Online Software Engineering Degree Programs

This article in an overview of the campus and online software engineering degree requirements as well as the career prospects in the field.

While many have heard the term software engineering, not many can define it. Software engineering, a field that deals in computer technology, is still a relatively young in comparison to other engineering fields. Software engineering is Software engineering is the application of systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approachs to the development, operation, and maintenance of software, and the study of the related approaches. The goal of a software engineer is to develop fast, cheap, efficient software to better the lives of electronics users everywhere. If this sounds interesting, it may be beneficial to pursue a software engineering degree. Some say that these things contributed largely to some areas of globalization and the creation of outsourcing methods. Outsourcing has had a negative effect on the economy of some western countries, and is the cause of a lot of unemployment in the USA.

Search for Online Software Engineering Degrees

Locate Software Engineering Schools in your area

Selected Online Software Engineering Degree Programs

University of Phoenix

• BS in Information Technology - Software Engineering
• Bachelor's - Computer Engineering Technology

Villanova University Online

• Software Testing (Master Certificate)
• Essentials of Software Testing (Certificate)
• ISTQB® Software Testing Capstone (Exam Prep)

Capella University

• BS - Software Architecture
• MS - Enterprise Software Architecture

DeVry University

• Computer and Software Engineering

Westwood College

• Bachelor Degree - Game Software Development

Colorado Technical University Online

• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology - Software Application Programming

Baker College Online

• Bachelor of Computer Science - Game Software Development

Villanova University

• Essentials of Software Testing
• ISTQB Software Testing Capstone
• Master Certificate in Software Testing

Western Governors University

• B.S. in Information Technology - Software

Grantham University

• AS, Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology
• BSc in Computer Engineering Technology

Software Engineering Education and Training

The requirements that go along with this profession vary depending on location. In the USA and the UK, a software engineering degree, license, or certificate, can be issued by an accredited source, such as an educational institute. These institutes can train in any of the ten sub-disciplines associated with engineering specific to software. Among these topics are software design, software development, software maintenance, software quality, and software testing.

Upon completion of one of these programs, a certificate will be awarded allowing the graduate to begin work. Most software engineers work as company employees or contractors, working with the government, businesses, and other organizations. Some hiring parties will expect a software engineer to be studied on all subjects of software engineering, while others will have multiple employees with sub-discipline specialties.

Some companies, such as Apple, Microsoft, and IBM offer their own training courses designed for a very specific certification. Students who travel down this road should expect a career within one of these companies, working with a very specific group of customers who use a very specific type of software.

Software Engineering Careers

This profession requires a lot of teamwork, and market analysis. It is necessary to know the need of the population, and the best way to satisfy that need through software, in order to be successful in this field. This is an office job and workers can expect normal business hours, with occasional overtime around deadlines. Currently, the digital world is thriving.

Capable software engineers are in high demand as technology is ever changing and evolving. In 2008, computer software careers are projected to have the highest growth percentage over the next ten years. A software engineering degree could promise stability in an unstable market.

Expected Income and Expected Career Growth

The recent impacts of this type of engineering have been a blessing to many. This field can be thanked for the creation of personal computers and operating systems. Additionally, the introduction of open source software twenty years ago brought Linux and Java into the mix, and contributed largely to the Internet boom that made many rich in Silicon Valley.

The company employing the engineer will dictate the pay, obviously, but software engineers can expect to make a comfortable living. More experienced professionals in the field can expect to pull in six figures with successful work. The average worker with a software engineering degree in this field will earn between $87,000-95,000 per year in the United States.