computer science phd courses

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Academics   /   Graduate PhD in Computer Science

The doctor of philosophy in computer science program at Northwestern University primarily prepares students to become expert independent researchers. PhD students conduct original transformational research in extant and emerging computer science topics. Students work alongside top researchers to advance the core CS fields from Theory to AI and Systems and Networking . In addition, PhD students have the opportunity to collaborate with CS+X faculty who are jointly appointed between CS and disciplines including business, law, economics, journalism, and medicine.

Joining a Track

Doctor of philosophy in computer science students follow the course requirements, qualifying exam structure, and thesis process specific to one of five tracks :

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• Computer Engineering

Within each track, students explore many areas of interest, including programming languages , security and privacy and human-computer interaction .

Learn more about computer science research areas

Curriculum and Requirements

The focus of the CS PhD program is learning how to do research by doing research, and students are expected to spend at least 50% of their time on research. Students complete ten graduate curriculum requirements (including COMP_SCI 496: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Computer Science ), and additional course selection is tailored based on individual experience, research track, and interests. Students must also successfully complete a qualifying exam to be admitted to candidacy.

CS PhD Manual Apply now

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Download a PDF program guide about your program of interest and get in contact with our graduate admissions staff.

Request info about the PhD degree

Opportunities for PhD Students

Cognitive science certificate.

Computer science PhD students may earn a specialization in cognitive science by taking six cognitive science courses. In addition to broadening a student’s area of study and improving their resume, students attend cognitive science events and lectures, they can receive conference travel support, and they are exposed to cross-disciplinary exchanges.

The Crown Family Graduate Internship Program

PhD candidates may elect to participate in the Crown Family Graduate Internship Program. This opportunity allows the doctoral candidate to gain practical experience in industry or in national research laboratories in areas closely related to their research.

Management for Scientists and Engineers Certificate Program

The certificate program — jointly offered by The Graduate School and Kellogg School of Management — provides post-candidacy doctoral students with a basic understanding of strategy, finance, risk and uncertainty, marketing, accounting and leadership. Students are introduced to business concepts and specific frameworks for effective management relevant to both for-profit and nonprofit sectors.

Career Paths

Recent graduates of the computer science PhD program are pursuing careers in industry & research labs, academia, and startups.

• Georgia Institute of Technology
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Northeastern
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Rochester
• University of Washington
• Naval Research Laboratory
• Northwestern University

Industry & Research Labs

• Adobe Research
• Narrative Science
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory

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What Students Are Saying

"One great benefit of Northwestern is the collaborative effort of the CS department that enabled me to work on projects involving multiple faculty, each with their own diverse set of expertise.

Northwestern maintains a great balance: you will work on leading research at a top-tier institution, and you won't get lost in the mix."

— Brian Suchy, PhD Candidate, Computer Systems

What Alumni Are Saying

"In the early stage of my PhD program, I took several courses from the Department of Economics and the Kellogg School of Management and, later, I started collaborating with researchers in those areas. The experience taught me how to have an open mind to embrace and work with people with different backgrounds."

— Yiding Feng (PhD '21), postdoctoral researcher, Microsoft Research Lab – New England

Read an alumni profile of Yiding Feng

"My work at IBM Research involves bringing together symbolic and deep learning techniques to solve problems in interpretable, effective ways, which means I must draw upon the research I did at Northwestern quite frequently."

— Maxwell Crouse (PhD '21), AI Research Scientist, IBM Research

Read an alumni profile of Maxwell Crouse

The theory group here is very warm and close-knit. Starting a PhD is daunting, and it is comforting to have a community I can lean on.

— Vaidehi Srinivas, PhD Candidate, CS Theory

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Computer Science, Ph.D.

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We have a thriving Ph.D. program with approximately 80 full-time Ph.D. students hailing from all corners of the world. Most full-time Ph.D. students have scholarships that cover tuition and provide a monthly stipend. Admission is highly competitive. We seek creative, articulate students with undergraduate and master's degrees from top universities worldwide. Our  current research strengths  include data management and analysis, cybersecurity, computer games, visualization, web search, graphics, vision and image processing, and theoretical computer science.

This degree program offers interested students opportunities to do their research abroad, under the supervision of faculty at NYU Shanghai or  NYU Abu Dhabi .

• View the Computer Science Ph.D. program flyer
• Admissions requirements for the Ph.D. Program.
• Find out more about general  Admission Requirements .

To receive a Ph.D. in Computer Science at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, a student must:

• satisfy a breadth course requirement, intended to ensure broad knowledge of computer science,
• satisfy a depth requirement, consisting of an oral qualifying exam presentation with a written report, to ensure the student's ability to do research,
• submit a written thesis proposal and make an oral presentation about the proposal,
• write a Ph.D. thesis that must be approved by a dissertation guidance committee and present an oral thesis defense, and
• satisfy all School of Engineering requirements for the Ph.D. degree, as described in the NYU Tandon School of Engineering bulletin, including graduate study duration, credit points, GPA, and time-to-degree requirements.

Upon entering the program, each student will be assigned an advisor who will guide them in formulating an individual study plan directing their course choice for the first two years. The department will hold an annual Ph.D. Student Assessment Meeting, in which all Ph.D. students will be formally reviewed.

Note: for pre-fall 2015 Ph.D. students, please see the pre-fall 2015 Ph.D. Curriculum.

Program Requirements

Details about Breadth and Depth Requirements, Thesis Proposal and Presentation, and Thesis Defense can be found in the NYU Bulletin.

Program Details

Each incoming Ph.D. student will be assigned to a research advisor, or to an interim advisor, who will provide academic advising until the student has a research advisor. The advisor will meet with the student when the student enters the program to guide the student in formulating an Individual Study Plan. The purpose of the plan is to guide the student’s course choice for the first two years in the program and to ensure that the student meets the breadth requirements. The plan may also specify additional courses to be taken by the student in order to acquire necessary background and expertise. Subsequent changes to the plan must be approved by the advisor.

