Master of Science in Computer Science
Join this respected graduate Computer Science program at North Carolina A&T State University — America's largest public HBCU and the top producer of African American engineers in the country. The program combines computer science fundamentals with practical knowledge and technical excellence in the most advanced technologies.
The research interests of the faculty include cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, big data, visual analytics, virtual reality, software engineering, distributed and web-based systems, multiagent systems, trustworthy cloud computing, software engineering and high-performance computing. Research is funded by agencies including the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, the National Security Agency, the Department of Energy and National Laboratories.
Why Get an M.S. in Computer Science Degree?
Computers touch almost all aspects of our modern lives, from the cellphone in our hand to the systems that keep track of our money in the bank. An advanced degree will allow you to expand your knowledge in order to problem-solve and innovate, stay up-to-date with trends and technology, be more competitive in the job market, and increase your earning potential. According to data from PayScale, the average starting salary of graduates with an M.S. in Computer Science is 25% higher than that that of graduates with a B.S. in Computer Science. This graduate program will prepare you for an exciting and prosperous career in 21st century computing, which is becoming more focused on the creative engineering aspects of software design and development than on just programming. You will have a hand in solving complex computing problems in fields such as software engineering, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, visualization and virtual environments.
Program Snapshot
- Credits required: 30
- Time to completion: 3-4 terms (if full time)
- Tuition: Distance Learning Tuition and Fees
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Potential Careers
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Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment in computer and information technology to grow 11% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the overall job average of 4%. These occupations are projected to add about 531,200 new jobs during this period. Worker demand will stem from an increased emphasis on cloud computing, the collection and storage of big data, and information security.
Demand for computer and information research scientists, for which a master’s degree is the preferred qualification, is expected to grow 15% from 2019 to 2029.
Number of U.S. computer and information research scientist jobs (2019): 32,700
Salary
Median pay, computer and information technology overall (2020): $91,250 per year
Median pay, computer and information research scientist (2020): $126,830 per year
Employers of Our Graduates
Graduates of the program have been hired by Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, IBM, Microsoft, Intel, SAS and many other leading corporations. Many graduates also find employment in government agencies, such as the CIA, NSA, FBI, NASA and NAVSEA.
Admission Requirements
Unconditional admission requires a B.S. in Computer Science. For some applicants, one to three bridge courses may be required to satisfy prerequisite content.
Find out more about graduate admissions and APPLY TODAY.
Application Deadlines
| Fall admission | Spring admission | |
| Priority | Jan. 15 | |
| General | July 1 | Nov. 1 |
Funding Your Education
North Carolina A&T has established a number of financial support opportunities for outstanding graduate students in order to enhance research and graduate education. These include fellowships, scholarships, assistantships and out-of-state tuition supplements.
Program Requirements
The program requires 30 hours (10 courses) with three core courses (9 credit hours):
- COMP 710: Software Specification, Analysis and Design
- COMP 755: Advanced Operating Systems
- COMP 775: Advanced Design and Analysis of Algorithms
There are no formal concentrations, but students can specialize in one of three areas: Software Engineering, Cyber Security, or Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. Students may select courses that allow them to also receive the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Cyber Security.
Explore the curriculum guide and graduate handbook.
Corporate Partners
The Department of Computer Science’s industry advisor board includes Cisco, Oracle, MITRE, Capital One, VF Corporation, Visa, Carrier and Eli Lilly. The department has relationships with many other companies, including Google, Facebook, Ford, Microsoft, Intel, Autodesk, Zynga, Palo Alto Networks, NetApp, Siemens, Applied Materials and NVIDIA.
Contact Information
For program-related questions:
| Huiming (Anna) Yu, Ph.D. | or | Kaushik Roy, Ph.D. |
| Graduate Program Coordinator | Interim Department Chair | |
| Computer Science | Computer Science | |
| College of Engineering | College of Engineering | |
| 336-285-3699 | 336-285-3691 |
For assistance with the admissions process:
The Graduate College
Email
336-285-2366
For online learning support and inquiries:
Extended Campus
Email
336-334-7810 or 888-498-6752 (Toll-Free)