Master’s in Software Development Online Degree

Overview

Strengthen Your Ability To Build and Optimize Software Applications

The Master of Science in Software Development degree from the College of Engineering and Technology teaches the latest technological competencies to software developers who are x their education. These competencies include the latest industry best practices in areas ranging from mobile development to proactive cybersecurity.

This master’s in software development encourages you to develop practical solutions to common problems in the field, ranging from the need for secure coding practices to standard debugging issues. With a combination of coursework and immersive, project-based assignments, this degree may empower you to deepen your technical expertise in software design principles while staying on top of the latest cybersecurity practices in the field.

Master of Science in Software Development

Offered By

College of Engineering and Technology

Class Settings

Online

Tuition Rate

Online: $600 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 34

Online: 8 weeks

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Transfer Credits

Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)

Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (Master's)

Undergraduate Degree*
2.8+ GPA

OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and

GMAT: 500
GRE: 300 combined**

Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).

Why GCU

Advance Your Expertise in Building Reliable Software

GCU’s MS in Software Development degree goes beyond programming languages and software management, offering a comprehensive look at advanced software development skills related to architecture frameworks, vulnerability resolution and database design.

Christian Worldview

Online Learning

Coursework

Explore Master's in Software Development Online Coursework

This software development master’s degree provides a comprehensive curriculum exploring both simple and complex programs. Through project-based courses, you will study advanced skills in the planning, development, testing, implementation and maintenance phases of the software development process. Examine software cost estimation, project planning and the economic analysis of software products, as well as technical communication strategies and software team leadership skills.

Topics covered in this online master’s degree in software development include:

Full software development life cycle

System design

Software design and testing

Software architecture

Agile software development

Mobile development

Advanced database design

Secure coding practices

UML and design patterns

Careers

Career Paths With an MS in Software Development

Graduates with a master’s in software development can tap into an increasing number of job openings for professionals in this technical field.^{(See disclaimer 1)} Along with the continued increase of software-based technical programs and artificial intelligence, it’s also expected that ever-present security threats will continue to fuel the need for developers who know how to anticipate and proactively address security vulnerabilities.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Master’s degree in software development graduates can work in various industries such as computer systems design, finance, insurance, software publishing and manufacturing.^{(See disclaimer 2)} Additionally, this degree focuses on developing leadership skills that can support your preparation for a variety of professional roles, such as managing or leading software development projects.

Graduates with a master's in software development can expect to have a wide range of career options in the technology field, including the following:

Computer network support specialist

Computer programmer

Software developer

129,200

Estimated number of job openings, per year, for software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers from 2024 to 2034^{(See disclaimer 1)}

$131,450

Median annual salary for software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers in May 2024^{(See disclaimer 3 )}

Accreditation

Study Software Development at an Accredited University

GCU is an institutionally accredited university that prioritizes career-focused curricula and academic excellence. Our Christian university has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968 and takes pride in our longstanding history of preparing the next generation of professionals.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Browse through the following frequently asked questions and answers to help guide you as you explore software development degree options.

Is a master's in software development worth it?

A master’s degree in software development may be worth it if you’re interested in exploring advanced career opportunities in the field. With an MS in Software Development, you may consider roles such as web and digital interface designer. A master’s degree teaches advanced competencies that can enhance your effectiveness at work. Additionally, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary of software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers was $131,450 as of May 2024.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

Do software developers need a master’s degree?

It’s possible to qualify for a job as a software developer with a related bachelor’s degree, such as a BS in Software Development. However, earning a master’s degree may increase your eligibility for additional job opportunities in the field. Additionally, some employers may require a master’s degree for advanced leadership roles or jobs in specialized software development.^{(See disclaimer 4)}

What is the difference between a software engineer and a software developer?

Software developer and software engineer are terms that are often used interchangeably, but there is a slight difference. While both engineers and developers create software, software engineers tend to focus on the big picture: the entirety of software project management. In contrast, software developers usually focus on one aspect or the specific tasks that make up the software development process. Those looking to gear their studies toward the engineering side of software may consider exploring an MS in Software Engineering program.

Courses

Program Curriculum

Credit Summary

Major34 credits

Degree Requirements34 credits

Core Courses

UNV-507

2 Total Credits

SWE-520

4 Total Credits

SDD-610

4 Total Credits

SWE-530

4 Total Credits

SWE-540

4 Total Credits

SDD-620

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course involves the study of concepts, principles and scope of advanced database design and administration. This course includes conceptual, logical, and physical database design, database analysis and selection during the software design phase, and typical administrative database duties that include but are not limited to user administration, performance tuning, and backup/restore. Also covered are the study of how to make informed ethical decisions during the software design phase and the future trends in database design. Prerequisite: Prerequisite: SWE-540.

SDD-630

4 Total Credits

SDD-640

4 Total Credits

SDD-680

4 Total Credits

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

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Financial

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Information

Admission

Advance Your Software Development Knowledge

Develop advanced software development skills through an online master’s program built for today’s evolving technologies.

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COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers, retrieved December 2025.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved December 2025.
The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers, as of May 2024, retrieved December 2025. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
Indeed Editorial Team. (2025, Dec. 4). What Degree Do You Need To Be a Software Engineer? Indeed. Retrieved December 2025.