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Penn State credits and degrees earned through distance education are identical to those earned on campus.
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Penn State World Campus has enrolled students from all 50 states and all 7 continents. Our online courses involve frequent interactions between students and with instructors. Penn State, renowned as a leader in engineering education, awards one of the highest numbers of bachelors degrees in engineering in the United States.

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Master of Software Engineering

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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
Welcome................................................................. 3 Why Software Engineering? .............................. 4 Why Penn State?................................................... 5 Achieve Your Career Goals around Your Schedule ...................................................67 Frequently Asked Questions .............................. 8 Getting Started ...................................................11

Welcome
You are making an important career decision by choosing Penn States online masters degree program in software engineering. Since 1892, when we founded one of the nations first correspondence study programs, Penn State has been a pioneer in distance education. With the launch of the World Campus in 1998, the University reaffirmed its commitment to providing educational opportunities to learners around the world. Our mission is to deliver Penn State degrees, certificates, and courses in a convenient online format, so that youthe adult studentcan balance work, family, and your educational pursuits.

No longer considered the niche field it once was, software engineering has entered the mainstream in a big way. From the auto industry to health care, from cell phones to defense, software engineers are changing the way we do business today. As a profession, software engineering is poised to become one of the fastest-growing engineering professions. As you look to advance your career or explore a new and dynamic field, consider Penn States online masters degree in software engineering.

Software engineering goes well beyond computer systems; software is an integral part of almost all systems. Automobiles, for example, now have a hundred million lines of computer code running everything from the brakes to the radio. Software engineers need first-class instruction to prepare for the demands of an ever-changing technological world. After offering the masters degree at the Penn State Great Valley campus for more than 10 years and at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard since 2008, the online masters degree now gives us the opportunity to reach working professionals around the globe. Jim Nemes, D.Sc. Lead Faculty Member Master of Software Engineering

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Why Software Engineering?

distributed development. You may help build your companys computer system and data center, maintain them, and plan for their future growth. You may also produce new software that can help businesses or individuals obtain what they want from their computer systems. From design to development, software engineers use their abilities with applications and systems software to create the elements that make engineered systems work. Software engineers are employed in a variety of industries, including consumer products, telecommunications, biomedical, defense, and intelligence agencies, as well as nonprofits, government, finance, and health care. Consulting opportunities for software engineers are also expanding as technology evolves and becomes an increasingly essential part of everyday life. As a software engineer, you will work to develop software products and services for industry and government through software analysis, design and architecture, system verification, and data storage and retrieval, all while managing globally Software engineers may also perform the following tasks: analyze information to determine and plan installation of a new system or modification of an existing system coordinate installation of software systems design and develop software systems, using scientific analysis and mathematical models to predict and measure outcomes of a design develop and direct software system testing and validation procedures direct software programming and development of documentation

Why Penn State?

Proven Leadership in Online Delivery
Through years of solid experience, Penn State has been a leader in the use of technology in education. The online master of software engineering (MSE) degree program was developed as a high-quality experience using the very same courses offered in the residence program. Penn State World Campus is Penn State.

Distinguished Faculty
The courses for the online MSE program are designed and taught by full-time Penn State professors whose teaching and research interests combine academic expertise and industry experience.

Employer Recognized
Penn State, renowned as a leader in engineering education, awards one of the highest numbers of bachelors degrees in engineering in the United States. The online MSE degree program will carry the same Penn State commitment to high quality that employers recognize.

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Achieve Your Career Goals around Your Schedule

We realize that the majority of our students are working professionals who balance a host of other commitments. Thats one reason why we offer the MSE program entirely online through Penn State World Campusto give you the convenience and flexibility of fitting your study time into your busy personal and professional schedule. The online software engineering courses are highly interactive and collaborative, so you can build strong ties with other students and gain perspective from other disciplines and industries. Using a cohort approach, the online MSE program allows you to progress through the program with your fellow students. This approach provides greater integration of course content and fosters a richer student experience.

Network with Classmates

You can share experiences with your peers, as you learn from each other and create a dynamic professional network of colleagues. The course content comprises far more than a textbook on a screen; it is reinforced and enhanced by interaction with your fellow students and the faculty.

fixed start and end dates, but you decide when to do your course work to meet the assignment deadlines.

