georgetown university phd computer science

Georgetown University PhD in Computer Science

How much does a doctorate in computer science from georgetown cost, georgetown graduate tuition and fees.

Does Georgetown Offer an Online PhD in Computer Science?

Georgetown doctorate student diversity for computer science, male-to-female ratio.

Of the students who received their doctor’s degree in computer science in 2019-2020, 50.0% of them were women. This is higher than the nationwide number of 19.1%.

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

Of those students who received a doctor’s degree at Georgetown in computer science at 2019-2020, none were racial-ethnic minorities*.

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Computer Science

The Computer Science Department offers five academic programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (B.S.)
• Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science (A.B.)
• Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science, Ethics, and Society (CSES)

Concentration in Technology, Ethics, and Society

Minor in computer science.

The B.S. degree is the most technical undergraduate degree in computer science. The A.B. degree has fewer requirements than the B.S. degree, and so it can be ideal for combining computer science with another rigorous course of study. The CSES major integrates technical training in computer science with study in digital ethics, law, and policy. The Concentration in Technology, Ethics, and Society provides a pathway for B.S. and A.B. students to obtain exposure to and literacy in the ethical, legal, and social implications of their field. Finally, the Minor lets students studying fields other than CS develop technical expertise in computer science. Like most universities, Georgetown designs its undergraduate programs in computer science to conform with the ACM-IEEE guidelines on undergraduate computer science education.

Majors in Computer Science

The B.S. program has nineteen required courses, and the A.B., thirteen. The difference in requirements between the B.S. and A.B. comes from reducing the number of required mathematics courses from five to three and reducing the number of required computer science courses from fourteen to ten.

Both the B.S. and A.B. programs share the core sequence of Computer Science I and II, Mathematical Methods for Computer Science, Data Structures, Advanced Programming, and Introduction to Algorithms, which prepares students to take any upper-level computer science elective. At this point the two programs diverge. B.S. students must take Computational Structures, Programming Languages, and Operating Systems, which provides these students with the required breadth of understanding of the field. Students intending to pursue postgraduate studies or seeking employment in most traditional areas of computer science are encouraged to pursue the B.S. option. B.S. and A.B. students are encouraged to complete a senior thesis. Finally, B.S. and A.B. students have the option of adding to their majors the Concentration in Technology, Ethics, and Society.

The A.B. in Computer Science, Ethics, & Society (CSES) combines strong, A.B.-level technical training in CS with deep study of the ethical and policy challenges relevant to CS, as well as tools and frameworks to build responsible practices and governance. Students interested in this major might include, for example, those who want to go on to Law School to specialize in Technology Law; master’s programs in Public Policy to specialize in Tech Policy; or simply have a deep interest in understanding the technical, social, and ethical issues at the heart of computer science developments that are reshaping society. A key commitment of this major is attention to integration and application of ethical considerations within CS work. The CSES major is a modified version of the A.B. that: reduces the number of CS electives, adds electives specifically related to digital ethics, changes the required math course from Calculus to Probability and Statistics (MATH-1040), and adds a required Introduction to Tech, Ethics, and Society course, Digital Law & Policy course, and a project-based Senior Capstone course.

All of the major programs require elective courses in computer science. B.S. students must take five, A.B. students must take four, and CSES students must take two, although CSES students also take elective courses in TES. The CS elective courses for these programs are the same, although A.B. and CSES students can take the additional required courses for the B.S. program as electives. Students in these programs can take graduate-level courses as electives with the permission of the instructor. Students in these programs can also, with the approval of the department’s undergraduate curriculum committee, satisfy one elective requirement by taking one course with significant computational content from another department or program. There is also the option of pursuing independent study through research or reading tutorials under the direction of a member of the faculty as elective courses.

