Master of Science in Software Engineering

Apply before the April 14 application deadline! Interested in learning more? Register for our upcoming webinar!

West Virginia University logo

Master of Science in Software Engineering

West Virginia University

Applications are now open for Summer 2025

March 17, 2025 is the priority deadline to apply.

Apply

Accredited Master’s Degree

Earn the same diploma as students on campus in 30 courses, 12–18 hours per week

100% online learning

Lecture videos, hands-on projects, and connection with instructors and peers

24 months to complete

Finish this 10-course, 30-credit program in as little as 24 months, 15-18 hours per week.

$22,380 Tuition Cost

Tuition is subject to change. Learn about your payment options.

Who is this degree for

This degree is an ideal choice if you’re a professional currently working in the information technology field and looking to advance your opportunities or if you are from an unrelated background and looking to pivot your career into software engineering.

The curriculum is built to help you get to the next level of your career and to advance your current education and experience with the most up-to-date skills in the industry.

Application Process

  • Review and gather the required application materials (outlined below), depending on whether you fall into Category A or Category B.

  • Create an account and complete the WVU Online Application including uploading your required documents.

  • Submit the application for admission.

    • Contact the Admissions Coach regarding application fee options.

  • Submit official undergraduate transcripts. WVU cannot accept scans, uploads, faxes, or unverified photocopies of transcripts as official.

    • It is preferred that official transcripts be sent via an online, secure service such as eScrip-Safe, National Student Clearinghouse, or Parchment to graduateadmissions@mail.wvu.edu.

    • If via mail, send them to:

      • WVU Office of Graduate Admissions

        One Waterfront Place

        PO Box 6510

        Morgantown, WV 26506-6510

    • Or electronically send to GraduateAdmissions@mail.wvu.edu

  • International applicants must meet the WVU requirement of English language proficiency.

Summer Deadline

Submit your application by March 6, 2024

Fall Priority 1 Deadline

Submit your application by April 3, 2025

Final Deadline for Spring A 2025:

Submit your application by December 2, 2024

Courses start on January 21, 2025

Admissions Information

Applications for the Summer 2025 intake are open.

  • Summer 2025 Priority Deadline: March 17, 2025
  • Summer 2025 Application Deadline: April 14, 2025
  • Summer 2025 Start of Classes: May 19, 2025

Applications for the Fall 2025 intake are open.

  • Fall 2025 Priority Deadline: June 18, 2025
  • Fall 2025 Application Deadline: July 16, 2025
  • Fall 2025 Start of Classes: August 20, 2025

Events March 13 - Join us for a live webinar! Register here. April 11 - Join us for a live webinar! Register here.

Learners from all educational and professional backgrounds are now eligible for provisional acceptance.

Admissions Information

Applications for the Summer 2025 intake are open.

  • Summer 2025 Priority Deadline: March 17, 2025
  • Summer 2025 Application Deadline: April 14, 2025
  • Summer 2025 Start of Classes: May 19, 2025

Applications for the Fall 2025 intake are open.

  • Fall 2025 Priority Deadline: June 18, 2025
  • Fall 2025 Application Deadline: July 16, 2025
  • Fall 2025 Start of Classes: August 20, 2025

Events March 13 - Join us for a live webinar! Register here. April 11 - Join us for a live webinar! Register here.

Learners from all educational and professional backgrounds are now eligible for provisional acceptance.

Application Requirements

The first step in applying to the iMSA is to fill out the online application and attach all required materials (copies of transcripts for all higher education, resume, personal statement, and names with emails for your references). After the admissions committee reviews your materials, you may be invited to an online interview. After the interview, the admissions committee will notify you of a decision. For admissions support, we offer many ways to connect with the Gies Online team, an admissions checklist, and a variety of events designed to answer all your questions.

Minimum Requirements for the iMSA Program

You must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the United States or an equivalent degree from an accredited institution in a foreign country. If you earned your degree(s) from a school located outside of the United States, please see the University of Illinois Graduate College's list of eligible degrees.

A grade point average of 3.0 (A=4.0), or comparable GPA for an international applicant, for the last two years of undergraduate study is recommended. Applications are reviewed holistically; work experience, positive references, and a strong personal statement are considered indicators of success that can outweigh a lower GPA.

Applicants need to have completed a course in business management along with a one or two course sequence in principles of accounting or a course in financial accounting. If you are missing any prerequisites for the full degree, you can complete open courses on Coursera to demonstrate readiness and strengthen your application for the iMSA.

For the principles of accounting course prerequisite, Gies offers the following courses. The three courses, in combination, will satisfy the principles of accounting prerequisite.

