St. Cloud State University Masters Degrees in Computer Science

The Computer Science program will introduce you to core areas of advanced computing architecture, advanced operating systems and theories and algorithms used in computing. You will conduct advanced research in software engineering, systems or artificial intelligence as you learn high-demand skills sought by industry.

Program Highlights

State-of-the-art computing facilities including the Integrated Engineering Science and Laboratory Facility (ISELF) Visualization Lab, Sunfire 280R running Solaris, several workstations running Windows and Linux and supercomputing facilities in the Twin Cities.
Five to seven graduate assistantship positions each year.
Research and project labs are equipped with Sun, Silicon Graphics and DEC Alpha workstations.
Program is offered on a part-time or full-time track.

Program Distinctions

Graduates have gone on to work for Amazon, Google, Guidant, Medtronics, IBM, Beckman Coulter and Thomson Reuters among others. They have also continued on to Ph.D. programs where they have been awarded assistantships.
Taught by 13 internationally-recognized faculty members.

Requirements and Details

The GRE is required.

A strong showing (more than 75th percentile) in the quantitative GRE score is essential.
A strong score in the verbal section is also important.
Admission is competitive.

Positive letters of recommendation are important, as is a solid undergraduate academic record.

Lack of a computer science background is usually not a major concern, since prerequisite courses are prescribed. However, a background in the sciences and mathematics is essential.

Admission decisions are made at specific times associated with the application deadlines, usually in the week following the deadlines.

A final admission decision may take up to three weeks to receive from the application deadline and up to ten weeks for I-20s to be issued to international students.

Fully-qualified applicants will have taken courses that cover the following topics:

Non-linear data structures: sorting and searching algorithms.
Computer architecture: hardware organization, I/O interface, interrupt mechanisms and pipeline processor design.
File systems; hashed indexed, ISAM files; B-trees; external sorting.
Programming languages: design and implementation.
Operating systems: process, memory and file system management, device handlers.
Finite mathematics and modern algebra.

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This comprehensive, interdisciplinary program will prepare you as an expert in information assurance. You will be equipped with information security technologies and knowledge to support and protect the nation's information infrastructure and conduct advanced research. You will develop skills in both management and technical areas.

Program Highlights

Students eligible to apply for the ​​Scholarship for Service ​scholarship from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Homeland Security, a two-year grant that includes a $64,000 stipend, tuition, books, health insurance and travel to a cybersecurity job fair.
Offered as a five year undergraduate/graduate combined program through the Information Systems Track.
Designed for part-time or full-time students.
Pre-requisite courses are available for those lacking an information systems or computer science background.
Offered through the Department of Information Systems together with the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology.
Five-year track students are eligible to apply for one of 45 National Science Foundation STEM scholarships, a two-year grant that includes a $12,000 stipend.

Program Distinctions

All faculty hold a Ph.D. in their field.
Designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cybersecurity by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.
Designed using the Association for Computing and Machinery Model Curriculum and Guidelines and the National Security Agency Guidelines and Requirements.

Requirements and Details

A baccalaureate degree in information systems, computer science, computer engineering, computer networking, telecommunication or related programs is preferred.

Lack of an information systems or computer science background is usually not a major concern, since prerequisite courses are available if needed.

A background in the sciences and mathematics is essential.

Strong communication skills, verbal and written are needed for coursework demands.

Fully-qualified applicants will have taken courses that cover the following topics:

Database modeling, network structure/architecture
Operating systems, theory
Discrete structures and one year of programming
Statistics

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