How to Get a PhD in Computer & Software Engineering

Software engineers work at the intersection of technology and daily life, transforming computers into everything from useful appliances to entertainment devices. Like any other engineer, software engineers apply formal engineering principles to extract utility from a scientific phenomenon. In this case, the phenomenon is a complex electronic system that uses code to execute commands and process data.

A doctoral degree in computer or software engineering offers a direct route into the upper echelons of the profession. Choose an academic career to focus on the fundamental underpinnings of software and computer system design, both as an expert researcher and a college instructor. Or, put your engineering savvy to work in private- or public-sector R&D, advancing the state of the art in software design.

The path to a PhD in computer or software engineering starts long before the first day of class. Use this guide to navigate the application process from start to finish, developing a clear vision of your goals and the academic resources that can help you achieve them.

A Guide to the PhD in Computer & Software Engineering

Software engineering presents vast opportunities for applying your scientific expertise and design ingenuity. This guide to the discipline takes you through the academic and career options available to you, helping you chart your path into the profession.

Computer & Software Engineering as an Academic Discipline

Computer and software engineering as a discipline distinct from computer science dates back to 1969, when the NATO Science committee recognized software engineering as "the establishment and use of sound engineering principles in order to obtain economically software that is reliable and works efficiently on real machines." Since then, the IEEE has elaborated the definition to gesture the breadth of the software engineering discipline, which today spans "the application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software." Computer engineering describes a slightly broader territory, comprising both software and hardware design.

Resources

To learn more about the computer & software engineering discipline, visit WorldWideLearn.com's Guide to Majors. You'll find detailed descriptions of both computer engineering and software engineering.

Graduate Computer & Software Engineering Programs

Graduate education is quickly becoming the norm in the computer & software engineering profession, as engineers keep pace with increasingly sophisticated technology and market demand. As the Graduate Software Engineering 2009 (GSwE2009) report puts it, "As product and system functionality grow, so does the need to efficiently and correctly implement the complex software that enables that growth."

To meet the R&D challenges ahead, the coalition of engineering experts behind GSwE2009 recently published a graduate engineering curriculum. The Graduate Software Engineering 2009 (GSwE2009): Curriculum Guidelines for Graduate Degree Programs, endorsed by IEEE, provides a reliable picture of graduate computer and software engineering today. The Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) is expected to endorse the GSwE2009 as well.

Specializations

As a doctoral candidate in computer or software engineering, you'll have the unique opportunity to establish yourself as an expert in a specific area.

Computer engineering sub-fields include:

• Programming (object-oriented programming, functional programming, language translation systems, type systems, programming language semantics, programming language design)
• Data structures and algorithms
• Computer architecture
• Operating systems
• Networks and communications
• Module design and construction

Software engineering specializations include:

• Requirements engineering (requirements analysis, elicitation, validation, or specification)
• Systems engineering
• Software design
• Software construction
• Testing
• Maintenance and configuration
• Software engineering management and process
• Risk management
• Security and quality
• Software engineering economics

Resources

The Graduate Software Engineering 2009 (GSwE2009): Curriculum Guidelines for Graduate Degree Programs offers an up-to-date look at contemporary sub-fields of computer & software engineering.

Career Track

A doctoral degree in computer or software engineering prepares you for careers in academic research, teaching, or applied R&D.

Academic: The academic career track for computer and software engineers typically leads to a university professor position. As a professor, you'll perform research into fundamental computer engineering problems, teach undergraduate engineering courses, and mentor graduate students in engineering. Some academic engineers also consult with private and public-sector R&D labs.

Professional: A PhD in computer or software engineering can take you far in industry or government research and development. Doctoral graduates typically take on senior-level research roles. Job titles include:

• Design engineer
• Development engineer
• System architect
• Research director
• Project manager or process engineer
• Security consultant

Resources

If you're unsure which career path to pursue, WorldWideLearn.com's Career Pathways resource offers career planning and assessment tools to help you focus your ambitions.

