Computer Science M.S.

Requirements

Concentration Requirement: Each student must take at least three courses in one core area. These courses can be selected from the courses listed in the table below or from approved CPSC 8810 special topics courses in that area.

Breadth Requirement: Each student must take one course in at least two other core areas.

Core Areas

• Data Science and Informatics
• Foundations and Theory
• Human-Centered Computing
• Networks, Systems, and Security
• Software Engineering
• Visual Computing

Please visit the School of Computing Graduate Handbook for a list of M.S. Core Areas and corresponding courses.

For the course titles of each course, please see courses of instruction. For syllabi, please see the syllabus repository.

Thesis Option

The thesis option is designed for students who have a strong interest in research and who can complete an original and creative research project. The quality of the research and presentation should be such that the thesis or a derivative work is acceptable for publication in a refereed conference proceeding or archival journal.

The final examination is an oral examination conducted by the student's Advisory Committee. The student is expected to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of both the research results presented and the pre-existing body of knowledge that the results extend.

Of the 30 credits required for graduation, the thesis-option student must have 6 credits of CPSC 8910. The student must also meet the Concentration and Breadth Requirements as defined below in the remaining 24 credits of coursework. A student may take more than six credits of CPSC 8910, but only six credits may be applied toward the degree.

• CPSC 8910 - master's thesis research (6 credits minimum)
• Coursework meeting concentration and breadth requirements (24 credits)

30 credits minimum

Non-Thesis Option

In this option, a student is required to complete ten approved courses (minimum of 30 hours), none of which may be master’s thesis research. There is no thesis presentation or comprehensive examination required for the degree.

30 credits minimum

NOTE: Only six credits of CPSC 6820 or CPSC/DPA/HCC 8810 can be included. Coursework-only students may not include credits for CPSC 8910.

Course Exclusions: Of the 30 credits of approved courses required for graduation, students may not include credits for CPSC 6810, 6890, 74xx, 8880, 95x0, 9810, or 9910; DPA 6000-6030, 6810-6830, 8600, 8800, or 8910; or HCC 8880, 9500, or 9910; or the MSCS Ready Modules, previously listed as CPSC 6810 and CPSC 8810, now listed as CPSC 7010, 7020, 7030, 8120, 8130, or 8140.

Coursework From Elsewhere

Courses Outside the School of Computing: Coursework-only students may include up to 12 credits of approved courses from outside the School of Computing. Thesis students may include up to 9 credits of approved courses from outside the School of Computing.

Transfer Credits: Up to 9 credit hours of coursework (and no more than one-third of the graded course credit hours required for a master's degree) may be transferred to a master's degree. Transfer courses will be counted among the approved courses outside the School of Computing but will be listed as CPSC 6999 or CPSC 8999 on the student's GS2 plan of study.

Assessment: Each student, both thesis track and coursework track, must submit three course-related assignments and accompanying self-reflection prior to your Plan of Study being approved. Please see the M.S. Assessment page for details.

Start learning today - no application is required with performance-based admissions!

Start your computer science journey today. No specific prerequisites except a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Complete two pathway courses on Coursera, obtain a 3.0 GPA and provide proof of your bachelor’s degree to be accepted to the full program. You make progress towards the degree while gaining acceptance.

- No formal application, GRE, or letter of recommendation required -

This coursework-only option can be completed completely online via our partnership with Coursera. To learn more about our fully online M.S. degree, visit Coursera. 

Required Documents to Begin Application

Application to the School of Computing’s on-campus Computer Science M.S. program requires official GRE scores for both U.S. and international applicants. This requirement cannot be waived.

• Online Application
• Unofficial Transcripts - Official Transcripts are required upon acceptance. Do not send official transcripts until you have received your letter of acceptance.
• Two letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• Resume or CV
• Official GRE scores. Clemson’s institution code is 5111.
• Official English language proficiency scores (if applicable). More information on English proficiency requirements can be found on the International Applicants page.

To receive full admission to graduate study in computer science, a student must have taken intermediate-level undergraduate computer science, including:

• Procedural Programming
• Object-Oriented Programming
• Discrete Mathematics
• Algorithms and Data Structures
• Computer Organization
• Operating Systems

An applicant with minimal deficiencies may be admitted with prerequisites, while one with several deficiencies may be required to satisfactorily complete prerequisite work as a non-degree student prior to admission as a graduate student. Students with no formal background are encouraged to apply to the Master of Applied Computing (MAC) program.

How to Apply

Students interested in applying to the SOC masters program must be accepted to the Clemson University Graduate School. Application information and forms can be found on the Graduate School website. International students are welcome to apply and must meet Graduate School requirements for TOEFL and GRE scores.

Questions

Send all questions to mscs@clemson.edu. We aim to respond within 1-2 business days!

Additional information concerning deadlines and program contacts can be found in the School of Computing Graduate Handbook.