Computer Science, MS

Program Description

The Computer Science degree is focused on modern, applied needs of computation for business and social and personal applications. The curriculum will provide students with a practical, workforce-ready skill set for modern needs. Areas of coursework include algorithms, data mining, software engineering and quality assurance, evolutionary computing, multimedia communications, ubiquitous computing, and Internet of Things. During the first semester, in consultation with an advisor, the student will select courses, projects, and/or research to complete the program.

Entrance Requirements

1. Preference will be given to applicants with an undergraduate degree from an accredited university in Computer Science or closely related field (e.g., Computer Engineering, Math, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering), including courses equivalent to MSU CSC 232 and MTH 314. Applicants without one of the described undergraduate degrees or courses may be admitted with the stipulation that those undergraduate courses must be completed prior to registration in graduate courses, and that the undergraduate courses will not be credited toward the MS degree.
2. GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.00 scale) for the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work and a 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA.
3. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores: a combined score of 290 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination.
4. English language communication: International applicants whose native language is not English and who do not have a U.S. degree are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS. Required score on the TOEFL: A minimum score of 550 on the paper version, 213 on the computer-based, or 79 on the internet-based TOEFL. Required score on the IELTS: A minimum score of 6.0. The English language communication requirement is waived for applicants who meet one of the following: (i) are native English speakers or (ii) have completed a minimum of 60 semester credit hours from an accredited college or university in the U.S.

Admission Requirements for the Accelerated Master’s Option

1. Completion of 60 or more undergraduate credit hours in a degree program of Computer Science or closely related field such as Math or Physics.
2. Completion of CSC 232 and MTH 314 with an overall GPA of 3.00 or better in all courses required for the undergraduate major.
3. GPA of 3.00 or higher in all courses required for the undergraduate major.
4. Eligible students may apply for admission during the second semester of their junior year.
5. Acceptance of the applicant by the graduate faculty in Computer Science under the accelerated masters option.

Accelerated Master’s Degree Option

Eligible Missouri State University majors in Computer Science may apply for preliminary acceptance into the Master of Science program in Computer Science. If accepted, graduate courses chosen from approved 600 or 700-level courses may be counted toward both the graduate and undergraduate degrees, with a maximum of 9 credit hours counted. This option offers an opportunity for students to complete the course requirements for the Master of Science degree in Computer Science in substantially less time after completion of the Bachelor’s degree. Contact the Department of Computer Science for further information and guidelines.

Before enrolling in a course to be counted as both undergraduate and graduate credit and to count the courses toward the Master’s degree, an undergraduate student must be accepted into the accelerated program and complete a mixed credit form. Acceptance into the program and all approvals must be completed prior to the end of the Change of Schedule Period for the course(s). See the “Graduate College” section for further information.