The Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) degree is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skill, and professional practices needed in computing fields. The program also prepares students who desire to pursue further graduate work leading to a Ph.D. degree.
Why Master Degree in Computer Science?
The benefits of earning a master degree in computer science will vary from industry to industry but below are of the most common benefits of earning an MS in computer science and you will better understand whether or not it is the right move for you to make to achieve your personal and career goals.
- Increased Earning Potential
Computer science graduates are at the top of the list of the projected highest-paid master’s degree graduates for the Class of 2017, according to results of NACE’s 2017 Salary Survey. The overall average salary projection for Class of 2017 computer science graduates is $81,039. On average, employees with a master’s degree earn 18 percent more than bachelor’s degree holders over their lifetime. Computer science professionals, specifically, see an average $30,000 boost in salary after earning their graduate degree.
- Career Advancement
Many organizations prefer that their employees have some sort of graduate degree; in fact, 74 percent of employers have recently raised their educational standards.
- Broadened Professional Network
Earning a graduate degree will help you widen your professional network by helping you meet, work, and learn with professors and other students, who may help your career down the road. For more program information.
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Advanced computer labs provide the space for next level research in Computer Science.
Degree provides the basis for next level work in one of the most advanced fields in the world.
Provides students like you that extra education to give you the advantage needed to advance.
Department of Computer Sciences and Electrical Engineering at Marshall University offers an accelerated path for students to obtain a bachelor’s and master’s degree on an accelerated path. It is offered as an accelerated bachelor’s plus master’s degree with:
Undergraduates accepted to an Accelerated Master’s Degree (AMD) program can begin taking graduate coursework while still in the B.S. program. These graduate credits can be taken in their senior year up to a maximum of 12 hours in place of electives. AMD will facilitate an easy and fast transition into the graduates program.
We encourage qualified undergraduates to consider doing an accelerated Master’s degree and please meet your advisor to see if you qualify for the program.
Advantages of an Accelerated Degree
- Complete the Bachelor’s degree with up to 12 fewer credit hours, (must meet all other degree requirements for the Bachelor’s degree);
- Begin work on the master’s degree during the senior year;
- Complete up to 12 graduate credits at undergraduate tuition rates;
- Earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in less time.
Eligibility Requirements for the Accelerated Master’s Degree Program
- Must have completed at least 90 hours toward the Bachelor’s degree;
- Must have at least a 3.30 overall undergraduate GPA;
- Must have at least a 3.50 GPA in the major;
- Must submit two reference letters, a personal statement, a graduate application and fee but are exempt from submitting GRE scores and a final transcript.
How to Apply
- During the junior or senior year, eligible students should meet with their Undergraduate Advisor and the Chair/Director of the chosen Master’s degree program to develop an AMD Plan of Study. This form is available from this Link. The completed, signed, and approved Plan of Study must be submitted to the Graduate College. Any changes to the AMD Plan of Study must be approved by the Undergraduate Advisor and Chair/Director of Graduate Studies and submitted in writing to the Dean of the Graduate College.
- The student’s acceptance into the AMD program is subject to the approval of the Plan of Study by the Dean of the Graduate College.
- Students accepted into the AMD program should apply for admission to the chosen Master’s degree program for the first semester after the Bachelor’s degree is awarded. Applications should be submitted during the last semester of the senior year.
- Computer System Architecture
- Lead Software Engineer
- Software Project Manager
- Database Administrator
- Senior System Analyst
- IT Architect
- Network Manager
- Information Security Manager
Admission Requirements
Applicants should follow the admissions process as stated in the Graduate Catalog or the graduate admissions website. For full admission, a four-year Bachelor’s degree with GPA of 2. 75 or higher out of 4.0 in Computer Science, or related areas listed below is required.
- Computer Science
- Computer Engineering
- Information Technology
- Electrical Engineering
- Software Engineering
Applicants with a four-year bachelor’s degree in a major not listed above may be admitted to the program with a condition of successful completion of the following three bridge courses with a grade of B or above in the first two semesters of the program:
- Data Structures and Algorithms (CS 210 Data Structures and Algorithms)
- Data Engineering (CS 410 Database Engineering)
- Applied Probability and Statistics (STA 345 Applied Prob and Stat)
Whether a student meets the above requirements will be determined by the division chair or designee based on the information provided in the admission application and transcripts. Foreign nationals must provide proof of English proficiency with a minimum score of 6.5 in IELTS or 80 on TOEFL IBT (or 550 paper based) and must have met all other admission criteria prior to registering for the first semester of courses.