The MS program in Software Development and Management (MS/SD&M) offered by the department of Information Sciences & Technologies at RIT is a forty-eight (48) credit degree program: twelve 4-credit courses including the capstone experience. This program of study begins with core study which includes an overview course on theory and practice, two (2) 3-course concentrations (one on software development and one on management), and an approved business elective. The degree is completed with an upper-level 3-course concentration in an area of the student's interest and the SD&M Capstone experience. The upper-level concentration can be chosen from several pre-approved options or designed by the student with the approval of the SD&M faculty. Students who wish to add practical experience to their studies may work for up to six (6) months on a cooperative educational experience (co-op).

Applicants wishing to enter this masters program must have the equivalent of at least two (2) years of full-time employment experience in the software development process, or other relevant employment experience, and knowledge of one or more modern programming languages. Expertise in specific programming languages may be required. Currently students must know the Java language. Bridge coursework is available to satisfy the programming language requirement.

This degree program is offered for part-time, distance study. Since this is a part-time program, RIT cannot issue I-20 paperwork to foreign students for study in the United States. However, international students may study part-time at a distance. All courses are available in distance-learning format. Courses in the Software Development concentration are periodically available for on-campus study.

Students typically take 2 - 3 years to complete this MS degree.