Sample Plan of Study

In order to obtain a Ph.D. degree, a student must complete a minimum of 75 credits of graduate work beyond the BS degree, including at least 21 credits of dissertation. A Master of Science in Computer Science may be transferred as 30 credits without taking individual courses into consideration. Other graduate coursework in Computer Science may be transferred on a course-by-course basis. Graduate coursework in areas other than Computer Science can be transferred on a course-by-course basis with approval of the Ph.D. Committee (PHDC). The School of Engineering places some limits on the number and types of transfer credits that are available. Applications for transfer credits must be submitted for consideration before the end of the first semester of matriculation. 

All Ph.D. students will be formally reviewed each year in a Ph.D. Student Assessment Meeting. The review is conducted by the entire CSE faculty and includes at least the following items (in no particular order):

• All courses taken, grades received, and GPAs.
• Research productivity: publications, talks, software, systems, etc.
• Faculty input, especially from advisors and committee members.
• Student’s own input.
• Cumulative history of the student's progress.

As a result of the review, each student will be placed in one of the following two categories, by vote of the faculty:

• In Good Standing: The student has performed well in the previous semester and may continue in the Ph.D. program for one more year, assuming satisfactory academic progress is maintained.
• Not in Good Standing: The student has not performed sufficiently well in the previous year. The consequences of not being in good standing will vary, and may include being placed on probation, losing RA/GA/TA funding, or not being allowed to continue in the Ph.D. program.

Following the review, students will receive formal letters which will inform them of their standing. The letters may also make specific recommendations to the student as to what will be expected of them in the following year. A copy of each student’s letter will be placed in the student’s file.

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Academics | PhD Program

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The PhD degree is intended primarily for students who desire a career in research, advanced development, or teaching. A broad Computer Science, Engineering, Science background, intensive study, and research experience in a specialized area are the necessary requisites.

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is conferred on candidates who have demonstrated to the satisfaction of our Department in the following areas:

• high attainment in a particular field of knowledge, and
• the ability to do independent investigation and present the results of such research.

They must satisfy the general requirements for advanced degrees, and the program requirements specified by our Department.

Program Requirements

On average, the program is completed in five to six years, depending on the student’s research and progress.

Progress Guidelines

Students should consider the progress guidelines to ensure that they are making reasonable progress.

Monitoring Progress

Annual reviews only apply to PhD students in their second year or later; yearly meetings are held for all PhD students.

Computer Science, PhD

Computer science phd degree.

In the Computer Science program, you will learn both the fundamentals of computation and computation’s interaction with the world. Your work will involve a wide range of areas including theoretical computer science, artificial intelligence and machine learning, economics and computer science, privacy and security, data-management systems, intelligent interfaces, operating systems, computer graphics, computational linguistics, robotics, networks, architectures, program languages, and visualization.

You will be involved with researchers in several interdisciplinary initiatives across the University, such as the Center for Research on Computation and Society , the Data Science Initiative , and the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society .

Examples of projects current and past students have worked on include leveraging machine learning to solve real-world sequential decision-making problems and using artificial intelligence to help conservation and anti-poaching efforts around the world.

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Computer Science Degree

Harvard School of Engineering offers a  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in Computer Science , conferred through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Prospective students apply through Harvard Griffin GSAS; in the online application, select “Engineering and Applied Sciences” as your program choice and select "PhD Computer Science" in the Area of Study menu.

In addition to the Ph.D. in Computer Science, the Harvard School of Engineering also offers master’s degrees in  Computational Science and Engineering as well as in Data Science which may be of interest to applicants who wish to apply directly to a master’s program.

Computer Science Career Paths

Graduates of the program have gone on to a range of careers in industry in companies like Riot Games as game director and Lead Scientist at Raytheon. Others have positions in academia at University of Pittsburgh, Columbia, and Stony Brook. More generally, common career paths for individuals with a PhD in computer science include: academic researcher/professor, industry leadership roles, industry research scientist, data scientist, entrepreneur/startup founder, product developer, and more.

Admissions & Academic Requirements

Prospective students apply through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). In the online application, select  “Engineering and Applied Sciences” as your program choice and select "PhD Engineering Sciences: Electrical Engineering​." Please review the  admissions requirements and other information  before applying. Our website also provides  admissions guidance ,  program-specific requirements , and a  PhD program academic timeline . In the application for admission, select “Engineering and Applied Sciences” as your degree program choice and your degree and area of interest from the “Area of Study“ drop-down. PhD applicants must complete the Supplemental SEAS Application Form as part of the online application process.

Academic Background

Applicants typically have bachelor’s degrees in the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, or engineering.

Standardized Tests

GRE General: Not Accepted

Computer Science Faculty & Research Areas

View a list of our computer science faculty  and  computer science affiliated research areas . Please note that faculty members listed as “Affiliates" or "Lecturers" cannot serve as the primary research advisor.

Computer Science Centers & Initiatives

View a list of the research centers & initiatives  at SEAS and the computer science faculty engagement with these entities .

Graduate Student Clubs

Graduate student clubs and organizations bring students together to share topics of mutual interest. These clubs often serve as an important adjunct to course work by sponsoring social events and lectures. Graduate student clubs are supported by the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin School of Arts and Sciences. Explore the list of active clubs and organizations .

Funding and Scholarship

Learn more about financial support for PhD students.

• How to Apply

Learn more about how to apply  or review frequently asked questions for prospective graduate students.

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Computer Science

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Computer Science is an area of study within the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Prospective students apply through Harvard Griffin GSAS; in the online application, select “Engineering and Applied Sciences” as your program choice and select "PhD Computer Science" in the Area of Study menu.

In the Computer Science program, you will learn both the fundamentals of computation and computation’s interaction with the world. Your work will involve a wide range of areas including theoretical computer science, artificial intelligence and machine learning, economics and computer science, privacy and security, data-management systems, intelligent interfaces, operating systems, computer graphics, computational linguistics, robotics, networks, architectures, program languages, and visualization.

You will be involved with researchers in several interdisciplinary initiatives across the University, such as the Center for Research on Computation and Society, the Institute for Applied Computational Science, the Data Science Initiative, and the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society.

Examples of projects current and past students have worked on include leveraging machine learning to solve real-world sequential decision-making problems and using artificial intelligence to help conservation and anti-poaching efforts around the world.

Graduates of the program have gone on to a range of careers in industry in companies like Riot Games as game director and Lead Scientist at Raytheon. Others have positions in academia at University of Pittsburgh, Columbia, and Stony Brook.

