Software Engineering

Software developers are an integral part of a program's life cycle—from planning and development to production and maintenance. As a software engineering major, you'll learn to design, build and test code to create functional, large-scale software. As you grow in your technical knowledge, your liberal arts courses will further enhance your problem-solving abilities—teaching you the communication and critical thinking skills that employers want. You'll also learn to view programming as an act of co-creation with God and a powerful tool for furthering God's kingdom.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

Why NWC?

Our program will equip you with the industry knowledge and experience necessary for success—whether you pursue a career in app development, data administration, quality assurance or systems development. Major course topics include databases, web development, cybersecurity and project management. Related study opportunities include majors in computer science and cybersecurity, a computer programming minor and a computer science career concentration.

CONTACT

Mark Haselhoff '12Department Chair

100% GRAD PLACEMENT Since 2014, all grads from our department have found jobs or started grad school within six months of graduation.

REGION’S BEST NWC’s computer science students placed among the region’s top 20 teams at a 2022 programming contest.

AWARD WINNER In 2024, an NWC student was part of a winning team at HackHarvard, a computer coding event with more than 1,000 competitors.

15 TO 20 STUDENTS Average size of a software engineering class

Outcomes

Software developers seek to understand consumer needs and then create programs and applications that meet those needs. In an age when technology fulfills a variety of functions—especially in business and industry—software developers and quality assurance analysts are in high demand. With a median annual wage of $100,000 or more, these positions will account for nearly 410,000 new jobs by 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Join our standout alumni at employers such as:

Google

Mountain View, CA

Interstates

Sioux Falls, SD

Speedway Motors Inc.

Lincoln, NE

#RaidersStandOut

STUDENTS

**Mairin** Mairin was drawn to software engineering as a field where she could work with computers and still interact with others.

ALUMNI

**Alexander** Through a variety of experiences inside and outside the classroom, Northwestern helped Alexander see how his passion for computer science and his love for the arts could turn into a career.

FACULTY

**Mark** Professor Haselhoff hopes his computer science classes inspire students to further explore ideas on their own.

Experience

Networking opportunities

Compass Center for Career & Calling

Internships

Off-campus study

Make an impression on future employers by becoming a student member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), where you'll connect with computing professionals from across the country. Northwestern students also participate in the International Collegiate Programming Contest. In 2022, a Northwestern team placed 16th among 95 schools in our region—the second-best finish for a school from Iowa.