12-Month Master of Science in Software Management (MSSM)
Accelerate Your Career With a One-Year Master’s in Software Management
If you’re ready to move from contributor to product leader, choose a program built for momentum. Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s 12-month Master of Science in Software Management (MSSM) is designed for professionals who want to quickly advance their careers while growing their Silicon Valley network.
Offered through Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s Integrated Innovation Institute (iii), the MSSM blends engineering insight, business strategy and user-centered thinking. You’ll strengthen your ability to develop and manage software products, lead high-performing teams and drive innovation in organizations ranging from fast-growing start-ups to global technology leaders.
Why Choose the 12-Month Master’s in Software Management From Â鶹¹ÙÍø?
- Advance your career in one year. Students can complete a maximum of 60 units during the fall term and 48 units during the spring term.
- Build on your existing experience. Designed for professionals with technical or industry backgrounds, this accelerated format helps you move from execution to strategy.
- Learn in the heart of Silicon Valley. Study on Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s Silicon Valley campus and grow your network among founders, engineers, investors and product leaders.
- Develop end-to-end product leadership skills. Strengthen your ability to align engineering, business and user experience to deliver successful software products.
- Collaborate with high-performing peers. Work alongside knowledgeable classmates who bring diverse perspectives from across the tech ecosystem.
Application Deadline
Application Info
Featured Courses
The Business of Software
Form project teams and collaborate to develop a comprehensive business plan for a software product. The course covers revenue and expense models, sales and marketing strategies and support mechanisms — all designed to define the structure of a successful software business.
Integrated Innovation for Large Scale Problems
This experiential studio course challenges you to step outside your comfort zone and engage in team-based innovation across design, business and engineering. You’ll tackle complex social problems and apply systems and design thinking to develop unexpected, high-impact solutions.
Foundations of Software Management
Apply fundamental methods, models and frameworks to assess real software companies from marketing, strategy, finance and operations perspectives. Through individual and group work, you’ll develop the skills needed to manage teams, evaluate performance and lead within software-driven organizations.
Curriculum Details
The 12-month Master of Science in Software Management is structured across three semesters — Fall, Spring and Summer — for a total of 144 units.
Approximately half of your coursework consists of required core courses, with the remaining units dedicated to electives that allow you to tailor the degree to your professional goals. Elective choices may rotate by semester and are updated annually.
Review a sample course plan below.
12-Month Curriculum Plan
Full Semester Course (12 units)
Full Semester Course (3 units)
Full Semester Course (12 units)
Choose One:
- Integrated Innovation for Large-Scale Problems
- Architecture & Programming Principles
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Half Semester Course (6 units)
Half Semester Course (6 units)
Half Semester Course (6 units)
Half Semester Course (6 units)
Full Semester Course (12 units)
Half Semester Course (6 units)
Half Semester Course (6 units)
Half Semester Course (6 units)
Half Semester Course (6 units)
Half Semester Course (6 units each)
Choose Two:
- Legal Issues in New Venture Creation (TV Concentration)
- Applied AI (Artificial Intelligence)
- Human-Computer Interaction & User-Experience
- Introduction to Machine Learning
- Information Security for Product Managers
- AI-Native Product Management with LLMs and Agents
- Venture Governance: Executive-Decision Making, Fundraising, & Boards (TV Concentration)
- Organizational Behavior for High-Tech Knowledge Industry
Half Semester Course (6 units)
Half Semester Course
Choose 42 Units of Electives of 6-unit options:
- Developing Blockchain Products
- Architecture Principles for Product Managers
- Leadership & Teams
- Agile Marketing for New Ventures
- Introduction to IoT
- Next Gen CIO
- Introduction to Cloud Computing
**Please note: Listed elective courses are dynamic and subject to change based on faculty availability and curriculum needs.
The MSSM Experience: In Their Own Words
(MSSM '26)
"I chose the MSSM program because it uniquely combines technical depth with product and business strategy — ideal for my transition from software development into product management.
Alumni Spotlight: From MSSM to Walmart
entered the one-year master’s program with an engineering background and broadened his perspective across product, business and team leadership. Today, he works as a software product manager at Walmart.
Build the Skills to Lead in Software in Just One Year
Prepare to lead across product, technology and teams with the 12-month Master of Science in Software Management from Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s Integrated Innovation Institute. Our accelerated, immersive format will equip you with the strategic perspective and practical experience needed to drive innovation today.