Software Design and Development
Graduate Badge
Grand Rapids • Face to face • 9 Credits
Software design and development involves creating, testing, and maintaining software applications to meet user needs and solve problems efficiently.
Overview
Grand Valley's Software Design and Development graduate badge is a specialized program that equips students with essential software engineering skills. The program covers software project requirements, design solutions, mobile application development, and relational database creation, with classes held on the City Campus in downtown Grand Rapids.
The coursework includes three key subjects:
- An introduction to software engineering.
- Systems analysis and design.
- Mobile application development.
The badge documents your knowledge, skills, and competencies, making them visible to potential employers. It enhances your education by providing a focused, practical learning experience that is highly marketable. Additionally, digital badges can be displayed on social media, websites, and emails, showcasing your achievements and making you stand out in the job market. Pursuing this badge at GVSU is an excellent opportunity to highlight desireable skills and advance your career in software development.
A digital badge, or badge, is a record of achievement that recognizes a student's completion of a coherent and meaningful academic experience. GVSU offers both credit and non-credit bearing badges as digital credentials. Credit-bearing badges include anywhere from 0.5 to 15 academic credits and may include additional noncredit criteria. Credit-bearing badges are also posted to the academic transcript.
Admission Information
Completion of a Bachelor's degree, and evidence of object-oriented programming skill is required for admission. You must submit an official transcript from your baccalaureate degree granting institution. To start your application, click here.
For current GVSU students:
- Declare your badge via myBanner. Login to Banner Self-Service, click on Student, Student Records, Add a Certificate or Badge to your Program, Select the appropriate badge from the drop down list, and click Submit.
- Speak with the appropriate badge coordinator to ensure criteria are being met. You will be able to track your progress toward the badge in myPath as well!
- Once you are done with the requirements, apply to receive the badge via myBanner.
- Once the completion of your badge has been verified, the badge will be posted to your student record and will be viewable on your transcript. In addition, your digital badge will be posted on Credly.com.
College of Computing
Dr. Robert Adams, Ph.D.
C-2-100 Mackinac Hall
(616)
331-2060
[email protected]
gvsu.edu/computing
Career Opportunities
Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 36,632.33 | 10% |
| $ 46,897.96 | 25% |
| $ 74,338.83 | 50% |
| $ 97,345.79 | 75% |
| $124,359.31 | 90% |
Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.
Top skills- Programming
- Active Listening
- Complex Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Quality Control Analysis
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 33,183.91 | 10% |
| $ 53,495.60 | 25% |
| $ 67,847.87 | 50% |
| $ 84,162.81 | 75% |
| $121,967.21 | 90% |
Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.
Top skills- Programming
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Operations Analysis
- Complex Problem Solving
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 44,040.81 | 10% |
| $ 55,448.89 | 25% |
| $ 91,686.02 | 50% |
| $110,374.49 | 75% |
| $134,984.96 | 90% |
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
Top skills- Programming
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Reading Comprehension
- Systems Analysis
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 72,991.74 | 10% |
| $ 84,739.38 | 25% |
| $107,332.35 | 50% |
| $134,383.71 | 75% |
| $164,929.63 | 90% |
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Scholarships
Grand Valley State University offers a wide variety of merit-based
scholarships. For information on all of the scholarships that are
available to students, please visit Scholarships at GVSU.
Grand Valley offers myScholarships
(a scholarship matching tool) to help admitted students match
with GVSU scholarships, as well as external scholarship opportunities.
myScholarships will prompt you to answer questions to help match you
to scholarships for which you might qualify.
High-Tech Labs
The College of Computing offers modern, wellequipped computing facilities across both the Valley and City campuses, with specialized labs for coursework, research, and general student use. You’ll have access to Linux labs, Mac labs, hybrid Windows/Linux environments, networking and cybersecurity labs, and highperformance computing resources.
Student Organizations
Getting involved and staying engaged with our vibrant campus community help you make the most of your Grand Valley experience. Attending student life events, joining a student organization, or participating in campus recreation opportunities are all fantastic ways to maximize your college years:
You can find computing specific organizations here.
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