Tufts University - School of Engineering

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN

Software Systems Development

Shape your Future in Software

When you earn your MS in Software Systems Development at Tufts, you’ll graduate with diverse and long-term options in the fast-growing industries of systems programming and engineering. Learn how to design, build, and test systems programs in C and C++ through a set of courses containing practical experience in all aspects of software development. Areas of study include: systems programming, program security, software development, systems engineering, and data management.

ENTRY TERMS:

  • Fall
  • Spring

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

  • Fall: January 15
  • Spring: December 1 (domestic applicants only)

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For more information about the MS in Software Systems Development program, including application requirements, please complete the form below.

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ENTRY TERMS:

  • Fall
  • Spring

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

  • Fall: January 15
  • Spring: December 1 (domestic applicants only)

Join a Rapidly Growing Industry

Systems programming is here to stay. At Tufts, dedicated professors in the Department of Computer Science will help you get ready for real-world practice at an accelerated rate. With your advanced degree, you’ll feel confident managing projects and developing software systems for notable companies like Google and Microsoft.

$133,080

The average salary for a software developer in the United States in 2024*

*Source: bls.gov

98%

of Tufts School of Engineering graduates had secured employment or received a job offer at the time of graduation

125,000+

Join a network with 125,000+ Tufts University alumni

2

Convenient schedules, full-time or part-time

“[Software systems development students] will have a knowledge of both operations and development; they will see the operational errors—they will observe it firsthand. That’s the kind of person we’re looking for—students who want more than technical skills; students who want to develop thinking skills and to really understand what works, and why.”

– Alva Couch, Associate Professor of Computer Science, Co-Director of the Master’s Program

Program Highlights

  • Small class sizes
  • Personalized path of study
  • Real-world projects and internship opportunities
  • Mentorship from professors at the top of their fields
  • Collaborative research that crosses disciplines
  • Five miles from the high-tech hub of Boston
  • One-on-one career advising and workshops
  • Extensive professional development training and resources

GRE Waived

GRE scores are not required for applicants who have an undergraduate or graduate degree from a U.S. or Canadian institution. GRE scores are required for applicants who don’t have a degree from a U.S. or Canadian institution.

Earn Two Degrees in Just 2 Years

At Tufts, hone your innovation, leadership, and management skills alongside your technical skills and graduate ready to lead. On-campus students can apply to our dual degree program and earn an MS in Innovation and Management, Engineering Management, or Technology Management & Leadership and an MS offered by one of the six academic departments in the School of Engineering. Earn both degrees in an accelerated timeframe and at a reduced cost.

Where Can You Go From Here? Anywhere You’d Like.

The software development industry is booming, with a projected job growth of 22 percent in the U.S. in the next ten years—much faster than the average occupation. As smartphones, tablets, and the applications that make them accessible to the average consumer continue to integrate into our lives, the demand for software developers will increase. 

  • Front-end developer 
  • Mobile engineer 
  • Game developer 
  • Back-end developer 
  • Application developer
  • Tools and enterprise software developer

Source: bls.gov

Software Systems image

Graduate Cooperative Education (Co-Op) Program

The School of Engineering’s Graduate Cooperative Education (Co-Op) Program offers on-campus MS students numerous advantages specific to the engineering discipline. Engineering co-op programs provide students with the opportunity to apply the theoretical principles they have learned in their coursework to real-world engineering projects. This practical experience enhances their understanding of engineering concepts and prepares them for the challenges they may face in their future careers.

Discover Academic Excellence

The Tufts software systems development program is distinguished by its opportunities to work closely with faculty every step of the way. Graduate students have the chance to collaborate with and learn from some of the most renowned experts in the country, all while seamlessly transitioning from graduate studies to a full-time career.
Tufts University

About Tufts University

What do you get at Tufts? A rigorous engineering education in a unique environment that blends the intellectual and technological resources of a world-class research university with the strengths of a top-ranked liberal arts college.

At Tufts, you’ll work with world-renowned engineering faculty at the top of their disciplines. Combine classroom teaching and hands-on learning to earn a degree that will prepare you for success. Take advantage of Tufts’ dedicated career and networking resources, explore the Tufts campus just a few miles from the high-tech hubs of Boston and Cambridge, and get ready for the next step in your professional life.