Certificate in Software Design and Development (CSDD)

[6 courses]

This certificate is designed for those interested in acquiring state-of-the-art knowledge in the field of software development without completing the requirements for the master's degree.

To complete the CSDD, the student must complete six CSIS graduate courses with at least a GPA of 2.7 or better. Certificate students have the opportunity of continuing in the MS and MSS. Master's students cannot transfer into the certificate program.

Entrance Requirements

1. a. A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline from an accredited educational institution with an overall grade-point-average (GPA) of at least 2.7 (applicants with a GPA less than 2.7 will be considered for provisional admission with their professional experience factored into the decision)
   b. At least two years of software development experience
   OR
   a. At least four years of software development experience for applicants who do not have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent. 
   b. An overall grade-point-average (GPA) of at least 2.7 for all completed post-secondary education (applicants with a GPA less than 2.7 will be considered for provisional admission with their professional experience factored into the decision)
   
   NOTE: Applicants admitted without a bachelor’s degree may not continue in or transfer to a GPS master’s program.
   
2. Official transcripts bearing an institutional seal from all universities/colleges attended sent directly to the Graduate Programs in Software (GPS) office by the issuing institution for all completed coursework.
3. Completed application form.
4. Detailed resume which includes all work experience, job description, and programming languages used.
5. A listing of computer related courses not appearing on transcripts.
6. For applicants whose native language is not English, a TOEFL (550 or above on the written version, 213 or above on the computer-based version) or MELAB (85 or above) score is required. TOEFL or MELAB scores more than two years old are not accepted. Exam bulletins are available from International Admissions at 651-962-6450.
7. Brief essay (1-2 pages) listing courses the student wishes to take and the reasons why. An essay (1-2 pages) stating why the applicant wishes to work toward a certificate.
8. A grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 or above.

Required Courses

A minimum of six courses (18 semester credits) are required for this certificate.

• Choose at least two courses from the list below:
  • SEIS 605 =[CSIS 500] Technical Communications
  • SEIS 610 =[CSIS 510] Software Engineering Methodologies
  • SEIS 630 =[CSIS 530] Database Management Systems and Design
  • SEIS 650 =[CSIS 550] Legal Issues in Technology
  • SEIS 625 =[CSIS 600] Software Project Management
  • SEIS 626 =[CSIS 605] Software Quality Assurance/Quality Control
    
• An additional 4 electives (12 semester credits) from the GPS course list excluding the following: SEIS 600 = [CSIS 505], SEIS 601 = [CSIS 512], SEIS 620 = [CSIS 524], SEIS621 = [CSIS 526], SEIS 776 = [CSIS670], SEIS 777 = [CSIS 671], SEIS 778 = [CSIS 673].
  
• Please note: SEIS 778 = [CSIS 673] Internship/Seminar may be taken, but the course will not count toward the 18 credits required for completion of the certificate.