Standardized Tests

GRE General:  Not Accepted

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PhD in Computer Science

The PhD in Computer Science program provides students with the advanced coursework and groundbreaking research opportunities they need to contribute at the forefront of the world’s fastest-growing fields. Forging knowledge in 15 core areas like artificial intelligence, data science, programming languages, and human-centered computing, you’ll gain significant expertise in conducting and presenting the results of your research. Ultimately, you’ll produce and defend original work that contributes to critical discourse in your chosen area.

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Khoury College doctorate students gain deep knowledge and invaluable experience—preparing you for a research career in academia or industry.

Khoury Computer Science PhD graduates have found prestigious positions across industry and academia.

Tenure-track faculty:

• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• University of British Columbia (UBC)
• Indiana University
• University of Maryland
• University College London
• NC State University
• UMass Boston
• City University of Hong Kong

Postdoc research scientists:

• University of Paris
• Virginia Tech
• Microsoft Research
• GE Global Research

Senior software engineers and industry leaders:

Students graduating with a PhD in Computer Science will:

• Gain a broad understanding of computer science fundamentals, spanning a substantial portion of the following core areas: artificial intelligence and data science, human-centered computing, software, systems, and theory
• Gain significant expertise in at least one research area in computer science
• Produce and defend original research in an area of computer science
• Be able to communicate research results effectively in both oral and written forms

Our flagship campus in Boston is just minutes away from esteemed universities, exciting start-ups, and leaders in tech, finance, health care, and more.

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Computer Science Ph.D. Program

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The Cornell Ph.D. program in computer science is consistently ranked among the top six departments in the country, with world-class research covering all of computer science. Our computer science program is distinguished by the excellence of the faculty, by a long tradition of pioneering research, and by the breadth of its Ph.D. program. Faculty and Ph.D. students are located both in Ithaca and in New York City at the Cornell Tech campus . The Field of Computer Science also includes faculty members from other departments (Electrical Engineering, Information Science, Applied Math, Mathematics, Operations Research and Industrial Engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Computational Biology, and Architecture) who can supervise a student's Ph.D. thesis research in computer science.

Over the past years we've increased our strength in areas such as artificial intelligence, computer graphics, systems, security, machine learning, and digital libraries, while maintaining our depth in traditional areas such as theory, programming languages and scientific computing.  You can find out more about our research here . 

The department provides an exceptionally open and friendly atmosphere that encourages the sharing of ideas across all areas. 

Cornell is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. This beautiful area provides many opportunities for recreational activities such as sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, both downhill and cross-country skiing, ice skating, rock climbing, hiking, camping, and brewery/cider/wine-tasting. In fact, Cornell offers courses in all of these activities.

The Cornell Tech campus in New York City is located on Roosevelt Island.  Cornell Tech  is a graduate school conceived and implemented expressly to integrate the study of technology with business, law, and design. There are now over a half-dozen masters programs on offer as well as doctoral studies.

FAQ with more information about the two campuses .

Ph.D. Program Structure

Each year, about 30-40 new Ph.D. students join the department. During the first two semesters, students become familiar with the faculty members and their areas of research by taking graduate courses, attending research seminars, and participating in research projects. By the end of the first year, each student selects a specific area and forms a committee based on the student's research interests. This “Special Committee” of three or more faculty members will guide the student through to a Ph.D. dissertation. Ph.D. students that decide to work with a faculty member based at Cornell Tech typically move to New York City after a year in Ithaca.

The Field believes that certain areas are so fundamental to Computer Science that all students should be competent in them. Ph.D. candidates are expected to demonstrate competency in four areas of computer science at the high undergraduate level: theory, programming languages, systems, and artificial intelligence.

Each student then focuses on a specific topic of research and begins a preliminary investigation of that topic. The initial results are presented during a comprehensive oral evaluation, which is administered by the members of the student's Special Committee. The objective of this examination, usually taken in the third year, is to evaluate a student's ability to undertake original research at the Ph.D. level.

The final oral examination, a public defense of the dissertation, is taken before the Special Committee.

To encourage students to explore areas other than Computer Science, the department requires that students complete an outside minor. Cornell offers almost 90 fields from which a minor can be chosen. Some students elect to minor in related fields such as Applied Mathematics, Information Science, Electrical Engineering, or Operations Research. Others use this opportunity to pursue interests as diverse as Music, Theater, Psychology, Women's Studies, Philosophy, and Finance.

The computer science Ph.D. program complies with the requirements of the Cornell Graduate School , which include requirements on residency, minimum grades, examinations, and dissertation.

The Department also administers a very small 2-year Master of Science program (with thesis). Students in this program serve as teaching assistants and receive full tuition plus a stipend for their services.

Computer Science, PhD

Whiting school of engineering.

The goal of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program in the Department of Computer Science is to prepare first-rate scholars in computer science. Successful graduates may assume significant positions in academia, research institutes, industry, or government laboratories.

Applications for admission to the Ph.D. program in Computer Science are reviewed by a faculty committee. Although specific criteria isn’t rigid, all students admitted must exhibit exceptional intellectual achievements and promise. Applicants must submit letters of recommendation, and (for international applicants) TOEFL/IELTS scores. Visit https://engineering.jhu.edu/graduate-admissions/ for more information on the application process.

For details regarding CS Ph.D. program requirements and policies, please visit the Advising Manual on our departmental website.

Financial Aid

All full-time CS Ph.D. students are fully-funded for the duration of their Ph.D. career while in a fulltime, resident status- either in the form of a Research Assistantship directed by members of the faculty, a Teaching Assistantship (at least one semester of TA is required), or a fellowship.  Support includes full tuition and annual health insurance coverage, as well as a monthly living-stipend during the fall and spring academic semesters (9 months).  Students who wish to continue working with their advisor and remain researching/working towards their degree full-time with the University during the summer months will continue to receive their stipend for June, July, and August (as opposed to doing an external internship, etc.).

Program Requirements

University residency.

Two consecutive semesters of residence as a full-time graduate student are required.

Seminar Attendance

All Ph.D. degree candidates are required to maintain satisfactory attendance in the Computer Science Seminar each semester for the duration of their enrollment in the program.  Although seminar attendance is required, the seminar may not be counted toward the qualifying course requirement. Enrollment in the Computer Science Seminar EN.601.801 is required for first and second year students only.

