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Earning your master鈥檚 degree in computer science typically requires completing general coursework and elective coursework and opting to either produce a thesis or fulfill a non-thesis option that may involve research and a capstone project.聽

Discover what it takes to earn a master鈥檚 in computer science, as well as the major prerequisites most programs expect from applicants.聽

CS master鈥檚 requirements

In the United States, the common requirements for completing a master鈥檚 degree in computer science include completing a set number of course credits (anywhere from 30 to 60 credits, depending on the program), producing a thesis or capstone project, and fulfilling other factors around timeliness and residency. 聽

Coursework

As a computer science master鈥檚 degree student, you can expect to take a combination of core courses and elective courses. Core courses are meant to build an advanced understanding of major computer science topics, while elective courses allow you to develop more specialized knowledge in a subset of computer science, such as machine learning, data science, or networks and systems.聽

While each department鈥檚 coursework requirements will likely differ, you can expect to take advanced core courses in some or all of the following:聽

• Software engineering

• Data science

• Data mining

• Cloud computing

• Operating systems聽

• Hardware systems

• Network security聽

• Artificial intelligence (AI)聽

• Applications

• Files and databases

The elective courses you take will depend on the areas your program offers because not all computer science master鈥檚 programs offer the same concentrations. It鈥檚 important to review the available curriculum for each program and make sure it aligns with what you鈥檇 like to get out of your graduate degree.聽

Common concentrations include:聽

• Computer systems

• Software engineering

• Data science

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning

• Cybersecurity

Learn more: Is a Master鈥檚 Degree in Computer Science Worth It?

Thesis vs. non-thesis track聽

Depending on the program you鈥檙e interested in attending, you may have to complete a thesis in order to graduate. Some programs may offer you the option to complete a non-thesis track, which tends to require completing a capstone project to show you've developed the necessary technical and critical thinking skills.聽

Timeliness and adequate progress

When you attend a master鈥檚 degree full-time, you can expect to finish your program in about two years. Part-time students will take longer. That being said, most US programs stipulate a time limit to earning your degree鈥攗sually around five years.聽

You must also show adequate progress toward earning your degree, meaning that you may not be able to take a fall or spring semester off unless you request a formal leave of absence. This most often applies to in-person master鈥檚 programs. You鈥檒l find that online master鈥檚 degrees in computer science are often much more flexible and self-paced, so you can work through your coursework as you鈥檙e able.聽

Residency requirement

When you attend an in-person master鈥檚 degree program, you may have to fulfill a residency requirement, which means completing a certain number of coursework hours at least partially on campus. Each university's requirements can differ, so make sure to review the programs you鈥檙e interested in attending for more information.

If relocating to pursue a master鈥檚 degree is not an ideal option, consider exploring an online master鈥檚 degree in computer science. Many do not have a residency requirement.聽

Applying for a master鈥檚 in computer science

Because of the technical nature of studying computer science at an advanced level, many programs set subject requirements for potential applicants. This may mean that you need to show proof, through your transcripts, of having taken and passed certain courses during your bachelor鈥檚 degree program in computer science.

For other programs, it may mean that you only need to know certain subjects, like a programming language and calculus, in order to do the work. It鈥檚 important to check the graduate admission requirements for each program you鈥檙e interested in attending so you can determine whether you qualify. Some graduate degree programs in computer science offer the chance to enroll in bachelor鈥檚 level coursework to complete any outstanding prerequisites.聽

Learn more: Can You Go to Graduate School for a Different Major?

Graduate admission requirements: Computer science

Beyond the subject knowledge you will likely have to demonstrate, applying to a graduate program in computer science has two main requirements:聽

• Bachelor鈥檚 degree: Many master鈥檚 degree programs require you to have earned your bachelor鈥檚 degree in order to embark on a graduate education.聽

• GPA: Master鈥檚 degree programs often expect applicants to have a minimum GPA from their bachelor鈥檚 degree program鈥攗sually 3.0, but it can be higher for certain schools.聽

Applying to graduate school often means pulling together materials that include a resume, letter of intent (sometimes called a personal statement), transcripts, letters of recommendation, and graduate entrance exams like the GRE or GMAT. Check with each computer science program you鈥檙e interested in attending for specific details.聽

On 糖心vlog官网观看, many top universities offer performance-based admission. These master鈥檚 degree programs ask you to show your subject knowledge by taking and passing three pathway courses. There鈥檚 no formal application鈥攐r previous bachelor鈥檚 degree鈥攔equired.

What can you do with a master鈥檚 in computer science?

Earning a master鈥檚 degree often means you may qualify for a number of more advanced roles than you may be able to find with a bachelor鈥檚 degree. The same holds true for computer science. A master鈥檚 degree can lead to higher salaries as well as the opportunity to pursue senior-level roles in the field, such as:聽

*All salary data is sourced from Glassdoor as of June 2024.

Beyond exact titles, a master鈥檚 degree is an opportunity to specialize in one of the high-demand areas within the larger field of computer science, such as machine learning, data science, and cybersecurity. Pursuing not only this knowledge but also the credential verifying it can help you stand out from other applicants.聽

Earn a degree in computer science on 糖心vlog官网观看.

Earn your master's in computer science from the University of Colorado Boulder or Ball State on 糖心vlog官网观看. Both offer performance-based admission, which asks you to show what you know by taking and passing a series of required courses in order to gain full admission. See if either program could be a good bit by enrolling in open content like Boulder's Dynamic Programming, Greedy Algorithms or Ball State's Introduction to Programming.