For the business management course prerequisite, you can take the Business Strategy course.

You will want to make sure that you earn a course completion certificate for each course so you can prove your successful completion of the courses. Please attach this form to your application.

Required Application Materials

Applicants must upload their academic credentials (transcripts, marksheets, certificates of degree, etc.) as required by the Graduate College. For the application review process, applicants do not need to submit official academic credentials; unofficial or scanned credentials are acceptable. If admitted, however, you will be required to submit official academic credentials.

When uploading your academic credentials, please keep the following in mind:

  • Credential evaluations (such as WES or ECE) are not accepted.
  • Uploaded credentials must include applicant’s name, institution name, and a transcript legend, grade scale, or grade criteria.
  • For domestic degrees, your transcript must have your degree awarded information and the date your degree was conferred.
  • For international degrees, you must include the certificate of degree. If the credentials were originally in a language other than English, credentials in both your native language and English must be uploaded.
  • If you have not yet completed your undergraduate degree at the time of application, we will review your materials based on the in-progress unofficial transcripts you have uploaded.

Your professional resume should include personal information, educational background, work experience (start and end dates for each position and a brief description of responsibilities), internship experience, educational training, professional associations, and leadership experiences. Technical resumes are not required. Please limit your resume to two pages.

Essay Prompts All degree applicants will be required to submit both an academic statement and a series of short answer personal statements. Exact essay prompts can be found within the graduate application.

  • Academic statement: A 300-500 word statement that addresses three questions noted in the application.
  • Short answer personal statements: A maximum of 250 words that address 2-4 questions noted in the application.

Two references are required. Once contact information is entered into your application, an email is sent to your references where they will be asked to complete a short form describing their professional relationship with you. A letter of recommendation can also be submitted but is not required. It is preferred that at least one of your references is a current or former supervisor. Reference forms can be received after an application is submitted. Applicants cannot submit references on their own behalf.

If you are a non-native English speaker or do not meet one of the University of Illinois Graduate College’s exemptions, you will need to upload TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores directly to your application. If you do not have scores and do not meet an exemption, you may also upload an essay requesting an exemption. Please note that if your test scores fall within the limited status range, you may be admitted to the Performance-based Admissions Track (PAT) program to satisfy the English proficiency requirement.

Optional Materials

The GMAT or GRE is not required for the application, but you are welcome to submit scores to supplement your application. Unofficial scores can be loaded into your application, but your official GMAT scores must be sent directly to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Institution Code – 1836.

Gies College of Business and Coursera scholarship essay Gies College of Business and Coursera have partnered to offer a limited number of need-based scholarships covering 70 percent of tuition for qualified students. All applicants are eligible to apply. Recipients will be selected based on need, academic standing, and essay submissions. These scholarships are focused on making our programs more accessible and impacting the global community of our students. Essay submissions must be received with the application for full consideration for the scholarship.

Requests for transfer credits will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed even if the following criteria are met. A maximum of 12 credit hours can be transferred. Transfer requests must be submitted with the application.

  • School must be an AACSB accredited institution.
  • Course(s) must have been completed within the past 4 years.
  • Course(s) must not have been used towards any other degree or transcripted credential.
  • Course(s) must have been taken at the graduate level.
  • Student must have earned an A- or better.

Ready to start your application?

Explore the Performance-based Admissions Track

The Performance-based Admissions Track (PAT) is a first-of-its-kind pathway into the iMSA program.

What is the PAT? Gies College of Business offers the PAT program for applicants who feel their profile may not be strong enough to gain direct admission to the degree program. As a PAT student, you will be able to take a set of 2 iMSA courses and get a feel for the academic rigor of the program. You will attend live sessions, complete assignments, and work on group projects just like a standard iMSA student.

If you earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, including a B or better in both courses, you will be automatically admitted to the iMSA program as a degree-seeking student. The credits earned in those courses will also be transferred toward your MSA degree. All students admitted to the PAT will be assigned an academic advisor and will have support throughout the program. Learn more about the curriculum.

How do I apply to the PAT? If you’re interested, you simply apply using the iMSA application link, indicating that you would like to be considered for the PAT. You will undergo the same rigorous application review as a degree-seeking student, including a possible interview.

  • No application fee
  • No enrollment deposit
  • Experience the online classroom
  • Earn transcriptable academic credit

  • Do not meet minimum undergraduate GPA requirement (3.0)
  • Have limited full-time or managerial work experience
  • Are unsure if an online program is right for you
  • Are uncertain about the time commitment needed to earn your MSA

Applications are now open for Summer 2025

March 17, 2025 is the priority deadline to apply.