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.
#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.
Learn More
Request Information
Receive more details about your program of interest.
Learn More
Computer Science Career Outlook
Top computer science careers in data science, software development, and other popular areas of IT.
Learn more
“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.
Master’s in Software Development Curriculum
A total of 32 credits is required.
Core Courses
(Five courses/20 credits)
MET CS 521 Information Structures with Python
Sprg ‘24
Summer ‘24
HUB
This course covers the concepts of the object-oriented approach to software design and development using Python. It includes a detailed discussion of programming concepts starting with the fundamentals of data types, control structures methods, classes, arrays and strings, and proceeding to advanced topics such as inheritance and polymorphism, creating user interfaces, exceptions and streams. Upon completion of this course students will be able to apply software engineering principles to design and implement Python applications that can be used in with analytics and big data. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Creativity/Innovation, Critical Thinking.
Prerequisite: Programming experience in any language. Or Instructor's consent. [ 4 cr. ]
BU Hub Learn More - Quantitative Reasoning II
- Critical Thinking
- Creativity/Innovation
Spring 2024
Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
A1 |
IND |
Lu |
HAR 316 |
M |
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm |
A2 |
IND |
Chertushkin |
CAS 116 |
T |
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm |
A3 |
IND |
Pinsky |
CAS 116 |
W |
8:00 am – 10:45 am |
O1 |
IND |
Orsini |
ROOM |
ARR |
– |
O2 |
IND |
Purvis |
ROOM |
ARR |
– |
MET CS 526 Data Structures and Algorithms
Sprg ‘24
Summer ‘24
This course covers and relates fundamental components of programs. Students use various data structures to solve computational problems, and implement data structures using a high-level programming language. Algorithms are created, decomposed, and expressed as pseudocode. The running time of various algorithms and their computational complexity are analyzed. Prerequisite: MET CS300 and either MET CS520 or MET CS521, or instructor's consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Spring 2024
Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
A1 |
IND |
Lee |
FLR 123 |
T |
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm |
O1 |
IND |
Burstein |
ROOM |
ARR |
– |
O2 |
IND |
Burstein |
ROOM |
ARR |
– |
MET CS 622 Advanced Programming Techniques
Sprg ‘24
Summer ‘24
HUB
Polymorphism, containers, libraries, method specifications, large-scale code management, use of exceptions, concurrent programming, functional programming, programming tests. Java will be used to illustrate these concepts. Students will implement a project or projects of their own choosing, in Java, since some concepts are expressible only in Java. Prerequisite: MET CS 342 or equivalent knowledge of Java. Or MET CS 521 and MET CS 526. Or instructor's consent. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Creativity/Innovation, Critical Thinking. [ 4 cr. ]
BU Hub Learn More - Quantitative Reasoning II
- Critical Thinking
- Creativity/Innovation
Spring 2024
Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
A1 |
IND |
Berry |
KCB 107 |
W |
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm |
O1 |
IND |
Rawassizadeh |
ROOM |
ARR |
– |
MET CS 665 Software Design and Patterns
Sprg ‘24
Summer ‘24
Software design principles, the object-oriented paradigm, unified modeling language; creational, structural, and behavioral design patterns; OO analysis and design; implementation of semester project. Laboratory course. Prereq: (MET CS 526 or MET CS 622) and one of the following (MET CS 341, MET CS 342, MET CS 520, or MET CS 521). Or instructor's consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Spring 2024
Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
A1 |
IND |
Orsini |
KCB 102 |
R |
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm |
O2 |
IND |
Kalathur |
ROOM |
ARR |
– |
Plus one of the following:
MET CS 673 Software Engineering
Sprg ‘24
Summer ‘24
HUB
Overview of techniques and tools to develop high quality software. Topics include software development life cycle such as Agile and DevOps, requirements analysis, software design, programming techniques, refactoring, testing, as well as software management issues. This course features a semester-long group project where students will design and develop a real world software system in groups using Agile methodology and various SE tools, including UML tools, project management tools, programming frameworks, unit and system testing tools , integration tools and version control tools.
Prereq: This is a capstone course to be taken after at least two programming intensive courses toward the end of a program of study. Familiarity with OO design concepts and proficiency in at least one high-level programming language is required. Or, Instructor's consent. Familiarity with web or mobile application development preferred.
Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Digital/Multimedia Expression, Oral and/or Signed Communication, Teamwork/Collaboration. [ 4 cr. ]
BU Hub Learn More - Oral and/or Signed Communication
- Digital/Multimedia Expression
- Teamwork/Collaboration
Spring 2024
Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
A1 |
IND |
Czik |
FLR 152 |
W |
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm |
MET CS 682 Information Systems Analysis and Design
Sprg ‘24
Summer ‘24
Object-oriented methods of information systems analysis and design for organizations with data- processing needs. System feasibility; requirements analysis; database utilization; Unified Modeling Language; software system architecture, design, and implementation, management; project control; and systems-level testing. Prerequisite: Basic programming knowledge or instructor's consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Spring 2024
Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
A1 |
IND |
Guadagno |
HAR 240 |
W |
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm |
A2 |
IND |
Guadagno |
HAR 316 |
R |
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm |
O1 |
IND |
Williams |
ROOM |
ARR |
– |
O2 |
IND |
Braude |
ROOM |
ARR |
– |
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:
MET CS 601 Web Application Development
Sprg ‘24
Summer ‘24
This course focuses on building core competencies in web design and development. It begins with a complete immersion into HTML essentially XHTML and Dynamic HTML (DHTML). Students are exposed to Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), as well as Dynamic CSS. The fundamentals of JavaScript language including object-oriented JavaScript is covered comprehensively. AJAX with XML and JSON are covered, as they are the primary means to transfer data from client and server. Prereq: MET CS 200, MET CS 231, MET CS 232 or MET CS 300. Or instructor consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Spring 2024
Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
A1 |
IND |
Sheehan |
KCB 107 |
T |
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm |
A2 |
IND |
Sheehan |
CAS 201 |
R |
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm |
MET CS 602 Server-Side Web Development
Sprg ‘24
Summer ‘24
The Server-Side Web Development course concentrates primarily on building web applications using PHP/MySQL and Node.js/MongoDB. The course is divided into various modules covering in depth the following topics: PHP, MySQL, Object oriented PHP, PHP MVC, Secure Web applications, Node.js and MongoDB. Along with the fundamentals underlying these technologies, several applications will be showcased as case studies. Students work with these technologies starting with simple applications and then examining real world complex applications. At the end of this course, students would have mastered the web application development on the server-side. Prerequisite: MET CS 601. Or instructor's consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Spring 2024
Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
O1 |
IND |
Orsini |
ROOM |
ARR |
– |
MET CS 633 Software Quality, Testing, and Security Management
Sprg ‘24
Theory and practice of security and quality assurance and testing for each step of the software development cycle. Verification vs. validation. Test case design techniques, test coverage criteria, security development and verification practices, and tools for static and dynamic analysis. Standards. Test-driven development. QA for maintenance and legacy applications. From a project management knowledge perspective, this course covers the methods, tools and techniques associated with the following processes -- Plan Quality, Perform Quality Assurance, and Perform Quality Control. [ 4 cr. ]
Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
O1 |
IND |
Elentukh |
ROOM |
ARR |
– |
MET CS 634 Agile Software Development
Sprg ‘24
Summer ‘24
This course provides students with a comprehensive overview of the principles, processes, and practices of agile software development. Students learn techniques for initiating, planning and executing on software development projects using agile methodologies. Students will obtain practical knowledge of agile development frameworks and be able to distinguish between agile and traditional project management methodologies. Students will learn how to apply agile tools and techniques in the software development lifecycle from project ideation to deployment, including establishing an agile team environment, roles and responsibilities, communication and reporting methods, and embracing change. We also leverage the guidelines outlined by the Project Management Institute for agile project development as a framework in this course. [ 4 cr. ]
Spring 2024
Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
A1 |
IND |
Heda |
BRB 122 |
R |
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm |
MET CS 664 Artificial Intelligence
Sprg ‘24
Study of the ideas and techniques that enable computers to behave intelligently. Search, constraint propagations, and reasoning. Knowledge representation, natural language, learning, question answering, inference, visual perception, and/or problem solving. Laboratory course. Prereq: MET CS 341, MET CS 342, MET CS 520 or MET CS 521. Or instructor's consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
A1 |
IND |
Kalathur |
CAS 237 |
W |
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm |
MET CS 669 Database Design and Implementation for Business
Sprg ‘24
Summer ‘24
Students learn the latest relational and object-relational tools and techniques for persistent data and object modeling and management. Students gain extensive hands- on experience using Oracle or Microsoft SQL Server as they learn the Structured Query Language (SQL) and design and implement databases. Students design and implement a database system as a term project. Restrictions: This course may not be taken in conjunction with MET CS 469 (undergraduate) or MET CS 579. Only one of these courses can be counted towards degree requirements. [ 4 cr. ]
