Computer software engineers are responsible for designing and developing software. Professionals who decide to receive their Ph.D. in software engineering will primarily be employed in research and teaching positions. Many Ph.D. graduates also work in the public and private sectors in Research and Development. Those who receive their Ph.D. should be capable of critical thinking skills and application of theories in the area of computer science and mathematical analysis. The skills learned will assist engineers in developing strategies to fundamentally change software innovation, creation, testing, and evaluation techniques. The applications include business, computer gaming, middleware, network control systems, and structure of software.
Individuals who obtain their Ph.D.’s in software engineering will develop the vision and direction for design, testing and development of software. Many Ph.D. candidates lead teams that develop innovative algorithms, documentation, flowcharts and diagrams.
A Senior Researcher is often required to obtain their Ph.D. in software engineering. Many enroll in Ph.D. programs as a part of continual training and educational development. Typically, this will enable Ph.D. graduates to make advancements in their careers. In the field of technology, software engineering skills may quickly become obsolete if their skills are not current.
Academic research is required for most individuals who are obtaining a Ph.D. in software engineering. During this period, Ph.D. candidates enter their post doctoral fellowship. Candidates often work for low salaries to sharpen their skills while preparing to receive their Ph.D. This period may last several years, while the candidates become experts in their field of study. Many of the doctoral software engineering candidates design, analyze and conduct experiments. After the post doctoral period, usually their research experiments allow a fair degree of flexibility and autonomy to design and conduct experiments.
Many doctoral software engineers will obtain management positions or senior research positions in Research and Development at various corporations. Some doctoral software engineers may develop the strategic goals of an organization. Other doctoral software engineers may remain technical and continue to design research experiments and technologies. Most of Ph.D. graduates in software engineering will be responsible for departmental budgets and meeting deadlines.
Because equipment is expensive, most doctoral software engineers in research are not self employed. However, those that manage to obtain venture capital may develop small research firms. Ph.D. graduates are typically the only individuals who are qualified to become self employed. Successful Ph.D. graduates have begun their own Research and Development firms after first receiving managing research in an academic or professional environment.
What a Ph.D. in Software Engineering Expects to Learn
Students involved in a doctoral software engineering program will be involved in intensive research. Students must complete a master’s degree in software engineering prior to acceptance into the program. Each student will select their area of specialization. Students may select from database management, client relations, or software architecture. Doctoral candidates are required to write a thesis based upon unique research. Then, doctoral candidates must defend the thesis in a formal dissertation process.
Other Software Engineering specializations may include the following:
• Systems Engineering
• Software Design
• Software Construction
• Testing
• Software Engineering Management
• Maintenance and Configuration
• Security and Quality
• Risk Management
• Security and Quality
• Software Engineering Economics
Prior to the dissertation, students will take classes to prepare for qualifying exams. Ph.D. candidates in software engineering may complete the following course work for preparation:
• Economic of engineering
• Algorithm applications
• Maintenance and testing
• Networks and systems
• Research methods
• Software verification
After completing and successfully defending the dissertation, Ph.D. graduates may be qualified for academic research, teaching positions and senior level industry positions, such as the following:
• Senior Software Developer
• Industrial Developer
• Software Engineering Professor
• Design Engineer
• Development Engineer
• Academic Engineer Consultant
• Systems Architect
• Project Manager
• Security Consultant
• Research and Development Senior Researchers
Online Software Engineering Programs
Currently, there are no schools that offer online software engineering Ph.D. degrees. However, individuals who decide to study the program may select to study on campus or obtain a Ph.D. in computer science. Several schools that offer online computer science or information technology doctorates are listed below:
MIT
http://sdm.mit.edu/distance_experience.html#dcs
MIT offers a Systems Design and Management Ph.D. partially online. Students may receive instruction via video teleconferencing and other collaborative tools.
Colorado Technical Institute
http://www.earnmydegree.com/online-education/online-degrees/colorado-technical-university/doctor-of-computer-science-33.html
Colorado Technical University offers a Doctor of Computer Science online. The degree targets computer science professionals, academics, and consultants. The program aims to develop critical and strategic thinkers. Graduates should be skilled in predicting future trends, make contributions in their areas of specialization, and communicate with technical and non-technical decision makers. The program requires 3 years to complete.
North Central University
http://www.universities.com/Distance_Learning/Northcentral_University_Doctor_of_Philosophy_in_Business_Administration_Applied_Computer_Science.html
North Central University offers an applied computer science program for Ph.D. candidates. The program requires 81 semester units at graduate level. At a minimum, 27 units must be completed at the university in instruction and 24 units in dissertation preparation. Successful candidates will have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
Offline Software Engineering Programs
Carnegie Mellon Portugal: Information and Communication Technologies Institute
http://www.cmuportugal.org/tiercontent.aspx?id=118
Carnegie Mellon’s software based systems doctoral program prepares students for a global economy. Systems are becoming more elaborate as software engineers adopt existing components of software and apply it to new and innovative designs. Software engineers are challenged to develop and design novel products under economic and legal constraints.