Requirements for the B.S. in Computer Science

• Computer Science I and II (COSC-1020, 1030)
• Students pursuing a major or minor in mathematics who take Introduction to Proofs and Problem Solving (MATH-2800) may elect to substitute one COSC elective for COSC-1110.
• Calculus I and II (MATH-1350, 1360)

Second Year

• Data Structures (COSC-2010)
• Advanced Programming (COSC-2020)
• Three additional math electives from: Graph Theory (MATH-2010), Combinatorics (MATH-2020), Introduction to Mathematical Statistics (MATH-2140), Linear Algebra (MATH-2250), Multivariable Calculus (MATH-2370), Regression Analysis (MATH-2540), Advanced Regression Methods (MATH-2640), Abstract Algebra (MATH-3210), and Symbolic Logic (PHIL-4000). Alternatives to MATH-2140 are allowable; these include Economic Statistics (ECON-2110), Analysis of Political Data I (GOVT-2201), Business Statistics (OPAN-2101), or Quantitative Methods for International Politics (IPOL-3270).

Third and Fourth Years

• Computational Structures (COSC-2310)
• Introduction to Algorithms (COSC-3200)
• Programming Languages (COSC-3010)
• Operating Systems (COSC-3020)
• Five electives, which must be COSC courses numbered 2000 or higher, or an approved external elective (described below)
• Optional: Senior Thesis (described below)

Requirements for the A.B. in Computer Science

• Calculus I (MATH-1350)
• Two additional math electives from: Calculus II (MATH-1360), Graph Theory (MATH-2010), Combinatorics (MATH-2020), Introduction to Mathematical Statistics (MATH-2140), Linear Algebra (MATH-2250), Multivariable Calculus (MATH-2370), Regression Analysis (MATH-2540), Advanced Regression Methods (MATH-2640), Abstract Algebra (MATH-3210), and Symbolic Logic (PHIL-4000). Alternatives to MATH-2140 are allowable; these include Economic Statistics (ECON-2110), Analysis of Political Data I (GOVT-2201), Business Statistics (OPAN-2101), or Quantitative Methods for International Politics (IPOL-3270).
• Four electives, which must be COSC courses numbered 2000 or higher, or an approved external elective (described below)

Requirements for the A.B. in Computer Science, Ethics, and Society

• Introduction to Technology, Ethics, and Society (PHIL-2100)
• Probability and Statistics (MATH-1040)
• One course in Technology Law or Policy
• One Philosophy (or Ethics) course in Digital Ethics
• One COSC elective, which must be COSC courses numbered 2000 or higher, or an approved external elective (described below)

Fourth Year

• One COSC elective
• Two TES electives (totaling at least 6 credit hours), one of which may be substituted with a COSC elective
• Senior Capstone in Tech, Ethics, and Society

A list of the approved ethics-related electives and philosophy courses that satisfy the above requirements is maintained on the program website.

The Tech, Ethics, & Society Concentration for CS majors provides a pathway for even highly technically-minded CS students to gain exposure and literacy in the ethical, legal, and social implications of their field. This concentration is open to both A.B. and B.S. CS majors. It requires the completion of the following three courses taken in addition to the courses already required by the respective major:

• Introduction to Tech, Ethics, and Society (PHIL-2100) 
• Either: a philosophy course related to Digital Ethics or Digital Law & Policy 
• An additional Tech, Ethics, and Society elective

A list of approved ethics-related elective and philosophy courses is maintained on the program website.

External Electives

Students can elect to substitute one course from another department or program for one computer science elective. The external elective must contain significant computational content and can not count toward any other degree requirements. Students who want such a course to count as an elective must obtain approval from the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS). Students are strongly advised to obtain approval before taking the course to be certain it will count as an elective. The department maintains a list of approved external electives on its website. There is an exception for students who have been accepted to the Accelerated Master’s Program in Data Science and Analytics (DSAN); they may double count one of their DSAN courses as their one external elective.

Senior Thesis

The senior thesis is an opportunity for students to conduct research in computer science. Students complete a senior thesis by pursuing a research project, writing a substantial senior thesis, and presenting the thesis publicly. Students interested in this option must apply to individual faculty members. If accepted, the faculty member serves as the thesis advisor and oversees the project. The advisor and the student pick a thesis committee consisting of two additional faculty members. Once completed, the committee determines if the thesis is acceptable. The student must present their approved thesis publicly. If the committee approves the presentation and final version of the thesis, then it is published as a technical report, and the student’s transcript is annotated to indicate that they completed a senior thesis in computer science. Students have the option of obtaining credit for their thesis work by registering for a three-credit Research Tutorial with their faculty advisor. The tutorial can have the title “Senior Thesis Research”. It counts as one computer science elective.

