Earning a Ph.D. in Software Engineering
Updated April 30, 2024
Edited by
Reviewed by
Credit: Maskot / DigitalVision / Getty Images
If you love software engineering and aspire to teach, lead, or conduct original research in this field, a doctorate may offer an ideal pathway. A Ph.D. can equip you with theoretical knowledge, while D.Sc. and D.Eng. degrees provide sharper technical skills.
Professionals with doctorates in software engineering can teach emerging software developers, testers, and quality assurance professionals. As the market reacts to inflation, changing consumer habits, and new supply chains, the need for problem-solvers and thinkers in technology continues to grow.
Use this guide to discover more about what it takes to earn a Ph.D. in software engineering. Discover details on available career pathways and how to find the right program for your personal and professional goals.
Why Get a Software Engineering Doctorate?
Like all computer science disciplines, software engineering is a relatively new field, which began when developers faced fresh problems that needed undiscovered solutions. In the late 1960s, software engineering was born as existing knowledge and research couldn't scale to meet new challenges.
In 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that 1,795,300 Americans worked as software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers. The field is growing much faster than average. As the world relies more than ever on digital technology, these tech-savvy problem-solvers remain in high demand.
Software experts work for computer systems designers, software publishers, finance companies, manufacturers, and management consultants. They typically need strong technical and problem-solving skills to design and implement complex computer systems.
If you have a solid academic and professional background in computer science and an interest in research, a Ph.D. in software engineering may be the next logical step in your career. This degree can prepare you to lead the field today and shape its future workforce.
- Academic Credentials: A doctorate is the pinnacle of an academic career. Earning this degree can qualify you for leadership, teaching, research, and policy analysis roles.
- Advanced Research Skills: A Ph.D. requires original research. In your program, you will learn how to identify a problem, collect and analyze data, and draw conclusions in academic settings.
- Technology Leadership Opportunities: This degree could qualify you to sit on an academic committee, testify to legislative committees, author peer-reviewed articles, or serve as an executive for a software trade association.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Ph.D in Software Engineering?
Earning a Ph.D. in software engineering can prepare you to conduct academic research, create novel infrastructures, or serve as a leader in the software development industry.
Most doctoral programs in this field take 4-5 years to complete. The process includes coursework, comprehensive exams, and crafting a dissertation. Typically, a doctorate requires 90 credits — 30 at the master's level and 60 credits of coursework and dissertation work at the doctoral level.
Whether you pursue a Ph.D. or an applied doctorate, this academic level requires more than accumulating credits. You must also demonstrate scholarly leadership and exceptional skills in original research for software development.
Consequently, some of your coursework may concentrate on one area of interest, such as software creation, organization, or notations and tools. You may also perform research in your area as part of a team and under the direction of a seasoned professor.
Admission Requirements
To apply for a doctorate in software engineering, you need to meet admission requirements, which may include the following:
-
A bachelor's degree or a master's degree in computer science or a related field -
Proficiency in software engineering with at least 18 credits in the field -
A GPA of 3.0 or better (some schools require a 3.5 minimum) -
Programming skills in multiple languages such as C++, C#, or Java -
Minimum revised GRE scores of 300 or better (some schools may waive this requirement) -
Evidence of research potential shown through letters of recommendation or work experience
Degree and Specialization Options
Doctoral degrees in software engineering can offer various concentrations and delivery methods.
You may encounter online, in-person, and hybrid forms of Ph.D. and applied engineering doctorates. Popular specialization options include:
- Software Creation: In this concentration, enrollees learn to develop novel techniques and software systems.
- Software Organization: Coursework focuses on the architecture, design, and frameworks organizations use to structure systems and programs.
- High-Performance Applications Engineering: Learners discover the structure and quality of effective programs in this specialization.
Popular Software Engineering Courses
Each university offers a specific software engineering curriculum based on its faculty expertise and developments in the field. The following list includes common classes in a Ph.D. in software engineering program.
- Object-Oriented Software Engineering: Students explore concepts, methods, and techniques for object-oriented software design. The course explores ways to use unified modeling language notation in iterative and architecture-centric processes.
- Advanced Software Architecture and Design: Students learn to develop and reuse software architecture and design. Topics include identifying, analyzing, and synthesizing systems data, functional design elements, and connectors. Coursework also covers trade-off analysis and design alternatives.
- Information Technology in Global Sustainability: This course presents students with the practical and theoretical resources to help organizations advance sustainability goals through tech. Topics include how technology affects society and policymaking in the sustainability space.
