Are You Ready to Lead a Software Development Team to Success?

Available online and on campus, the Master of Science in Software Development (MSSD) at Boston University’s Metropolitan College (MET) prepares you with the essential skillset to succeed in one of the fastest-growing professions: software developer—ranked the #1 Best Technology Job in 2020 by U.S. News & World Report.

Program at a Glance

  • Top 10 Online Program
  • Online and On Campus
  • Part-Time or Full-Time Study
  • STEM Designated
  • 32 Credits
  • 8–16 Months to Completion
  • 17 Core Faculty
  • No GRE/GMAT
  • Tuition & Fees—Part-Time Study*: $27,440

*Based on 2023–2024 Boston University tuition and fees. Merit scholarship may reduce cost.

Advance Your Career with a Master’s in Software Development

As one of the only software development master’s degree programs in the United States, the MS in Software Development at BU MET is ideal for those who enjoy programming and seek to create software in an interactive process that involves multiple stakeholders. The program is open to students of all backgrounds—all you need is a bachelor’s degree in any field.

The MSSD curriculum will provide you with a thorough understanding of the latest requirements and needs for software across diverse industries, and ensure that you are ready to deliver secure, reliable software products—as part of an agile software team or leading it.

U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs - Grad Information Technology 2024

#8, Best Online Master's in Computer Information Technology Programs

MET’s online master’s degrees in computer information technology are ranked #8 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for 2024.

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What Do My Career Options Look Like with a Master’s in Computer Science from BU’s Metropolitan College?

Computer Science Career Outlook

Top computer science careers in data science, software development, and other popular areas of IT.

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“Almost everything I learned during my coursework at BU has been useful at one point or another…A lot of the courses I took gave me the option to develop some sort of web application as a project, which was great exposure that I still refer back to in my current job…my professors and the coursework really did prepare me for the industry and helped me mature as a software developer.”Diego Lopez, MS in Software Development (MET’20), Software Developer at MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Why BU’s Software Development is Ranked in the Top 10

  • Active Learning Environment: BU MET’s Software Development courses ensure you get the attention you need, while introducing case studies and real-world projects that ensure you gain in-depth, practical experience with the latest technologies.
  • Career Counseling: MET’s Career Development office and BU’s Center for Career Development offer a variety of job-hunting resources, including one-on-one career counseling by appointment for both online and on-campus students.
  • Engaged Faculty: In BU MET’s Software Development master’s program, you benefit from working closely with highly qualified faculty and industry leaders who are involved in research projects in areas such as novel internet architectures, smartphone applications, information assurance, biomedical informatics, and many other areas.
  • Extensive Network: Study software development alongside fellow professionals from all backgrounds, learn from faculty who have valuable IT contacts across several sectors, and benefit from an alumni community with strong professional connections.
  • STEM Designated: Eligible graduates on student visas have access to an Optional Practical Training (OPT) of 12 months and an extension for up to 24 additional months.
  • 15:1 Class Ratio: Enjoy an exceptional student-to-instructor ratio, ensuring close interaction with faculty and access to support.
  • Valuable Resources: Make use of Boston University’s extensive resources, including the Center for Career Development, Educational Resource Center, Fitness & Recreation Center, IT Help Centers, Mugar Memorial Library, Center for Antiracist Research, Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground, George Sherman Union, Rafik B. Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science & Engineering, and many others.
  • Flexible Options: Study at the pace that works for you, evenings on campus or fully online. Courses begin fall, spring, and summer; online courses have two starts per term.
  • Track Record: Learn from the best—BU MET’s Department of Computer Science was established in 1979 and is the longest-running computer science department BU. Over its four decades, the department has played an important role in the emergence of IT at the University and throughout the region.
  • Merit Scholarships: US citizens and permanent residents are automatically considered during the application process and nominated based on eligibility. Learn more.

Master the Tools to Excel in Software Development

Offered through BU MET’s Department of Computer Science, the Master of Science in Software Development (MSSD) curriculum prepares graduates to take on evolving career paths in the field, dramatically improve coding capabilities while also developing a foundation for those who want to move into the management of agile development teams.

