Master of Science in Information Technology with track in Software Development
Build skills for advancement in the high-opportunity field of software engineering and development with a project-based curriculum that prepares you to design IT solutions that support business goals.
Program Overview
Transform your career with this online master’s in IT program
Gain hands-on experience building and maintaining modern software applications with the Master of Science in Information Technology with track in Software Development online program from Longwood University. Learn to use industry-relevant frameworks to create tech solutions for real-world problems, so you graduate with skills you can apply immediately in your role.
The curriculum integrates software design, broader IT skills, and business concepts with an emphasis on modern development practices, including agile workflows, version control, and secure coding. Courses in automation, DevOps and CI/CD, and collaborative deployment pipelines reflect current methods for fast and reliable software delivery. This career-focused program prepares you to compete for software engineering and development positions in business and enterprise environments.
Graduates of the MSIT – Software Development track will:
- Execute exploitation techniques to assess system security in controlled environments
- Gather requirements, design effective software architectures, and choose appropriate design methodologies for business applications
- Incorporate best practices in version control, debugging, and testing to ensure high-quality software
- Evaluate and apply best practices in automation, monitoring, and continuous improvement within a DevOps framework
- Execute exploitation techniques to assess system security in controlled environments
- Gather requirements, design effective software architectures, and choose appropriate design methodologies for business applications
- Incorporate best practices in version control, debugging, and testing to ensure high-quality software
- Evaluate and apply best practices in automation, monitoring, and continuous improvement within a DevOps framework
Possible careers in information technology and software development:
- Software Engineer
- Application Developer
- Backend Developer
- Full Stack Developer
- Software Quality Assurance Engineer
- Software Engineer
- Application Developer
- Backend Developer
- Full Stack Developer
- Software Quality Assurance Engineer
Have questions or need more information about this online program?
Looking for a different specialized track? Check out these other MSIT programs.
Tuition
Take advantage of pay-by-the-course tuition
The MSIT – Software Development track offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition. The application fee is $40. All other fees are included in the total cost.
Tuition breakdown:
Virginia students
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit-Hour Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSIT – Software Development track | $485 | $1,455 | $14,550* |
Out-of-state students
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit-Hour Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSIT – Software Development track | $495 | $1,485 | $14,850* |
I definitely wanted to go to Longwood because I got to know the professors. It made it easier to connect with them and their teaching styles. Also, because it’s a small school, the courses are much more interactive. If you are emailing a professor, they will get back to you in two to three hours.
-Sarine Thomas, Longwood University MBA graduate
Calendar
Use these software developer master's degree program dates to plan your academic journey
The Longwood University online MSIT is delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.
Now enrolling:
| 7 Week Courses | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | First Class Day | Final Tuition Deadline† | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall A | 8/7/26 | 8/14/26 | 8/21/26 | 8/24/26 | 8/27/26 | 10/12/26 |
| Fall B | 10/2/26 | 10/9/26 | 10/16/26 | 10/19/26 | 10/22/26 | 12/7/26 |
Ready to take the next step toward earning your online degree from Longwood University?
Admissions
Follow these steps for admission to the master’s in IT online program
We've streamlined the admission process for the Longwood University online MSIT program to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for this master's program, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them.
The requirements include:
Prior to starting their graduate program, students must hold a conferred bachelor's degree or international equivalent from a college or university accredited by the appropriate institutional (formerly regional) accreditation agency. Applicants must meet one of the following for consideration for admission:
- Completed bachelor's degree from a university accredited by the appropriate institutional (formerly regional) accreditation agency with minimum 2.75 GPA.
- Completed bachelor's degree from a university accredited by the appropriate institutional (formerly regional) accreditation agency with 2.50 - 2.74 GPA and five years of professional level work experience. * Professional experience is defined as paid work experience that includes some combination of complex decision-making or analysis, management of people or projects, and at least moderate impact on the work unit or firm.
- All other prospective students are strongly encouraged to apply. These applicants must submit a one-page maximum letter of interest briefly indicating their reason(s) for obtaining a Longwood MBA along with their transcripts, resume, and optional GMAT score.
Transcripts from all institutions where you obtained a degree, bachelor or higher, and any post-baccalaureate coursework to be submitted at the time of application and subject to verification and approval by the MSIT director.
Resume including years of professional level work experience to be submitted at the time of application and subject to verification and approval by the MSIT director.
*International applicants may be required to submit additional test scores and documentation.
** Application fee waived for military (active and former). Verification must be submitted with application (ID or other form).
Official transcripts, test scores and other documents should be sent from the granting institution(s) to:
Email address: [email protected] (preferred and quickest)
Mail address:
Longwood Graduate Studies
201 High Street
Farmville, VA 23909
Longwood University is ranked #1 in Faculty Credentials and Training by U.S. News & World Report, 2026
Longwood University has been named one of the top universities in the Southeastern U.S. by The Princeton Review, 2023
Courses
Explore the master’s degree in software development course options
For the MSIT – Software Development track, you must complete 10 courses totaling 30 credit hours, including 18 credit hours of core courses, 6 credit hours of track courses, and 6 credit hours of electives.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply appropriate terminology for IT systems to be able to communicate effectively regarding IT issues.
- Understand the role that IT plays in attaining and maintaining a competitive advantage in today’s rapidly changing business environment.
- Apply IT concepts to typical business situations and analyze cases to determine proper and improper application of IT principles.
- Critique positions on IT-related issues and debate the relative importance of technology applications in creating business value.
Must choose 2 of the following.
*Price includes in-state tuition and fees. For students from outside Virginia, tuition and fees total $14,850.
**A resume verifying professional-level work experience must be submitted at the time of application and is subject to verification and approval by the MBA director.
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