The MSCS with specialization in SE (which we will abbreviate MSCS/SE) is not a MSSE (Master of Science in Software Engineering) degree. The MSCS/SE aims to take a graduate of an undergraduate program in computer science, computer engineering, or information technology, and turn that student into a qualified software engineer. The result is an employee well versed in the traditional areas of computer science such as data structures, algorithms, networking, and so on, but also well versed in the technology necessary to create large-scale enterprise applications, through legacy systems integration and model-based analysis and design. The coursework is project-based, emphasizing practical skills that can be immediately applied on the job.
This specialization helps us tap into the market of students from traditional computer science and computer engineering backgrounds who want to get better at software development in general or would like to get more exposure to enterprise software systems than they got in their undergraduate program. Judging from the facts that there are few mature Bachelor's programs specializing in software engineering in south and southeast Asia and that hiring managers report extreme difficulty in finding competent enterprise software developers even among the graduates of computer science and computer engineering programs, there should be demand for such a program.
Another market that we hope to tap is the market for professionals who want to upgrade their current skills. This group of potential students could be attracted into a traditional MSE program or a shorter professional degree program focusing more on design and project management than on implementation: we hope soon to offer a 1-year part-time management-oriented program to allow professional to continue their education without having to take leave from their jobs.