Study Online to become a Software Developer

Earn a Master’s Degree in Software Development
without quitting your job

STUDY ONLINE

Study at home:

2-Year Online Part-time Program

Pre-recorded Video Instruction + live lectures

Study online from home and participate in weekly live lectures

Access to Professors

Get guidance and your questions answered with live access to your professors.

No Previous Experience Needed: any degree accepted

We take you from a beginner to a job-ready Software Developer.

Learn the Skills to be a Job-Ready Software Developer

Learn Javascript, the most in-demand software language used on the Internet. We provide in-depth training in fundamentals and in-demand languages. Create a real-world portfolio of projects.

Course Outline (12 Courses / 42 Credits)

Next Entry Feb 2024

*Subject to change each academic year

Science & Technology of Consciousness (2 credits)
STC 506A
This course orients students to the University and to Consciousness-Based education. Students learn the Transcendental Meditation technique and begin to explore the theoretical foundation for higher states of consciousness available through the practice of the Transcendental Meditation program. This course discusses the full range of consciousness from individual experience to a fundamental field of intelligence that underlies all of life and how this range of life is unfolded through Consciousness-Based education.
Problem Solving and Intro to TypeScript (4 credits)
SD 400
This course focuses on teaching students the higher order (critical) thinking skills needed in computer science (analysis, evaluation, logic, and reasoning). The course starts by explaining how computers work, and then focuses on having students read and write pseudo code as an easy way to introduce programming concepts such as variable, selection, repetition, and arrays without having to worry too much about syntax. We also read and discuss articles on current issues in the study of computer science. We finish with a programming project in a simple programming language.
Prerequisites: Passing the pre-enrollment exam.
Web Application Programming in JavaScript (4 credits)
SD 405
In this course students learn JavaScript in browsers, how to build UI and get input and output, timers and intervals, how to script forms, the Document Object Model (DOM) manipulation, DOM selectors, and events handling, obtrusive and unobtrusive events handling, mouse and keyboard events, CSS box model and intro to layout, introduction to Bootstrap, CSS3, responsive layouts, CSS Flexbox and Grids. raster/bitmap vs vector images, and how to code SVG scalable vector graphics. Final project.
Prerequisites: SD 400
Object Oriented and Functional Programming in TypeScript (4 credits)
SD 415
Students learn the hidden potential of JavaScript functional language, and ECMAScript6 (ES6) features. Students learn object-oriented programming (OOP) principles and the flavor of JavaScript’s dynamic object model. Students learn to solve common JavaScript problems. Topics include introduction to Git, basic HTML5, data types, arrays, variables, conditional statements, expressions and operators, traditional looping, scoping, global scope, regular expressions, imperative JavaScript vs. Object-Oriented JavaScript vs Functional Style; closures; ES6 – arrow functions, rest operator and destructuring; pure functions; higher-order functions; The object model (inheritance, prototype-based OOP, creating hierarchies); classes (function constructors); the meaning of “this”; using call() and apply() and bind(); try/catch, error; working with objects (creating objects, methods); recursive algorithms; call-stack; callbacks; array new API: map, reduce, filter; final project.
Prerequisites: SD 405
Modern Asynchronous Programming (4 credits)
SD 500
This course goes deep into asynchronous web programming concepts, and covers the most essential design patterns for JS, that includes the observer pattern, factory, decorator and many more. It also covers working with Web API and Immutable data structures. Topics include Collaborative Git; Intro to TypeScript and Bundlers; Asynchronous JavaScript; Event-Loop; History API, Geolocation API; Ajax (HTTP, Ajax, JSON, Fetch, CORS, Debugging); Promises and Async/Await; Reactive Programming; RxJS Observables and Operators; Design Patterns: Module, Prototype, Singleton, Observer, Façade, Factory, Decorator, Proxy, Strategy, Memoization; Modern Web Browsers.
Prerequisites: SD 405, SD 415.
Algorithms (4 credits)
SD 421
In this course, students learn core computer science concepts for writing efficient and effective algorithms. Using algorithms in programming allows one to improve the efficiency, performance, speed, and scalability of applications. Students learn what algorithms are, why they are important, and how to code them in JavaScript. Other important programming concepts are learned along the way, such as functional programming, time complexity, recursion, and other important concepts.
This course is useful for anyone interviewing for engineering jobs at both large and small companies. Interviewers often ask candidates to write algorithms out in code, and this course prepares students to do that, and help them to excel in technical interviews. Topics include Graph algorithms, Computational complexity (worst, best, average), Runtime complexity, Binary Trees, Sort and search algorithms, and classic algorithms (Palindromes, Anagrams, Matrix Spiral, Fibonacci).
Prerequisites: none

