Faculty member and computer science student reviewing code on wall-mounted digital monitor.

Software Engineering
Graduate Certificate

Stand out in a rapidly changing career landscape with a Software Engineering Graduate Certificate. Ideal for current software professionals looking to advance their careers or those seeking a career change into this high-demand field.

This program is one of the few software engineering graduate certificate programs in Wisconsin. It prepares you for leadership roles on software development teams and provides you with the skills to drive technical innovation in many industries.

Study at a college known for innovators—including Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella, who completed graduate studies in computer science at UWM.

Program Type

Graduate Certificate

Program Format

On Campus

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Software Engineering: An in-Demand Field

Median annual salary$133,080software developer (BLS 5/24)
Projected job growth15%much greater than average (2024-2034)
Predicted increase287,900in software developers (2024-2034)

Software Engineering certificate is ideal for working professionals

  • Convenient: Class times and some hybrid instruction make it easier to balance your studies with your career.
  • 15-credit program can be completed in one year (two semesters).
  • No GRE required.
  • Not just for computer science degree holders: We welcome applicants with a range of undergraduate degrees, including science, engineering, computer science, economics, finance or any other area that requires academic preparation in math and extensive programming experience.
  • Employee tuition assistance: Check with your employer; many companies are willing to invest in a skilled, knowledgeable workforce and offer tuition reimbursement to support their employees’ continued education.
College of Engineering faculty member
You’ll work with top faculty on an industry-aligned program.

Software Engineering certificate that can stand alone or be “stacked” to build a master’s degree

Earn this as a stand-alone credential or apply all 15 credits toward the 31-credit Master’s in Computer Science (Professional Track).

The flexibility of this certificate, including part-time options, means you can earn meaningful credentials incrementally.

Addresses the practical challenges of enterprise environments, including:

  • Agile development
  • DevOps
  • Continuous integration
  • Software architecture
  • Quality assurance practices

Tailored for your career goals

  • Nine credits (three courses) give you core competencies to master fundamental software engineering principles.
  • Six elective credits (two courses) allow you to specialize based on your career goals and professional interests.
  • View the Academic Catalog for specifics.

Learning Objectives

With this certificate, you will be prepared for leadership roles in software development teams, enabling you to drive technical innovation in diverse organizational settings.

  • Apply systematic software development methodologies, including waterfall, agile and DevOps practices to manage complex software projects from conception to deployment.
  • Design and implement robust software architectures, using design patterns and best practices for maintainable, scalable systems.
  • Integrate modern software engineering tools and practices, including version control, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), automated testing and collaborative development environments.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in software quality assurance through testing strategies, code review processes and verification techniques to ensure reliable software delivery.
  • Communicate effectively with stakeholders, including technical teams, project managers and clients, regarding software requirements, programs and technical decisions.
  • Adapt to emerging technologies and methodologies in the rapidly evolving software engineering field through continuous learning and professional development.

You’ll be ready to lead in many Software Engineering roles

The program is aligned with current industry standards, assuring you’re ready for the many leadership positions, including:

  • Software Developer
  • Software Engineer
  • Software Architect
  • Senior Software Engineering
  • Lead Developer
  • Software Development Manager
  • DevOps Engineer
  • Software Quality Assurance Manager

Computer Science Faculty

Boyland, John
  • Professor, Computer Science
Cheng, Christine
  • Associate Professor, Computer Science
Dabagh, Mahsa
  • Richard and Joanne Grigg Professorship
  • Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering
  • Affiliate Associate Professor, Computer Science
Kate, Rohit
  • Associate Professor, Computer Science
Kouklin, Nikolai
  • Professor, Computer Science
Law, Chiu
  • Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering
  • Associate Professor, Computer Science
Luo, Jake
  • Associate Professor, Health Informatics & Administration
  • Affiliate Professor, Computer Science
  • Graduate Program Director, Health Care Informatics
Mali, Amol
  • Associate Professor, Computer Science
McRoy, Susan
  • Professor, Computer Science
  • Department Chair, Computer Science
Nipu, Ayesha Siddika
  • Teaching Faculty II, Computer Science
Nowrin, Sadia
  • Teaching Faculty II, Computer Science
Rahman, Mohammad Habib
  • Richard and Joanne Grigg Professorship
  • Professor and Department Chair, Mechanical Engineering
  • Affiliate Professor, Computer Science and Biomedical Engineering
  • Switzer Research Distinguished Fellow
Rock, Jayson
  • Teaching Faculty 3, Computer Science
  • Web Development Certificate Coordinator
Sorenson, Robert
  • Teaching Faculty 3, Computer Science
Thomas, Jerald
  • Assistant Professor, Computer Science
Wang, Weizhong
  • Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering
  • Associate Professor, Computer Science
Yu, Zeyun
  • Professor, Computer Science
  • Professor, Biomedical Engineering
  • Director, Big Data Analytics and Visualization Lab
Zeng, Zhen
  • Assistant Professor, Computer Science
Zhang, Jun
  • Professor, Electrical Engineering
  • Professor, Computer Science
Zhao, Tian
  • Associate Professor, Computer Science

Electrical Engineering Faculty

Armstrong, Brian
  • Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Cuzner, Robert
  • Richard and Joanne Grigg Professorship
  • Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • Director, Center for Sustainable Electrical Energy Systems (SEES)
  • Site Director, Center for GRid-Connected Power Electronic Systems (GRAPES)
Hanson, George
  • Professor Emerit, Electrical Engineering
Hu, Yi
  • Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering
  • Department Chair, Electrical Engineering
  • Associate Professor, Computer Science
Kouklin, Nikolai
  • Professor, Computer Science
Law, Chiu
  • Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering
  • Associate Professor, Computer Science
Misra, Devendra
  • Professor Emerit, Biomedical Engineering
  • Professor Emerit, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Wang, Lingfeng
  • Richard and Joanne Grigg Faculty Fellowship
  • Professor, Electrical Engineering
  • Professor, Computer Science
Wang, Weizhong
  • Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering
  • Associate Professor, Computer Science
Zhang, Jun
  • Professor, Electrical Engineering
  • Professor, Computer Science

Advising

Crary, Therese
  • Advisor, Graduate Programs
  • Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Health Informatics
Packard, Robert
  • Advisor, Graduate Programs
  • Civil/Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering
Academic Catalog
Important Dates
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Accreditation
UWM is accredited by the U.S. Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
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Contact
Computer Science
Contact Info: ceas-cs@uwm.edu

Street Address
College of Engineering & Applied Science
3200 North Cramer Street
Milwaukee, WI 53211

Mailing Address
College of Engineering & Applied Science
P.O. Box 784
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0784
Electrical Engineering
Contact Info: ceas-ee@uwm.edu

Street Address
College of Engineering & Applied Science
3200 North Cramer Street
Milwaukee, WI 53211

Mailing Address
College of Engineering & Applied Science
P.O. Box 784
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0784