Responsible Conduct of Research and Academic Ethics

All doctoral students are required to take AS.360.625 Responsible Conduct of Research . Students are expected to complete the course by the end of their first year. Failure to do so may result in a loss of funding. Additional information regarding this requirement can be found here: https://engineering.jhu.edu/research/resources-policies-forms/responsible-conduct-of-research-training-for-students-and-postdoctoral-fellows-revised-spring-2020/ . In addition, all doctoral students must complete the course EN.500.603 Graduate Orientation and Academic Ethics .

Qualifying Course Requirements

The Department of Computer Science classifies its courses into five core distribution areas: Applications, Reasoning, Software, Systems and Theory.  Ph.D. candidates must complete eight courses total (3 class hours/credits each), and at least five of those eight courses must be taught in the Department of Computer Science.  Of those courses, four out of the five core distribution areas must be satisfied.  A current  l isting of courses with area designators   is provided on the departmental website. The areas are also encoded as POS (program of study) tags in SIS. Ph.D. students may complete remaining elective graduate courses (chosen from any CS area or from closely related departments such as Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cognitive Science, Mathematics, or Applied Mathematics and Statistics) for a total of eight courses. Computer Science graduate students may count 600-level and above graduate courses. The coursework program must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor. The overall grade point average for these eight courses must be at least equivalent to a B+. No course with a grade of less than C- may be counted toward this Ph.D. qualifying course requirement. Other than independent study courses, no courses with grades of P or S can be counted toward the coursework requirement. Courses with grades of P or S will not be included in the grade point average calculation. One of the courses required for the degree, but only one, may be replaced by 3 credits from comparable short courses. With approval of the student’s faculty advisor, up to two courses can be transferred from graduate programs of other institutions; more than two such courses can be transferred with approval of the department. It is the obligation of the student to provide all necessary documentation to the Department of Computer Science regarding the course(s) for which transfer credit is being requested. Students are expected to complete the course requirements by the end of their second year as a Ph.D. candidate. 

Qualifying Project Requirements

A Ph.D. student must complete two projects, each under the supervision and written agreement of a different faculty member. One project must be under the supervision of a faculty member with an appointment in the Department of Computer Science (Professor, Research Professor, Visiting or Joint appointment). The second project can be supervised by a different tenure-track or research faculty member in any division of Johns Hopkins, or with advance approval from the department, by any outside researcher.  Upon conclusion of each project, the student must write a “Project Report” describing the project in detail. This report will be a public document and will be kept on file in the department office. The supervising faculty member must approve the project report. Students are expected to complete the qualifying projects by the end of their third year as a Ph.D. candidate. 

Upon completion of the Ph.D. qualifying course requirements and the first qualifying project, students are ordinarily eligible to receive a master of science in engineering degree. The degree will be awarded upon student request.

Graduate Board Oral Examination (GBO)

This examination is a university requirement, ideally taken in the student's third year. The oral exam is administered by a committee consisting 5 members.  Students must select two members from inside the department and two members from outside the department, plus a 5th member who is either inside or outside the department.  The exam seeks to establish the student’s readiness to conduct original research in the area of their “Preliminary Research Proposal,” which should be distributed to the examiners in advance and presented by the student at the start of the exam.

Part-Time Ph.D.

Two consecutive semesters of residence as a full-time graduate student are required by the university. Attempting to obtain a Ph.D. is a major commitment and involves close coordination with a faculty advisor in the department. Part-time students must be able to establish and maintain these close links, therefore part-time study is by advanced and special permission only.

Departmental Seminar

Ph.D. students must give an official departmental seminar on their research area. This is to be done after the GBO and prior to the dissertation defense, or as part of the dissertation defense.

Dissertation and Defense

Ph.D. students must write a dissertation consisting of original research in their chosen area. They must deliver a public presentation of the dissertation before a dissertation committee consisting of the faculty advisor, a second faculty member in the Department of Computer Science (who must have a primary tenure-track appointment in the Department if the advisor does not), and one or more other members with Ph.D. degrees. In conformity with University requirements, the members of the dissertation committee must submit a referee’s letter to the Graduate Board recommending that the dissertation be accepted. Completed dissertations will be formatted and submitted to the Milton S. Eisenhower Library for electronic publication .

Teaching Requirement

All Ph.D. students are required to serve as a Teaching Assistant at least one semester during their program of study. As part of the requirement, the supervising course instructor must give the TA an opportunity to be in front of a group of students at least once during the course. Students are required to sign-up for the course EN.601.807 Teaching Practicum  during the semester in which the requirement is being fulfilled, and at the end of the semester their performance will be evaluated by the course instructor.

Student Progress Review

Ph.D. students are reviewed annually by their advisor(s) and the department, and notified in writing as to their standing in the program. Students deemed to not be making satisfactory progress may be placed on probation.

Computer Science PhD

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS) offers two graduate programs in Computer Science: the Master of Science (MS), and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Master of Science (MS)

The Master of Science (MS) emphasizes research preparation and experience and, for most students, is a chance to lay the groundwork for pursuing a PhD.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Berkeley PhD in EECS combines coursework and original research with some of the finest EECS faculty in the US, preparing for careers in academia or industry. Our alumni have gone on to hold amazing positions around the world.

Contact Info

[email protected]

253 Cory Hall

Berkeley, CA 94720

At a Glance

Department(s)

Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences

Admit Term(s)

Application Deadline

December 11, 2023

Degree Type(s)

Doctoral / PhD

Degree Awarded

GRE Requirements

Doctoral Program

The primary focus of the doctoral program is research, with the philosophy that students learn best by doing—beginning as apprentices and becoming junior colleagues working with faculty on scholarly research projects. The faculty in the department conduct research in all areas of computer science. The doctoral degree requires a dissertation based on the candidate’s original research, which is supervised by a faculty member, and all students in the doctioral program are actively engaged in research throughout the program.

The PhD is the Computer Science Department’s primary doctoral program.  PhD students are expected to be full-time on-campus during every fall and spring academic semester from initial enrollment until the dissertation has been distributed to their defense committee, except during leaves of absence approved by the university.  PhD students spend at least half of their time on research under the direction of their faculty adviser from their first day in the program and devote themselves full time to research after coursework and other preliminaries have been completed. PhD students are also expected to participate in departmental and laboratory activities full time throughout the program, except possibly for summer internships elsewhere, and the department does not consider admission of part-time PhD students. The policy on outside activities by PhD students is here .

