Software Engineering (Cybersecurity), MS
Elevate your expertise at the intersection of software engineering and cybersecurity. Develop the skills to build secure, resilient software systems that protect critical data, defend against evolving cyber threats, and inspire digital trust in an increasingly connected world.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
The Master of Science program in software engineering with a concentration in cybersecurity equips you with advanced knowledge and skills in designing and developing secure and resilient software systems. This concentration integrates cybersecurity principles with software engineering methodologies, enabling you to build robust applications that defend against cyber threats and ensure data integrity.
The program emphasizes the engineering discipline of secure software development, covering key areas such as secure coding practices, risk assessment, encryption techniques, network security, and threat modeling. You gain hands-on experience through engaging projects and real-world case studies, preparing you to develop and maintain software that meets modern security challenges.
Additionally, the program fosters professional growth and research opportunities, enabling you to explore innovative solutions to the problems bisecting software engineering and cybersecurity. You are well-prepared for careers in secure software development, cybersecurity engineering, penetration testing, cloud security, and cyber defense architecture across industries that demand advanced security solutions.
GI Bill® benefits
This new program is not yet approved for use with GI Bill® benefits.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
30 credit hours and a thesis, or
30 credit hours including the required capstone course (SER 517)
Required core (9 credit hours) Concentration (9 credit hours) Students select two courses: Restricted Electives (6 credit hours) Electives (0 or 3 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information Students in the capstone option take three credit hours of electives, while students in the thesis option do not take elective coursework.
SER 501 Advanced Data Structures and Algorithms (3)
SER 502 Emerging Languages and Programming Paradigms (3)
SER 515 Foundations of Software Engineering (3)
CSE 543 Information Assurance and Security (3)
CSE 539 Applied Cryptography (3)
CSE 545 Software Security (3)
CSE 548 Advanced Computer Network Security (3)
CSE 545 Software Security (3)
CSE 546 Cloud Computing (3)
CSE 563 Software Requirements and Specification (3)
CSE 565 Software Verification, Validation and Testing (3)
SER 516 Software Agility (3)
SER 574 Advanced Software Design (3)
SER 517 Software Factory Capstone (3)
SER 599 Thesis (6)
For restricted electives coursework, students select two of the courses on the list. Courses should be selected in consultation with the program advisor.
Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science engineering, data science engineering, industrial engineering, software engineering or a related field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = ''A'') in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = ''A'') in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants are required to submit: Additional Application Information Before applying to the MS program, students are required to have completed two semesters or six credit hours of calculus, equivalent to Calculus I and II, with a grade of ''C'' (scale is 4.0 = ''A'') or higher. Completion of discrete math is also recommended prior to admission. Students from noncomputing backgrounds may also be eligible with the required math listed and at least six credit hours of computer programming or at least one year of software industry experience. Students assigned any additional coursework upon admission must complete those classes with a grade of ''C'' (scale is 4.00 = ''A'') or higher within two semesters of admission to the program. Courses include: The applicant's undergraduate GPA and depth of preparation in computer science and software engineering are the primary factors affecting admission.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency by scoring at least 4 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT)®, or a score of 80 if taken before January 21, 2026 in a testing center; 6.5 on the IELTS; or 105 on the Duolingo English test.
SER 222 Design and Analysis of Data Structures and Algorithms or CSE 310 Data Structures and Algorithms
SER 334 Operating Systems and System Programming or CSE 330 Operating Systems
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 06/01 | Priority* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 09/15 | Priority* |
*A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space-available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Admission Services.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Graduates of the MS program in software engineering with a concentration in cybersecurity have a wide range of career opportunities across industries. With the increasing demand for cybersecurity expertise, graduates can find roles in technology firms, financial services, health care, government agencies, critical infrastructure, cloud computing and more.
Career examples include:
- application security engineer
- cloud security engineer
- cyber defense analyst
- cybersecurity engineer
- DevSecOps engineer
- secure software developer
- network security engineer
- penetration tester (ethical hacker)
- security architect
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Software Engineering
|
PICHO 245
scai.grad.admission@asu.edu
480-965-3199
Admission deadlines
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
