At a Glance

Completion Time
8
Months
Credits Required
16
Tuition
$14,850–$16,630
Part-Time*

*Based on 2026–2027 Boston University tuition and fees.

Learn to Design and Deploy Software Applications

The online Graduate Certificate in Software Engineering at Boston University’s Metropolitan College (MET) is designed to produce skilled software engineers who will be able to participate in, and lead, development projects.

BU MET’s Software Engineering online graduate certificate provides you with in-depth understanding and hands-on practice in how to plan, understand and analyze the requirements, design, implement, test, and deploy high-quality software applications. The program emphasizes important concepts and principles in software design as well as best practices used in the software industry. As a student in BU MET’s Software Engineering program, you will develop technical prowess along with valuable management and soft skills. The program can help current programmers or software engineers seek professional growth in the software industry.

The Software Engineering Graduate Certificate is also available on campus in Boston. Learn more.

Curriculum

Boston University’s Graduate Certificate in Software Engineering consists of four required courses (16 units).

Dates & Deadlines

View BU MET’s academic calendar for online programs, including important dates and deadlines.

Application Requirements

Learn about application requirements for BU MET graduate degree and certificate programs.

How You Benefit from a
Boston University Education

A BU credential can help lay the foundation for career advancement and personal success.

  • Benefit from a 24:1 average student-to-instructor ratio.
  • Courses ensure you get the attention you need, while introducing case studies and real-world projects that emphasize technical and theoretical knowledge—combining in-depth, practical experience with the critical skills needed to remain on the forefront of the information technology field. In addition, BU’s Center for Reliable Information Systems and Cyber Security (RISCS) offers opportunities to collaborate and participate in research on system reliability and information security.
  • Work closely with highly qualified faculty and seasoned industry leaders in a wide range of technology fields who are committed to teaching the latest technologies within the framework of ideas, concepts, and methods that drive innovation.
  • BU MET’s Department of Computer Science was established in 1979 and is the longest-running computer science department at BU. Over its four decades, the department has played an important role in the emergence of IT at the University and throughout the region.

Rankings & Accreditations

U.S. News & World Report - Best Online Programs - Grad Information Technology - 2026

#12, Best Online Master’s in Computer Information Technology Programs

MET’s computer science & IT graduate certificates share curriculum with MET’s online master’s degrees in computer information technology, which are ranked #12 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Graduate with Software Engineering Expertise

Students who complete the Online Graduate Certificate in Software Engineering will be able to demonstrate:

  • Advanced knowledge of software projects, including requirements analysis, object-oriented methods, design patterns, testing, and maintenance.
  • Proficiency in software project management, software design, Unified Modeling Language usage, and computer-aided software engineering.
  • Competence sufficient to participate in and lead the planning, requirements analysis, design, and timely implementation of quality software applications within budget.

Advance Your Career

BU MET’s Software Engineering graduate certificate prepares you for a wealth of different roles, such as software engineer, systems engineer, data engineer, software developer, solution architect, and many others.

Recent graduates have found job opportunities and career paths at companies such as:

  • Tesla
  • Fidelity Investments
  • Bank of America
  • Microsoft
  • US Navy
  • Amazon
  • JPMorgan Chase & Co.
  • Liberty Mutual Insurance
  • Uber
  • United States Air Force
  • Wayfair
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
  • BMC Software
  • BNY Mellon
  • Brigham and Women’s Hospital
  • Cigna
  • Dell
  • iRobot
  • PayPal
  • Philips

Interested in Learning More?

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