Leadership for Tech Managers (2 credits)
STC 506B
The goal of this course is to provide students with knowledge and skills in leadership, including communication skills as preparation for future leadership roles. By the end of this course, students will understand the answers to key questions regarding effective leadership, including the following: Are there ‘natural-born’ leaders? Do you have to have charisma to lead effectively? What one asset is required to be a leader? What is the difference between managing and leading? What are the many ‘intelligences’ required to lead in this era? What is ‘management malpractice’ and how does it lead to self-sabotage? Knowing that feedback is essential to the leading process, how do we get over the fear of giving and receiving it? What is the source of 80% of the problems found in the workplace? Is there scientific research available to assist the organization in improving its individual and team leadership skills? Guest speakers will include eminent Entrepreneurs, Computer Scientists, Philanthropists, Academics and other prominent leaders in society.
Server Side Programming (4 credits)
SD 540
This course focuses on using JavaScript at the backend (NodeJS). Students learn how NodeJS works and gain a deep understanding of its core application programming interface (API). The course covers how the JS compiler engine (V8) works, how to structure code using modules, and how asynchronous code works in Node and the Node event loop. The course also teaches Node Package Manager (NPM), how to build a web server, how to work with Express framework, and how to use ODM such as Mongoose to manage MongoDB. Students learn all the techniques that define a modern web application, including authenticating users with JSON Web Tokens, persisting data in the database, and building a Restful API. Other computer science concepts are also covered. Topics include HTTP & Rest API design; stateless vs stateful applications; ode API; Node Package Manager (npm); Model-Controller architecture, Express framework, and middlewares; server-side routing; and token-based authentication.
Prerequisites: SD 500
Web Application Development 1 (4 credits)
SD 545
React is the most popular library for building powerful web applications. In this course, students learn how to use React and ES6 to build robust, scalable applications from the ground up using the latest Redux patterns to maintain their application state. Topics include Component-based web application development, Components Design Patterns, Consuming rest APIs, Persistence with browser API, JSX and React API (props, proptypes, events, refs), Application data flow, and Deploying React apps.
Prerequisites: SD540
Web Application Development 2 (4 credits)
SD 550
This course teaches students about the fundamental and practical patterns and principles to use in modern web application development. Students study many web patterns such as composition, hooks, uncontrolled vs. controlled, HOC, etc. This course also provides insight into the SOLID principles, one of the famous principles in software development. Moreover, it provides the practical experience to apply these patterns in real projects using ReactJS, the most prominent web application library. Topics: Web Patterns, the SOLID principle, and Unit Tests.
Prerequisites: SD 540, SD 545
Web Application Development 3 (4 credits)
SD 555
In this course, students learn Reactive Programming Architecture of Single Page Web Applications (SPA) along with all the necessary skills to build a full modern web application using TypeScript and Angular. Students gain a deep understanding of how Angular works, including: Change detection; Reactive RxJs programming with observables and subjects; The Shadow DOM; Zones; Modules, components, custom directives, and pipes; Services and dependency injection; Angular compiler: JIT and AOF compilation; Forms (template driven and data driven); Routing, guards and route protection; HTTP client; and JWT JSON Web Token authentication.
Prerequisites: SD 540
Career Strategies in Information Technology (2 credits)
MGT 5321
This course has a practical focus on preparing MSD students to gain employment after they graduate. Students learn networking strategies, practice interviewing techniques, and use the telephone and Internet for extending their professional networks. They also develop scripts for introducing themselves and describing their achievements and capabilities with confidence in various formats, writing about themselves in the cover letter, resume, and portfolio, and speaking about themselves and what they can offer to potential employers.
Students extend their preparation into an active job search with employers. Technical interview training is provided by MSD Faculty. Management Faculty provides application and interview coaching support that results in continuous self-improvement and self-awareness for being successful in starting a new job. Job success is further supported by students developing: personal budgets, IT project management skills, and professional communication skills.

