Computer Science - Master of Computer Science - MCS

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College of Science

Department of Computer Science

Requirements for the Master of Computer Science (MCS) are listed below. An overall GPA of 3.0 or higher and individual course grades of B- or better (in all degree-program coursework) are required. Students with an overall GPA below 3.0 at the completion of fall and spring semesters will be issued an academic warning. If a student’s institution or Program of Study GPA remains below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters, they will be dismissed from the program.

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or a similarly recognized international university is required for admission to and completion of a graduate program.

A master’s degree must be completed within six years of entering the degree program. Additional time may be requested by the student’s committee and submitted to the Vice Provost of Graduate Studies for review. Coursework over eight years old at the time of degree completion may not be used for a graduate degree unless it is revalidated.

At least 24-semester credits for a master’s degree must be from a committee-approved and a School of Graduate Studies-approved Program of Study from Utah State University.

Students must submit and obtain approval of academic forms required for master’s students by the School of Graduate Studies.

MCS (33 credits)

Elective Courses (at least 33 credits)

A minimum of 18 credits of 6000-level courses taught within the department are required for graduation (CS 6XXX/7XXX courses) excluding CS 6250 .

An additional 15 credits of graduate coursework at the 5000-level or above are also required.

The following restrictions apply to the credits of elective coursework:

A maximum of 3 credits of CS 6250 are allowed.
A maximum of one course is allowed from the following list: CS 5950 , CS 6950 or CS 7950 .
CS 6900 , CS 6970 , CS 6990 , CS 7970 , and CS 7990 are not allowed.
CS 5250 and CS 5260 must be taken together in the same semester to be allowed.
A maximum of 6 credits are allowed from outside the Computer Science department. Outside credits must be from ECE, MATH, STAT, PSC 6150 , or SOC 6150 and may not be from independent study, research, or continuing graduate advisement courses.