Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering

Program Details

• ADMISSION

  How to Apply

  Admission Requirements

  • Minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average in all transferable units attempted
    • 2.5 GPA for students who have already completed a bachelors
  • Successful completion of a minimum of 60 transferable units
  • Successful completion of the following courses with a grade of C (2.0) or higher
    • The following courses are required for admission (i.e. students cannot be admitted without successfully completing the courses):
      
      • Oral Communication (A1)
      • Written Communication (A2)
      • Critical Thinking (A3)
      • Mathematics (B4)
      • Lower-division Computing Essential Courses (12 units)
        • CS 111 (4 units): Computer Science I – satisfies B4
        • CS 211:  Computer Science II (4 units)
        • CS 231:  Assembly Language and Digital Circuits (4 units)
      • Mathematics and Science Supporting Courses (30 units)
        
        • MATH 160:  Calculus with Applications, I (5 units) - satisfies B4
        • MATH 162:  Calculus with Applications, II (4 units)
        • MATH 242:  Introductions to Statistics (3 units)
        • MATH 264 or MATH 374:  Introductions to Linear Algebra or Linear Algebra (3 units)
        • MATH 270:  Basic Discrete Mathematics (3 units)
        • BIO 104*: Principles of Biology, Human Emphasis (4 units) - should be completed by the end third semester in the program
        • PHYS 101 and PHYS 102 OR PHYS 201 and PHYS 202 OR CHEM 150 and CHEM 105L and CHEM 160* - should be completed by the end third semester in the program
    • The following courses are encouraged to be completed prior to admission but not required to completed prior to admission**:
      • CS 211
      • CS 231
      • MATH 162
      • MATH 242
      • MATH 264 or MATH 374
      • MATH 270
      • PHYS or CHEM Sequence II
      • BIOL 104 (GE Area B2/B3)

  *You may apply to the program without BIO 104 and PHYS 101/102 or PHYS 201/202 or CHEM 150/CHEM 160 completed but students are encouraged to have these courses completed by the end of third semester if admitted to the program.

  **Applicants are encouraged to have the courses above completed prior to admission. Please note, the courses above will not be offered as part of the BS in Software Engineering program at CSUSM. Applicants admitted to the program missing any of the courses above will need to complete the courses to earn their degree at CSUSM. Admitted students should contact one of the BS in Software Engineering advisors to help develop a plan to complete the courses above. 

• COSTS

  Semester	Units*	Subtotal**
  Fall Semester 1	12	$5,988
  Spring Semester 1	12	$5,988
  Fall Semester 2	12	$5,988
  Spring Semester 2	15	$7,485
  Total	51	$25,449

  *Unit rate for this program is $499 (discounts available for active duty military, view details)

  **University semester fees not included. View complete breakdown of Extended Learning fees. Semester tuition subtotals based on sample program sequence. All quoted tuition rates are based on previous academic years and are subject to change without notice.

  Funding and Financial Aid

  • This program is eligible for financial aid
  • Visit the Extended Learning funding page or call 760-750-4850 to learn more about your funding options
  • Federal VA educational benefits can be used for this program (not eligible for Cal Vet fee waiver)
  • Cal Grant can be used for this program
  • Active-duty military, veterans and dependents should visit the military services page or call 760-750-8705
• COURSE SEQUENCE

  View course descriptions and specific program requirements on the Software Engineering Catalog Page.

  Please note: This program has a set schedule of courses that you are expected to follow as part of your cohort.

  Sample Schedule 

  Semester	Course (units)
  Fall Semester 1	CS 311 (3) – Data Structures and Algorithms  SE 370 (3) – Intro to Software Engineering SE 451 (3) – Software Requirements and Design CS 331 (3) – Computer Architecture (BB)
  Spring Semester 1	SE 461 (3) – Software Testing and Quality SE 471 (3) – Software Architecture CS 351 (3) – Programming Languages CS 433 (3) – Operating Systems
  Fall Semester 2	CS 435 (3) – Embedded Systems SE 481 (3) – Software Project Planning and Management SE 490 (3) – Capstone I CS 443 (3) – Database
  Spring Semester 2	PHIL 348 (3) – Ethics in Engineering (CC & DEg) CS 446 (3) – Cloud Computing SE 491 (3) – Capstone II GE (3) – DD & DEu MATH 464 (3) – Numerical Analysis and Computing

  Schedule is subject to change.

• FAQ

  What is the difference between this program and the software engineering program offered in San Marcos?

  The key difference in these two programs is location. This program is offered in person in Temecula. Both programs offer the same courses and utilize the same faculty members, and both programs culminate with a degree from CSUSM.

  What is a cohort?

  A cohort is a group of students who work through a curriculum together to achieve the same academic degree. Because they are accepted into the same program, take their classes together and graduate together, students in cohorts tend to form a strong support system and professional network that benefit them during their degree program and beyond.

  What services do you offer to active military, veterans and dependents?

  Please visit our military and veteran services page to learn how we can help.

  What kinds of careers will I be prepared for after completing this program?

  Software engineers hold key positions in many industries — including medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific and general computing. As a graduate of this program, you should be well prepared to apply your knowledge, techniques and skills to implement high-quality software and provide innovative solutions in industry and government positions. Possible software engineering jobs may include:

  • Computer systems analyst
  • Software engineer
  • User interface designer
  • Software testing engineer
  • Video game designer
  • Computer systems administrator
  • Project/product manager
  • Sales engineer

  What are the salaries for software engineers?

  The median pay in 2021 for software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers was $109,020. In California, the average salary for software engineers was $112,090. Employment in this industry is projected to grow 25% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.  

  Data pulled from Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Glassdoor.

  What is the pathway program with MVUSD and MSJC?

  Students who wish to take certain courses starting in 11^th grade at MVUSD can then take selected courses at MSJC to prepare themselves for this CSUSM software engineering degree-completion program. Doing so will help ensure you have the prerequisite courses required for admission to make the process as easy as possible.

  View the MVUSD/MSJC/CSUSM roadmap.

  How often do I need to come to campus for classes?

  Students are typically asked to come to campus two or three days per week for classes.