering
How You'll Learn
At SNHU, you'll get support from day 1 to graduation and beyond. And with no set class times, 24/7 access to the online classroom and helpful learning resources along the way, you'll have everything you need to reach your goals.
Software Engineering Career Outlook
Due to the increasing demand for new applications on mobile devices and tablets, the software development field is growing rapidly.
"The demand for these skills is on the rise and should continue to increase for the foreseeable future," said Dr. Francis J. Manning III, adjunct faculty and academic partner at Southern New Hampshire University. "For skilled practitioners, the future is bright!"
With this concentration, students may be qualified for many software engineering and development roles, including:
Software Engineer
Apply engineering principles and systematic methods to develop programs and operating data for computers.
Secure Software Developer
Identify security vulnerabilities and write secure code to mitigate risks to software and data.
Full-stack Developer
Develop client-side (front-end) and server-side (back-end) software, in addition to designing user experience.
Computer Systems Analyst
Study computer systems and design ways to improve efficiency within organizations.
Job Growth and Salary
Prospects for software development roles appear promising in the coming years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this increased demand will stem from the continued expansion of software development for artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), robotics and other automation applications.1
Job Growth
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, software development positions are projected to increase 25% through 2032, which is much faster than the national average for all U.S. occupations.1
Salary
The median annual pay for software development positions was reportedly $127,260 in 2022.1
Understanding the Numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors — like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.
Start Your Journey Toward an Online Software Engineering Degree
Why SNHU For Your Software Engineer Degree Concentration
Admission Requirements
How to Apply
What SNHU Graduates Are Saying
Ulugbek Miniyarov '21
"The Software Reverse Engineering class really helped me understand about the software and the inner working of computer programs in depth. I never had a chance to learn assembly language and reverse engineering. This class helped me shape not only the language but also how CPU and memory actually execute the programs. Also, the interactive guide in the class helped me learn step by step without distracting with unnecessary information."
Courses & Curriculum
Courses within this specialized software engineering program emphasize the design and development of computer software, providing you with the specialized math, science and engineering skills you'll need for career success.
120 Credits
8-Week Terms
100% Online
No Set Class Times
Our expert faculty bring with them decades of experience – as computer scientists, software engineers and beyond – and exhibit strong leadership both in the classroom and their professional careers. This experience helps inform courses and curriculum that can help position graduates for success in a field that's always changing.
For people like Dr. Cheryl Frederick, executive director of STEM at SNHU, that means leading the pack for education innovation. Backed by years of software engineering experience, Frederick was 1 of 4 university faculty members whose proposal was selected by the U.S. Department of Education to receive a $25,000 innovation grant.
Dr. Francis J. Manning III, adjunct faculty and academic partner at SNHU, says that the effort you put into the classwork will strengthen your outcomes and set you up for success in the workplace.
"Computer science requires attention to detail," he said. "The foundations for these technologies are grounded in logic and precision plays a major role in your success."
SNHU also understands the power of putting yourself out there. That's why we strive to provide our students with opportunities to network, experience and compete with peers and professionals across the globe, like:
- National Cyber League (NCL) competitions: A "virtual training ground" that allows student teams to compete in real-world cyber simulations, the NCL blends practical experience and play. Our students have gone on to make Top 10 placements, and we proudly hold the distinction for producing the first all-female National Cyber League team to ever enter the (cyber) arena.
- Cyber Security Center of Excellence: Through our Cyber Security Center of Excellence, SNHU proudly supports cyber security students across the globe. To learn more about our contributions to the field, and connect with our academic leaders, visit our Cyber Security Center of Excellence page.
Want to earn credits for what you already know?
Certain work and life experience – like industry-recognized technology certifications, law enforcement training and math knowledge – could save you time and money at SNHU. Learn how you could get credit for work or life experience.
Curriculum Requirements & Resources
General Education
All undergraduate students are required to take general education courses, which are part of SNHU's newly redesigned program, The Commons. The goal of The Commons' curriculum is to empower you with some of the most in-demand skills, so you can succeed not only in your academic career, but in your personal and professional life too.
Technology Resources
We provide cloud-based virtual environments in some courses to give you access to the technology you need for your degree – and your career. Learn more about our virtual environments.
Earn Math Credits
Save time and tuition with our Pathways to Math Success assessments. Depending on your scores, you could earn up to 12 math credits – the equivalent of 4 courses – toward your degree for less than $50 per assessment. For additional information, or to register for a Pathways to Math Success assessment, contact your admission counselor or academic advisor today.
