Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Software Management (MSSM) is a 16-month degree program that allows experienced professionals to advance their careers while providing a gateway to the software industry for new technologists or those ready to pivot careers.

Program Features

• 16 months (August-December), with summer internship & additional fall semester.
• Ideal for candidates seeking more professional experience or to pivot careers.

Curriculum Requirements & Plan

To earn the MSSM degree, students must complete a total of 144 units. Of those, about half are required courses and half are electives of their choosing. The MSSM degree takes place over three semesters and a summer: Fall, Spring & Fall, plus a summer internship.

• Students must have a minimum QPA of 3.0 to graduate.

16-Month Curriculum Plan

Fall Semester 1

• Foundations of Software Management: Full Semester Course (12 units)
• Strategies for Your Career: Full Semester Course (3 units)
• Elective: Full Semester Course (12 units)
  • Choose One:
    • Integrated Innovation for Large-Scale Problems
    • Architecture & Programming Principles
    • Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• Integrated Thinking for Innovation: Half Semester Course (6 units)
• Problem Discovery & Definition: Half Semester Course (6 units)
• Product Management: Half Semester Course (6 units)
• Software Engineering Management: Half Semester Course (6 units)

Spring Semester 1

• Process & Project Management: Full Semester Course (12 units)
• Product & Business Modeling: Half Semester Course (6 units)
• Solution Strategy & Marketing: Half Semester Course (6 units)
• Metrics for Technology Products & Services: Half Semester Course (6 units)
• The Business of Software: Half Semester Course (6 units)
• Electives: Half Semester Course (6 units each)
  • Choose Two:
    • Legal Issues in New Venture Creation (TV Concentration)
    • Applied AI (Artificial Intelligence)
    • Human-ComputerInteraction & User-Experience
    • Introduction to Machine Learning
    • Information Security for Product Managers
    • AI-Native Product Management with LLMs and Agents
    • Venture Governance: Executive-Decision Making, Fundraising, & Boards (TV Concentration)
    • Organizational Behavior for High-Tech Knowledge Industry

Summer Semester 1

• Internship: Full Semester Course (3 units)

Fall Semester 2

• Applied Learning Requirements (ALR): Full Semester Course (12 units)
  • Complete one of the following applied learning courses during the final fall term:
    • 49797 - ST: Advanced AI for Industry & Society
    • 49759 - Integrated Innovation for Large-Scale Problems
    • 49800 - Start-Up Creation in Practice
• Leadership & Teams: Half Semester Course (6 units)
• Elective: Full or Half Semester Course
  • Take 30 units of 12-unit full-semester or 6-unit half courses
    • Integrated Innovation for Large-Scale Problems
    • Architecture & Programming Principles
    • Innovation & Entrepreneurship
    • Special Topics: Leading Change of Digital Transformation
    • Software Management Practicum
    • Start-Up Creation in Practice
    • User-Centered Research Methods for Product Innovation

Application Deadline

• Start Term: Fall 2026
• Applications Open: Now
• Application Deadline: January 20, 2026

Practical Experience: Summer Internships

All 16-month MSSM students complete a summer internship to put their skills learned to use in a practical, hands-on setting. Students often land internships at companies like Salesforce, Google, Amazon, and more.

Featured Course

Software Management Practicum

Apply the lessons of software management to real-world projects at leading companies.

• You'll act as a consultant to companies on complex software problems, working as a team to develop a project plan and detailed statement of work.
• At the end of the semester, you'll present your solution to your clients.