Computer Science MS

Earn your Computer Science Master's Degree 100% online!

Program-at-a-Glance (Graduate)

Credit Hours:

33

Cost per Credit Hour:

$578.12

Calculate Your Tuition

Completion Time:

1-2 years *pending hours enrolled 

Special Requirements:

No GRE Required

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Launch your career in the dynamic world of computing with an online Computer Science Master’s Degree from The University of Southern Mississippi. Through this master’s degree, you will be able to dive into special topics directed by faculty members on the latest computing technologies, prepare for a variety of computing careers, and pave the way for advanced doctoral studies. As part of your online Computer Science Master’s Degree, you’ll complete a capstone thesis or project, working closely with faculty committees. These projects often contribute to cutting-edge faculty research in areas such as cybersecurity, data science, bioinformatics, AI, and computer vision. Our graduates are highly sought after for industry positions.

Through this program, you will immerse yourself in core topics, including:

  • Algorithm design and analysis
  • Analytical models of computation
  • Distributed database systems
  • Multiprocessing and parallel programming
  • Computer graphics
  • Data mining and data sciences
  • Artificial intelligence

Even if your undergraduate degree isn’t in computer science, our program offers a clear pathway. You may receive conditional admission, with the opportunity to complete graduate-level bridge courses that provide a seamless onramp to your online Computer Science Master’s Degree.

Looking for more? Our enrollment coaches are standing by to assist you. Click here for more info! This is your life, plus college!

Scholarship opportunities are available for online students! Our Online Student Scholarship gives first-time, fully online students an opportunity for $500 towards their first semester. To get started with our Online Student Scholarship or to view our list of available scholarships for which you may qualify, visit our Student Scholarship page now!

What can you do with a Computer Science Master’s Degree?

A master’s degree in Computer Science prepares you for careers in artificial intelligence, programming, data sciences, and other computing pathways.

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Course Requirements (33 Hours)

18 hours must be at the 600 level.

Select 1:

Course Credits
Advanced Computer Algorithms
Automata, Computability, and Formal Languages

Thesis Option:

  • 24 hours of CSC or ITC electives or any advisor-approved elective.
    • A maximum of 6 hours of CSC 695 Directed Study may be applied.
  • 6 hours – CSC 698 Thesis

Project (Non-Thesis) Option:

  • 27 hours of CSC or ITC electives or any advisor-approved elective.
    • A maximum of 3 hours of CSC 695 Directed Study may be applied.
  • 3 hours – CSC 699 Directed Project

Additional Note

Please note that the above information is meant to be a guide and is not official. For further information regarding courses for this degree, see the University Bulletin. Please be aware that not all course choices listed in the University Bulletin are available online. However, sufficient online options are available to complete this degree.

Frequently Asked Questions

To find pricing information, visit our pricing page. For financial aid information, view our financial aid page. For detailed tuition information, visit our business services page.

How long does the program take to complete?

Computer Science MS students take, on average, 2 years to complete the degree, but it is truly dependent on the student.

Is there a thesis requirement?

The Computer Science Master’s Degree has a thesis and non-thesis option:

Thesis Option

  • 24 hours of CSC or ITC electives or any advisor-approved elective.
    • A maximum of 6 hours of CSC 695 Directed Study may be applied.
  • 6 hours – CSC 698 Thesis

Project (Non-thesis) Option

  • 27 hours of CSC or ITC electives or any advisor-approved elective.
    • A maximum of 3 hours of CSC 695 Directed Study may be applied.
  • 3 hours – CSC 699 Directed Project
Are GRE scores required?

No, the GRE is no longer required for admission into this program.

Is a B.S. in Computer Science required to earn this degree?

No, a bachelor’s in Computer Science is not required.

Following application review by the graduate admissions committee, students who do not hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science may be offered conditional admission status with a requirement to complete graduate-level bridge courses to develop fluency in one or more of the competencies listed above.  Upon completion of the required bridge courses with a grade of B or better in each, the student will be granted regular admission. These bridge courses include:

  • CSC 500 Fundamentals of Programming
  • CSC 501 Fundamentals of Computing

When required, CSC 500 and CSC 501 must be completed in the student’s first full-time semester for full-time students or in consecutive semesters for part-time students with a grade of B or better. Students who are required to take these courses and who do not complete each course with a B or better will be dismissed from the program.

In addition to these bridge courses, students with conditional admission status may be required to complete additional mathematics pre-requisites.

Do online students pay out-of-state tuition?

No, online students pay resident tuition. For information about pricing, click here.

Can this degree be completed fully online?

Yes. The Computer Science Master’s Degree Program can be completed entirely online. Computer Science students are not required to travel to the University at any point during their enrollment, including commencement.

What if I am a veteran or service member?

Visit online.usm.edu/military for more information on how Southern Miss can serve you and your needs. We will help you with funding and scholarship information, admissions, and course enrollment.

Will my diploma say “online”?

No, your degree is held to the same high level of rigor no matter the type of delivery, including online, so there is no label on online students’ degrees.

Do you offer Senior Citizen tuition discounts?

The University of Southern Mississippi provides a Senior Citizen Tuition Scholarship Program for Mississippi residents age 62 or older. Legal residents of the State of Mississippi age 62 or older may enroll tuition-free in a maximum of six (6) semester hours for the fall or spring term. Courses on all campuses (Online, Hattiesburg, and Gulf Coast) are available to senior citizens on a space available, first come first serve basis. This scholarship program applies to fall and spring courses only.

To inquire about the availability of this scholarship, contact the registrar’s office. 

Is the University of Southern Mississippi accredited?

Yes, the University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). For the complete accreditation statement and additional information, please visit www.usm.edu/university/accreditation.php.

Admission Requirements

A student applying for admission to this program will need the following to complete their application:

  • Resumè
  • Transcripts
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three Letters of Recommendation

Applicants should refer to the Admission Requirements and Procedures of the Graduate School.

Applications must demonstrate fluency in the following computer science and mathematical content areas to be considered for regular admission status by the graduate admissions committee. These competencies are:

  • Programming and writing code in an object-oriented programming language,
  • Developing and managing data structures,
  • Basic computer science theory,
  • Calculus and discrete mathematics.

Following application review by the graduate admissions committee, students that do not hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science may be offered conditional admission status with a requirement to complete graduate-level bridge courses to develop fluency in one or more of the competencies listed above.  Upon completion of the required bridge courses with a grade of B or better in each, the student will be granted regular admission. These bridge courses include:

  • CSC 500 Fundamentals of Programming
  • CSC 501 Fundamentals of Computing

When required, CSC 500 and CSC 501 must be completed in the student’s first full-time semester for full-time students or in consecutive semesters for part-time students with a grade of B or better. Students who are required to take these courses and who do not complete each course with a B or better will be dismissed from the program.

In addition to these bridge courses, students with conditional admission status may be required to complete additional mathematics pre-requisites.

Program Requirements and Academic Policies

Electives may be used towards a certificate program offered by the School of Computing Sciences and Computer Engineering as approved by an academic advisor.

See General Degree Requirements and General Academic Information for additional requirements and policies.

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