DePaul’s MS in computer science offers an exciting opportunity to expand your technical skills—or enter the computing field—and take your career to the next level. 

DePaul is a perfect place to earn your master’s in computer science:

The ability to design your degree. DePaul sets itself apart with the ability to customize your MS in computer science to your interests. Cybersecurity, app design, AI, data science—whatever your passion, you can tailor your degree to pursue it here.

The flexibility to fit your schedule and learning style. You can complete coursework online, on campus or a mix of both, based on your schedule and preference. With professors trained in online teaching and focused on your success, we offer flexibility without compromising quality.

The DePaul difference. Small classes. Distinguished, you-focused faculty. Practical, real-world focus, with exciting opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research projects. A strong reputation among the world’s leading employers, close ties with Chicago’s tech and start-up communities, and a large, accessible alumni network. This is the DePaul difference, here to help you advance in the computer science field.

Degree Requirements

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• Model a computational problem, select appropriate algorithms and data structures for a solution, justify the correctness of the algorithm, and implement an application solving the problem.
• Demonstrate proficiency with fundamental concepts in algorithms, programming languages, software engineering, distributed systems, and databases.
• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge in at least one area of Computer Science.
• Demonstrate the ability to independently learn and master new software development paradigms, algorithms, APIs, and programming languages.

Career Outcomes

93%of reporting School of Computing master’s graduates were employed, continuing education, or not seeking employment within six months of graduation

$80,000median salary reported by School of Computing master’s graduates six months after degree completion

Curriculum Requirements

Introductory Courses

No Introductory Course may be substituted for any other course at any level.

Introductory courses may be waived for any of the following conditions based on faculty review:

• The student has the appropriate course work to satisfy an Introductory Course based on an official transcript review by faculty and successful grades, typically B or better.
• The student has appropriate and verified professional experience to satisfy an Introductory Course which is demonstrated through successful completion of a GAE exam.
• If a Graduate Assessment Examination (GAE) is available for the Introductory Courses, upon successfully completion of a GAE, a waiver will be issued.

•  CSC 400 Discrete Structures for Computer Science
•  CSC 401 Introduction to Programming
•  CSC 402 Data Structures I
•  CSC 403 Data Structures II
•  CSC 406 Systems I
•  CSC 407 Systems II

Foundation Courses

•  CSC 421 Applied Algorithms and Structures
•  CSC 435 Distributed Systems I
•  CSC 447 Concepts of Programming Languages
•  CSC 453 Principles of Database Management Systems
•  SE 450 Object-Oriented Software Development
  or  SE 456 Architecture of Real-Time Systems

Major Elective Courses

Graduates of the MS in Computer Science program must be proficient in the at least one broad area of Computer Science listed below. For this reason students will take the remaining 32 credit hours from elective courses as follows:

• 16 credit hours from courses from one area
• 16 additional credit hours from courses from any area. Including the option to take the SE Studio capstone the 2-course GAM studio sequence, the 1-course CS capstone, the Research Colloquium course, or write an MS Thesis, or develop an MS Research Project.

The courses in each area are listed below. The Independent Study courses (CSC 695) may be taken for up to 8 credits and at most 4 credit hours of CSC 695 can count towards the chosen area.

Areas

Software and Systems Development

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Theory

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Data Science

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Database Systems

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Artificial Intelligence

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Software Engineering

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Game and Real-Time Systems

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Human-Computer Interaction

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Research and Thesis Options

As part of their electives, students have the option of signing up for the Research Colloquium, or completing a Research Project, or writing a Master Thesis, or participating in a Graduate Internship.

Research Colloquium

 

Master's Research

 

Master's Thesis

 

Graduate Internship

 

 

Degree Requirements

Students in this degree program must meet the following requirements:

• Complete a minimum of 52 graduate credit hours in addition to any required introductory courses of the designated degree program.
• Complete all graduate courses and requirements listed in the designated degree program.
• Earn a grade of C- or better in all courses of the designated degree program.
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Students pursuing a second (or more) graduate degree may not double count or retake any course that applied toward the completion of a prior graduate degree. If a required course in the second degree was already completed and applied toward a previous degree, the student must meet with a faculty advisor to discuss a new course to be completed and substituted in the new degree. This rule also applies to cross-listed courses, which are considered to be the same course but offered under different subjects.
• Students pursuing a second master's degree must complete a minimum of 52 graduate credit hours beyond their first designated degree program in addition to any required introductory courses in their second designated degree program.

Students with a GPA of 3.9 or higher will graduate with distinction.

For DePaul's policy on repeat graduate courses and a complete list of academic policies see the DePaul Graduate Handbook in the Course Catalog.