Plan for a PhD in Computer & Software Engineering

Understanding your doctoral degree options and personal goals helps you prepare for the PhD in computer or software engineering. The application process requires you to:

1. Identify PhD programs that match your academic and career interests
2. Build your qualifications for admission to a graduate computer & software engineering program
3. Represent your qualifications in strong applications
4. Begin building relationships with academic mentors and peers

These steps help you build a foundation for a successful journey to the PhD.

Step One: Find the Right Graduate Computer & Software Engineering Program

Goal: Research your options to identify the academic program that best matches your interests and goals. Key factors include accreditation, program format, faculty and research resources, and academic rigor.

1. Accreditation

Accreditation is a fundamental criterion for any PhD program. Independent accrediting agencies conduct regular program reviews to ensure that the institution meets basic standards of academic quality and support. Besides ensuring the quality of your education, accreditation may validate your PhD in the eyes of employers, and may influence your eligibility for financial aid.

Start your program research by compiling a list of accredited PhD programs in computer or software engineering. Online directories and accrediting agency member lists offer good starting points for identifying schools with doctoral programs.

Resources

WorldWideLearn.com represents many accredited graduate programs in computer and software engineering. Search Degrees by Subject to find an online or campus PhD, or browse a list of university partners.

ABET's Computer Science Accreditation Board (CSAB) lists over 300 accredited programs in computer science, including computer and software engineering. Search ABET-accredited programs by location and program area.

To check for accreditation, consult the U.S. Department of Education's searchable database of approved accreditation agencies.

2. Program Format: Online or On-Campus PhD?

The format of the education--online or on-campus delivery--can be a critical factor in determining the right PhD program for you.

Online PhD programs in computer and software engineering allow working professionals to pursue an advanced degree without putting their jobs on hold. The flexible, Internet-mediated format allows you to work independently and at your own pace. To pursue research, arrange for access to local lab facilities through work or another institution, or travel to the campus for temporary research residencies.

On-Campus PhD programs offer some distinct advantages to aspiring academics. In addition to accessing research resources such as labs and supercomputers, campus-based students collaborate closely with a faculty mentor and peers. Teaching and research assistantships offer the opportunity to train for a professor position.

The right program format for you ultimately depends on your personal circumstances and career goals.

Resources

WorldWideLearn.com lays out the program format options in the Online Degree Programs and Campus Education sections. To find a campus-based PhD, search Degrees by Location.

3. Faculty and Research Support

Each PhD program in computer & software engineering offers a unique set of resources to help you achieve your goals. The most important factors in your ability to develop your expertise and perform influential research are:

• Faculty mentorship
• Research facilities
• Funding
• Special programs, such as foundations, conferences, publications, research centers, etc.

You can get a general sense of a program's academic orientation by researching curricula and specializations. But the essential predictors of success are access to faculty experts in your field and state-of-the-art research equipment.

Resources

WorldWideLearn.com starts the ball rolling by connecting you with PhD programs that meet your basic requirements. Fill out an online form indicating your program criteria for a school representative to contact you to discuss the program.

School Web sites link to information about research facilities, faculty publications, programs, and industry R&D partnerships.

Academic journals help you identify leading faculty and doctoral programs in your field. Look for specialized journals that publish groundbreaking research in your field. Examples include IEEE Transactions on Reliability and Springer Software and Systems.

4. Program Quality

Finally, evaluate the quality of online or on-campus PhD programs on your list. Aim to find six or seven computer or software engineering programs that may accommodate your academic background.

Factors that may come into play in your assessment include:

• Reputation
• Selectivity
• Graduation rate
• Career support resources

Resources

Rankings help you gauge the reputation and quality of PhD programs in computer & software engineering. The major rankings include:

• U.S. News & World Report, Best Engineering Schools Specialty Rankings: Computer Engineering
• The National Research Council, Assessment of Research Doctorate Programs
• The Center for Measuring University Performance, The Top American Research Universities, 2008 Annual Report

School data sheets offer statistics on job placement, graduate student demographics, admissions criteria, and more.

