Program Overview

Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering

The Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering program is designed for creative thinkers interested in coding and computer programming, mathematics, chemistry, and physics. This ABET-accredited online program is ideal for those who want to develop software and provide innovative solutions in industry and government.

Program Overview

• The program requires a minimum of 126 credits, including a capstone course.
• Students will work with real companies during an industry-sponsored design project in their senior year.
• The curriculum covers a wide array of software engineering topics, including discrete mathematics, probability, and statistics, along with relevant topics in computer science and supporting disciplines.

Entrance-to-Major Requirements

• Students transferring directly into the major with less than 45 transferable credits must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.7 or higher and have completed:
  • 8 credits of calculus with analytic geometry,
  • 4 credits of calculus-based physics,
  • and 4 credits of college chemistry including a laboratory.
• Students transferring directly into the major with more than 45 transferable credits must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.7 or higher and:
  • a Behrend campus dean's review is required for all students in order to enter the major directly, as well as for all students who have earned 45 or more transferrable credits.
• Current Penn State students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher to enter the major.

Prescribed Courses

The following courses are required for the program:

• CHEM 110: Chemical Principles I
• CHEM 111: Experimental Chemistry I
• CMPEN 270: Digital Design: Theory and Practice
• CMPEN 351: Microprocessors
• CMPEN 441: Operating Systems
• CMPEN 461: Communication Networks
• CMPSC 121: Introduction to Programming Techniques
• CMPSC 122: Intermediate Programming
• CMPSC 360: Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science
• CMPSC 431W: Database Management Systems
• CMPSC 461: Programming Language Concepts
• CMPSC 465: Data Structures and Algorithms
• ENG 202C: Effective Writing: Technical Writing
• MATH 140: Calculus with Analytic Geometry I
• MATH 141: Calculus with Analytic Geometry II
• MATH 220: Matrices
• MATH 250: Ordinary Differential Equations
• MGMT 301: Basic Management Concepts
• PHYS 211: General Physics: Mechanics
• PHYS 212: General Physics: Electricity and Magnetism
• STAT 318: Elementary Probability
• SWENG 311: Object-Oriented Software Design and Construction
• SWENG 411: Software Engineering
• SWENG 421: Software Architecture
• SWENG 431: Software Verification, Validation, and Testing
• SWENG 452W: Embedded Real Time Systems
• SWENG 480: Software Engineering Design
• SWENG 481: Software Engineering Project

Additional Courses

• ECON 102: Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy
• ECON 104: Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy
• EE 211: Electrical Circuits and Power Distribution

Supporting Courses and Related Areas

• Select 3 credits from an approved list of 400-level courses, in consultation with an adviser.
• CMPSC 445: Applied Machine Learning in Data Science
• SWENG 455: Engineering Quality and Security in Software

Electives

• Select 1 credit in consultation with an adviser.

General Education Requirements

• Foundations: 15 credits
  • Writing/Speaking: 9 credits
  • Quantification: 6 credits
• Knowledge Domains: 15 credits
  • Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
  • Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
  • Arts (GA): 3 credits
  • Humanities (GH): 3 credits
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
• Integrative Studies: 6 credits
  • Inter-Domain course work: 6 credits
• Exploration: 9 credits
  • Natural Sciences (GN) (may be Inter-Domain): 3 credits
  • GA, GH, GN, GS, and Inter-Domain courses: 6 credits

Career Opportunities

• Application Integration Engineer
• Software Development Engineer
• Software Architect
• Software Engineer
• Software Quality Assurance Engineer (SQA Engineer)

Employment Outlook

• Software Developers: 17.9% employment growth (10 years), 1,654,440 total employment
• Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: 11.8% employment growth (10 years), 199,800 total employment

Tuition and Financial Aid

• Undergraduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register and the number of total credits you have accrued at or transferred to Penn State.
• Tuition rates for the 2025-26 academic year:
  • If you have 59 or fewer credits: $638 per credit
  • If you have 60 or more credits: $685 per credit
• Financial aid and military benefits are available.

Application Instructions

• Review the admission requirements.
• Gather required materials, including high school transcripts or GED transcript, official college or university transcripts, and English proficiency test scores (if applicable).
• Create a Penn State login account.
• Complete the application, including the Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) and program-specific requirements.
• Submit the application fee ($65 domestic or $75 international).

Faculty

• Chen Cao, Ph.D.
• Shahid Hussain, Ph.D.
• Naseem Ibrahim, Ph.D.
• Russell Martin, M.S.
• Rafael Nunez, Ph.D.
• Meng Su, Ph.D.
• Wen-Li Wang, Ph.D.

News

• Scenes from THON 2025
• Four students to participate in THON for Penn State World Campus
• Penn State featured in U.S. News' 2025 'Best Online Programs' rankings

We Are Penn State

This is the real Penn State. You will take courses with curriculum developed by the same professors who teach on campus. You can expect the same caliber of academic quality that you associate with Penn State.