M.S. in Computer Science or M.S. in Computer Engineering

Graduates with Computer Science or Computer Engineering M.S. degrees go on to doctoral programs, high-tech companies, or to challenging positions in other industry sectors. They have a strong breadth and depth in their field that can be the basis for future innovations or advanced applications.

Requirements for the M.S. degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering


The major milestones to obtaining the M.S. degree are listed in this section. Most steps are discussed in greater detail in the Graduate School Catalog. Copies of any forms required are found on the CSCE website. The department offers thesis and non-thesis (project) based M.S. degrees.

Thesis Option

  1. A minimum of 24 semester hours of graduate coursework of which at least 15 must be CSCE courses numbered 5000 level or above. The remaining 9 hours may include no more than 6 hours of transfer work, 3 hours of individual study, or 6 hours from outside the department.
  2. A minimum of 6 semester hours of CSCE 610V – Master’s Thesis
  3. A GPA of at least 3.0 on all graduate courses attempted.
  4. An oral defense of the thesis.

Non-Thesis Option

  1. A minimum of 33 semester hours of graduate coursework of which at least 21 must be CSCE courses numbered 5000 level or above. The remaining 12 hours may include no more than 6 hours of transfer work, 3 hours of individual study, or 6 hours from outside the department.
  2. A GPA of at least 3.0 on all graduate courses attempted.
  3. A comprehensive oral examination over the coursework taken. 

Oral Examination


All CSCE master’s students must pass an oral examination and defense of the thesis or project report in, at most, two attempts. The first attempt may not occur before all of the following qualifying conditions have been satisfied:

  1. Candidates must have completed at least 21 hours that are applicable toward the degree. Candidates following the thesis option must be currently enrolled in CSCE 610V.
  2. The candidate’s cumulative grade-point average on all graduate-level courses must be 3.0 or above.
  3. Any deficiencies assigned upon admission to the program must be removed.
  4. Any other conditions required by the CSCE Graduate Coordinator or the student’s advisory committee must be satisfied.