DEPARTMENTAL INFORMATION FOR DOCTORAL STUDENTS

• Program Requirements
• MS leading to PhD
• Milestones Chart
• Milestones Registration Form: Candidacy, Thesis Proposal, Thesis Defense
• Doctoral Course Import Forms
• Doctoral Algorithms Prerequisite Form
• Data Science Specialization Option  (further details here )

SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY INFORMATION FOR DOCTORAL STUDENTS

• Registration
• SEAS Doctoral Fieldwork (CPT) Policy
• Time-Off Policy for Doctoral Students on Appointment in the Sciences and Related Research Fields

GENERAL DOCTORAL INFORMATION AND ADVICE

• CAREER Club
• Computer Science Open Data
• Computer Science Graduate Job and Interview Guide
• Background in case you ever need to teach online with two days notice
• The Definitive ‘what do I ask/look for’ in a PhD Advisor Guide
• The Thesis Whisperer
• Prem Devanbu’s Review Anti-Patterns
• Computer Science Rankings
• Michael Ernst’s Compilation of Great Advice
• Productivity Tips for PhD Students
• Getting Admitted to a Top PhD Program
• Tips on the Interview Process
• Networking on the network
• Advice on research and writing
• More advice on writing
• Corporate Lab or Academic Department, Which Fits?
• How To Survive A Thesis Defense
• 10 easy ways to fail a PhD
• Dealing with plagiarism
• Academic job site
• Computing Research Association
• IEEE Computer Society

(link suggestions appreciated; send email to [email protected] )

Last updated on June 5, 2024.

Find open faculty positions here .

Computer Science at Columbia University

Upcoming events, in the news, press mentions, dean boyce's statement on amicus brief filed by president bollinger.

President Bollinger announced that Columbia University along with many other academic institutions (sixteen, including all Ivy League universities) filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York challenging the Executive Order regarding immigrants from seven designated countries and refugees. Among other things, the brief asserts that “safety and security concerns can be addressed in a manner that is consistent with the values America has always stood for, including the free flow of ideas and people across borders and the welcoming of immigrants to our universities.”

This recent action provides a moment for us to collectively reflect on our community within Columbia Engineering and the importance of our commitment to maintaining an open and welcoming community for all students, faculty, researchers and administrative staff. As a School of Engineering and Applied Science, we are fortunate to attract students and faculty from diverse backgrounds, from across the country, and from around the world. It is a great benefit to be able to gather engineers and scientists of so many different perspectives and talents – all with a commitment to learning, a focus on pushing the frontiers of knowledge and discovery, and with a passion for translating our work to impact humanity.

I am proud of our community, and wish to take this opportunity to reinforce our collective commitment to maintaining an open and collegial environment. We are fortunate to have the privilege to learn from one another, and to study, work, and live together in such a dynamic and vibrant place as Columbia.

Mary C. Boyce Dean of Engineering Morris A. and Alma Schapiro Professor

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Ph.D. in Computer Science

Ph.d. program requirements.

The PhD degree requires 72 graduate-level credits, including:

• no 5000-level CS courses
• these credits traditionally cannot be transferred in, you must actually take at least 6 credits of coursework at UVA to get a UVA PhD
• CS 8897 and CS 9897 (Graduate Teaching Instruction) cannot be used to satisfy this 24-credit requirement (but see below)
• at least 12 credits in any combination of CS 8897 and CS 9897 (Graduate Teaching Instruction), corresponding to two semesters as a full-time, 20 hour per week TA (see Chapter 3.2)
• Completion of the Qualifying Examination (see Chapter 5)
• Completion of the PhD Proposal (see Chapter 6.3)
• Completion of the Oral Defense of the written Dissertation (see Chapter 6.4)
• Finally, complete the “ Graduate Student Leave Request ” form (see Section 2.5) to leave the program.

These requirements have significant overlap with the MCS and MS degree requirements; many students choose to earn one of those Master’s degrees as part of their PhD studies.

Application Requirements

Computer science background requirements.

The Department of Computer Science does not require that applicants hold a bachelor's degree in Computer Science. However, applicants are expected to have a strong background in Computer Science. A suitable background would include courses in the following core areas:

• Data Structures
• Discrete Mathematics
• Assembly Language and Computer Organization
• Programming in a procedural language such as C, C#, C++, or Java.

Applicants are also expected to have taken several (but not necessarily all) courses in specialized areas:

• Operating Systems
• Programming Languages
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Networks
• Automata and Formal Languages
• Software Engineering

A year of college-level Calculus is also required. In general, experience gained working is not considered equivalent to successful completion of the courses listed above.

Grade Point Average

There is no minimum GPA required for admission. However, most applicants who are offered admission to our program have a GPA of at least 3.3 (out of 4.0). The grades in Computer Science, mathematics and related courses are more important than the overall GPA.

GRE scores are optional. 

Letters of Reference

If possible, letters of references should be written by faculty at a university previously attended. Letters of reference from Computer Science faculty are preferred, but references from employers are welcome. References should pay particular attention to academic achievements and evidence of independent, creative problem solving.

TOEFL/IELTS Scores

• If you are a permanent resident of the U.S., TOEFL is not required
• If you received a 4-year degree at an English-speaking institution (whether or not the institution is in the U.S.), TOEFL/IELTS is not required.
• If you received a 4-year degree at a non -English-speaking institution and a Master's degree from an English-speaking institution, TOEFL/IELTS is required. 
• Note that if you have a solid command of written and spoken English, TOEFL/IELTS waivers are possible! Contact via email,  [email protected] , explaining why you believe TOEFL/IELTS can be waived (include evidence such as verification of duties as a Teaching Assistant that required significant interactions in English, copies of expired TOEFL/IELTS scores, presentations at conferences in English, etc.). 

It is unusual that we offer admission to an applicant with an overall TOEFL score below 90 / IELTS below 6.5. Scores can be sent electronically to UVa at institution code B875. Some students with lower scores may be required to complete the UVA Summer English for Academic Purposes Program prior to admission.

