Graduate Certificate in Software Development Engineering

Software engineers are in high demand. Nearly every company today is a tech company, with needs for skilled developers. Having software engineering skills will allow you to choose your own career path and maybe even go independent. With the assistance of our professional development center and staff, we'll help to make sure you are SET for Success. 

Build on your basic computer programming knowledge to learn the best practices of software development and design while learning to implement these practices as software engineers.  Over the course of a year, students learn the core concepts of computer science, spanning from fundamental data structures and algorithms, to software engineering, to object-oriented and systems programming through lectures and hands-on labs. Guest speakers from industry share experience and real-world perspective. The program concludes with a project-based capstone course emphasizing team-oriented full stack development.

Learning Format

All courses are offered online on Saturdays (and available for review after class sessions). Students, classmates, and instructors interact online at set times for office hours, mentoring, and relationship/team-building. 

Course List and Descriptions 

For a complete list of courses offered in the GC-SDE, as well as detailed descriptions and prerequisite courses, please visit the GC-SDE Course List and Descriptions page. 

Who Should Apply 

The ideal SDE certificate candidate:

• has a bachelor’s degree, not in computer science
• has basic computer programming knowledge
• is looking to further extend their programming and software development skills

Career and networking resources

In addition to a rigorous curriculum in programming and software development, this certificate program provides career and networking resources.

• Career counseling
• Resume review sessions
• Job postings
• Networking opportunities
• Panel discussions
• Access to exclusive SET recruiting and networking events such as brown bags and presentations

How to Apply

Visit the UW Grad School Application and select "Create a Profile" to begin the application process:

1. Complete the corresponding applicant profile form, and continue to the Graduate School Application.
2. In “Step 1” of the Application, choose "Graduate Non-Matriculated."
3. In “Step 2” of the Application, choose "Computer Science & Systems - Tacoma (MS in Computer Science & Systems)" as the program.

Information Sessions 

Upcoming Information Session Dates: 

Previous Information Session Recordings