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Computer Science Master's Degrees
Miami University offers a Master of Science (M.S.) in Computer Science and a Master of Computer Science. The M.S. degree is research- and thesis-driven, while the Master of Computer Science is project- and coursework-based (non-thesis). Both programs emphasize the development of practical skills and technical knowledge to enter a computing profession.
Quick Facts
24 Months
Program Duration
+11%
Projected Job Growth | Computer and Information Research Scientist
$117k
Average Starting Salary for the Class of 2022
Master of Computer Science (Non-Thesis Track)
The Master of Computer Science is a project- and coursework-driven graduate program, with each component allowing for a more diverse range of course study. This helps students hone their technical skills and equips them for computing professions beyond research. Students gain experience in high-demand areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, and software engineering to be adaptable to the workforce.
After building foundational and advanced knowledge, they enroll in a culminating experience requirement, choosing from three options: an internship, project, or capstone course.
Curriculum:
The Master of Computer Science program consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours. The program is divided into the following:
- Coursework Requirement (24-27 credit hours)
- A range of 500- and 600-level Computer Science and Engineering courses
- Culminating Experience Requirement (3-6 credit hours) choose between:
- Internship
- Non-Thesis Project
- Professional Computing Experience
Learning Outcomes:
Graduates of the Master of Computer Science degree will be able to:
- Understand state-of-the-art literature and theoretical techniques to develop and evaluate solutions.
- Apply appropriate computing or software engineering tools and methods to implement, test, and evaluate solutions to complex problems.
- Effectively present proposed solutions, implementations, and evaluation results to diverse audiences (academic or industry).
M.S. in Computer Science (Thesis Track)
The Master of Science in Computer Science is a thesis-driven program designed to prepare students for computing professions requiring research, invention, and advanced or specialized knowledge. This includes the possible pursuit of a Ph.D. in computer science beyond Miami University.
Students complete and document work on independent research with an experienced faculty advisor and study advanced topics in computer science. Both the hands-on research experience and advanced curriculum ensure students graduate well-equipped to be at the forefront of cutting-edge computer science work. Students admitted to the M.S.C.S. program are eligible to apply for a limited number of graduate assistantships.
Curriculum:
The Master of Science in Computer Science program consists of a minimum of 31 credit hours. The program is divided into the following:
- Coursework Requirement (18 credit hours minimum)
- A range of 500- and 600-level Computer Science and Engineering courses
- Research Requirement (13 credit hours minimum)
- Computer Science Research Methods
- Emerging Topics in Computer Science
- Research for Master’s Thesis
Learning Outcomes:
Graduates of the Master of Science in Computer Science degree will be able to:
- Implement, test, and evaluate solutions to complex problems in Computer Science.
- Understand and write proofs and use other theoretical techniques to develop and evaluate solutions.
- Perform literature searches and summarize and critique scholarly works in the field.
- Author technical and academic publications that document research findings and results.
Why Enroll in Miami University’s Computer Science Programs?
Earn job offers while enrolled:
Students in the computer science master’s programs routinely accept job offers before they earn their graduate degree.
Engage in research with published, award-winning faculty members:
Take small classes, learning from leading professors across key areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer graphics, cryptography, and additional emerging topics in the industry.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements are the same for both programs; however, M.S. in Computer Science applicants should have a mastery of differential and integral calculus in their undergraduate studies.
Admission to the Master of Science in Computer Science and the Master of Computer Science programs requires:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field
- Undergraduate GPA must be a minimum of 3.0
- Completed application
- Recommendation letters
- Two for Master of Computer Science
- Three for Master of Science in Computer Science
- Resume
The GRE test is optional; however, for those who submit scores, minimum expectations include:
- Quantitative score of 60th percentile
- Verbal score of 35th percentile
- Analytical writing score of 25th percentile
International applicants are required to submit their TOEFL/IELTS/PTE scores. Learn about English language proficiency requirements.
Career Opportunities With a Computer Science Master’s Degree
Occupational Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment in the computer and information technology occupations to grow much faster than all occupations into 2032. Due to this growth, the vast majority of our computer science students receive job offers or admission to Ph.D. programs at other universities before they graduate from Miami University. Computer science graduates also make more than double the median annual wage of all occupations at $117,591 according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
Diverse Career Possibilities
Along with job security and competitive pay, students graduate prepared to find immediate employment in industries such as business, education, health care, government, and manufacturing. Graduates find positions across these industries in the following diverse roles:
- Computer programmer
- Data scientist
- Game developer
- Information security analyst
- Machine learning engineer
- Network administrator
- Software engineer
- Web developer
Combined Bachelor's/Master's Programs
Open to all students regardless of major, the combined Bachelor’s/Master’s allows high-achieving students to simultaneously complete any Miami University bachelor’s degree along with a master’s in either computer science program. With an undergraduate major in computer science or software engineering, students can complete the combined program in five years.
The B.S./M.S. in Computer Science is a research-focused program. Students may apply to the combined program once they meet the following requirements
- A GPA of 3.25 or greater (after earning a minimum of 64 credit hours)
- To begin graduate study, students should have credit for the following undergraduate courses:
- CSE 174, CSE 201, CSE 271, CSE 274, CSE 278, CSE 374, CSE 381, and CSE 383
- MTH 151, MTH 231, and either STA 261 or STA 301
This combined program allows Miami undergraduate students to pursue a project- and coursework-based master’s degree in an accelerated manner while simultaneously completing a bachelor’s degree. Students admitted to the combined degree program may count six to nine credit hours of their graduate coursework toward their bachelor's.
- Students in the combined program will remain undergraduates until either: (a) they complete all undergraduate degree requirements and receive their undergraduate degree, or (b) they request the Graduate School change their status from undergraduate to graduate (the student must have completed a minimum of 124 or 128 total graduate and undergraduate credit hours, depending on their catalog year, to make this request). Once the student meets one of these two criteria, they will be classified as a graduate student. Students may not receive both the undergraduate and graduate degrees on the same date (degrees are conferred four times per year (i.e., January, May, August, December), nor can they take all of their graduate credits with undergraduate status.
- Students in the combined program are eligible to hold a graduate assistantship or graduate grant-in-aid upon being classified as a graduate student.
- Both full-time and part-time students are eligible for this program, but full-time status is recommended.
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Learn More About Miami University’s Computer Science Master’s Programs
Prepare for an exciting, rewarding journey in this rapidly growing field of technology by enrolling in the Master of Computer Science or Master of Science in Computer Science at Miami University. Elevate your computer science career today!
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105 Tallawanda Road
Oxford, OH 45056