Apply What You Are LearningToday

The MSE degree program is designed to help students with a technical background become leaders in the industry, while providing the convenience and flexibility of earning their degrees online. Your classmates will have undergraduate degrees in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or information sciences. Many will be experienced professionals from a variety of disciplines and corporations.

The Benefits of Online Learning Curriculum

The 36-credit MSE degree program consists of 12 courses that you complete in continuous 7-week terms over 2 years. Maximum flexibility is maintained by the program in an effort to meet both the professional needs of individual students and academic quality standards.
Required (36 credits) Year One
Semester 1 SWENG 586 Requirements Engineering (3 credits) SWENG 537 Software System Design (3 credits) Semester 2 SWENG 585 Pattern-Oriented Design (3 credits) IN SC 521 Database Design Concepts (3 credits) Semester 3 SWENG 587 Software Systems Architecture (3 credits) SWENG 568 Enterprise Integration (3 credits) Semester 1 SWENG 826 Applied HumanComputer Interaction (3 credits) SWENG 588 Program Understanding (3 credits)

With our online delivery format you can complete your MSE degree without ever having to set foot on campus. You will receive course content and complete the activities using your computer and Web access. The courses have

Year Two
Semester 2 IN SC 561 Web Security and Privacy (3 credits) SWENG 581 Software Testing (3 credits) Semester 3 SWENG 505 Software Project Management (3 credits) SWENG 500 Software Engineering Studio (3 credits)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Penn State the best choice for me? Flexibility and convenience: Penn State knows that adults need flexible and convenient learning options to continue meeting their professional and personal commitments. As job responsibilities grow increasingly complex and family schedules become more hectic, online education enables you to study at times and locations that are convenient for you. Reputation: Penn State is universally regarded as one of the finest educational institutions in the United States. Putting a Penn State degree or certificate on your rsum is a great way to prove to current and potential employers that you are a well-educated professional, and to broaden your career options. Accreditation: Penn State is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and has an outstanding reputation as a research and teaching university. Our courses are also accepted by most other colleges and universities in fulfillment of their requirements. Is this the real Penn State? Absolutely. Penn State values online education as highly as it does resident instruction. No distinction will be made on your official Penn State transcript or degree that your courses were completed at a distance. The credits you receive are exactly the same as those awarded to on-campus students. How will I interact with my instructor and other students? You will be part of a group of students in each course in this program, and we use a variety of means to bring students and instructors together, including asynchronous electronic threaded discussions on the course Web site, synchronous sessions, and e-mail. What types of student support are available? As a distance education pioneer, Penn State has developed a nationally recognized support system for students who are geographically removed from campus. With our amazing team of academic advisers, technical support experts, customer service representatives, and Penn State instructors, well help you get where you want to gosuccessfullythrough distance education.

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Getting Started
Admissions decisions for the masters degree program in software engineering are based on a review of your complete application portfolio and the quality of your credentials relative to those of other applicants.

Begin Your Application Today

A student applying to the soft ware engineering program must include the following in his/her application portfolio: application form (completed and submitted rsum online) recommendation letter Test of English as a Foreign Language two official transcripts from each (TOEFL) score, if applicable. undergraduate and graduate institution statement of intent attended Official GRE test scores will be considered if submitted, but are not required.

For More Information

Contact Us pennstateonline@psu.edu www.worldcampus.psu.edu 800-252-3592 (toll free within the United States) 814-865-5403 (local and international) 814-865-3290 Fax Student Services Hours (inquiries and registration) 8:00 a.m.9:30 p.m. MondayThursday 8:00 a.m.5:00 p.m. Friday Closed Saturday and Sunday Admissions Counseling Hours 8:00 a.m.8:00 p.m. MondayThursday 8:00 a.m.5:00 p.m. Friday Closed Saturday and Sunday Penn State World Campus The Pennsylvania State University 301 Outreach Building University Park PA 16802

This publication is available in alternative media on request. Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce. Produced by Outreach Marketing and Communications U.Ed.OUT 10-1305/10-WC-377bkh/bjm Copyright 2010 The Pennsylvania State University

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