Software Engineering / Software and Security Engineering

Software Engineering is focused on the application of systematic, disciplined, and quantifiable approaches to the development, operation, and maintenance of software systems. Inclusive of computer programming but going well beyond, Software Engineering is concerned with methodologies, techniques, and tools to manage the entire software life cycle, including development of requirements, specifications, design, testing, maintenance, and project management. The advent of Software Engineering is a natural result of the continuous quest for software quality and reusability, and the maturing of the software development industry. Security engineering is the process of applying knowledge to build secure systems by identifying security vulnerabilities and incorporating control measures to minimize or contain the risks associated with these vulnerabilities. It involves protecting systems, networks, devices, programs, and data from unauthorized access and destruction by implementing effective cybersecurity measures to meet the security goals of Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability.

The Department of Computer Science offers a graduate certificate in Software Engineering, Master of Software Engineering (M.S.E), Master of Science (M.S.) in Software and Security Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Software and Security Engineering. The programs are designed to appeal to both full-time students and software professionals who are employed and wish to pursue a program part time. The M.S.E. is a online course work only program aimed at professionals while the M.S. in Software and Security Engineering is a course work and research program. For additional information, see the Computer Science website (or contact the Computer Science department at (701) 231-8562 or gradinfo@cs.ndsu.edu). 

*Spring admissions are given only occasionally, depending on funding and faculty interest. If there are no spring openings, spring applicants are automatically considered for the subsequent fall semester. 

In addition to the Graduate College requirements, applicants must fulfill the program requirements listed below:

Software Engineering Certificate

1. Bachelor of Science (B.S). or equivalent degree from an educational institution of recognized standing, including 12 semester hours or equivalent of Computer Science or Software Engineering courses from an educational institution of recognized standing, or at least one year full-time professional software engineering experience; 
2. Programming skill in a modern higher level programming language, preferably C++, C#, or Java; 
3. A 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) GPA in previous coursework. Conditional admission may be given with a 2.85 or higher GPA and professional experience.

Master of Software Engineering 

1. Bachelor of Science (B.S). or equivalent degree from an educational institution of recognized standing, including 12 credit hours or equivalent of Computer Science or Software Engineering courses or at least one year full-time professional software engineering experience.;
2. Programming skill in a modern higher level programming language, preferably C++, C#, or Java;
3. GRE score is not required for admission. 
4. International students must submit TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic score or Duolingo score. Minimum requirements are:
   • TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper based) or 79 (internet based)
   • IELTS score of at least 6.5
   • PTE Academic score of at least 53; or
   • Duolingo score of 100.
5. A 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) GPA in previous coursework. Conditional admission may be given with a 2.85 or higher GPA and professional experience.

Master of Science in Software and Security Engineering

1. A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or equivalent degree from an educational institution of recognized standing with at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 grade point scale. Eighteen semester hours or equivalent in Computer Science from an educational institution of recognized standing, or at least 2 years of full-time professional software engineering experience. Full time professional experience may offset the GPA requirement at the rate of 0.1 in GPA for each 18 months of such experience to a maximum of 0.3 in GPA;
2. GRE score is not required for admission. However, a GRE score above the median (50th percentile) for the quantitative reasoning portion is strongly recommended for gaining priority in assistantships.
3. International applicants are welcome. International applicants must submit TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic score or Duolingo score. Minimum requirements are:
   • TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper based) or 79 (internet based)
   • IELTS score of at least 6.5
   • PTE Academic score of at least 53; or
   • Duolingo score of 100.
4. Eligibility for a teaching assistantship/tutor requires the following additional requirements:  
   • minimum TOEFL ibT score of 81 (IELTS of 7),
     • TOEFL ibT Speaking subscale score of 23 or above and
     • TOEFL ibT Writing subscale score of 21 or above
     • IELTS equivalent scores are 6.0 and 6.0 respectively
     • PTE Academic equivalent scores are 62 and 56, respectively
     • Duolingo score is 115 or greater.
5. Programming skill with one modern higher level programming language, preferably C++, C#, or Java.
6. A 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) GPA in all previous coursework.

Doctor of Philosophy in Software and Security Engineering 

1. Four year or longer B.S. or equivalent degree from an educational institution of recognized standing with at least a 3.25 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 grade point scale. 
   • Significant full-time professional software development experience may offset this GPA requirement at the rate of 0.1 in GPA for each 2 years of such experience to a maximum of 0.4 in GPA.
   • If the applicant has an M.S. or equivalent degree from an educational institution of recognized standing, the GPA in that degree should be at least 3.35 on a 4.0 scale.
   • 18 semester hours or equivalent in Computer Science from an educational institution of recognized standing, or at least 3 years of full-time professional software engineering experience. 
2. GRE score is not required for admission.  However, a GRE score above the median (50th percentile) for the quantitative reasoning portion is strongly recommended for gaining priority in assistantships.
3. International applicants are welcomed. They must submit a TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic score or Duolingo score. Minimum requirements are:
   • TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper based) or 79 (internet based)
   • IELTS score of at least 6.5
   • PTE Academic score of at least 53 or
   • Duolingo score of 100.
4. Eligibility for a teaching assistantship/tutor requires the following additional requirements:  
   • minimum TOEFL ibT score of 81 (IELTS of 7),
     • TOEFL ibT Speaking subscale score of 23 or above and
     • TOEFL ibT Writing subscale score of 21 or above.
     • IELTS equivalent scores are 6.0 and 6.0 respectively.
     • PTE Academic equivalent scores are 62 and 56, respectively.
     • Duolingo score is 115 or greater.
5. Programming skill in at least 1 higher level programming language, preferably C++, C#, or Java.