Texas Tech University

M.S. in Software and Security Engineering

The Master of Science in Software and Security Engineering (MSSSE) program emphasizes advanced security and software engineering concepts, including information and computer security, software design and quality assurance methodologies, and practices in security and software production. It is designed to provide both fundamental and practical knowledge for students who want to pursue careers in industry as software engineers and/or security engineers as well as those who want to advance their knowledge in the field as researchers in security and software engineering. 

Effective Fall 2025, the MSSSE is 31 credit hours. 

Participation in the thesis, project, or report options requires approval by faculty. For information on Courses & Curriculum, see here. 

Leveling Requirements


Students who do not hold a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or a related field may be required to complete undergraduate leveling work in computer science and/or mathematics. 

Required Courses:
  • Statistics
  • Calculus I
  • Discrete Math
  • Data Structures (CS 2413)
  • Algorithm Analysis (CS 3364) 
  • Software Engineering (CS 3365)

The Department of Computer Science's Graduate Admissions Committee will review your transcript during the application process to determine if you have satisfied the leveling requirements. Generally, courses on your transcript with titles similar to the courses listed above will be considered satisfactory. 

How to Satisfy Leveling Requirements
Option 1: Post Graduate Non-Degree Student (PGRD). 

Applicants seeking nondegree admission in any category must:

  1. Submit a formal application as far in advance of intended enrollment as possible. The application is available through the Office of Graduate Admissions.
  2. Submit an official transcript showing the awarding of a bachelor's or higher degree. The degree must be substantially equivalent to one from Texas Tech. Transcripts for all other college level study must also be submitted. The applicant must have been in good standing in the school last attended.
  3. Submit official, in good standing, transcripts from all higher education institutions attended.

After you have completed your leveling requirements, you will submit transcripts detailing leveling coursework with your application for the MSSSE program. The Dept. of Computer Science Admissions Committee will review your application to determine if you have met the leveling requirements.  

Admission to a non-degree program is not a guarantee of admission to the MSSSE program at a later date.

Additional questions on how to apply as a Post-Graduate Non-Degree Student should be forwarded to graduate.admissions@ttu.edu.  

Option 2: completion of approved professional certificates in coursera 

If your leveling courses are CS, you can consider the following options from Coursera:

Students can attach final certificates from Coursera in application as proof of completion.

Coursera is an online platform that offers professional certificates at your own pace. 

Comprehensive Evaluation/Comprehensive Examination


All TTU graduate students MUST complete a comprehensive evaluation in order to graduate. There are five (5) different options for students in the CS Dept. to complete this:

  1. Master's Thesis - Students must publicly defend their completed thesis to satisfy this requirement. Six (6) hours of CS 6000 - Master's Thesis AND CS faculty approval is required
  2. Complete an approved Industry Career Certificate through Coursera. Can begin as early as first semester in the program
  3. Work Experience - Students can participate in an approved internship/CPT (see grad advisor). The internship/CPT requires co-enrollment in CS 5000 - Practicum in Computer Science. Or professional students may ask that their full-time job be considered to satisfy this requirement (see grad advisor). 
  4. Master's Project - Students will complete an oral examination wherein they present publicly on project results. Requires three (3) credit hours of CS 6001 - Master's Project AND CS faculty approval.
  5. Master's Report - Students will complete an oral examination wherein they present publicly on project results. Requires three (3) credit hours of CS 6002 - Master's Report AND CS faculty approval.

The CS Dept. no longer offers an exam option. 

Transfer Coursework


Transfer credit may be accepted from another university as long as the following conditions are met:

  • A final grade of 'B' or higher was earned in the course. Students are required to submit an official transcript submitted to the Graduate School.
  •  The course was not taken by correspondence.
  • The inclusion of the course satisfies degree plan requirements.
  • The course is approved by the Graduate Advisor, Graduate Coordinator, and (if applicable) the student's thesis advisor.
  • A Texas Tech University course corresponds to the transferred course.
  • The course is from a computer science or similar program.

A MS student may only transfer up to 6 hours (two classes). 

Application Deadlines

Preferred application deadlines for those interested in the MSSSE program are as follows:

  • Fall 2025 - 6/1/2025
  • Summer 2025 - 2/1/2025

Please note that international applicants may have different recommended deadlines. We will continue to accept applications beyond the above dates. 

Have questions? Contact our CS Grad Advising Team! We're here to help!

The MSSSE program has replaced the prior Master of Science in Software Engineering (MSSE) program, which has stopped accepting new applicants.

Department of Computer Science

© 2025  Texas Tech University Apr 15, 2025 9:54 AM