Software is integral to daily life, powering everything from video games and mobile apps to healthcare systems and smart devices. It facilitates commerce, drives marketing analytics, and enhances manufacturing efficiency and productivity. It is no exaggeration to say that software engineers shape nearly every aspect of modern life.
As technology evolves and our usage increases, so does the need for skilled software engineers to develop and implement innovative solutions. Steady demand in the field should continue as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, cybersecurity, and the Internet of Things (IoT) develop and proliferate. Cybercrime is predicted to inflict over $23 trillion in damage in 2027, adding cybersecurity proficiency to the software engineer’s already-bursting tool belt.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for software engineers will increase by 17% through 2033. US News & World Report ranks software engineer the fifth-best job in 2025, citing the profession’s high salaries and low unemployment rate.
In a field that is evolving faster than ever, software engineers must keep pace with changes to remain competitive. A Master of Science in Computer Science offers a reliable pathway to preparing for the future of software engineering.
Build Expertise in In-Demand Tech Areas
Gain Advanced Skills in AI, Cybersecurity, and More
Trends and Advances in Software Engineering
Recent trends and advancements have created many new software engineering career opportunities and expanded existing organizational roles. This article explores emerging developments in the field and highlights some of the software engineering roles they make available.
Growth in Cloud Services
Cloud services provide on-demand delivery of IT applications and resources over the Internet. Third-party vendors host and manage these services, which deliver cost savings and ease and enhance scalability, security, and accessibility.
Research projects that the global cloud services market will grow from almost $722 billion in 2025 to about $2.727 trillion by 2034. The remote work landscape, which requires cloud technologies to support virtual collaboration, contributes to the growing demand for cloud services. Serverless computing, microservices, and hybrid and multi-cloud evolution all represent potential growth areas in cloud services.
Software engineers with experience in cloud technologies can pursue roles such as the following:
Boom in AI and Machine Learning
AI and machine learning enable software to learn from data and make intelligent decisions without explicit programming. This allows software engineers to build smarter applications that automate tasks, recognize patterns, and improve over time. AI is integrated into smart assistants (Siri, Alexa), search engines, streaming services, social media feeds, customer service bots, healthcare devices, online retail vendors, banking, and legal and financial services. It powers self-driving cars, military drones, the Internet of Things (smart thermostats, home security systems, fitness trackers), and assembly lines.
AI and machine learning offer multiple growth opportunities. Generative AI is revolutionizing content creation, automation, and problem-solving by enabling machines to generate human-like text, images, and code. No-code project management and AI development tools are democratizing technology by enabling non-technical users to build software, automate workflows, and leverage AI. All of these developments raise ethical issues requiring expert attention.
Software engineers can pursue varied AI and machine learning careers, including:
Increased Need for Security
Cybercrime and cyber attacks are rising; the global cybersecurity market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.7 percent through 2030. Implementing cybersecurity falls not just to dedicated cybersecurity experts but also to others in the tech profession, including software developers.
Software applications can create cyber vulnerabilities through unpatched bugs, weak authentication, or poor encryption. These vulnerabilities provide cybercriminals with access points to steal data and disrupt operations. For these reasons, cybersecurity must be a critical priority for developers.
The increased need for security is driving robust demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals. Roles for software engineers in this field include:
Expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT)
The IoT refers to objects with sensors, software, and other technologies that enable them to collect and share information, such as smart home devices and smartwatches. Software engineers drive innovation in IoT by designing and developing the software that powers IoT devices and connects to other systems.
In recent years, IoT applications have been used innovatively to tackle various issues. For example, IoT solutions have helped address gun violence, identify high-risk patients, recognize counterfeit goods, and increase pedestrian safety. The IoT market is projected to be valued at $1.35 trillion in 2025 and is expected to grow to $2.72 trillion by 2030. Upcoming trends in the field include development in edge computing, growing demand for sustainable home automation solutions, and an increased focus on security and privacy.
Roles for software engineers in this realm include the following:
Advancing Your Skills: Can I Be a Software Engineer with a Computer Science Degree?
