Online Master’s in Software Development Curriculum

Maryville University Online Master’s in Software Development Curriculum

When you earn your online master’s in software development from Maryville University, you can prepare to launch or advance your career in a number of high-tech fields like computer programming, systems administration, mobile app development, web development, UX/UI, and DevOps. You can complete the program 100% online in as few as 12 months.

Learn more about Maryville’s online M.S. in Software Development offerings here:

Required Courses

Admission Prerequisite: BUS-501, Survey of Business, will be required if your GPA is below a 3.0 and/or if your undergraduate degree was outside the area of business; however, credits earned in foundational courses (such as BUS 501) are considered prerequisites to courses required for the graduate degree.

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SWDV 600	Software Development I	3 Credits
This course introduces fundamental software development concepts, including data types, variables, decisions, repetition, data containers, functions, and classes. Students will practice using these concepts by writing Python to implement algorithms that operate on data retrieved from different sources (e.g., user input, files, etc.). Students will be introduced to C, C++, C#, and Java syntax. Prerequisites: none
SWDV 610	Software Development II	3 Credits
Building on fundamental software development concepts, this course fleshes out the key data structures used in application development as well as the analysis of algorithms to determine code complexity. Concepts covered include pointers, stacks, queues, trees, hash tables, searching and sorting, and set and graph theory. Students will use Python, as well as a variety of other languages, to demonstrate competency in the concepts. Prerequisites: SWDV 600
SWDV 620	Web Application Development	3 Credits
This course covers the foundational elements of modern web applications. Students will learn the hardware and network aspects of the Internet, including the client and server backend. They will build pages using HTML, CSS as well as Javascript. They will use JQuery, AJAX, and technologies like node.js, Django, and PHP. Full applications will be built using C# and Java. Prerequisites: SWDV 610
SWDV 630	Advanced Topics in Software Development	3 Credits
This course investigates the utility of classes in more sophisticated application architectures. Students will build experience with multiple architectures, working through object-oriented analysis & design using UML, the four pillars of OO, design patterns, Test-Driven Development and Behavior-Driven Development, and system security. Prerequisites: SWDV 610, SWDV 620, and SWDV 655
SWDV 640	User Interface Design	3 Credits
This course focuses on the design and implementation of user interfaces on the web, commonly known as front-end programming. Students will gain a deeper understanding of creating user focused applications and learn the basics of visual design principles. Students will utilize the common languages for front-end development and will explore powerful scripting frameworks for bootstrapping multi-featured front-end applications. Prerequisites: SWDV 620

SWDV 650	Software Development Processes, Procedures and Methodologies	3 Credits
This course focuses on a 'day in the life' of a software developer, working through a project as part of a team. Students will learn about the different methodologies in use today, including Agile and Spiral. They will run through all aspects of a project, including acquisition using RFI, RFP, and Statement of Work documents, requirements gathering and creating design artifacts, and move through implementation and deployment. Technologies like Scrum and KanBan will be utilized. Prerequisites: SWDV 610 *preferred course
SWDV 655	Database Principles & Development	3 Credits
This course examines the design, development, and management of relational databases and the integration of these databases with applications across the enterprise. Topics include basic database principles, tools, Structured Query Language, MySQL & SQL Server & MongoDB installation, and programmatically accessing a database using PHP, Java, and Python. Additional coverage is given to SQLite, Cassandra, Neo4j, Redis, Derby, and Oracle. Prerequisites: none
SWDV 660	Applied DevOps	3 Credits
This course will introduce students to the modern software development lifecycle including automated testing, deployment continuous integration, logging and monitoring. Students will be introduced to fundamental computer networking concepts and deepen their experience with system administration tools in a cloud environment. Prerequisites: SWDV 630, SWDV 640
SWDV 665	Advanced Topics in Software Development	3 Credits
This course will cover topics currently relevant to the software development workforce. Potential topics include mobile application development, java server development, machine learning, secure coding, streaming applications, NoSQL databases, etc. Prerequisites: SWDV 630
SWDV 691	Software Development Capstone	3 Credits
This course serves as the final course in the Software Development curriculum. Students will design, plan, develop, and deploy their own web application in a cloud environment. Prerequisites: SWDV 650, SWDV 660

To ensure the best possible educational experience for our students, we may update our curriculum to reflect emerging and changing employer and industry trends.

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What are some of the skills and competencies taught in software development courses?

A typical software development master’s curriculum consists of courses that can give you in-depth knowledge and skills in several aspects of developing applications or software. When you earn your online master’s in software development, you can expect to cover the following skills, concepts, or opportunities:

Coding, development, and design. A degree in this field can help prepare you for the multifaceted world of software development. Successful developers are coders, programmers, and designers, and a master’s degree can equip you with the tools needed to excel in all of these areas.
Developing technologies. Some of the exciting opportunities in the field of software development include mobile app development, machine learning, augmented reality, and secure coding. As technology continues to evolve rapidly, you’ll need to keep up if you want to be a successful software developer. Your degree in software development can introduce you to these technologies and help familiarize you with the challenges and opportunities they present.
Applying skills to the latest technologies, tools, and industry trends. As a software developer, you’ll be expected to use the skills you gain through your education and practical experience to stay on top of new advances in the field. Software development professionals understand how to apply their comprehensive technical knowledge to help their employers or companies adopt the latest innovations.

What courses can I expect to take when I earn my master’s in software development online from Maryville?

At Maryville, our goal is to help brave software development students like you prepare to lead in this exciting field. Here’s information on some of the key courses you’ll take during your master’s program.

Intro to Programming. Programming is the foundation of software development. In this class, you’ll get the chance to learn programming concepts such as data types, control structures, methods, classes, arrays, and strings. Later in a program, you can further establish your skills by learning higher-level concepts like inheritance and polymorphism, creating user interfaces, exceptions, and streams.

Agile Systems Analysis and Design. Agile analysis and design, which leads to faster product deployment at a lower cost with less rework due to missed requirements, is swiftly replacing more traditional software design methods. In this course, you can develop your critical thinking skills while learning how to work in an agile environment.

Advanced Topics in Software Development. As a software development professional, you’ll have opportunities to specialize in a specific subset of the field. In our Advanced Topics in Software Development class, you’ll have the chance to learn about advanced, current software development applications and technologies, such as mobile app development, secure coding, and machine learning.

Learn more about our online Master of Science in Software Development.

The future of your software development career starts with one brave decision. When you choose to earn your master’s in software development from Maryville, you can be sure you’re learning the most relevant, in-demand skills for the future of the industry. We’re here to help you succeed.

For more information on how a master’s in software development can benefit you and your career, check out our program page.