Application Evaluation

Applications are evaluated based on the following factors:

• Background in Computer Science (including project work)
• Grade Point Average (GPA)
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Letters of reference
• Personal statement
• TOEFL/IELTS scores

Applications are evaluated in their entirety. A weakness in one factor might be mitigated by strength in another.

Financial Aid / Tuition 

Occasionally, the school of Engineering offers Master Fellowships. More information can be found on the Engineering Cost Aid webpage: https://engineering.virginia.edu/future-grads/graduate-admissions/cost-aid , and you can learn more about UVA Fellowships here: https://citizenscholars.virginia.edu/fellowships  

PhD students are usually admitted with a financial aid package in the form of a First-Year Research Assistantship that allows students to explore research with various faculty members and find their best match. It is expected that students will join a research group by the end of their first year and then be supported as a Research Assistant (RA). This financial aid package includes a competitive stipend, tuition, fees, and health insurance coverage. Details of this award are given at the time of your notification of acceptance into the Computer Science PhD program.  

You are encouraged to apply to outside sources for fellowships or you can apply for federal assistance by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid .

The UVA Tuition and Fees page includes the costs per academic year by school. 

CS Admissions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do i apply.

Please visit this Web page to apply.

When is the application deadline?

See details in the section above (Admissions).

How much does it cost to apply? Can this fee be waived?

Visit this UVA Engineering FAQ page for details on the cost to apply, and learn if your fee can be waived.

Is the TOEFL/IELTS required?

International students must have an outstanding command of the English language in order to enroll at the University of Virginia. The TOEFL/IELTS exam is required of all applicants if the language first learned and spoken in the home is not English, and they are not permanent residents. However, TOEFL/IELTS is not required if the applicant has received a 4-year degree at an English-speaking institution (whether or not the institution is in the U.S.). (If the applicant has a 4-year degree from a non-English-speaking institution and a Master's degree from an English-speaking institution, TOEFL/IELTS is still required.) It is unusual that we offer admission to an applicant with an overall TOEFL score below 90 / IELTS below 6.5. 

I scored less than 22 on the Speaking section of TOEFL. Can I still apply?

We review all applications thoroughly, along a number of dimensions. It is unusual that we offer admission to an applicant with an overall TOEFL score below 90/ IELTS score of 6.5.

Where do I send my GRE and/or TOEFL/IELTS scores?

The Institution code for School of Engineering and Applied Science of the University of Virginia for the GRE is 5820. The code for TOEFL is  B875. There is not a specific code for the Department of Computer Science.

I'm taking TOEFL/IELTS or GRE after your deadline (Dec 15). If I apply will these scores make it into my application and be seen by the admissions committee?

We will start evaluating applications soon after the Dec 15 deadline. Applicants should submit the most complete application they can, based on the information they have at the time (e.g., current test scores, even if new test scores are anticipated).Those applications that are complete will be considered first. We will continue to evaluate applications into early next year, until we have completed our offers. As we are reviewing applications, we will certainly consider updated scores as the arrive at the University of Virginia. There is no need to email us to tell us that new scores are being sent.

Should I mail or should I upload my materials with my application?

We strongly discourage applicants from mailing in any items that can be uploaded to avoid delays in your application review, and we ask that you not send duplicate copies of previously uploaded documents. If you still need to mail documents to our office, please send them to: For US Postal: Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Science Admissions P.O. Box 401103 Charlottesville, VA 22904 For UPS/FEDEX:      Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Science Admissions      1001 Emmet Street North      Room 209B Carruthers Hall      Charlottesville, VA 22903

I’ve submitted my application and all supporting materials. Why does my application status still show as incomplete?

We will fully review your application with unofficial test scores and unofficial transcripts. Your application will only show as "complete" when your application has been submitted, your official scores and transcripts have been received and all three letters of recommendations have been received. An application is complete for review with unofficial transcripts and self-reported scores, though the checklist will still show incomplete. Please note that all official transcripts are received in our main admissions office and scanned or entered into our system manually. If you feel that your materials should have been received by now, but are NOT showing up when you login to your account, please note that the Graduate Admissions Office processes a very large number of applications and it may take longer than expected for your documents/information to appear online (in your account). It is very likely that your materials have been received, but have not been loaded into our application system yet.

If I email you my information (e.g., GPA, GRE scores, etc.) before I apply, can you tell me the chance of being accepted?

The graduate admissions committee considers many factors in an application, including more than just GPA and test scores. In particular, letters of reference and your personal statement are extremely important. Therefore, we are unfortunately unable to provide any information before the committee considers your full application.

I still have other questions. Is there anyone available to help me?

Yes! For program/degree specific questions, please send an email to [email protected]. For application support and specific questions regarding the application process, please contact: Central Graduate Admissions [email protected] 434-243-0209

The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only.  The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found here .

Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science

Doctoral programs.

In any of the Ph.D. programs across our seven departments, you'll be matched with an advisor based primarily on mutual research interests and begin a research project on day one. All our Ph.D. students receive full financial support while in good academic standing, which helps ensure freedom to explore regardless of funding hurdles. We also believe that it's vital for advisors and students to work as peers, and the inherent flexibility of our programs means students often work with more than one faculty member and many other students during their time in SCS.

Together, our research environment and interdisciplinary mindset produce graduates who emerge into the world ready to tackle its biggest problems.

• Doctoral Programs Home

Interested in Applying?

• Graduate Admissions Overview
• Frequently Asked Questions

Program Contact

Robert Frederking Associate Dean for Doctoral Programs

Explore Our Ph.D. Programs

Ray and stephanie lane computational biology department, computer science department, human-computer interaction institute.

Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction

Language Technologies Institute

Ph.D. in Language and Information Technologies

Machine Learning Department

Robotics institute.

Ph.D. in Robotics

Software and Societal Systems Department

Ph.D. in Societal Computing (SC) Ph.D. in Software Engineering (SE)

Dual Degree Ph.D. Programs

The carnegie mellon portugal program (cmu portugal), ph.d. in computer science/dual degree portugal, ph.d. in human-computer interaction/dual degree portugal, ph.d. in language and information technologies/dual degree portugal, ph.d. in robotics/dual degree portugal, ph.d. in software engineering/dual degree portugal.

