Computer Science, (MS)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Software Engineering Skills: Graduates demonstrate knowledge of and proficiency in the application of software engineering principles, methods, and tools, including the ability to work and/or lead effectively in team projects.
Foundational Concepts: Graduates demonstrate knowledge of advanced theoretical concepts and mathematical fundamentals essential to enable a life-long career in Computer Science.
Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills: Graduates demonstrate skills for analyzing problems that require software solutions and are able to formulate solutions.
Programming Skills: Graduates demonstrate proficiency in modern programming languages and familiarity with major programming paradigms.
Communication Skills: Graduates are able to communicate such solutions in both oral and written form.

Admission Standards and Procedures

The Admission Regulations section of the catalog specifies the Graduate School admission standards and procedures that apply to all graduate applicants.

Beyond the Graduate School standards, the Computer Science minimum requirements for consideration are as follows.

GRE Scores: The following minimum scores are required. Applicants who hold a Computer Science degree from the University of Memphis may request to have the GRE requirement waived by sending an email request to csgrad@memphis.edu.
- 143 on Verbal Reasoning
- 153 on Quantitative Reasoning
- 3.0 on Analytical Writing
Undergraduate GPA: An undergraduate degree in an appropriate discipline with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent preparation.
Prerequisites: Completion of 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
English Test Scores: A score of at least 87 on TOEFL, 6.5 on IELTS, 59 on PTE, or 110 on Duolingo is required 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.

In addition to the official transcripts and test scores mentioned above, applicants are also required to submit the following.

Personal Statement: A 500–1000 word document that discusses your computer science interests, your reasons for pursuing this degree, and your relevant prior educational and professional experiences.
Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation, ideally from prior teachers or supervisors who can attest to your capabilities as a student and to your computer science related expertise.

We consider a variety of factors in making admission decisions. Meeting the minimum department standards does not entitle an applicant to admission. Meeting such standards only ensures consideration of the application.

Program Requirements

In addition to the Graduate School’s minimum requirements for master’s degrees, the following requirements must be satisfied for MS degree in Computer Science.

Coursework Requirements

Graduate Credit Requirement: Students must complete at least 33 credit hours of graduate coursework in total.
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-). For each Core Course, the requirement to complete the course is waived if the student completed the University of Memphis undergraduate course specified below with a grade of A- or better.
- COMP 7012 - Fndtns/Software Engr (or A- or better in COMP 4081)
- COMP 7212 - Operating/Distrib Sys (or A- or better in COMP 4270)
- COMP 7612 - Foundations of Computing (or A- or better in COMP 4601)
- COMP 7712 - Algorithms/Prob Solv (or A- or better in COMP 4030)

Coursework Limitations

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

Special-Course Credit Limit: At most 6 credit hours from any combination of COMP 6901, COMP 6911, COMP 7901/8901, COMP 7980, and/or COMP 7996 are allowed.
6000-Level Credit Limit: At most 6 credit hours of 6000-level courses are allowed.
Cognitive Science Seminar Restriction: Permission of the Graduate Coordinator is required for COMP 7514/COMP 8514 - Cognitive Science Seminar. The seminar topics covered vary from semester to semester, and only students for whom the topics are relevant to their projects or theses shall receive permission.
Excluded Courses: None of the following courses are allowed: COMP 6001, COMP 6005, COMP 6014, COMP 6030, COMP 6040, COMP 6270, COMP 6601, COMP 7960/8960.

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.

Retention Requirements

In addition to the retention standards of the Graduate School, students in the program must comply with the following program-specific retention requirements. A student may be terminated from the program if they fail to meet any of these retention standards.

GPA Requirement: All students are required to maintain a graduate-level cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Should a student’s GPA fall below that mark, a period of one semester will be allowed to correct the deficiency.
Program Prerequisite Requirement: A student may be required to satisfy certain program prerequisite requirements specified at the time of admission. Unless explicitly documented otherwise, the student must take the required prerequisite courses in their first semester in the program, and they must earn a C+ or better grade in each prerequisite course. Students who fail to satisfy a prerequisite on their first attempt (either because they failed to take it or because they did not earn the required grade) will be allowed one additional attempt that must be taken in the semester immediately following the semester of the first attempt.
Student Conduct Requirement: Students in the program are required to demonstrate exemplary conduct, honesty, and ethics. Students who are confirmed to have engaged in academic misconduct (including but not limited to plagiarism and other forms of cheating) may be terminated from the program. For more information on conduct standards, policies, and procedures, see the Office of Student Accountability.