Oct 31, 2024  
2024-2025 Catalog 
  
2024-2025 Catalog

Software Engineering (MS)


The Software Engineering MS program emphasizes software process, architecture and project management, software construction and delivery, automotive software engineering, and software virtualization, making it distinct from computer science and technology degrees.  Students can opt for in-person or online course delivery.  The core curriculum is 12 credits, and students choose a 12 -credit concentration from a number of high-impact research areas.  The remaining 8 credits can be fulfilled with coursework only or with a graduate thesis.

Admission Information

The Graduate Programs Office serves as the primary source of information for all prospective graduate students, providing detailed guidance and resources to facilitate the application process.  Up-to-date and comprehensive details regarding admissions procedures, requirements and deadlines can be found on the program page on the Graduate Programs website.

Fast Track Options

Students with undergraduate degrees in non-technical fields may need to demonstrate proficiency with algorithms, object-oriented programming, and data structures to qualify for admission to a computing related MS program. The following two options are in place to qualify for admission to UM-Flint graduate programs in CIT:

Non-Credit Certificates

CIT offers a non-credit certificates in three areas of preparation: Algorithms, Programming, and Data Structures. Students must pass the certificate tests with scores of 85% or better, and provide proof of successful completion to the Graduate Programs office. Each of these guided self-study certificates are not for academic non-credit, are guided self-study of the topics, and takes approximately 4 weeks to complete per certificate.

Undergraduate Courses 

For students with bachelor’s degrees in non-computing disciplines, the department offers an accelerated “Fast Track” program consisting of one or more of the courses listed below depending on transcript evaluation. This allows students from any background to prepare themselves for success in the MS SWE program. Students must earn a grade of C (2.0) or better in each individual Fast Track course and must maintain a B (3.0) or better cumulative grade point average in all Fast Track courses.

Course Delivery

The program offers a truly unique and exciting educational experience through a newly developed multi-media cyber-classroom which captures the entire classroom experience.  Coupled with Canvas® on-line content management software, it allows each student in computer science and information systems classes to tailor their education from a completely virtual, on-line learning experience to a completely in-class, on-campus experience.

Transfer of Credit

With approval of the CSIS Graduate Committee, students may transfer in, or elect as a graduate non-candidate for degree (NCFD), up to six credits of graduate-level courses in computer science and information systems.  See Transfer of Credit in the Graduate Study section for additional information on University of Michigan-Flint policies regarding the transfer of graduate credit.

Time Limit for Degree Completion

All requirements must be completed within six calendar years of initial enrollment in the program.

Academic Rules & Regulations

See the College of Innovation and Technology (CIT) College of Innovation and Technology Graduate Programs , and Graduate Study   sections for rules and regulations pertaining to all Innovation & Technology graduate programs.

Requirements


Concentration of Choice (12 credits)


Three courses from one of the following concentrations:

Option of Choice (8 credits)


One of the following options:

Thesis Option


Eight credits in thesis research, consisting of a research project with a final thesis paper and an oral defense:

Non-Thesis Option


Eight additional credits in courses from the concentrations above or other courses approved by the graduate advisor