Program Overview

Master of Science in Software Management (MSSM) Program

The Master of Science in Software Management (MSSM) program has been preparing product managers, entrepreneurs, and innovation-minded professionals to meet the rapidly-changing demands of the software industry since 2003.

Program Overview

Students enrolled in the MSSM program should expect to:

• Get practical and dynamic opportunities to lead teams.
• Create innovative product and service solutions.
• Develop a mix of engineering, interpersonal, design, and management skills to accelerate their career and succeed wherever software innovation is needed, from startups to international corporations.
• Master the dimensions of people, processes, products, and projects to go further in their field.

Program Formats

The MSSM program is offered in three formats:

• Part-Time Format:
  • August start, complete the degree in as little as two years
  • Learn on your terms--attend lunchtime or evening classes on CMU's Silicon Valley campus, or participate remotely from anywhere.
  • Ideal for candidates who want to continue to work full time
• 12-Month Format:
  • August - August
  • Location: CMU's Silicon Valley Campus
  • Ideal for candidates with some professional experience looking to gain necessary skills and return to the workplace quickly
• 16-Month Format:
  • August - December (with a summer internship)
  • Location: CMU's Silicon Valley Campus
  • Ideal for candidates seeking more professional experience or a career pivot

Academic Experience

• Undergraduate degree in computer science, electrical and computer engineering, information science, information systems, information technology, or a related field.
• The ideal candidate will hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or equivalent from an accredited institution (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc., Higher Learning Commission or U.S. Dept. of Education).

Work Experience

• We recommend certain program formats based on an applicant's level of industry experience:
  • Part-time applicants should have five or more years of work experience.
  • Full-time applicants with four or more years of work experience should consider applying to our 12-month MSSM program. Applicants with less experience or who are seeking to pivot careers should consider applying to our 16-month program, which features a summer internship.

Technical Skill Prerequisites

• Although most of our students have a computer science-related undergraduate degree, there is no one path to the MSSM. You are well on your way if you excelled in your engineering or science undergraduate degree or an equivalent program where you developed your logical reasoning capacity.
• Those with undergraduate degrees outside of computer science, software engineering, or information technology, or simply questioning if their technical skills meet the prerequisites of the MSSM, should review the following resources:
  • Career Skills in Software Development
  • Python Essential Training
  • Artificial Intelligence Foundations: Thinking Machines
  • Improve Your Thinking
  • Communication Training

Application Deadlines

• 12-month or 16-month:
  • Start Term: Fall 2026
  • Applications Open: Now
  • Application Deadline: January 20, 2026
• MSSM Part-Time Degree:
  • Start Term: Spring 2026
  • Applications Open: Now
  • Application Deadline: December 1, 2025

Technology Ventures Concentration

• The concentration features thoughtfully curated courses designed to prepare you to take your product or service idea to conceptualization:
  • Start-Up Creation in Practice: Similar to an independent study, but focused specifically on new venture creation, students will work on developing their technology-focused idea into a potentially viable company through this course.
  • Innovation & Entrepreneurship: This course focuses on entrepreneurship and innovation from the vantage point of high-tech companies in Silicon Valley.
  • Legal Issues in New Venture Creation: The course will cover basic legal requirements of incorporation, and additional options that need to be determined by the founders including: equity distribution, board structure, employee stock option vesting, triggers for contingencies, and other issues.
  • Venture Governance: The goal of the course is to teach founders of a high-tech startup venture the requirements and processes to be a director and how to manage their Board of Directors and Advisory Boards.

Career Outcomes

• Graduates are hired by top companies across a wide array of industries for roles including:
  • Product Manager
  • Software Engineer
  • Engineering Manager
  • Software Developer
  • Program/Project Manager
  • Marketing Manager
  • Technical Product Manager
  • CPO
  • Tech/Business Consultant
• Median Base Salary: $132,500
• Accepted job offers within six months of graduation: 97.5%
• Recent graduates work in the following cities:
  • San Francisco
  • Los Angeles
  • New York
  • Boston
  • Chicago
  • Kansas City
  • Dallas
  • Washington D.C.
  • Seattle
  • Charlotte

Alumni Paths

• Sanghmitra Shrivastava (MSSM '18): Senior Product Manager, Amazon
• Shabbir Suterwala (MSSM '11): Senior Manager - Drug Discovery Systems, Atomwise
• Negin Zolfaghari (MSSM '17): Product Manager, First Republic Bank

Additional Resources

• Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship: A system of programs and activities that offers a unique path of entrepreneurship education, engagement, collaboration, and opportunity.
• VentureBridge: An initiative focused exclusively on helping CMU alumni founders succeed in their ventures. The program provides seed funding, office space, access to a network of mentors and innovators, and help with startup growth.