Computer Science - M.A., M.S. and Ph.D. Download to print

The Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Science (M.S.) in Computer Science provide students with an educational and research environment to develop career paths through necessary training with emerging technologies. Graduates have the technical knowledge and skills necessary for success within the information and high technology industries.

The M.A. in Computer Science emphasizes breadth of knowledge in advanced computer science topics to augment the student's bachelor's degree.

The M.S. in Computer Science Thesis Option is for students who seek academic careers or positions in research and development industry or for students who want to continue their education into the Ph.D. program. The Non-Thesis Option supports the needs of persons seeking graduate education for entry into non-academic careers or to enhance and expand their career options.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Computer Science provides students with an educational and research environment that fosters personal and intellectual growth, flourishes academic goals and develops career paths through necessary training with emerging technologies. The program promotes research, discovery and integration, and is designed for students interested in becoming professional scholars, college and university teachers or independent research workers in private, industrial or government research institutions.

M.A. and M.S.: GRE scores, official transcript(s), goal statement, resume and three letters of recommendation are required for admission to all graduate programs. A student entering the program must have the core components of an undergraduate computer science curriculum. Students are required to have successfully completed coursework equivalent to Computer Science I - Programming and Problem Solving (CS 13001), Computer Science II - Data Structures and Abstraction (CS 23001), Discrete Structures (CS 23022), Computer Architecture (CS 35101), Operating Systems (CS 35211) and Design and Analysis of Algorithms (CS 46101).  In mathematics, they are required to have successfully completed coursework equivalent to Calculus I (Math 12002), Calculus II (Math 12003), and Linear Algebra (Math 21001).

Ph.D.: In addition to the requirements for entrance into the Master's program, admission into the doctoral program also requires a master's degree in computer science (or closely related field). Applicants should demonstrate the potential to conduct research and pass the preliminary examination in a timely manner.

For more information about graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate Studies website.

M.S. and M.A.: The master’s program requires a total of 32 graduate-level credit hours in computer science (courses outside computer science must be approved by the advisor and graduate coordinator).

Candidates for the M.S. with a non-thesis option must successfully complete 32 credit hours of graduate courses in CS excluding Research (CS 69098) and including 2 credit hours of Master's Seminar (CS 69191) that incorporates a project and a final examination on the project. Of the remaining 30 credit hours, at least 24 credit hours must be at the 60000-level or above, and up to 6 credit hours can be at the 50000-level.

Candidates for the M.S. with a thesis option must successfully complete 24 credit hours of graduate courses in CS, of which at least 18 credit hours must be at the 60000-level, at most 6 credit hours can be at the 50000-level. In addition, 2 credit hours of Master's Seminar (CS 69191) are required. Only a total of 3 credit hours of Research (CS 69098) may be counted toward the degree, however, students are permitted to take these courses multiple times. Students must write and defend a Master's thesis for which 6 credit hours are earned in Thesis I (CS 69199) and Thesis II (CS 69299).


Ph.D.: A doctoral student must complete 60 graduate credit hours beyond the master’s degree—30 credits of which are CS 89199 Dissertation I and 30 credits (excluding Dissertation I and II) are coursework at the 70000 level or above. Only 9 credits of CS 89098 Research or CS 89991 Research Seminar in Computer Science may count towards the degree (however, students can take more than 9 credit hours of these courses).

The student will develop a Doctoral Plan of Work that is approved by the advisor and the graduate coordinator. Students are highly encouraged to select an advisor and develop a Plan of Work as early as possible (i.e., before the end of their second term in the program). The Plan of Work must be filled out and submitted to the graduate coordinator in a timely manner.

All students must take 3 credit hours of CS 89191 Doctoral Seminar and make a public presentation of project and/or research work (excluding dissertation defense and candidacy examination) at least two times before graduation. The presentation must take place in the doctoral seminar at least one full term before graduation and not more than two years after entering the program. The doctoral seminar is offered for 1 or 2 credit hours; therefore the student must enroll in this course at least two times. This course can be taken multiple times but only 3 credit hours count toward the degree.

M.A. and M.S. Computer Science

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate breadth-of-knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles, and theories relating to advanced topics in Computer Science.
2. Perform research, discovery and integration by applying advanced knowledge of Computer Science. Should be able to conduct literature searches, comprehend advanced research materials, and uncover connections between related works, and critical evaluation and synthesis.

Ph.D. Computer Science

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Have all round  breadth-of-knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles, and theories relating to advanced topics in Computer Science to be regarded as a scholar of Computer Science.
2. Demonstrate depth of knowledge at least in one specialized topic and should demonstrate ability to conduct independent research by advancing the body of knowledge in the area through the doctoral dissertation research.
3. Clearly articulate advanced research problems and their solutions. The presentation of general computer science topics in a learning environment.
4. Develop and write publishable papers that clearly articulate advanced research problems and their solutions.
5. Demonstrate integrative and deep knowledge of essential literature, facts, concepts, principles, and theories relating to a chosen area of research.
6. Perform complete and through literature searches. Comprehension and critical evaluation of the extent to which a particular work relates to and/or contributes to a given field.
7. Publish and participate in a chosen research community.

M.S. thesis option: Candidates for the M.S. degree must write and defend a suitable master's thesis for which 6 credit hours are earned in CS 69199 Thesis I. A master's thesis committee must be formed that includes the advisor and at least two other graduate faculty members. The thesis topic and committee must be approved by the advisor and graduate coordinator. The final version of the thesis must be approved by the advisor, committee and graduate coordinator.

The M.S. also offers a non-thesis option in computer sciences.

Ph.D.: A dissertation describes original research performed by the student. The dissertation topic must be approved by the advisor and graduate coordinator. A dissertation committee, made up of graduate faculty, must be formed to assess the quality and value of the work. A public dissertation defense is made by the student. The final dissertation and defense must be approved by the advisor and dissertation committee. Further details can be found on the department's web site.

Ph.D.: The candidacy examination is a comprehensive examination in the field of the major subject. The format of the candidacy examination will be determined by the student’s Candidacy Examination Committee, which is composed of the student’s advisor and two other graduate faculty members. The Candidacy Examination Committee must be approved by the graduate coordinator. The student must complete the candidacy examination at least one year before the dissertation defense.

M.A.: Candidates for the M.A. degree are required to enroll for 3 credit hours in CS 69098 Research under the direction of a graduate faculty member and to develop a master’s project. A master’s project committee must be formed that includes the advisor and at least two other graduate faculty members. The committee and project topic must be approved by the graduate coordinator. The student must present and defend the project before the committee.