Software Systems Development
Software Systems Development students join one of the fastest-growing professions in technology today. Learn how to design, build, and test systems programs in C and C++ under the guidance of our dedicated faculty in the Department of Computer Science.

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Degree Offerings
- Faculty
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Application Requirements
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Contact the Department
Questions about your application?
Contact us:
Office of Graduate Admissions
Bendetson Hall
Medford, MA 02155
(617) 627-3395
gradadmissions@tufts.edu
Software Systems Development (M.S.)
Tufts provides software system developers with the skills needed to design, build, and test systems programs. Students work closely with faculty to explore real client projects and problems that need to be solved in industry today. Choose between thesis and non-thesis degree options to best fit your career goals - the non-thesis program can be completed in as little as one year.
Research areas include:
> Systems programming
> Program security
> Data management
> Performance analysis
> Software development
Dual Degree Master's Program (with Tufts Gordon Institute)
Develop your innovation, leadership and management skills and build your technical depth with the Dual Degree Master's Program. You’ll earn two degrees: an M.S. offered by the Department of Computer Science, and an M.S. Innovation & Management (MSIM). You earn both degrees in an accelerated time frame (as little as two years) and at a reduced cost. Contact tgi@tufts.edu for more information.
M.S. Curriculum:
The Department of Computer Science offers a Master of Science in Software Systems Development that can be completed on a full-time or part-time schedule. The Master of Science degree requires a minimum of 30 semester-hour units (SHUs) and the fulfillment of at least 10 courses; all courses must be at the 100 level or above.
Students must complete the following courses:
COMP 111: Operating Systems
COMP 116: Security
COMP 180: Software Engineering
One or more of the following courses:
COMP 112: Networks
COMP 115: Databases
COMP 118: Cloud Computing
COMP 119: Big Data
COMP 120: Web Engineering
As well as elective courses from the following options:
COMP 105: Programming Languages
COMP 117: Internet-scale distributed systems: lessons from the www
COMP 131: Artifical Intelligence
COMP 135: Machine Learning
COMP 139: Ethics of HRI
COMP 140: Advanced Computer Architecture
COMP 156: Special Topics in the Practice of Software Development
COMP 175: Computer Graphics
COMP 177: Visualization
Faculty
Spring: September 15
Fall: January 15
Prerequisites for the program include a bachelor's degree and either formal instruction of practical experience in software development, including programming in some high-level language such as Java, C, C++, C# or J#. For those students possessing high-level language experience in a language other than C or C++, Electrical Engineering 200 is recommended as a preparatory course in C.
Application Requirements:
> Application Fee
> Resume
> Personal Statement
> Official GRE scores
- GRE not required for current Tufts undergraduates
- The GRE is waived for Tufts School of Engineering alumni applying to the School of Engineering master’s degree programs, who completed a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.2/4.0 or greater.
- GRE scores may be waived for part-time students with five years of industry experience who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Visit go.tufts.edu/engmasters for complete details. If you believe you are eligible to have the GRE waived based on these requirements, please contact gradadmissions@tufts.edu with the subject line "Engineering part-time Master's GRE requirement"
> Official TOEFL or IELTS, if applicable
> Transcripts
> Three letters of recommendation
Department of Computer Science
Halligan Hall
161 College Avenue
Medford, MA 02155
Office: 617.627.2225
Department Email