Secondary Menu

Phd program, find your passion for research.

Duke Computer Science gives incoming students an opportunity to investigate a range of topics, research problems, and research groups before committing to an advisor in the first year. Funding from the department and Duke makes it possible to attend group meetings, seminars, classes and colloquia. Students may work on multiple problems simultaneously while finding the topic that will motivate them through their first project. Sharing this time of learning and investigation with others in the cohort helps create lasting collaborators and friends.

Write a research proposal the first year and finish the research the second under the supervision of the chosen advisor and committee; present the research results to the committee and peers. Many students turn their RIP work into a conference paper and travel to present it.

Course work requirements are written to support the department's research philosophy. Pass up to four of the required six courses in the first two years to give time and space for immersing oneself in the chosen area.

Years three through five continue as the students go deeper and deeper into a research area and their intellectual community broadens to include collaborators from around the world. Starting in year three, the advisor funds the student's work, usually through research grants. The Preliminary exam that year is the opportunity for the student to present their research to date, to share work done by others on the topic, and to get feedback and direction for the Ph.D. from the committee, other faculty, and peers.

Most Ph.D students defend in years five and six. While Duke and the department guarantee funding through the fifth year, advisors and the department work with students to continue support for work that takes longer.

Teaching is a vital part of the Ph.D. experience. Students are required to TA for two semesters, although faculty are ready to work with students who want more involvement. The Graduate School's Certificate in College Teaching offers coursework, peer review, and evaluation of a teaching portfolio for those who want to teach. In addition, the Department awards a Certificates of Distinction in Teaching for graduating PhD students who have demonstrated excellence in and commitment to teaching and mentoring.

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Computer Science, PhD

• Program description
• At a glance
• Degree requirements
• Admission requirements
• Tuition information
• Application deadlines
• Career opportunities
• Contact information

Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Technology, approved for STEM-OPT extension, computing, database, enggradcs, systems

Take the next step in your journey to become an effective leader, innovator, entrepreneur or educator in your community and the world.

The PhD program in computer science prepares students to undertake fundamental and applied research in computer science. The program is available for those of high ability who seek to develop and implement their own research studies.

Students pursuing the doctorate in computer science learn to analyze, understand and apply key theories and algorithms used in the field and to generate and evaluate new theories, algorithms and software modules that can advance the field of computer science.

The program provides students with research opportunities in a wide variety of areas, including:

• artificial intelligence, machine learning and statistical modeling
• big data and data mining
• computational biology
• computer design and architecture, including nonvolatile memory computing
• computer system security, cybersecurity and cryptography
• cyber-physical systems and Internet of Things (commonly abbreviated as IoT), and robotics
• distributed computing and consensus protocols
• networking and computer systems
• novel computing paradigms (e.g., biocomputing, quantum computation)
• social computing
• theory, algorithms and optimization
• visualization and graphics

This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 36 months. This OPT work authorization term may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.

The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing the degree through ASU Online.

• College/school: Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
• Location: Tempe

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

Required Core Areas (9 credit hours) foundations (3) systems (3) applications (3)

Depth (3 credit hours) three additional credit hours in one core area (3)

Research (18 credit hours) CSE 792 Research (18)

Electives and Additional Research (42 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) CSE 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information Courses that are used to satisfy the core area requirement cannot be used to satisfy electives or other requirements. A grade of "B" or better is required for core courses.

Eighteen credit hours of CSE 792 Research are required, and up to 54 credit hours are allowed on the plan of study. Students with research credit hours in excess of 18 add these credit hours to their electives and additional research.

Electives include:

• additional CSE 792 Research credit hours (up to 36 credit hours allowed beyond the required 18)
• computer science courses, of which up to 18 credit hours of CSE 590 and CSE 790: Reading and Conference are allowed
• up to six credit hours of interdisciplinary electives in other academic units that are subject to program chair approval

When approved by the academic unit and the Graduate College, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree to be used for this degree.

A maximum of three credit hours of 400-level coursework may be applied to the plan of study.

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, computer engineering or a closely related area. Most applicants should have earned a master's degree, but exceptional undergraduate applicants may be admitted directly into the doctoral program.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or they must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

• graduate admission application and application fee
• official transcripts from every university attended
• three letters of recommendation
• a statement of purpose
• curriculum vitae or resume
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Submission of GRE scores is optional.

Students assigned any deficiency coursework upon admission must complete those classes with a grade of "C" or higher (scale is 4.00 = "A") within two semesters of admission to the program. Deficiency courses commonly taken include:

CSE 230 Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming CSE 310 Data Structures and Algorithms CSE 330 Operating Systems CSE 340 Principles of Programming Languages or CSE 355 Introduction to Theoretical Computer Science

The applicant's undergraduate GPA and depth of preparation in computer science and engineering are the primary factors affecting admission.

Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in research and education, including academia, government and industry.

Career examples include:

• computer science professor or researcher
• data scientist or engineer
• machine learning, AI or computer vision scientist or engineer

Computer Science and Engineering Program | CTRPT 105 [email protected] 480-965-3199

PhD Program

In many ways, the PhD program is the cornerstone of Computer Science at Boston University.  Our PhD students serve some of the most central roles of our department, from pursuing sponsored research together with supervising faculty members as Research Assistants, to serving as Teaching Fellows in support of our undergraduate and graduate curriculum.

Pursuing the PhD degree enables you to become an expert in a technical subfield of Computer Science and advance the state of the art by contributing original research in that discipline. Most PhD students also gain practical experience in the classroom, as well as, becoming a visible member of the research community by publishing research and delivering oral presentations at conferences and research seminars.

Upon completing your PhD degree, you will be able to set your own research direction, teach and advise students, and work at the forefront of cutting-edge research in academia or at an industrial laboratory.

Learning Outcomes

• Produce and defend original research in the field of Computer Science.
• Master broad knowledge of Computer Science across algorithms, software, systems, theory of computation, and in one of the areas of artificial intelligence, computer graphics, cryptography & security, and data science .
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a particular subject area within Computer Science.
• Actively participate in the Computer Science research community, for example by attending academic conferences and submitting research results for publication in professional conferences and journals.
• Be able to effectively communicate the results of research.

We invite you to learn more about our program through the links below.

