Program Admission and Prerequisites

1. GRE scores.
2. Two letters of recommendation.
3. An undergraduate degree in an appropriate discipline with a minimum GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent preparation.
4. A score of at least 87 on TOEFL, 6.5 on IELTS, 59 on PTE, or 110 on Duolingo, for students from countries where English is not the primary language. Students with a lower score may still be admitted if their application is strong in other aspects.
5. A statement of purpose.
6. Must have passed at least six of the following seven prerequisite courses (or their equivalents) with a C+ grade or better. Students admitted with a missing prerequisite are required to complete the prerequisite course during their first semester in the program. Prerequisite courses cannot be counted toward graduate program requirements.
   

• Calculus 1
  
• Calculus 2
  
• Linear Algebra
  
• Computer Programming
  
• Data Structures
  
• Discrete Structures / Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science
  
• Computer Organization / Architecture
  

We consider a variety of factors in making admission decisions. The fact that an applicant’s credentials meet the minimum admission standards does not entitle an applicant to be admitted.

Coursework Requirements

1. Graduate Credit Requirement: Students must complete at least 33 credit hours of graduate coursework in total.
2. M.S. Core Requirement: Students must complete the following Core Courses. Students must obtain a grade of B- or better in three of the Core Courses (with the minimum allowable grade for the fourth one being a C-).
   • COMP 7012 - Fndtns/Software Engr  
   • COMP 7212 - Operating/Distrib Sys   
   • COMP 7612 - Foundations of Computing  
   • COMP 7712 - Algorithms/Prob Solv  

Coursework Limitations

Coursework used to satisfy the degree requirements is also subject to the following restrictions:

1. Special-Course Credit Limit: At most 6 credit hours from any combination of COMP 6901, COMP 6911 , COMP 7901, COMP 7980 and/or COMP 7996. are allowed.
2. 6000-Level Credit Limit: At most 6 credit hours of 6000-level courses are allowed.
3. Excluded Courses: None of the following courses are allowed: COMP 6001, COMP 6005, COMP 6014, COMP 6030, COMP 6040, COMP 6270, COMP 6601, COMP 7960/COMP 8960.

Coursework-Only, Thesis, and Project Options

• For students taking the coursework-only option, no additional course requirements apply.
• For students taking the thesis option, at least 3 credit hours of COMP 7996 – Thesis are required. Theses must follow the Thesis/Dissertation Preparation Guide.
• For students taking the project option, at least 3 credit hours of COMP 7980 – Master’s Project are required.

Students interested in pursuing the thesis or project option should consult with their academic advisor to learn the policies and procedures that apply to that option.

Transfer Credits

Students who are requesting credit transfer from another graduate program must submit an application during the first semester in the program. The application will be evaluated by the student’s advisor and the graduate coordinator in order to determine the number of credits that can be transferred towards completion of the degree requirements. Courses from other departments may also be used to satisfy degree requirements, if relevant and approved by the academic advisor prior to enrollment in the courses. The number of credit hours transferred is limited by the Graduate School.

Comprehensive Examination

Satisfactory completion of the M.S. Core Requirement is deemed as passing the comprehensive examination.