Statler College partners with Coursera to offer top-ranked Master of Science in Software Engineering online

West Virginia University has partnered with Coursera, one of the largest online learning platforms in the world, to offer the online master’s degree program in software engineering. (WVU Photo/Paige Nesbit)

According to data from Lightcast*, there are more than 625,000 open software engineering jobs that require a master's degree in the United States alone. The Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University has partnered with Coursera to offer an online master’s degree program in software engineering to give students and professionals the skills and credentials needed to fill these vacancies.

Story by Brittany Furbee, Communications Specialist
Photos by Paige Nesbit, Director of Marketing

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

The Master of Science in Software Engineering program created by WVU will cost $20,940** and ranks in the top 30 for Best Online Master's in Computer Information Technology Programs by U.S. News and World Report.

The program is designed to transform software and IT professionals into subject matter experts by teaching them how to design, develop, and manage software applications and systems. Furthermore, students will learn to define software requirements, archetype programs using object-oriented design, validate software, and evolve programs using the Capability Maturity Model.

The online program will allow students to learn from expert faculty and industry professionals in a flexible environment that caters to participants looking to balance full-time work and family life. The program is also customizable to individuals’ career goals through advanced elective courses, ranging from agile software development and mobile apps to security management and cloud computing classes.

“I liked the structure of the program. Not having to commute since it was online saved me a lot of time.” said Brian Collins, a graduate of the WVU software engineering program. “Ultimately, I chose the software engineering program, as I wanted to move into a leadership position, however I still wanted something technical in nature. After completing the program, I updated my credentials online, and right away had recruiters from companies like Amazon reaching out to me with new opportunities.”

According to 2021 alumni survey data from WVU of 29 students, sixty-two percent of graduates received a salary increase or a promotion upon completion of the program.

“This partnership with Coursera is an exciting venture for WVU faculty and students,” said WVU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Maryanne Reed. “We have been focusing on efforts to create innovative programs that provide in-demand skills and meet students where they are. Working with Coursera to expand our Software Engineering graduate program will provide an even wider audience for this excellent program. We are excited to welcome students from around the globe into the Mountaineer family through this partnership.”

“Nearly ten years ago, West Virginia University joined Coursera to enable anyone, anywhere to learn from the leading faculty and researchers at WVU. Today, we are proud to expand that partnership. Now, learners worldwide can earn the most transformative credential, a degree, from WVU on Coursera,” said Betty Vandenbosch, Chief Content Officer at Coursera. “This affordable, top-ranked program will help students advance their software engineering career by becoming subject matter experts in this growing field.”

Now in its tenth year of operation, Coursera offers over 40 degree programs from more than 20 university partners in 10 countries. The extensive catalog on Coursera features more than 5,400 courses, 3,400 Guided Projects, 675 Specializations and 125 certificates, many of which are entry-level Professional Certifications. Coursera currently serves more than 113 million registered learners worldwide, offering content to individual learners as well as employees, citizens and students through 7,000 institutional partnerships.

Applications are now open for the first cohort that will launch in the summer of 2023. To learn more and to apply, visit https://www.coursera.org/degrees/ms-software-engineering-wvu.

*Source: Occupation Summary for Computer Science and Computer Software Engineering; Open jobs denote open positions from October 2021 to September 2022; Accessed October 26, 2022.

**Tuition as of November 29, 2022; Tuition is subject to change. If students without a bachelor’s in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, or a closely related field apply and are accepted to the program, they must complete SENG 505, which brings the full degree cost for these students to $23,034. More information can be found in the WVU catalog.

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