The Best Master’s Degrees in Computer Science to Further Your Career

The Master of Science in Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University is the largest program offered by the CMU’s Computer Science Department. You don’t need a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science to join.

The program does not have a fixed set of courses. Rather, it allows you to construct your course of study with consultation from an advisor. You can also choose an area to specialize in. Master’s degree students participate in research projects conducted by the CMU faculty within the computer science field.

Cornell University offers a Master of Engineering in Computer Science, separated into four semesters. Students who take the program may also choose to focus on more beneficial areas in attaining their specific professional or academic goals or opt into a more generalized program.

The Master of Science in Computer Science from Duke University offers two options for its students. You can choose to complete a course-only MS or choose between a thesis or project-based MS. Both choices require 30 hours of course credits.

The university receives a large number of applicants but only admits a limited number of them. Although a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science is not mandatory, a strong background in the field is required. This is because the program offers the same courses as their PhD program.

The MS in Computer Science at Georgia Tech offers three program options that can be completed with 30 credits. This includes an option involving 30 hours of coursework with no MS project or thesis hours, an option with 21 hours of coursework plus a nine-hour project, and a thesis option requiring 18 hours of coursework and a 12-hour thesis.

Georgia Institute of Technology’s master’s program also offers students 11 areas of specialization to choose from, which allows you to further customize the degree program to your liking.

This program features coursework exclusively. You will have to complete 10 courses within five years. The curriculum consists of three foundation courses and five major courses with a choice of two electives. You will experience a combination of practical and research-based training through a structured curriculum.

Northwestern University’s Master of Science in Computer Science requires you to complete 12 units of graduate study in five years. You can choose how to complete the program from three different plans. These are the thesis, project, or course plan.

If you didn’t complete your bachelor’s degree at Northwestern, you will have to pass a preliminary exam covering topics on the university’s undergraduate computer science program. If you do not pass the exam, you can still be admitted into the program but will have to enroll in additional courses.

Although Princeton University’s Master of Science in Engineering in Computer Science program is full-time, it does offer a co-op work option that lasts for two years. This will help if you are eyeing Princeton with a limited budget.

As part of its readmission process in the spring of your first year, you will also have the option to switch from a thesis-required track to a non-thesis track.

The Computer Science Department at Stanford University is ranked highly among computer science schools. With a wide variety of specializations being offered and the option to obtain the degree online, Stanford is a top option to get your Master’s Degree in Computer Science.

You must complete the 45-unit requirement within five years of starting the program. Most part-time students finish the program in around three years. Also, note that while the majority of the program can be finished online, this will still rely on your program plan, specialization, and course availability for any academic quarter.

The Master of Science in Computer Science program from University of Chicago can be completed either full-time or part-time. The university offers a nine-course general program and a 12-course specialization program.

If you’re looking to specialize in the fields of data analytics, high-performance computing, mobile computing, or software engineering, the 12-course program would be a better choice. Both programs will have to be completed on-campus, but you will have a choice to complete them on a full-time or part-time basis.

The University of Pennsylvania Master of Science in Engineering program allows students to pursue different subjects within the curriculum. These topics include AI, architecture, computational biology, robotics, databases, graphics, security, programming languages, technology, and finance.

You will develop your studies with interdisciplinary programs such as computer and information science, telecommunications, and biomedical computation, or computational linguistics. You must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science to satisfy admission requirements.