Industry experienced professors who care about your success

Our professors are focused on your success. They are available by phone and email to answer all your questions and guide you through the course.

Keep your job while you study

Our program is designed to allow you to continue working while you are earning your master’s degree in software development.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the program?

The online program lasts approximately 2 years and was created to allow you to continue working while studying.

What is the cost of the program?

The cost of tuition is $34,530 plus personal expenses. Most students qualify for federal student loans to cover tuition and housing, meals, and other education-related expenses.

When is the next entry?

The next online entry is February 2024. Currently, there is only one entry per year for the online program. We hope to offer more entries in the near future. There is also an on-campus entry which starts in August 2024.

Do I need a computer science degree to apply?

Any US equivalent bachelor’s degree (with 120 or more credits) is eligible to apply. We accept all degrees and our successful graduates include those with non-technical degrees in the Arts and Sciences.

How many hours a week should I allow for study?

We recommend allowing 15-20 hours a week, which covers pre-recorded video lessons, assignments, and live sessions on the weekend.

Is there an entrance exam?

There is an entrance test to qualify for acceptance to the course. We offer a pre-enrollment video course to help you prepare for this test.

Does this program qualify for federal student loans?

Yes! Once you apply to the program and submit your FAFSA, our financial aid office will determine if you qualify for federal student loans. Most of our applicants qualify for federal student loans.

How is the course delivered?

The program is a combination of prerecorded video lessons which can be completed on your own time when it best fits your schedule, and up to two live sessions on Saturday and Sunday with the professors. In addition, there will be regular homework assignments, group discussion channels, quizzes, and tests. Near the end of the program, you will complete 4 major projects that can be added to your professional software development portfolio.

“I prefer the modular system because we focus on one subject at a time. We can go deeper into each course, digest that knowledge, and then progress onto the next course.”

—Kasahun Tahone

Are You Ready to Change Your Life?

Request More Info

Apply Now

Study Online to become a Software Developer

Earn a Master’s Degree in Software Development
without quitting your job

2-Year Online Part-time Program

Pre-recorded Video Instruction + live lectures

Access to Professors

No Previous Experience Needed: any degree accepted

Learn the Skills to be a Job-Ready Software Developer

Course Outline (12 Courses / 42 Credits)

Industry experienced professors who care about your success

Keep your job while you study

Frequently Asked Questions

Are You Ready to Change Your Life?

ACCREDITED NON-PROFIT UNIVERSITY

Get Connected

Contact Info:

Questions?

Quick Links:

Study Online to become a Software Developer

Earn a Master’s Degree in Software Developmentwithout quitting your job

2-Year Online Part-time Program

Learn the Skills to be a Job-Ready Software Developer

Course Outline (12 Courses / 42 Credits)

Industry experienced professors who care about your success

Keep your job while you study

Frequently Asked Questions

Are You Ready to Change Your Life?

ACCREDITED NON-PROFIT UNIVERSITY

Get Connected

Contact Info:

Questions?

Quick Links:

Earn a Master’s Degree in Software Development
without quitting your job