Software Systems Development
Master's
Application Deadlines
Fall: Rolling admissions through Aug 1 (domestic & U.S-based international applicants)
Spring: Sep 15
Summer: n/a
School/Department
Computer Science
Contact
gradadmissions@tufts.edu
Format
On-campusCommitment Options
Full-timePart-time (Daytime)
Average Duration
12 - 24 months
Credits
30
What Will You Study?
Students build practical and technical skills for developing software systems, with emphasis on systems programming and professional software development practices. The program emphasizes practical experience in designing, building, and testing software systems.
Coursework and applied learning may address topics such as:
- Systems programming
- C and C++ programming
- Software development
- Program security
- Systems engineering
- Data management
- Software design
- Software testing
- Back-end development
- Application development
- Tools and enterprise software
- Networked and distributed systems
- Operating systems
- Secure systems and networking
About the Department of Computer Science
The Department of Computer Science at Tufts supports graduate study across software systems, programming languages, security, data management, artificial intelligence, machine learning, human-computer interaction, systems, networks, algorithms, and interdisciplinary computing.
Faculty expertise connected to software systems development includes software systems engineering, performance analysis, system, network, and data management, programming languages, software engineering, security, distributed systems, operating systems, cloud computing, debugging distributed systems, secure systems, networking, compilers, program analysis, and embedded systems.
Practical Systems Programming
Students learn to design, build, and test systems programs with an emphasis on C, C++, software development, and systems-level problem solving. This practical focus helps students strengthen the programming and engineering skills used in complex software environments.
Faculty Expertise in Software and Systems
Students learn from Tufts computer science faculty whose expertise includes software engineering, programming languages, distributed systems, operating systems, security, networks, data management, cloud computing, and system performance.
Applied Software Development Skills
The program emphasizes practical experience across multiple aspects of software development, including design, implementation, testing, security, and systems engineering. Students gain preparation for technical work that requires reliable, secure, and maintainable software.
Computing for Real-World Systems
Software systems development connects computer science with real-world needs in data, security, infrastructure, applications, and enterprise software. Students build skills that can be applied across technology organizations, research settings, public interest computing, and industry.
What Can You Do With an M.S. in Software Systems Development?
Graduates may pursue software, systems, technical, or application-focused roles in areas such as software development, software engineering, systems programming, application development, back-end development, enterprise software, mobile engineering, game development, software testing, systems engineering, and data management. Career outcomes vary based on a student’s background, technical focus, software development experience, internship or co-op experience, and professional goals.
Possible paths may include:
- Software developer
- Software engineer
- Systems programmer
- Application developer
- Back-end developer
- Software developer
- Software engineer
- Systems programmer
- Application developer
- Back-end developer
What is the Career Outlook?
Software systems development skills are relevant across industries that rely on secure, scalable, and reliable software systems.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, software developers had a median annual wage of $131,450 in May 2024. Overall employment of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers is projected to grow 15 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Average Salary: $130K+
Projected Job Growth (2022-2032): 25%
*Sources: Average salary and projected job growth statistics are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Can Software Systems Development Students Complete a Co-op?
Eligible M.S. in Software Systems Development students may have the opportunity to participate in the School of Engineering Graduate Cooperative Education Program. The co-op can allow students to apply graduate coursework to real-world engineering and software development projects, gain up to six months of full-time work experience, build a resume, and develop professional connections.
What Background Do Applicants Need?
Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree and either formal instruction or practical experience in software development, including programming in a high-level language such as Java, C, C++, C#, or J#.
Are Scholarships Available?
The School of Engineering offers partial tuition scholarships for a select group of Engineering master’s and certificate programs. When you apply for admission, you’ll automatically be considered, there’s no separate scholarship application or additional information required. Applicants are encouraged to apply early for priority scholarship consideration.
Is the GRE Required?
GRE General Test scores are not required for applicants who will have received a degree from an institution located in the U.S. or Canada by the time of enrollment. GRE scores are required for all other applicants.
How Do I Apply?
Applicants can apply online through Tufts Graduate Admissions Portal. Required materials typically include transcripts, a resume or CV, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. International applicants may also need to submit English proficiency documentation. Visit the admissions page for current deadlines and application requirements.
Tuition & Financial Aid
At Tufts University, we believe every qualified applicant deserves the opportunity to pursue graduate study. We are dedicated to helping you understand your financial options and to ensuring that graduate education at Tufts is both accessible and within reach.
Tuition costs for this graduate program are billed at a per credit rate:
| Estimated Tuition for MS Program | |
|---|---|
| Tuition* | $1,799 per credit |
| Total Credits Required | 30 |
| Enrollment Status | Full-Time: 3-4 courses per semester (9-12 credits) Part-Time: 1-2 courses per semester (3-6 credits) |
| Estimated Tuition per Semester | Full-Time: $16,191 - $21,588 per semester (9-12 credits) Part-Time: $5,397 - $10,794 per semester (3-6 credits) |
| Estimated Total Tuition* | $53,970 |
*Estimated based on 2025-2026 tuition rates. Rates are subject to change each academic year. For further information about the full cost of attendance, including additional fees and estimated indirect costs (housing, transportation, etc.), please visit Student Financial Services.
The Tufts University School of Engineering offers partial, merit-based tuition scholarships for the majority of our graduate and certificate programs. All applicants are automatically considered for these awards as part of our holistic admissions review process—no separate scholarship application or additional materials are required.
Additional funding opportunities may include Tufts Double Jumbo Scholarships for Tufts graduates, Bridge Program Scholarships for students and alumni from select partner institutions, and veteran and military education benefits for eligible service members and their dependents, including participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
To further support your investment in a Tufts graduate education, a range of financing options are available, including federal and private student loans. For more details, please visit our Graduate Financial Aid page.
