Graduate Certificate in Software Architecture

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Apply to the Software Architecture Certificate program today at the College of Computing & Informatics. The deadlines for Spring 2023 are Wednesday, March 1, 2023 for Domestic On-Campus Students; Wednesday, February 1, 2023 for International On-Campus Students; and Monday, March 6, 2023 for all Online Students (Domestic and International). The deadlines for Fall 2023 are Sunday, August 27, 2023 for Domestic On-Campus Students; Tuesday, June 13, 2023 for International On-Campus Students; and Tuesday, August 22, 2022 for all Online Students (Domestic and International).

Who is the Software Architecture Certificate program for?

Drexel College of Computing & Informatics' Post-Baccalaureate/Graduate Certificate in Software Architecture equips software professionals with state-of-the-art practices for designing, analyzing, documenting and implementing software architectures.

Software architecture is the primary carrier of system qualities, such as performance, reliability, modifiability and security. Architecture helps ensure that a design approach will yield an acceptable system and holds the key to maintenance and sustainment efforts, ensures critical quality attributes, and holds every phase of a software project together.

This certificate can be combined with other certificates and/or courses to create the Master of Science degrees listed below.

Fast Facts

Number of Courses

5 (15 quarter credits)

Credits/full certificate can be applied to create what master’s degrees?

MS Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning; MS Computer Science; MS Software Engineering

Time-to-completion

1 year

Format

On campus or online

Time Commitment

Full-time or part-time

Aid eligible

No

Tech experience required?

Yes – A four-year bachelor's degree or Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in Computer Science, Software Engineering or related STEM degree plus work experience equal to Drexel's Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science or a completed Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science

GRE required?

Recommended for international students and domestic students with the GPA below 3.0, but not required

Curriculum

IMPORTANT NOTE: Drexel operates on the quarter, not semester, system, offering classes during four 10-week terms throughout the year. 

This curriculum includes:

  • Two required courses
  • Two core elective courses (you will choose from among four options)
  • One free elective course

Please visit Drexel’s Course Catalog for a full description of each required and elective course for this program. You can also find a sample Plan of Study for the certificate.

Software Architecture Admissions Requirements

  • A completed application for the online format or on-campus format.
  • A four-year bachelor's degree or Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in Computer Science, Software Engineering or related STEM degree plus work experience equal to Drexel's Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science.
  • A GPA of 3.0 or higher, in a completed degree program, bachelor’s degree or above.
  • Official final transcripts from ALL Colleges/Universities attended. Please note: For students who have attended an institution outside of the US, it is highly recommended to submit a NACES approved course-by-course transcript evaluation (i.e., WES) for expedited review of your application. This approved evaluation will take the place of the transcript requirement to complete your application.
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores (must be five years old or less) are not required but recommended for international students and domestic students below a 3.0 GPA.
  • One letter of recommendation required, two recommended (academic, professional, or both).
  • Essay/Statement of Purpose (approximately 500 words).
  • Current Resume.
  • Pre-requisites for all graduate level programs: computer requirements and skills.
  • Additional requirements for International Students.

Please visit our Graduate Admissions page for all deadlines.

Request More Information

Be in touch with us to get answers to all your questions! We can connect you with a Recruitment Specialist, one of our Graduate Dean’s Ambassadors, or a faculty member to help. Contact Graduate Recruitment Specialist Amanda Tessler and/or Director of Recruitment Matt Lechtenberg at cciinfo@drexel.edu and we’ll get back to you soon.

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