Carnegie Mellon’s Ph.D. program prepares professionals to work in research, industrial laboratories, and in leadership positions. Graduates will obtain an understanding or software design and development issues. They will also understand academic research issues, economic issues, public policy, regulatory issues, and market issues. Practical issues in software design that address both requirements acquisition and maintenance are also skills acquired by Carnegie Mellon’s research graduates.
Graduates of the program have obtained positions as senior software system developers and other senior positions. They are also prepared to assume research or advanced development positions in the following areas:
• Application Areas
• Distributed Networks
• Embedded/Critical Systems
• Software System Development
• Industry Consulting
• Management
This program develops graduates for developing robust software that can be used in industrial environments.
A typical semester of a Ph.D. program at Carnegie Mellon involves 2 courses, research part time, and research meetings. Each summer will consist of an internship. The second year, the Ph.D. candidate will become a Teacher’s Assistant for a class in addition to course work and research. The third year will be spent researching, mentoring, developing a thesis, and studio. Coursework lasts 3 years. The remaining time will be spent developing and researching the thesis. Then the Ph.D. candidate will defend the thesis. Students must demonstrate their ability to communicate, research, serve as a teaching assistant, defend their thesis, and complete their coursework to receive their Ph.D.
To enroll, students must demonstrate their intellectual ability through transcripts and GREs. They must have prior industrial software development experience. The students must complete a Master’s in software engineering.
George Mason University
Students seeking a Ph.D. at George Mason University should obtain their Master’s in Software Engineering prior to enrollment. In order to receive their Ph.D. in Software Engineering, students must complete the required coursework, qualifying exams and defend their dissertation. Students must be in close communication with their advisory committee and doctoral advisor to receive approval for their thesis and defense. The school’s administration must also approve it.
Students must complete 4 examinations from 3 different master’s programs in order to meet the requirements for the Ph.D. degree. Students may select from the following options:
Select 2 exams from the following:
• Software Construction
• Software Testing
• Software Modeling
Two exams from following:
• Algorithms
• Operating Systems
• Database Systems
• Information Security
• Networks
• Artificial Intelligence
• Compilers and Language
• Artificial Intelligence
• Applied Probability
• Applied Statistics
• System Engineering Design
Boston University
Individuals interested in a doctoral program in software engineering may consider Boston University’s Ph.D. program. Boston University has both a post-bachelor’s Ph.D. program and post-master’s Ph.D. program. Students may enroll, if they are qualified, after completing their bachelors or masters with a 3.0 or higher. Post-bachelor’s students should complete 32 credits of structured courses, and 16 credits of dissertation research. Post-bachelor’s Ph.D. students should establish their master’s degree program of study prior to enrollment. Students must also obtain an acceptable score for the GRE. Post-master’s students are required to complete 32 credits of related coursework and 8 credits of dissertation research coursework.
Students may study part time or full time. Full time students have access to laboratories, libraries, instructional staff, and other academic facilities. Part time students may have limited access to financial aid and insurance. Full time requires a minimum of two consecutive semesters and full course load. Students must pass their qualifying exams in order to be eligible to receive their Ph.D. Students must also meet a mathematics requirement. Those who cannot meet the requirement will not receive their Ph.D.
The qualifying exam and the mathematics exam are the minimum for becoming a Ph.D. candidate. This process can take at most 5 semesters to complete. Students must be a Ph.D. candidate in order to complete their Ph.D. dissertation. Students must prepare their oral dissertation and defense within one year of becoming a Ph.D. candidate. The dissertation research should be original. For approval, the committee must possess tenured faculty to qualify. When the committee approves the oral defense, the Ph.D. Dissertation Prospectus Defense Form will be submitted to the department.
Employment Outlook and Salary
Between 2008 and 2018, experts expect the employment of computer scientists and software engineers to grow by 24 percent. This is a high average growth rate compared to other professions. As computer systems designs become more elaborate, more talent is needed to maintain and develop the new technology. The industry needs increased efficiency in software performance, networking technology, computing speeds and embedded systems.
The demand for Ph.D. graduates in computer science and software engineering is increasing. Employers have difficulties finding qualified individuals for this profession. As more individuals leave the workforce, employers are struggling to keep qualified professionals employed.
In 2008, computer software engineers, along with computer programmers, accounted for nearly 1.3 million jobs. Computer applications software engineers accounted for 512,800 jobs. Computer systems software engineers accounted for 394,800 computer systems software engineers and computer programmers accounted for 426,700 jobs. Thirty two percent of software engineers are employed in computer systems design. Others work in financial industries, insurance, and for software publication companies.
The median annual salaries of computer applications software engineers were $85,430 in May 2008. The top ten percent earned $128,870. The median average wage of computer systems software engineers were $92,430 in 2008. The top ten percent earned over $135,780.