Brandeis Online

January 12, 2026

Is pursuing a master’s degree right for you? See if a degree in software engineering will help you achieve your goals.

What background do I need to pursue a master’s in software engineering?

Education and experience requirements depend on the degree program. Some programs require years of experience and a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, while others are less strict. Brandeis Online’s master’s in software engineering requires an introductory understanding of a programming language, the software development lifecycle, and data structures or algorithms. Students can meet this requirement through either relevant coursework or work experience covering those topics.

Will a master’s in software engineering make me more competitive?

While work experience is highly valued in the software engineering industry, credentials also speak volumes. A master’s degree in software engineering can give you a competitive edge when seeking senior or leadership roles. It can also provide the opportunity to focus on a high-demand area of software engineering, giving you the expertise needed to land a more specialized role. For example, Brandeis Online’s software engineering master’s offers a concentration in cybersecurity, enabling students to strengthen their technical skills in a key area of the industry.

Will a master’s in software engineering help me switch industries?

A master’s in software engineering can help you break into a new industry, especially if your bachelor’s degree is not in computer science. The hands-on experience and personalized instruction provided by programs like Brandeis Online’s master’s in software engineering make it possible to quickly get up-to-speed on crucial industry skills, tools, and techniques, even with little programming knowledge. Brandeis Online students like Ryan Voccio MS’24 have used their master’s degrees to successfully accelerate their transition from a different industry to a more satisfying career.

What job can I get with a master’s in software engineering?

Want to design apps or websites, construct secure software systems, or manage your own IT team? A master’s in software engineering can open the door to jobs like mobile/web developer, software quality assurance analyst, software architect, database administrator and more. Depending on your concentration or level of experience, a master’s can also help you advance to leadership roles like senior software developer, engineering manager, or even chief technology officer. Brandeis online graduates have gone on to secure positions like lead software engineer, IT Scrum Master, software product manager, and more, working at top companies like Google, CVS Health and Raytheon.

Is a master’s in software engineering better than pursuing bootcamps, certifications, or personal projects?

Online coding bootcamps and massive open online certification courses are plentiful. While these options allow you to take learning into your own hands, they are an endeavor you must embark on alone — without peers or instructors to help your learning and growth.

With part-time, online master’s programs like Brandeis Online's, you get all of the flexibility and convenience of an online certification or bootcamp, plus the institutional support and national recognition of an R1 research university. Master’s degrees come with opportunities for collaboration, networking and personalized guidance that bootcamps and massive open online courses cannot provide.

Will a master’s in software engineering help me future-proof my career?

The tech and software engineering industries are rapidly changing. As artificial intelligence, machine learning and general economic changes transform the job market, the need to upskill is more important than ever. Professionally-focused master’s programs like Brandeis Online's offer the opportunity to stay up to speed on current technologies and learn future-oriented directly from industry experts.