Software developer: degree, internships and first job
Software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers typically need a bachelor's degree in computer and information technology or a related field. Internships give experience; some employers prefer a master's degree.
For: Students who like programming and solving problems, and who will keep learning new tools and languages through their career.
Route 1: Bachelor's degree → internship → developer Typical
The usual entry: a bachelor's in computer and information technology or a related field, such as engineering or mathematics.
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Start here
High school diploma
BLS
Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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About 4 years
Bachelor's degree
Computer and information technology, or a related field such as engineering or mathematics. Developers usually gain their programming background in school.
BLS
Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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During college
Internship
Students may gain software development experience through an internship, such as at a software company.
BLS
Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Software developer, QA analyst or tester
No license is needed.
BLS
Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 2: Master's degree for some developer jobs Some employers prefer it
For some software developer positions, employers may prefer applicants who have a master's degree.
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Start here
Bachelor's degree
BLS
Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Graduate
Master's degree
BLS
Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Software developer
BLS
Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 3: Moving up Later
Developers can advance to jobs in which they oversee the software development process.
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Start here
Software developer
Keep up to date on new tools and computer languages.
BLS
Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Experience
Lead projects
BLS
Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Project management specialist or computer and information systems manager
BLS
Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Where to go next
Every career page in this cluster: entry, license, BLS pay and outlook.
What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.