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Master's Degree in Computer Science

Masters in Computer Science students working on a project

Why Choose Saint Rose for a Master's Degree in Computer Science?

Do you have a burning curiosity to figure out how things work, and do you find great satisfaction in solving problems? Do you want a career building creative solutions to society’s most pressing challenges? Computer-science professionals are changing the world – protecting consumers’ personal data, helping communities recover from disasters, improving healthcare delivery, feeding the world – in every industry and every organization, turning abstract ideas into concrete tools to help others. Data scientists and software engineers, for instance, are projected to remain some of the workers in highest demand over the next several years, commanding annual salaries at or above $100,000. If you enjoy thinking analytically, conceptualizing big ideas, planning how to address problems, and engineering the details, the MS in Computer Science at Saint Rose is for you.

At Saint Rose, the Masters in Computer Science ensures you gain a solid foundation in computing theory, operating systems, and algorithm development, as well as practical skills in applying your knowledge to real-world issues. You’ll study with supportive faculty tuned into your individual learning style and needs, alongside friendly and helpful peers from all walks of life; you’ll learn through classroom lectures and team projects. Each class is deliberately small to maximize your learning and your interaction with faculty and classmates.

No matter which sector you choose for your career – industry, music, financial services, manufacturing, retail, government – the MS in Computer Science gives you a thorough knowledge of computer science, plus a comprehensive toolbox of skills. You’ll graduate a confident, capable computer scientist ready to use your creativity to address today’s challenges.

Graduate Program Highlights

  • Enjoy classes taught by tenured faculty, not graduate students
  • Attend class in computer labs with a workstation for each student
  • Study with responsive faculty from diverse backgrounds and demographics
  • Choose from our flexible hours to suit your schedule
  • Complete a research project or internship to demonstrate your ability to apply your knowledge to a real-world problem
  • Delve into computation theory, operating systems, and algorithm design; learn to use cloud computing, big data, and cryptography technologies

Note: This program may be most appropriate for you if you are comfortable with coding and abstract concepts, have strong analytical and conceptual skills, and hold a BS in CS or IT; those with a BS in math may have to complete additional prerequisites. If you’re more interested in helping people apply technological solutions to business processes, consider our MS in Information Technology.

Weekend Hybrid Program

Our new hybrid course delivery method combines the best of both worlds, online learning with the reassurance of face time with your professors. This degree is perfect for the working professional who wants to advance in their field but cannot commit to traditional graduate programs.

Explore the Weekend Hybrid Program

Course Requirements and Faculty

Faculty

Program Requirements (33 Credits)

Core Requirements (15 Credits)

  • CSC 507 – Software Engineering – 3 cr.
  • CSC 509 – Algorithms – 3 cr.
  • CSC 541 – Networking – 3 cr.
  • CSC 542 – Theory of Computation – 3 cr.
  • CSC 563 – Operating Systems – 3 cr.

Elective Requirements (15 credits)

Students are required to take at least 15 credits of electives. An elective course is any graduate level computer science course offered at the College of Saint Rose that does not count toward the core requirements. CSC501, CSC506, CSC520, and CSC522 cannot count as elective courses for the Computer Science Master’s degree.

Research Requirement (3 credits)

  • CSC 593 – Master’s Research Seminar – 3cr.
  • CSC 595 – Project-Based Internship – 3cr.
  • CSC 596 – Research Master’s Project – 3cr.
  • CSC 597 – Master’s Project – 3cr.

Students must choose to choose a capstone experience which can be a Master’s Project (CSC 597), a Project-Based Internship (CSC 595) or a Research Master’s Project (CSC 596) as a culminating experience. Research-Based Master’s Project is open to students who have earned a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and is best suited to students who anticipate further graduate study. The Master’s Research Seminar is a way of grouping together several students doing research with a particular faculty member.

The Internship is designed for students who plan to immediately enter the job market. For students interested in further graduate study or immediate entry into industry upon graduation, the master’s project is a good fit since it is flexible to allow students to find a good balance between in depth research and practical experience. Students wishing to work closely with a faculty in their area of expertise may choose the Seminar as a capstone experience.

The capstone project also requires the student to produce a written report and give a presentation at the end of the semester at a department colloquium. All capstone projects require the approval and supervision of a faculty member.

Admission Requirements

Students interested in pursuing a master’s degree in computer science at The College of Saint Rose should have:

  • A bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field.
  • A GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Prerequisite Requirements

Additionally, Students are required to have a background in the following areas:

  • Discrete Math
  • Programming principles and techniques
  • Algorithms
  • Data Structures
  • Computer Organization
  • Calculus

Career opportunities

  • Software Development Engineer
  • Security Engineer
  • Mobile Applications Developer
  • Full-Stack Web Developer
  • Systems Administrator
  • IT Management & Consulting
  • Computer Research Scientist
  • Network Architect
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