A master’s degree offers professionals in any field the opportunity to develop the specialized skills and knowledge to advance in their field, increase their income, and lower their unemployment rate.
Earning a Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) offers many worthwhile benefits for computer science and software engineering students. Schools like the University of Tennessee offer online MSCS programs with specialized concentrations, so students don’t have to choose between a master’s degree in software engineering or computer science.
The online MSCS at UT is designed for working professionals looking to advance their skills and knowledge. The program offers the flexibility to accommodate busy lifestyles; students can complete their degrees at their own pace, finishing in as little as 18 months while balancing their careers and personal responsibilities.
The program combines asynchronous coursework with live online classes, enabling students to complete coursework when convenient without forgoing valuable opportunities to connect with faculty and peers. The curriculum, influenced by industry trends and research, explores emerging computer science and software engineering topics. Students can customize their education to fit their interests and career goals by choosing from three available concentrations.
Online MSCS Curriculum: Software Engineering Concentration
Students interested in advanced software engineering training should consider the online MSCS at UT, which offers a software engineering concentration. The concentration covers designing, optimizing, and maintaining complex software systems to prepare students to work in front-end, back-end, and full-stack leadership roles. Students gain technical and problem-solving skills through core, focus area, and elective courses, including:
- Advanced Software Engineering explores software processes and technologies that help professionals design, manage, maintain, and test software.
- Algorithms examines sorting, searching, pattern matching, and efficient approximation algorithms to teach students to analyze and design algorithms
- User Interfaces covers the design, implementation, and study of user interfaces, including the design/evaluation process, components, and development architectures.
- Software Security offers an in-depth introduction to software security, focusing on identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities and best practices for preventing them.
- Mobile and Embedded Systems Security studies vulnerabilities and threats in mobile and embedded devices, such as smartphones, wearable devices, and IoT devices. Topics include secure programming, user/device authentication, IoT wireless security, and security and privacy breaches.
- Cloud and Web Architectures covers the principles of designing and developing web-based applications by reviewing topics such as web protocols, the client-server architecture paradigm, and underlying software components.
Leaders in Software Engineering: UT Faculty Research and Expertise
Earning your online MSCS at UT provides a credential from a highly regarded engineering school led by top faculty members who conduct innovative research in areas like intelligent systems, cybersecurity, software engineering and systems, and high-performance computing. Faculty tailor their course curricula to incorporate their expertise, research, and the latest industry trends and tools, preparing students to succeed in the evolving fields of software engineering and computer science. Students emerge with a solid technical foundation and practical experience that can yield a competitive edge in the job market.
Online MSCS faculty members include:
- Garrett Rose, a member of the Association of Computing Machinery, IEEE Circuits and Systems Society, and IEEE Computer Society. Rose serves on Technical Program Committees for several IEEE conferences. He also serves as an associate editor for IEEE Transactions on Nanotechnology. His research areas include nanoelectronic circuit design, neuromorphic computing, and hardware security.
- Stephen Marz, who held the rank of Captain in the U.S. Air Force before pursuing higher education and entering academia. His research interests include operating systems, programming languages, and computer architectures.
- Michela Taufer, an ACM Distinguished Scientist who serves as the principal investigator of several NSF collaborative projects. Taufer has sat on IEEE program committees and reviewed leading journals in parallel computing. Her research interests include software applications and their programmability in heterogeneous computing, cloud and volunteer computing, and performance analysis, modeling, and optimization of multi-scale applications.
Next Steps: Apply to an Online MS in Computer Science Program
The need for skilled software engineers, especially in emerging areas like AI and machine learning, should remain high for the foreseeable future as the demand for digital technologies and innovations surges. An online master in computer science with a software engineering focus, like UT’s online MSCS, provides the technical expertise, practical experience, critical thinking skills, and network to promote success in a broad range of software engineering and computer science careers. Connect with an enrollment advisor to find out if you’re a good fit for the program or to get help with your application.