- Overview of Human-Computer Interaction and Design: HCI aims to create safe, functional, and usable computer systems. In this course, students explore how people use technology, tools for building usable systems, and methods to create people-centered rather than machine-centered technology.
- Advanced Topics in Algorithms: This course covers topics such as string algorithms, graph algorithms, linear programming, and randomized algorithms. Students learn to master a subset of algorithms and apply them as problem-solvers.
How Much Will a Doctorate in Software Engineering Cost?
The NCES Digital Lab reports that the average annual cost of a Ph.D. or other doctorate in a STEM field is $25,348. However, this broad average may not represent the options available to you.
Many factors affect the cost of higher education. Tuition varies depending on a school's prestige, public or private status, and student residency policies. Along with tuition, learners should also budget for university fees and living expenses.
Full-time learners often receive graduate assistantships or teaching assistantships to cover tuition and living costs while pursuing Ph.D. degrees. Part-time enrollees may need to rely on scholarships, research grants, student loans, and their own contributions.
Although full-time degrees may come with attractive financial aid packages, prospective students should consider the opportunity costs associated with leaving the industry to spend 4-5 years in academia.
Careers for Ph.D. in Software Engineering Graduates
A Ph.D. in software engineering can prepare you for many leadership and research roles. The list below covers a few professional pathways for individuals with doctorates in the field.
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Computer and information research scientists use algorithms to create and upgrade computer software, architecture, and systems. These scientists can specialize in robotics, programming, cloud computing, or machine learning systems. They may work for research laboratories, universities, government agencies, and corporations.
Postsecondary Teachers
Professors and educators teach computer science and software engineering at colleges and universities. They may teach one or more courses within computer science and engineering departments. In addition to teaching courses, these professionals may conduct experiments, apply for grants, publish original research, or supervise graduate assistants.
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and information systems managers set technological goals and oversee the process of meeting those goals. They may focus on specific areas or address organization-wide issues. In smaller organizations, they may take on the day-to-day management of the IT department, while they often oversee managers who lead departments in larger companies.
Chief Information Officers
A CIO is the top executive responsible for a company's information framework. This leader makes the final decisions about the selection, purchase, installation, and upgrades of all IT equipment. They also manage IT teams and work cross-functionally to ensure the organization remains operational, secure, and profitable. A CIO generally needs an advanced degree and at least five years of management in the field.
Software Developers
Software developers design and create the programs that control computer devices and networks. They usually have a strong background in coding and programming. With experience and education, they may advance to project management specialist and computer and information systems manager roles.
Choosing the Right Software Engineering Ph.D. Program
Should you pursue an online or traditional degree? Does full-time or part-time enrollment better fit your life, and does an applied doctorate or theory-focused program meet your professional goals? Consider these and other factors as you look for the right software engineering Ph.D.
- Accreditation: Choosing an institutionally accredited program with approval from an organization such as the Higher Learning Commission is critical. However, programmatic accreditation agencies do not accredit graduate-level computer-related programs.
- Cost and Financial Aid: Be sure to choose a program you can afford through low tuition and/or a robust financial aid package. Full-time enrollees often receive assistantships to cover tuition and living costs.
- University Resources and Prestige: Your university's resources should support your research, and its brand recognition can benefit your career.
- Admission Requirements: Highly selective programs may receive recognition from the public, academia, and industry leaders.
- Ph.D. vs D.Sc. Programs: A Ph.D. emphasizes theory, while a D.Sc. focuses on technology research.
Discover more paths to top degree programs
What Else Should I Know About Degrees in Software Engineering?
Is a Ph.D. in software engineering hard?
Yes, a Ph.D. in software engineering is strenuous. The road to any doctorate is long and challenging, and this particular advanced research program requires you to conduct inventive studies in a complex STEM field.
Is a Ph.D. worth it for software engineers?
A Ph.D. could be worth the investment for software engineers looking to conduct research, teach college students, or assume leadership roles in the industry. However, a master's degree is usually sufficient for engineers who want to code or create programs.
How long does it take to finish a doctorate in software engineering?
A Ph.D. in software engineering generally takes 4-5 years to finish. People who already hold master's degrees may finish more quickly.
How much can I make with a Ph.D. in software engineering?
According to BLS data from 2022, people with doctoral degrees earn a median weekly salary of $2,083 and have a 1% unemployment rate. Computer and information research scientists, a common career for Ph.D. degree-holders in the field, earn a median annual salary of $136,620.
Page last reviewed April 8, 2024.
Recommended Reading
Take the next step toward your future.
Discover programs you’re interested in and take charge of your education.