Graduating with Honors in Computer Science

Students who meet the following criteria may graduate with honors in computer science:

• Complete the B.S. in computer science
• Graduate with a 3.67 overall grade-point average and a 3.67 grade-point average in computer science classes
• Complete a senior thesis approved by the thesis committee

A student who does not meet the above criteria may petition the faculty for consideration to graduate with honors. Petitions must be submitted to the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) by April 1st for spring graduates and November 1st for fall graduates.

Accelerated B.S./M.S. in Computer Science

The Department offers an accelerated master’s degree that lets qualified B.S. students complete a Master of Science (M.S.) degree by extending their studies to a fifth year. Students should apply in the spring semester of their junior year. If accepted, students designate two courses that apply to both the B.S. and M.S. degrees.

Students complete the degree requirements by taking two required core and six elective graduate courses. Students can take two of these courses during their senior year as an undergraduate. For more information about the program, see the Department’s web site, or contact the Department’s Director of Graduate Studies.

Requirements for the Minor

To complete the minor, students must complete six courses: Computer Science I and II (COSC-1020, 1030), Mathematical Methods for Computer Science (COSC-1110), Data Structures (COSC-2010), and any two computer science electives from the undergraduate courses numbered between 2000 and 4999. Students pursuing a major or minor in mathematics who take Introduction to Proofs and Problem Solving (MATH-2800) may elect to substitute one COSC elective for COSC-1110. Students pursuing the minor can not take graduate-level courses numbered 5000 and above.

Procedure for Undergraduate Curriculum-Related Requests

Students who have requests relating to curricular matters should first consult with their departmental advisor before forwarding the request to their program director. CSES majors should contact the CSES Program Director. Students pursuing the B.S., A.B., or the minor should contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS). Students without a departmental advisor can submit their requests directly to the DUS. Requests include course approvals, course substitutions, tutorial requests, proposals for study abroad, external electives, Consortium courses, and the like.

Contacts and Additional Information

For contacts and additional information, please see the Department Web site ( https://cs.georgetown.edu/ ). This information includes the honor policy for CS courses, undergraduate learning goals, integrated writing in computer science, the prerequisite structure for undergraduate courses, and answers to frequently-asked questions.

For course listings for Computer Science, see the Schedule of Classes .

Copyright © 2019 Mark Maloof. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Applied Economics, Master’s

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Applied Mathematics, Doctorate

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Applied Ophthalmic Personnel Training, Certificate

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Arabic & Islamic Studies, Master’s

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Art & Museum Studies, Master’s

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Georgetown University Fully Funded PhD Program in Computer Science

Georgetown university department of computer science.

Georgetown University in Washington DC offers a fully funded PhD Program in Computer Science. PhD students first complete the coursework of the master’s degree to build a solid foundation in computer science. Once this is complete students choose a concentration in computer and network security, cryptography, information search and retrieval, machine learning, data mining, natural language processing, networking, distributed systems,  or parallel and distributed algorithms. Students conduct independent research in these fields under an advisor to complete the PhD. Doctoral students are fully supported through scholarships and research assistantships. Priority deadline in December.

• Deadline: Jan 15, 2025 (Confirmed)*
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• Location: North America
• Citizenship: Any
• Residency: United States

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Georgetown University

Prospective incoming graduate students interested in pursuing the cognitive science concentration at Georgetown may apply simultaneously to the new interdepartmental concentration and to the participating Ph.D. program closest to their interests (Computer Science, Linguistics, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Psychology, or Spanish & Portuguese). Applications will be reviewed by the admissions committee in the existing Ph.D. program as well as by an admissions panel for the interdisciplinary concentration. The most appropriate applicants will be admitted by both the interdisciplinary concentration and by the relevant Ph.D. program.