View Full Curriculum in the Catalog |
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BS in Computer Science - Software Engineering |
Courses May Include | ||
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BS In Computer Science Software Engineering Online | ||
CS 210 | Programming Languages | Students will develop functional programs that comply with industry regulations and best practices using various programming languages. Special attention will be paid to the importance of developing code that is not only functional, but also secure, efficient, and professional. |
CS 305 | Software Security | Through the analysis of advanced security concepts, students will learn how to develop secure code that complies with security testing protocols. In addition to exploring and implementing security concepts through code, students will also learn why and how to apply encryption technologies and techniques to communicate securely. |
CS 319 | UI/UX Design and Development | Students will explore User Interface (UI) and User eXperience (UX) design concepts and development techniques with an emphasis on user-centric and contemporary design patterns and techniques. Students will learn to conduct and evaluate user testing to inform user experience design. Use a variety of software tools to create wireframes and visual prototypes. This course provides students with authentic experiences in designing and developing user interfaces for embedded, cloud-based, and mobile systems. |
CS 340 | Client/Server Development | Students will learn how to apply database systems concepts and principles to develop client/server applications that interface client-side code with databases. |
CS 350 | Emerging Systems Architectures & Technologies | Students will explore emerging systems, architectures and technologies. Students will be provided with an in-depth evaluation of emerging system architecture focusing on performance and the software/hardware interface. Emphasis is on analyzing fundamental issues in architecture design and the impact on application performance to enable better understanding of the concepts. Students will learn to evaluate software architectures, both established and emerging, and gain experience in determining when to implement architectures and technologies to fulfill business needs. |
CS 360 | Mobile Architecture and Programming | Students will apply mobile development principles and best practices to develop mobile applications using user-centered design principles and industry standards. Upon completion of a fully-functional mobile application, students will conduct security, product assuredness, and compatibility checks before launching the application. |
CS 405 | Secure Coding | Students will focus on common security vulnerabilities that are found in software. Students will learn techniques and strategies to develop robust and secure code, leveraging secure programming principles. Students will gain authentic experience identifying security vulnerabilities and writing secure code to mitigate risks to software and data. |
CS 410 | Software Reverse Engineering | Students will learn the basics of reverse engineering specific to software systems. Learn how reverse engineering is used to recreate missing documentation to support legacy software code. Examine how reverse engineering is used to make new software products, enhance the functionality and efficiency of software components, and recreate the code for applications. Apply fundamental reverse engineering technologies and practices for maintainability and security-related use cases. |
CS 465 | Full Stack Development I | Students will design and develop a full stack application through the utilization of programming language frameworks. In creating a full stack application, students will also be responsible for developing a database as well as the code that interfaces their application to the database. This course is the first course in a two-course sequence. |
CS 470 | Full Stack Development II | In this course, students will develop a full stack application that runs in the cloud. Through the application of cloud-based development principles and best practices, students will take their software stack from Full Stack Development I and utilize frameworks to build the cloud architecture upon which the software stack application will run. In addition, students will also demonstrate their career-readiness by articulating highly technical content to various audiences and in various formats. This course is the second course in a two-course sequence. |
Total Credits: 120 |
Computer Science Technical Requirements
What to Expect as an Online Student
No set class times: Asynchronous classes let you do your coursework when and where you want
Pick your pace: Choose between full time (2 courses) or part time (1 course) each term
Student support: 24/7 access to online student services like the library, tech and academic support
University Accreditation
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)as well as several other accrediting bodies.
Tuition & Fees
As a private, nonprofit university, we’re committed to making college more accessible by making it more affordable. That’s why we offer some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation.
We also offer financial aid packages to those who qualify, plus a 30% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.
Online Undergraduate Programs | Per Course | Per Credit Hour | Annual Cost for 30 credits |
---|---|---|---|
Degree/Certificates | $990 | $330 | $9,900 |
Degree/Certificates (U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty)* | $693 | $231 | $6,930 |
Tuition Rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.*Note: students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.
Additional CostsNo Application Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a systems software engineer?
Can you get a software engineering degree online?
Is a software engineering degree worth it?
Which degree is best for software engineers?
Does software engineering require math?
What is a salary of a software engineer?
Is software engineering a good career?
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References
Sources & Citations (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)