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Home ― Computer Science Master of Science (MSCS) ― Timelines & Requirements

Timelines & Requirements

The Master of Science in Computer Science program has its own unique application timelines and admissions requirements, in addition to the overall graduate admissions requirements.

Admission requirements

GRE: Students that have graduated from a US institution with full regional accreditation will NOT be required to take the GRE. 

We admit folks to the Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) program in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

To apply, you need to have:

  • A bachelor’s degree in computer science (or a closely related field) from an institution with full regional accreditation for that degree
  • A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
  • Transcripts that show completion of courses in key areas such as general programming skills such as C, formal programming language foundations, data structures and algorithms, and math foundations (discrete math)

If you don’t have an undergraduate degree in computer science (or a closely related field), you might be required to take a foundational course as part of your formal Plan of Study.

Application deadline

Make sure you send in your application by:

  • June 15 for admission for the following Fall semester
  • November 15 for admission for the following Spring semester 
  • April 15 for admission for the following Summer semester

Please be aware that the application deadline is subject to change to accommodate available capacity and program needs. It’s why we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.

If you’re applying for an assistantship, be sure to send in your assistantship form with your application.

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Graduation requirements

Our MSCS program requires a total of 30 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate. This includes:

  • Successful completion of all courses listed on your MSCS Plan of Study within the five-year time limit
  • Achievement of a GPA of at least 3.0 (a "B" average), with no more than 6 credit hours of a "C" grade and no grade below a "C" in the courses on your Plan of Study
  • Satisfaction of Regental standards for residency, this is satisfied by completing all but a maximum of nine credit hours of your coursework at DSU (distance courses count as "at DSU")
  • 15 credit hours of core courses
  • 15 credit hours of specialization coursework
  •  A comprehensive exam

Program completion

You can choose whether you will earn your MSCS as a full-time or part-time student. Full-time students can usually complete the program in two years. For part-time students, the completion time really depends on the number of credit hours taken per semester.

Please do note that you are required to complete the MSCS program within five years of the semester of your first course.

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Office of Graduate Studies and Research
(605) 256-5799
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