In addition, advanced graduate students already matriculated in one of the relevant Ph.D. programs may apply to the interdisciplinary concentration no later than the Spring of their 2nd year and can be admitted if approved by both the interdisciplinary concentration and their current Ph.D. program, and if a coherent plan for completing the concentration and the major Ph.D. can still be completed.

All applicants, whether applying to the concentration at the same time as to their major Ph.D. program or later, must present statement of purpose, saying why they want to join the concentration, and a plan for interdisciplinary research throughout their doctoral studies.

How to Apply

For prospective incoming graduate students applying to georgetown:.

The application deadline is December 1st for admission the following Fall.

When applying to one of the participating Ph.D. programs online, you will be asked if you are interested also in applying to the Cognitive Science Concentration.  If so, a checkmark will open a window where you can add a Cognitive Science statement to express your interdisciplinary interests, the training you seek, and the type of research in cognitive science you hope to do.  Your application will then be jointly reviewed by the Ph.D. program to which you have applied and by the Concentration in Cognitive Science.

For current graduate students at Georgetown:

Please contact Elissa Newport or Abby Marsh, co-directors of the concentration, and submit your Cognitive Science statement to them.

Elissa Newport, Ph.D. Co-Director, ICCS [email protected]

Abigail Marsh, Ph.D. Co-Director, ICCS [email protected]

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Ph.D. in Computer Science

Program overview.

The Ph.D. in Computer Science aims to build the next generation of scholars in computer science research. At GW, doctoral students can expect to work closely with a faculty advisor in their chosen research area to create a curriculum plan and guidance for the doctoral dissertation. Students will also be expected to teach introductory-level courses to undergraduates, present conference papers, and work with faculty on research grant applications.

Top research areas of the department:

• Algorithms and theory
• Computer architecture, networks, parallel and distributed computing
• Computer security and information assurance
• Database and information retrieval systems
• Machine intelligence and cognition
• Multimedia, animation, graphics and user interface
• Software engineering and systems

With its unique location of Washington, D.C., GW maintains access and connections to one of the highest concentrations of tech companies in the country, as well as research-granting federal institutes, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), NASA , National Institute of Standards and Technology  and the Naval Research Laboratory . 

Faculty Advisor & Research Area

We strongly recommend that prospective doctoral students determine a faculty member in the department with whom they would like to work, as well as the research area of interest.

Download Faculty & Research Factsheet (PDF)

Please visit the GW Bulletin to see a description of the program requirements.

PhD Course Guidelines:

PhD students must work with their advisors to develop a program of study that meets the following requirements.

• For direct Ph.D. degree students: 54 credit hours (minimum of 18 credit hours of course work available for graduate credit and minimum of 12 credit hours of dissertation research credits (CSCI 8999)) are required.
• For post-Master’s Ph.D. students: 18 credit hours of course work available for graduate credit and 12 credit hours of dissertation research credits (CSCI 8999) are required.
• A maximum of 15 credits outside of the department for direct Ph.D. students; a maximum of 9 credits outside of the department for post-Master’s Ph.D. students.

PhD Dissertation Advisor and Co-advisor(s):  Every PhD dissertation must be supervised by a faculty advisor who must be (1) a regular full-time faculty member of GW with a primary or secondary appointment in the CS Department, or (2) a research faculty member of the CS Department. Besides the dissertation advisor, a PhD student can have one or more co-advisor(s), who may be full-time or part-time faculty at GW, or professionals from outside the university. Co-advisors are expected to hold a terminal degree.

Admissions Requirements

• If applicant has obtained a master’s degree, a minimum grade point average of 3.5 (on a scale of 4.0) is required.
• If applicant has only obtained a bachelor’s degree, the minimum grade point average must be a 3.3 (on a scale of 4.0).
• Completion of two math courses beyond pre-calculus.
• Strong academic background that includes courses in structured programming language, discrete structures and data structures.
• Successful submission of online application form, exam scores and other documents as outlined in the  admissions requirements .

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Doctoral Degree

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Applying to a doctoral program is a big step. So, to make the process as simple and straightforward as possible, we've put together a helpful checklist for your reference as you complete your application.

