Abstract

This paper presents the design and delivery of a graduate Software Engineering (SE) course within an online MBA program, providing a detailed analysis of its structure, student backgrounds and perceptions, course evaluation results, best practices, lessons learned, and opportunities for improvement. Unlike traditional SE courses that primarily emphasize programming, an MBA-level SE course should prepare students to manage and evaluate collaborative software initiatives, with particular emphasis on decision-making, strategic thinking, and communication with technical teams. Accordingly, the course is designed to balance the breadth and depth of evolving technological and business concepts while supporting effective online teaching and learning. Drawing on a comprehensive literature review, this study informs both course design and instructional delivery and employs quantitative and qualitative analyses to evaluate student backgrounds, perceptions, and learning outcomes. Addressing a gap in the IS literature related to online graduate education, the paper proposes a structured framework for designing SE courses in MBA programs. The findings identify key factors contributing to course effectiveness, including instructional design features, student feedback, and actionable insights for continuous improvement. In addition, the study provides practical guidance for instructors by aligning course design with literature-based best practices and encouraging researchers to explore innovative strategies to enhance online graduate education. Future research will continue to examine the impact of course refinements on student learning and identify additional opportunities for innovation in online SE education.

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