Note: changes pending. Students admitted before the changes are finalized can choose to follow this program or the program in effect when admitted and can graduate under this program.
The Master of Science in Computer Science at UMSL prepares students for rewarding careers related to computer science or solidifies the knowledge and offers advancement of those already working in a related field. Admission is open to applicants with some computing-related coursework, training, and/or experience. Others can still transition into the program – review this page for more information and contact the program director for additional guidance.
Applicants apply through and must meet the Graduate School requirements plus the following additional departmental GPA and foundation requirements. Those admitted, for whom we could not determine some foundations or with GPA deficiencies, can be admitted with restrictions.
Applicants with relevant full-time training and/or experience can apply for up to 6 proficiency transfer credits toward the degree in CMP SCI 5991, regardless of their undergraduate degree.
Students may enroll in our program on a full-time or part-time basis, and all programs can be completed in the evening 
. Moreover, some courses are available online and many are offered in hybrid mode - including recorded lectures and classroom meetings once a week in the evening.
The program is STEM designated.
Program Director: Sanjiv Bhatia
Admission Requirements for MS in Computer Science starting 2023
Note: Pending changes. Students admitted before the changes are official will have a choice to follow this program or the program in effect when admitted.
The Master of Science in Computer Science at UMSL prepares students for rewarding careers related to computer science or solidifies the knowledge and offers advancement of those already working in a related field. Admission is open to applicants with some computing-related coursework, training, and/or experience. Others can still transition into the program – review this page for more information and contact the program director for additional guidance.
Applicants apply through and must meet the Graduate School requirements plus the following additional departmental GPA and foundation requirements. Those admitted, for whom we could not determine some foundations or with GPA deficiencies, can be admitted with restrictions - see the restrictions section.
Applicants with relevant full-time training and/or experience can apply for up to 6 proficiency transfer credits toward the degree in CMP SCI 5991, regardless of their undergraduate degree.
GPA
Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 (out of 4.0) GPA to be considered for admission. This can be an undergraduate GPA or some later GPA. Applicants with a GPA of 2.75-2.99 will be considered but must provide additional evidence, which can be a combination of GRE, reference letters, and/or relevant experience and should all be presented in the Statement of Intent. Applicants below 2.75 will only be considered if supplemented by lengthy related experience, as demonstrated in the Statement of Intent.
Foundations
Applicants will be evaluated for proficiency in the following areas. This can be prior coursework on transcripts or non-academic training/relevant experience. Applicants are advised to refer to these items below and offer relevant information in the Statement of Intent.
Computer Science
- At least two different modern general-purpose programming languages.
- Object-oriented programming, concepts, and terminology
- Basic dynamic data structures such as strings, lists, stacks, queues, and trees
- Design and analysis of algorithms
- Mathematical foundation for computer science (discrete structures) with topics such as sets, logic, functions, and relations
Mathematics
- A calculus course
- A probability and statistics course
Restrictions
An applicant missing or not adequately demonstrating in the Letter of Intent some of the above requirements may be admitted on restricted status. The GPA restriction will be lifted after a successful semester. The foundation restrictions may be lifted after the applicant provides the graduate director evidence of proficiency which can be transcripts or additional non-academic training, or otherwise the admitted student will have to pass appropriate undergraduate courses to lift the remaining restrictions.
For more information on restrictions see here.
If you are transitioning to computer science and miss many of the requirements, review this page.
Requirements for MS in Computer Science
Note: Pending changes. Students admitted before the changes are official can choose to graduate under this program or under the progam in effect when admitted.
Candidates for the M.S. degree in Computer Science must complete 30 credit hours of coursework in Computer Science CMP SCI.
- Up to 6 credit hours of related coursework can be completed outside of CMP SCI, based on the student’s interest with permission of the Graduate Director
- Up to 10 credit hours can be transferred into the program
- Up to 12 credits from 4000-level courses completed with at least a B- can be used in the program
- At least 3 credit hours must be at the 6000-level
- Students with relevant prior full-time training and/or experience of a minimum of one year can apply for up to 6 proficiency transfer credits in CMP SCI 5991
The following core courses for 12 credit hours are required. Any required course can be waived (replaced with another) for a student with a similar undergraduate or transferred course or with demonstrated proficiency.
- Programming Languages: CMP SCI 4250
- Advanced Data Structures and Algorithms: CMP SCI 5130
- Software Engineering: CMP SCI 5500
- Modern Computing: CMP SCI 5710
The remaining credits can be acquired through any combination of courses in one’s interests, but students can group those courses into one or more of the available graduate certificates.
CMP SCI 6900, which satisfies the 6000-level requirement with 3 credits, can be repeated for up to 6 total credits but the additional credits will only be counted if the thesis is successfully defended as administered by a committee.
Students finding an internship/co-op opportunity can enroll in a credit course CMP SCI 5900.
Additionally, students must attend at least five seminars or colloquium presentations in the department before applying for graduation.
Studies and Outcome
Students may enroll on a full-time or part-time basis, and the program can be completed with a combination of evening, online, and/or hybrid courses.
All graduates will have a broad computing background and will be exposed to a wide range of technologies. They will also be prepared for teamwork, independent research, technical reporting, and presentations, and will be ready to take on leading organizational roles. With the optional certificates, graduates can further specialize in a particular area of interest.