Application Opens—Sep 15

• Final Deadline—Apr 1

Application Checklist

Completed online application.

Our application is conveniently located online for you to complete at your own pace. There is a $50, non-refundable fee.

Statement of Purpose

Please write an essay (four to five pages, double-spaced) indicating why you are seeking acceptance into the Doctor of Liberal Studies degree program. To strengthen your essay, it is recommended that you identify possible faculty members, courses, or areas of study within the program as well as across the University, that could support your anticipated doctoral thesis proposal.

Two Academic Papers

Please submit two academic papers, preferably from different disciplines. The applicant's name and the degree for which the paper was written must be written clearly on the first page of each paper. Other examples of writing may be substituted with approval from the Director of the Doctor of Liberal Studies program.

Resume or CV

Please submit an up-to-date version of your resume or CV.

Three Letters of Recommendation

Through the online application portal, you will be prompted to provide the contact information of three recommenders. They will then receive an electronic request with instructions for submitting a recommendation through the application portal. The email will be sent immediately upon saving your application.

• While we accept a variety of recommendation types, academic letters of recommendation are preferred due to the emphasis on pedagogy in this program. We will, however, accept recommendations from former supervisors or professional associates capable of appraising your academic and professional capabilities, and your present ability to pursue independent graduate work.
• Recommenders can submit their letters before you submit your application.

Transcripts from Previously Attended Undergraduate and Graduate Level Institutions

Applicants who attended a U.S. institution must submit (official or unofficial) transcripts from:

• all undergraduate institutions where 16 or more credits were earned
• all graduate institutions where any credit was earned

Applicants who attended an international institution must submit:

• an official course-by-course evaluation of any undergraduate and/or graduate level coursework from SpanTran/TEC , WES , or ECE

In order to ensure that U.S. accreditation standards, degree, course, and credit equivalencies are met, transcripts from higher education institutions outside the U.S. must be evaluated by a recognized foreign educational credential evaluator from the list below:

• SpanTran/TEC: The Evaluation Company
• World Education Services (WES)
• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)

When necessary, please indicate [email protected] as the intended recipient of the official course-by-course evaluation.

The Office of Admissions can request a transcript from a study abroad program or an official course-by-course evaluation if deemed necessary during the review of an admissions application. In certain cases, students who have participated in a formal study abroad program through their home institution may not need to submit a separate transcript from their visiting school. Please contact the Office of Admissions for more information regarding your particular circumstances.

Applicants who are enrolled in their final semester or quarter of their undergraduate degree can apply to a graduate program beginning in the Spring, Summer, or Fall semester (or as the program is offered). These applicants must provide a transcript or course-by-course evaluation which lists the courses in progress for their final term and must state an expected graduation month and year in order to be considered for admission.

If an applicant has been admitted and would like to enroll, an official transcript or course-by-course evaluation is required from every institution(s) where an applicant has earned a bachelor’s degree or taken any graduate-level coursework. The official transcript(s) and/or course-by-course evaluation must show proof of degree conferral and be sent to the Georgetown SCS Office of Admissions prior to the start of the term to which an applicant was admitted.

Preferred Method - Electronic (Select One Method):

• Send it through an electronic service - National Student Clearinghouse or Parchment , if available.
• Have your institution(s)'s Registrar email us your official transcript(s) to our Admissions Office at: [email protected]

If your institution(s) only offers hard copy transcripts, then by mail:

Georgetown University, School of Continuing Studies Attn: Admissions Office 640 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20001

If your transcript is sent to another school at Georgetown University by mistake, you will need to reorder the transcript and have it sent to the School of Continuing Studies.

All US institutions must be accredited through one of the bodies officially recognized by the US Department of Education .

Please contact the Office of Admissions at [email protected] should you have any specific questions regarding your transcripts or application.

English Language Proficiency Exams

Graduate coursework at Georgetown University is reading- and writing-intensive and requires proficiency in written and spoken English.

All applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose first language is not English or did not earn a degree from an institution where the language of instruction is English are required to complete one of the following English proficiency examinations::

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

• TOEFL iBT MyBest™ scores are accepted for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs.
• TOEFL Essentials exam is not accepted.
• School of Continuing Studies Institution Code: 5986

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

• IELTS: Recommended score of 7.0.

Students should plan well in advance to complete the necessary tests and allow time for the Georgetown SCS Office of Admissions (institution code 5986) to receive the results.

There are additional requirements for international applicants .

How to Choose a Master's Program

Tips for writing a good statement of purpose, how to finance your education, choose your term.

We are transitioning to a new system for applications to the Spring 2019 term and later. Please select the term of your application:

• Fall 2018 or earlier
• Spring 2019 or later

Ph.D. Fellowships

Graduate School Ph.D. fellowship stipends are merit-based stipends provided without a service obligation. They are also referred to as “non-service stipends.” Students may be appointed to a Graduate School Ph.D. fellowship for a full academic year (August through May) or for a single semester. Students holding a Graduate School Ph.D. fellowship appointment in one semester of an academic year may be appointed to a Graduate School Ph.D. assistantship the other semester. Please review the detailed  Financial Support Policies and Procedures  webpage,  especially the Recipient Obligations Statement  posted to that page. Topics Covered

• Details & Restrictions

Requirements

Payment schedule, taxes and ids.

• International Tax Documentation Check-List

Stipend Details

Ph.d. stipend rate (academic year 2024-2025): $38,950.

• Fall Semester (August – December): $19,475
• Spring Semester (January – May): $19,475
• Summer Semester: Not Guaranteed (Departmental Discretion)*

* Some academic programs may independently provide a summer stipend. Please contact your program for more information. Academic programs award fellowships based on merit and not financial need .

Restrictions

• Students may not work at Georgetown or hold a Ph.D. assistantship for the duration of the Ph.D. fellowship award.
• Students must make satisfactory progress toward a Graduate School degree, as determined by their academic program and the Graduate School.
• Students are required to be enrolled full-time as a condition of their Ph.D. fellowship award.

Unsatisfactory degree progress or violations of academic integrity may result in termination of your Ph.D. fellowship stipend and retroactive revocation of any scholarship for the current semester. In other words, you may become responsible for the full tuition and fees for that semester.

Ph.D. fellowship awards (non-service stipends) are distributed at the beginning of each semester.

For information on taxes and stipends, visit the Tax Department  website.

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

Fellowship stipends for U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents will not be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by the university. No W-2 or other document will be distributed for the non-service awards. The only record you will have of the award are your bank statements.

International Students

Georgetown University is required to report Ph.D. fellowships for international students to the Internal Revenue Service. International students are required to meet with the Tax Department to complete all necessary tax paperwork. Reference this Tax Department webpage on the Office of the Chief Financial Officer’s website in preparation. International students may also be required to obtain either a U.S. Social Security Number or IRS Individual Taxpayer ID number. Check with the  Office of Global Services  and the Tax Department.

International Ph.D. Fellowship Tax

Visit the International Tax webpage . Please remember to :

• Visit the Tax Department website to review required documentation
• ​ Copy of the signed Graduate School award letter
• Clear  photocopy  of  Passport  (picture page)
• Completed, signed and dated  Foreign National Information Form
• Clear copy of either I-20 or DS-2019 form (required for F or J Visa holders)
• Signed and dated Form  W-8BEN​
• Save signed award letter and all required tax documentation as a PDF file and send to Lawrence Smith labeled exactly as follows: “[Legal Last Name], [Legal First Name] Graduate Non-Service Stipend” and email to:   [email protected]

Engineering

Computer science, master of science in computer science.

Accelerate your upward career mobility with a master’s degree in computer science from the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) College of Engineering. We are among the best graduate programs in the nation as ranked by U.S. News and World Report . Combined with our industry connections and access to Richmond-area businesses, VCU Engineering is a solid choice for your continuing education.

More technology focused than traditional engineering tracks, the VCU Engineering master’s degree in computer science emphasizes self development of individuals currently engaged in science-, technology- and engineering-related fields. Both the theoretical and applied aspects of computer science are emphasized in this program, which encompasses the design, development and utilization of computers and software.

