Penn Engineering at Univisity of Pennsylvania
Online Programs APPLY NOW

Advance Your Career with an Ivy League Master’s

World-class learning for a rapidly evolving, AI-powered world.
Anytime, Anywhere

Quick Facts

Application Now Open for Spring 2026
  • Full-time or Part-time schedules
  • Graduate in as few as 16 months
  • No GRE Required
Online Degree
Programs Skills &
Outcomes Online
Experience Upcoming Events Testimonials

Where Innovation Meets Impact

At the forefront of AI and emerging technologies, Penn Engineering programs are continually evolving—preparing graduates to solve complex challenges that will improve lives and transform our world.

MSE-SSC Online

Master of Science in Engineering in Software Systems & Cybersecurity
  • Ideal For: Individuals with an undergraduate degree in computer science, computer engineering, information science, or a related field.
  • Curriculum Highlights: Learn to design, build and secure complex modern software systems while gaining the technical depth, ethical awareness and future-ready judgement to lead and protect critical infrastructure.
  • Career Pathways: Prepare yourself for roles such as security engineer, software and systems engineer, or cybersecurity architect in industries such as tech, financial, healthcare, telecommunications, defense, or startups.
Start Application

Request More Information

Fill out the form below to receive emails regarding MSE-SSC Online.

Loading...

Your contact information is required to fulfill your request for information. We may use your personal information to communicate with you and track the marketing materials you engage with. For information about our privacy practices and our commitment to protecting your privacy online, please review our  Privacy Policy.

Skills and Outcomes

Your Penn Engineering Online degree will open the door to a world of opportunities—not only in software infrastructure, data systems, AI, system security, and related technical fields, but also in industries as diverse as finance, healthcare, education, and government.

You’ll graduate as a well-rounded and versatile professional who can:
  • Design and build high-quality, complex, scalable, and secure systems across the tech stack.
  • Assess and manage cybersecurity risks by integrating risk assessment and data-driven analysis.
  • Build secure systems by leveraging secure software development practices, tools, and standards.
  • Analyze and defend software and networks through code analysis, reverse engineering, penetration testing, forensics, and the use of industry-standard tools and methodologies

Online Experience

Learning online doesn’t mean learning alone. Online students have unique needs, and our collaborative community is here to help you every step of the way.

There are many ways to stay connected and to receive support throughout your program:

  • Faculty Office Hours
  • Dedicated Teacher Assistants
  • Supportive Academic and Career Advisors
  • Encouraging Peer Mentors
  • Interactive Study Groups
  • Engaging Slack Channels
  • Regional In-person Meet Ups
  • Signature Campus Events
“This program helps students move beyond surface-level understanding and develop a deep, foundational knowledge of both systems and security. You’re not just learning how to respond to threats, you’re learning how to build secure systems from the ground up. That kind of depth is what truly makes you valuable in an industry being reshaped by AI.”
Mike Hicks
Mike Hicks
  • MSE-SSC Online Program Director
  • Professor, Computer and Information Science
  • Director, Schlein Center for Cybersecurity
“A lot of other master’s degree programs only focus on giving you some skills that you can try to apply to your work, but the MCIT Online program provides those useful skills and knowledge in combination with a commitment to nurturing your way of thinking, which has a much greater impact on your work and life outside of the program.”
Zi Bennie Yang
Zi Bennie Yang
  • MCIT Online Alumni ’18
“With this program, our goal is to educate a new generation of engineers who have the skills to analyze trends as they emerge — not only from the technological perspective, but also from the societal and ethical perspective.”
Chris Callison-Burch
Chris Callison-Burch
  • MSE-AI Online Program Director
  • Professor, Department of Computer and Information Science
“A lot of the most challenging problems in the world today can be tackled in part, if not in whole, by the clever use of data. We are awash with data, but we need people who can make sense of all this data and deliver on its potential.”
James C. Gee
James C. Gee
  • MSE-DS Online Program Director
  • Professor, Department of Radiology
  • Director, Penn Image Computing and Science Laboratory

Upcoming Events

View All Events
Office Hours
Ongoing Admissions Office Hours – February

February 07, 8:00 am

Event Details
Information Session
Coffee Chat

February 07, 10:00 am

Event Details
Information Session
Coffee Chat

February 10, 3:00 pm

Event Details

Your Questions, Answered

Get clarity on programs and courses with these helpful tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

VISIT THE FAQS

Course Catalog

Explore degree requirements and curriculum