Led by faculty with abundant industry experience, the MSSD is informed by real-world case studies and projects that meet the ubiquitous, and growing, need for new software. Through hands-on, project-based experience, students will finish the master’s program with an advanced portfolio of software projects.

Graduates can progress into a variety of career paths in fields such as:

  • Healthcare—analyzing patient data as well as managing and scheduling resources in hospitals
  • Business and finance—analyzing trends through mathematical analysis for big data reduction and creating more efficient systems
  • Information security—developing systems that are properly tested to reduce vulnerabilities
  • Defense—developing command and control systems

Graduate with Expertise

Metropolitan College’s Software Development master’s degree will equip you with:

  • Advanced knowledge of computer language theory, software design, as well as databases, networks, or security.
  • Proficiency in algorithms, operating systems, computer language usage, software development, and the management of data, networks, or security.
  • Competence sufficient to investigate continually emerging new software technologies, applications, and approaches.

Certificate-to-Degree Pathway

BU MET graduate certificate programs can serve as building blocks to a master’s degree. The graduate certificates in Information Technology, IT Project Management, Software Engineering, and Web Application Development each share specific courses with the master’s in Software Development program, giving you the option to take one or two certificates on your path to a master’s degree.Students currently enrolled in a graduate certificate who are interested in transitioning into a master’s degree should contact their academic advisor to declare their interest in this pathway. A new master’s degree application is not required. Connect with a graduate admissions advisor at csadmissions@bu.edu to learn more about this option.



A total of 32 credits is required.

Core Courses

(Five courses/20 credits)

Plus one of the following:

Electives

(Three courses/12 credits)

When choosing electives, students should make sure that they have all prerequisites required by the selected course or, instructor’s consent. Choose three from the following list:

Students interested in taking electives outside of the stated requirements should contact the Department of Computer Science for approval.



Computer Science Faculty

Learn more about the Department of Computer Science

Tuition & Financial Assistance

Competitive Tuition

Our part-time rates are substantially lower than those of the traditional, full-time residential programs yet provide access to the same high-quality BU education.

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Comprehensive Financial Assistance

Our services include scholarships, graduate loans, and payment plans.

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BU MET programs offer the flexibility of part-time or full-time study, either on campus or online. Tuition, fees, and total program cost are determined by enrollment status. If you enroll in 1–2 courses (4–8 credits) in a semester, you are charged the part-time per-credit rate. If you enroll in 3–4 courses (12–16 credits) in a semester, you are charged the full-time semester rate.

MS in Software Development (Online and On Campus)

Enrollment Status Part Time Full Time
Courses per Semester 2 courses
(8 credits)
4 courses
(16 credits)
3 courses
(12 credits)
Time to Degree 4 semesters
(16 months)
2 semesters
(8-12 months)***
3 semesters
(12-16 months)***
Tuition* $535-$955
per credit**
$31,899
per semester
$31,899
per semester
Fees per Semester* $60 $457 $457
Total Degree Cost* $27,440 $64,712 $72,412

*Based on 2023–2024 Boston University tuition & fee rates.
**Cost per credit is determined by course number (100–599 = $535/credit, 600–999 = $955/credit).
***Summer semester enrollment is not required for international students to maintain F-1 visa status. Enrollment in summer semester coursework will expedite completion of program and reduce total program cost.

International students seeking an F-1 visa for on-campus study must enroll full time and demonstrate availability of funds to cover the Estimated Cost of Graduate Study; those who wish to study online may enroll part-time but are not eligible for a visa. Learn more about International Student Tuition & Fees.

Questions? Please contact us to hear from an Admissions Advisor who can help you determine the best enrollment pathway. For information regarding financial aid, visit BU MET’s Financial Aid page.

Get Started

Please visit the BU MET admissions page for details on how to apply, financial assistance, tuition and fees, requirements for international students, and more.

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