Graduate
Degree Programs
Computer Science
Accelerated Master's Program in Computer Science
The Accelerated Master’s Program combines the Computer Science B.S. and M.S. degrees to enable highly focused and motivated students to organize their studies so as to earn the two degrees in five years from the time of matriculation to the university.
The program's overall course requirements add up to as much as nine fewer credit hours than the sum total of the B.S. and M.S. degrees taken individually.
Admission and Status
- For admission to the Accelerated Master’s Program, students must have completed at least 26 CSCI major hours towards a Computer Science B.S. degree. Students must have earned a major GPA of at least 3.0 at the time of admission to the program.
- Students in the program are normally classified as undergraduates until the end of the first semester in which 120 or more hours of credit toward graduation have been earned. During this semester, students in good standing, defined as a major GPA of at least 3.0, must submit the standard application to the University Graduate School and initiate the transition to graduate status. If the transition to graduate status is delayed beyond this time, Accelerated Master’s status will normally revert to undergraduate B.S. status. Students are advised to check on the effect that transition to graduate status may have on existing undergraduate funding; the possibility of graduate funding is conditional upon transition to graduate status. Those not in good standing at this time are dropped from the program and reclassified as undergraduate B.S. students.
- Students in the Accelerated Master’s Program must complete at least 15 hours of coursework while registered in graduate status. Normally, this would encompass no fewer than two semesters.
- Students need to begin graduate-level courses in the senior year, while in undergraduate status. Otherwise, the program will not be completed in five years. Students should consult with the graduate advisor regarding appropriate graduate-level courses. Permission to enroll in graduate-level courses must be obtained from the course instructor and the Graduate Studies office.
- The B.S. and M.S. degrees may be taken either sequentially or simultaneously. To be taken sequentially, the student must apply to graduate with the Undergraduate Recorder for the B.S. while still in undegraduate status.
- Students should be aware that the requirements for the Bachelor's degree must be completed to be eligible for the Master's degree.
Academic Requirements
- A minimum of 141 credit hours
- Major GPA of at least 3.0; Cumulative GPA for graduate courses of at least 3.0
- All Computer Science B.S. degree requirements
- At least 21 Computer Science credit hours beyond the requirements for the B.S. degree at the 500 level or above. At most 6 combined credit hours may be CSCI-Y 790, Y 791, Y 792 or Y 793. Note that 0 credit hours may be CSCI-Y 890.
- M.S. degree creativity requirement (may include courses from above)