Master of Science in Computer Science

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Computer Science helps students acquire advanced programming and coding skills that going beyond basic concepts to cover topics such as artificial intelligence, graphic and user interface and cloud computing.

Taught by faculty from top-tier institutions and within the growing tech industry of the mid-Atlantic region, students can expect a rigorous curriculum that builds on the foundations of computer science while offering course options that address modern technological issues in the following areas:

• Algorithms and theory
• Computer architecture, networks, parallel and distributed computing
• Computer security and information assurance
• Database and information retrieval systems
• Machine intelligence and cognition
• Multimedia, animation, graphics and user interface
• Software engineering and systems

Program Requirements

• Credit hours: 30
• Thesis options: Thesis and non-thesis options are available. 
  • Thesis Option: 
    • Coursework will be replaced by research credit courses.

    • Master’s Thesis Advisor and Co-advisor(s): Every Master’s thesis must be supervised by a faculty advisor who must be (1) a regular full-time faculty member of GW with a primary or secondary appointment in the CS Department, or (2) a research faculty member of the CS Department. Besides the thesis advisor, an MS student can have one or more co-advisor(s), who may be full-time or part-time faculty at GW, or professionals from outside the university. Co-advisors are expected to hold at least a Master’s degree.

  • Non-Thesis Option: Additional coursework will fill the remaining credit hours.
• Duration: Two years (full-time) or three years (part-time)

Download Course List (pdf)

Program Requirements

Admissions Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in any field with coursework in the following areas:
  • Mathematics: Two courses beyond pre-calculus level
  • Lab science: One year's worth of coursework
  • Computer science: Prior coursework in a structured language, discrete structures, data structures or computer architecture
• Minimum of 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent achieved on the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate work.

• Successful submission of online application form, exam scores and other documents as outlined in the admissions requirements.

 

 

Professional Outcomes

Get further insights into the career options and outcomes for students and alumni of the Computer Science program.

Learn More