What you’ll learn

Our 30-credit program can be completed in about two years by full time students and allows students to specialize in areas of computer science like:

• Artificial intelligence
• Bioinformatics
• Cloud computing
• Cybersecurity, robotics
• Data mining
• Data science
• High performance
• Machine learning
• Natural language processing
• Software engineering
• Virtual reality

You will develop the advanced software design and problem solving skills sought by many employers. By applying creativity to form innovative solutions, master’s program students will use their knowledge to solve technological problems to meet the needs of our changing society and advance the quality of human life.

The VCU College of Engineering is etched into the landscape of Richmond, giving students access to a culturally vibrant and diverse city full of potential. We focus on developing close partnerships with public institutions and private businesses in order to give you unique learning and job opportunities.

Master’s program students also have access to benefits like:

• Faculty who are industry experts , finding innovative solutions in their fields with well-funded labs and industry partnerships
• Design your own path to education with flexible electives and focus on computer science and engineering topics you are passionate about
• Dedicated Career Services department that provides internship and employment opportunities
• Industry connections through college partnerships with public and private industry
• Interdisciplinary education to teach collaboration with engineering practitioners outside your field of stud

Reference the VCU Bulletin for a full list of computer science classes. Master’s program courses are 500 level and above (for example, EGMN 605). Below are a few signature courses from the program:

• Advanced Algorithms (CMSC501): Dive into advanced graph algorithms, advanced data structures, applied numerical algorithms, optimization methods, approximation methods for hard graph and string problems and computational geometry algorithms.
• High Performance Distributed Systems (CMSC603): Understand the concepts underlying distributed systems and analyze problems to identify performance bottlenecks, parallelization opportunities and concurrency issues in a distributed environment. Create distributed and scalable implementations using multiple hosts/GPUs while designing and implementing algorithms using Hadoop, Spark and CUDA.
• Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (CMSC635): Learn knowledge discovery and data mining concepts, tools and methods with hands-on projects involving analysis of large, real-life data. Topics include the knowledge discovery process; data storage and representation; preprocessing algorithms for missing data imputation; feature selection and discretization; unsupervised learning algorithms for clustering and association mining; supervised learning algorithms including decision trees; Bayesian models and introduction to support vector machines and neural networks; ensemble learning; protocols and measures for validation of predictive models; and data security and privacy issues.
• Artificial Neural Networks and Deep Learning (CMSC636): Become familiar in a range of topics like fundamental learning rules; functional, cascade correlational, recurrent and gradient descent networks; neocognition, softmax, deep convolutional networks; autoencoders; and pre-trained deep learning (restricted Boltzmann machines).

A graduate degree in computer science can facilitate career advancement in a number of industries like:

• Commercial banking and credit
• Information technology
• Internet and telecommunications
• Investment banking

Consider possibilities like:

• Computer systems analyst: Computer systems analysts, or systems analysts, help organizations use computer technology efficiently and effectively. They analyze present systems or processes to identify areas of improvement, make recommendations and provide cost-benefit analyses to determine whether to upgrade or replace systems.
• Cyber security engineering director: A cyber security engineer develops and implements an organization's security protocols and systems. They often identify security solutions, develop and implement defense layers, respond to attempts at network intrusion, configure and install detection systems and firewalls. Security engineers often also test system defenses, software and hardware.
• Senior software developer: A senior software developer designs applications or software a user may use to perform a specific task. This may be a specific application or software or it may be a larger system or network related to control or device networks. Senior software developers often assess and improve systems, write new code, develop operational manuals and submit progress reports for the project.

With the help of our Career Services team, VCU College of Engineering graduates have many opportunities to network with alumni and industry professionals. Our students work at companies like:

• Black Knight Technology Inc.
• Blue River Technology
• Capital One
• CoStar Group
• Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
• Micron Technology Inc.
• MITRE Corporation
• NT Concepts

How to apply

VCU offers an online, self-managed application process. See what’s needed to apply for an engineering graduate program and reference our list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) .

Start your application