Software Engineering Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

A Software Engineering major applies engineering methods to designing, building, testing and maintaining software. Software engineering majors learn programming plus the practices teams use to deliver reliable software: requirements, design, testing, version control and project management.

A Software Engineering major includes coursework in programming, software design and architecture, software testing, requirements engineering, and databases and more. You build skills such as programming, testing and debugging, version control, and teamwork. Programs often include team projects. Typical degrees: associate and bachelor's degrees.

Typical courses include programming, software design and architecture, software testing, requirements engineering, databases, and team software projects. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Software Engineering is offered as certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years, an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study, a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study, a master’s degree usually takes one to two years after a bachelor’s, and a doctoral or professional degree takes several more years beyond that. Part-time study takes longer.

Associate and bachelor's degrees. In the latest federal data, 307 colleges reported certificate awards, 297 colleges reported associate awards, 153 colleges reported bachelor’s awards, 65 colleges reported master’s awards, and 7 colleges reported doctoral awards.

Career paths connected to software engineering include software developer, software qa tester, web developer, UX/UI designer, and computer systems analyst. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include software developer (typical training: 4 years or bootcamp plus portfolio), software qa tester (typical training: 6 months–4 years), web developer (typical training: 6 months to 4 years), ux/ui designer (typical training: 4 years or bootcamp plus portfolio), and computer systems analyst (typical training: 4 years).

Software Engineering majors build skills such as programming, testing and debugging, version control, teamwork, and technical documentation.

Good pairings include Mathematics (strengthens problem solving and algorithms), Business (prepares you for product and leadership roles), and Cybersecurity (teaches you to build secure software).

Often, yes. Programs commonly include team projects. Ask each college how its program arranges hands-on work.

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as software developer, software qa tester, and web developer, and enjoy subjects like programming and software design and architecture. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes programming, software design and architecture, and software testing; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

565 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

California (83), Texas (36), Florida (32), Illinois (32), and Michigan (26), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

490 of the colleges that offer software engineering also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Software Engineering applies engineering methods to designing, building, testing and maintaining software. Computer Science studies how computers and software work and how to design programs that solve problems. Software Engineering leads to careers such as software developer and software qa tester, while Computer Science leads to careers such as software developer and web developer.

Software Engineering applies engineering methods to designing, building, testing and maintaining software. Information Technology focuses on setting up, running and supporting the computer systems organizations depend on. Software Engineering leads to careers such as software developer and software qa tester, while Information Technology leads to careers such as IT support specialist and network administrator.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to software engineering, such as Software Developer Training.