Campus visits offer an opportunity to experience the graduate student experience firsthand. Tour research facilities, meet with potential faculty advisors, attend seminars and networking events, and talk to graduate students.

Step Two: Apply to PhD Programs in Software Engineering

Goal: Prepare your graduate school applications. Complete prerequisites, submit graduate school application forms and supporting documents, and apply for financial aid.

1. Prerequisites

Graduate computer & software engineering programs generally require:

• A bachelor's or master's degree in computer engineering, computer science, or a related field; if your degree is in another field, you may need to complete prerequisite course before applying to a PhD program
• Standardized tests such as the GRE and (for international students) the TOEFL
• Research or work experience (preferred by some schools)

2. Application Materials

Gather and submit the following materials well in advance of each school's application deadline:

• Information form
• Academic transcripts
• Letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources
• Test scores
• Personal statement of research interests

3. Secure Financial Aid

Universities generally include a financial aid application, which puts you in the running for financial aid programs such as:

• Scholarships and fellowships
• Teaching and research assistantships
• Research grants
• Federal grants and student loans, through FAFSA

In addition, you can apply for external support such as:

• NSF research funding
• Private fellowships and scholarships
• Private student loans, if necessary
• Corporate sponsorship programs, such as tuition grants or loan forgiveness

Step Three: Join the Academic Community

Goal: Reinvent yourself as an academic. Build relationships with peers and mentors through networking, and learn about major trends animating your research field.

1. Join professional associations. The IEEE Computer Society and the ACM are the two major professional associations in computer & software engineering. But to truly build a sense of academic community, look for smaller associations in your local area, your academic specialty, or at the school you're likely to attend.
2. Attend conferences. Conferences offer a forum for meeting other academics and engaging in discourse about your field. Look for conferences at a local university or association chapter.
3. Subscribe to software engineering journals. Journals can give you deep insight into current scholarship and trends. Some prominent journals in computer engineering include:
   
   
   • IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering
   • ACM Transactions on Software Engineering Methodology
   • Wiley Software Testing, Verification & Reliability
   • Springer Empirical Software Engineering
   • Springer Software and Systems Modeling
   • Wiley Journal of Software Maintenance and Evolution
   • IEEE Transactions on Reliability
   • Journal of Systems and Software
   • Software Practice & Experience
   • Software Quality Journal

Resources

WorldWideLearn.com's Education Resources Guide helps you prepare for graduate study with advice on online learning and study tools. The Insider's College Guide for Working Adults covers important topics that returning students need to know to succeed in graduate school.

The secret to success in a PhD program in computer & software engineering is to arrive prepared. Armed with a clear vision of your goals and the resources to achieve them, you're in a position to take full advantage of the educational opportunities you encounter. The PhD in computer & software engineering offers a rare opportunity to work alongside the great innovators of the field, using state-of-the-art research equipment. With the support to produce influential research, you're on track to lead technological development into the next generation.

Sources

• Assessment of Research Doctorate Programs, National Research Council
• Association for Computing Machinery
• Best Graduate Schools, Top Computer Science Programs: Programming Language Specialty, U.S. News & World Report (2009)
• Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, U.S. Department of Education
• ERCIM Working Group Software Evolution: Terminology, European Research Consortium for Informatics and Mathematics (ERCIM)
• Graduate Software Engineering 2009 (GSwE2009): Curriculum Guidelines for Graduate Degree Programs in Software Engineering. (Oct 2009)
• IEEE Computer Society
• PhD in software engineering, Carnegie Mellon University
• "Search Accredited Programs," ABET
• Software Engineering Journals, George Mason University
• "The Top American Research Universities, 2008 Annual Report," The Center for Measuring University Performance