Spring 2024
Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
A1 |
IND |
Russo |
STH 113 |
M |
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm |
A2 |
IND |
Maiewski |
KCB 104 |
W |
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm |
O1 |
IND |
Mansur |
ROOM |
ARR |
– |
O2 |
IND |
Mansur |
ROOM |
ARR |
– |
MET CS 677 Data Science with Python
Sprg ‘24
Summer ‘24
Students will learn major Python tools and techniques for data analysis. There are weekly assignments and mini projects on topics covered in class. These assignments will help build necessary statistical, visualization and other data science skills for effective use of data science in a variety of applications including finance, text processing, time series analysis and recommendation systems. In addition, students will choose a topic for a final project and present it on the last day of class. Prerequisite: MET CS 521 or equivalent. Or, instructor's consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Spring 2024
Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
A1 |
IND |
Pinsky |
CAS 226 |
R |
8:00 am – 10:45 am |
A2 |
IND |
Pinsky |
CAS 216 |
T |
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm |
O2 |
IND |
Enxing |
ROOM |
ARR |
– |
MET CS 683 Mobile Application Development with Android
Sprg ‘24
Summer ‘24
This course discusses the principles and issues associated with mobile application development using Android as the development platform. Topics covered will include Android application components (Activities, Services, Content Providers and Broadcast Receivers), ICC (Inter-component Communication), UI design, data storage, asynchronous processing, 2D graphics, and Android security. Students will develop their own apps in Java and/or Kotlin using Android Studio in their semester-long projects. Prior knowledge of Java programming is required. Prerequisite: MET CS 342 OR MET CS 520 OR MET CS 521. Or instructor's consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Spring 2024
Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
O2 |
IND |
Zhang |
ROOM |
ARR |
– |
MET CS 701 Rich Internet Application Development
Sprg ‘24
The Rich Internet Application (RIA) Development course concentrates primarily on building rich client web applications in the browser for desktop and mobile devices. The course is divided into various modules covering in depth the following technologies: HTML5, AngularJS, and Ionic framework. Along with the fundamentals underlying these technologies, several applications will be showcased as case studies. Students work with these technologies starting with simple applications and then examining real world complex applications. At the end of this course, students would have mastered the latest and widely used RIA methodologies. Course Prerequisites: METCS520 (Information Structures) and METCS601 (Web Application Development), or instructor's consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
A1 |
IND |
Davoodi |
CAS 223 |
W |
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm |
O2 |
IND |
Winderbaum |
ROOM |
ARR |
– |
MET CS 763 Secure Software Development
Sprg ‘24
Overview of techniques and tools to develop secure software. Focus on the application security. Topics include secure software development processes, threat modeling, secure requirements and architectures, vulnerability and malware analysis using static code analysis and dynamic analysis tools, vulnerabilities in C/C++ and Java programs, Crypto and secure APIs, vulnerabilities in web applications and mobile applications, and security testing. Hands-on lab and programming exercises using current tools are provided and required. Prerequisite: At least two 500- level (or above) programming-intensive computer science courses; or instructor's consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
A1 |
IND |
Zhang |
CAS 223 |
T |
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm |
MET CS 767 Advanced Machine Learning and Neural Networks
Sprg ‘24
Summer ‘24
Formerly titled CS767 Machine Learning
Theories and methods for learning from data. The course covers a variety of approaches, including Supervised and Unsupervised Learning, Neural Nets and Deep Learning, Adversarial Learning, Bayesian Learning, and Genetic Algorithms. Each student focuses on two of these approaches and creates a term project. Laboratory course. Prerequisite: MET CS 521 and either MET CS 622, MET CS 673 or MET CS 682. MET CS 677 is strongly recommended. Or, instructor's consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Spring 2024
Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
A1 |
IND |
Alizadeh-Sha |
CDS B62 |
M |
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm |
A2 |
IND |
Rawassizadeh |
MET 101 |
T |
9:00 am – 11:45 am |
Students interested in taking electives outside of the stated requirements should contact the Department of Computer Science for approval.
Computer Science Faculty
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.
Learn More
Comprehensive Financial Assistance
Our services include
scholarships, graduate loans, and payment plans.
Learn More
How Much Does This Program Cost?
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.
Apply Now
What to Read Next: MET Computer Science & IT Knowledge Center
News & Events
Events
April 10th, 2024
at:
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Jacques Pépin Lecture Series: The Taste of Water by Christy Spackman, Author and Researcher
Details
Events
April 17th, 2024
at:
1:30pm - 2:15pm
Graduate Admissions Webinar
Details
Events
May 1st, 2024
at:
10:00am - 10:30am
Financing your BU MET Graduate Education (for INTERNATIONAL students)
Details
Back to Programs