The rapid digitization of business, healthcare, education, government, transportation, and utilities is driving demand for developers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists software developer among its fastest-growing occupations, with a 26 percent increase in employment expected over the next decade; U.S. News & World Report includes it on its 100 Best Jobs lists.
Expect fierce competition for these jobs—especially those with elevated responsibilities and compensation. Those seeking a competitive advantage should consider earning an advanced degree; in fact, some postings will list a master’s degree among the prerequisites.
This article spotlights developer and developer-adjacent jobs open to those with a Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) degree, like the one offered online by the University of Tennessee (UT Knoxville). Note that job titles and responsibilities differ from employer to employer; the jobs described below may be listed under varying titles.
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Senior Software Engineer/Software Developer Jobs
Senior software engineers or developers possess advanced coding skills and bring multiple years of relevant work experience as technical experts. Their day-to-day responsibilities typically include development work—such as coding and testing software applications—technical leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving. Software developers and engineers work in varied industries, including finance, technology, and manufacturing. According to Salary.com, senior software developers earn an average annual salary of around $113,000.
Most senior software developers start as junior developers and work their way up. Becoming a senior software engineer or developer offers a pathway to career advancement focused on technical expertise (rather than team leadership and management). Earning your master’s degree can help you gain the specialized skills to qualify for senior roles faster. UT’s online MSCS degree offers a software engineering concentration designed to teach the necessary technical and problem-solving skills to work in front-end, back-end, and full-stack development environments.
Business Intelligence Developer Positions
Business intelligence (BI) developers research, develop, and build dashboards and tools to enable users to run analytics, create visualizations and build data models. Becoming a BI developer requires technical expertise in database and software development and in-depth knowledge of business processes and requirements. BI developers work in various industries and settings, including software companies, finance organizations, and corporate environments. BI developers earn an average salary of around $100,000.
If you’re interested in a career in BI, a master’s degree in computer science can help you gain the technical skills and problem-solving capabilities needed to advance in the field. UT’s online MSCS includes coursework in big data mining and analytics, databases, and scripting languages.
AI Application Developer Roles
Artificial intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm; businesses increasingly seek ways to use this emerging technology to their advantage, generating demand for AI developers. AI app developers use their programming knowledge to develop and optimize AI models that can analyze data, learn from patterns, and make predictions or decisions. They generally work in technologically advanced companies, including startups, financial institutions, and healthcare providers. AI developers earn an average salary of about $130,000.
Achieving success as an AI developer requires advanced coding expertise as well as creative thinking and problem-solving capabilities. Enrolling in an MSCS program can help you gain the skills you need to qualify for AI app developer jobs. Some MSCS programs, like the online program from UT, include AI-specific courses to help you gain industry-relevant skills.
Machine Learning Engineer Careers
Machine learning, a subfield of AI, focuses on teaching machines to analyze large volumes of data. Machine learning engineers develop and implement machine learning models and algorithms and collect, preprocess, and analyze large datasets to identify patterns and insights. Technology and software development companies, financial services providers, professional services companies, and consultancies may employ machine learning engineers. These professionals earn an average annual salary of about $130,000.
Many machine learning engineers start their careers as software developers or data scientists, subsequently enrolling in master’s programs to develop more specialized skills. Earning your master’s in computer science can help you develop technical machine-learning skills while building your problem-solving capabilities.
Software Development Leadership Opportunities
The development field offers many job opportunities for professionals who aspire to lead teams, departments, or organizations. Leadership roles that developers can advance to include software development manager, computer and information systems manager, and chief technology officer.
If your goals include a leadership position, an MSCS degree can help you accelerate your career trajectory. UT’s online MSCS program develops critical thinking skills and helps build the network connections to lead in the field.
Why a Master’s Matters: Career Benefits of an MSCS Degree
Earning your master’s degree in computer science can help you build the skills and knowledge you need for top developer jobs specializing in software engineering, BI, AI, machine learning, and other rapidly expanding areas within the field. Completing a master’s program will not only boost your employability but will increase your earning potential as well. According to the BLS, computer science professionals with advanced degrees earn around 20 percent more on average than their counterparts with bachelor’s degrees. The online MSCS program from UT helps students realize these benefits.
Earning Your MSCS Online with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
UT’s online MSCS offers specialized computer science training from top industry practitioners. The program focuses on in-demand areas in the field with three industry-relevant concentrations: Cybersecurity, Data Mining and Intelligent Systems, and Software Engineering.
If you aspire to development roles, courses included in the software engineering concentration can help you build the skills needed to design, optimize, and maintain elaborate software systems. Coursework covers advanced software processes and technologies, software security, algorithms, deep learning, and natural language processing.
Furthermore, as an online MSCS student, you will benefit from the program’s affiliation with the UT Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) and the Tickle College of Engineering–an incubator and innovative force in scientific research and engineering education.
Next Steps: Apply to UT Online
If you’re ready to accelerate your career and want to qualify for top developer jobs, consider enrolling in UT’s online MSCS program. The 100-percent-online program caters to working professionals; you can complete it from anywhere in the country while working full-time.
To learn more about the UT online MSCS and how to apply, explore the program’s admissions requirements and connect with an enrollment advisor for personalized advice. If you’re ready to proceed, you can start your application today.
