When we designed our Master of Science in Computer Science at Monroe College’s King Graduate School, we did it with experienced students in mind: people who have already earned an undergraduate degree in a related major, or who might already be working professionals in the field.
That means we designed it for busy people — and busy people need flexibility. Many of our students have responsibilities to their jobs, families, and more. Whatever your responsibilities might be, they don’t have to keep you from furthering your education. Our online Computer Science Master’s Degree is every bit as comprehensive as our on-campus program.
As an online Computer Science (CS) student, you’ll delve into cutting-edge theories and practices in the fields of cybersecurity, data mining, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and more. You’ll build on the knowledge you already have, build new skills in the process, and take the next big step in your computer science career.
According to projections by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in computer science might grow by a rate of 15% in the coming years: three timesthe average rate of all other occupations. That means that each year, there could be 415,000 job openings in the field.
From data analysis to machine learning, an MS in Computer Science will prepare you to work with the most in-demand technologies of both today and tomorrow. To advance your career, you need advanced skills — and that means getting an advanced degree.
Curriculum
As a master’s candidate, you’ll take the same classes that our on campus students do — you’ll just be doing it on a schedule that works for you. You’ll also learn from the same instructors: leaders in the CS field who know firsthand how to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Drawing on their years of experience, they’ll lead you through advanced concepts in the following:
Operating system (OS) & software design
Database design & management
Data mining
Artificial intelligence
Computer architecture
Mobile computing
Networking & cybersecurity
Cloud computing
Web design & e-commerce
Project management
You’ll increase your proficiency in programming languages like C++, Java, Python, and SQL (Structured Query Language) through project-based learning, all of which will culminate in a thesis or special project in computer science.
Students without an undergraduate degree in computer science or a related field may be required to take prerequisite foundation courses before beginning the Master’s program.
How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online Master’s in Computer Science?
As a full-time student, you can finish your degree in less than a year and a half: just four (4) semesters.
Computer Science Master’s Requirements:
The MS Computer Science program consists of 36 total credits, including:
21 credits of required core courses
9 elective credits
6 thesis/project credits
Students who want to supplement their graduate Computer Science courses with practical experience can also enroll in the professional experience track, consisting of two (2) single-credit internships. We also offer on campus and hybrid study options.
Businesses everywhere use large, complex data sets, known as big data, to develop effective sales and marketing strategies. Making sense of all that raw data requires data mining: using software to look for and identify patterns in a vast sea of information. This course takes students through the fundamental principles of data querying, data analysis, inferential statistics, and classification, then shows them how to implement creative solutions to real-world problems.
Applicants to the online Master’s in Computer Science must fulfill the following admissions requirements:
Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution of higher education.
Candidates must submit:
A completed application for admission.
A 500-word essay describing your career goals and why you want to pursue a master’s degree.
A current résumé.
Transcripts from all prior educational institutions attended.
Two (2) professional letters of recommendation.
Computer Science candidates must also participate in a pre-admission interview.
Applicants without a professional or academic background in computers might also be required to take certain foundation core courses before beginning the program.
At Monroe, we believe a quality education should be an affordableeducation, and that’s why you’ll never be left to figure out financial aid on your own. That’s why, year after year, we rank as one of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Value Schools in Regional Universities North.
Not only do we offer affordabletuition and feesalong with manageable payment plans, but we provide every student with a dedicatedfinancial aid counselor who will help them secure every grant, scholarship, and loan for which they qualify. And if you’re an employee at one of our more than 400 corporate partners, you may be eligible for a grant that covers up to 20% of your tuition costs.
Your Future Computer Science Career
Even if you already have years of experience as a working professional, an MS in Computer Science will arm you with an advanced new skill set. You’ll be prepared for careers that include:
Computer network architect
Computer and information research scientist
Computer and information systems manager
Software engineer
Database administrator
Data analytics director
Computer hardware engineer
Information security analyst
Cybersecurity analyst
IT consultant
Earning your Master’s in Computer Science can also help you work toward leadership positions, such as chief technology officer (CTO) and chief information officer (CIO), which often require advanced degrees.
Professional Opportunities
You’ll also be able to put your new skills to the test in real-world environments, thanks to the many opportunities in one of the world’s greatest cities for tech innovation. Here are just a few of the companies where Monroe students have earned internships:
Amazon
Apple
Cisco
Google
IBM
Infosys
The New York Times
PepsiCo
Salesforce
Verizon Wireless
Monroe also hosts extracurricular organizations for both undergraduate and graduate students studying technology:
We sponsor a chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), which holds competitions, seminars, lectures, workshops, and networking opportunities regularly throughout the year. Headquartered in New York, ACM is the world’s largest educational and scientific computing society.
Monroe’s Information Technology Student Association (ITSA) holds weekly meetings where students can share what they’ve learned with each other. Members also have the opportunity to volunteer their services to businesses in the surrounding community.
Discover What You Can Achieve
In many ways, the online experience is ideal for a degree in Computer Science. At the King Graduate School, we believe you should be able to use technology in order to master it.