PhD Program Information

• Program Milestones
• Breadth Requirements
• Subject Exams
• Specimen Curriculum

Fellowships & Awards

• Computer Science Fellowship Opportunities
• Research Excellence Award
• Teaching Excellence Award
• Teaching Fellow Expectations

More Information

• PhD in Computer Science – Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS) Bulletin
• Graduate School of the College of Arts and Sciences (GRS) PhD Requirements
• Graduation Calendar
• PhD Profile for Computer Science

Apply Today

To apply to the Ph.D. program, please fill out an online application .

Deadline: December 15 for Fall admission.

With questions about admissions, please contact us at [email protected] .

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Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science

Program description.

The graduate programs in computer science offer intensive preparation in design, programming, theory and applications. Training is provided for both academically oriented students and students with professional goals in the many business, industrial and governmental occupations requiring advanced knowledge of computing theory and technology.

Courses and research opportunities are offered in a variety of subfields of computer science, including operating systems, computer architecture, computer graphics, pattern recognition, automata theory, combinatorics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, database design, computer networks, programming languages, software systems, analysis of algorithms, computational complexity, parallel processing, VLSI, virtual reality, internet of things, embedded and real-time systems, computational geometry, computer vision, design automation, cyber security, information assurance and data science.

The University maintains a large network of computer facilities including specialized computers for research within the program. In addition to computer science faculty, many other individuals at the University are involved in computer-related work in the physical and social sciences and in various areas of business and management. Computer science students with an interest in these important application areas may have opportunities to consult and work with talented faculty from a wide range of disciplines.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program seek academic positions at universities, as well as positions as researchers, senior software engineers, data scientists. Graduates often become industry experts in fields like cyber security, artificial intelligence, machine learning or natural language processing.

Marketable Skills

Review the marketable skills for this academic program.

Application Requirements

Test score required:  Yes

Deadlines:  University  deadlines  apply.

OTHER APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Admission Option One

• Master’s degree in computer science or its equivalent
• GPA of at least 3.5
• GRE revised scores of at least 308, 153, 155 and 4 for the combined, verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing components, respectively, are advisable.

Admission Option Two

• A BS degree in related area that includes two semesters of calculus and linear algebra
• GPA of at least 3.5 in the last 60 semester credit hours
• GRE revised scores of at least 315, 156, 159 and 4 for the combined, verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing components, respectively, are advisable.

Applicants are admitted on a competitive basis.

Contact Information

Shyam Karrah  Email: [email protected]

Dr. Ovidiu Daescu Interim Head Department of Computer Science Email: [email protected] Office: ECSS 3.904

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Stanford Online

Computer science ms degree.

Stanford School of Engineering

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In the Stanford Computer Science Master's degree , you will complete coursework covering the fundamental aspects of computer science and deepen your expertise in at least one specialized area of study.

If you want to pursue the degree on a part-time basis, so as not to interrupt your career, you can enroll in as few as one course per quarter.

For added flexibility, you can take courses online or in-person on Stanford’s campus. Each quarter, numerous computer science and other engineering courses are available online. While most specializations within the computer science degree require attending some in-person classes, you can complete the Artificial Intelligence, Information Management and Analytics, and Systems Specializations entirely through online coursework. (Note that students interested in earning the master's degree part-time or online must reside in the United States.) 

If you want more flexibility than the part-time master's degree, you can apply to take individual courses or pursue a graduate certificate without being formally admitted to Stanford master’s degree program. Choose from many options, including Foundations in Computer Science , Artificial Intelligence , Cybersecurity , Visual Computing , Software Systems , and Advanced Software Systems . Upon successful completion of each course, you will receive academic credit and a Stanford University transcript.

If you later choose to apply and are admitted into a master's degree program at Stanford, you may apply up to 18 units towards the master's degree (pending department approval).

Not sure which of these credentials is right for you? Compare our graduate certificate vs. master’s degree .

How Much It Will Cost

How long it will take.

To earn the Master of Science in Computer Science Degree, you must complete 45 units.

• As a part-time student, you can expect to finish the degree in 3 to 5 years.
• As a full-time student, you can expect to finish the degree in 1 to 2 years.

What You Need to Get Started

For admissions information , please visit the department's site or contact [email protected] .

For degree requirements , please review either the department's Guide to the MSCS Program Sheet or Stanford Bulletin . See the department's FAQs page .

For more about the policies, procedures, and logistics, please review our website .

While this degree can be completed online, it depends on your program plan and area of focus. Most courses in the Computer Science department are offered only on campus. Specific online course offerings depend heavily on your program plan, area of focus, and the online course offerings for any given academic quarter. Students who are outside the US cannot pursue the master's degree online.

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Best Master’s in Data Science for 2024

It’s no secret that the need for data experts is growing due to the exponential amount of data being generated every day. One of the best ways to gain the in-demand skills to be able to harness, analyze, and create value from data is pursuing a master’s degree. This ranking was last updated February 2024.

UC Berkeley’s Master’s in Data Science — Online

Syracuse University MS in Applied Data Science Online

1. Harvard University

• ACCEPTANCE RATE, 2023-24
• AVERAGE UNDERGRADUATE GPA, 2023-24 ENROLLEES
• FALL TERM ENROLLMENT, 2022–23
• GRADUATION RATE, 2022-23
• NUMBER OF APPLICANTS IN 2023-24
• ONE-YEAR RETENTION RATE, 2022-23

2. University of North Texas

3. New York University

Earn Your Master’s in Data Science Online From SMU

4. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

5. Carnegie Mellon University

6. University of California–Irvine

7. University of Rochester

8. Indiana University–Bloomington

Maryville University Master of Science in Data Science | Online

9. University of Arizona

10. University of Delaware

11. Appalachian State University

12. University of Minnesota

13. Oklahoma State University

14. University of Missouri

15. Georgia State University

16. Maryville University

17. University of Michigan–Dearborn

18. New York Institute of Technology

19. University of San Francisco

20. DePaul University

21. Marquette University

22. Willamette University

23. Rochester Institute of Technology

24. Texas Tech University

25. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

26. University of St. Thomas

27. American University

28. University of Maryland

29. CUNY Graduate Center

Frequently Asked Questions

Data science is one of the fastest growing fields—job openings are expected to grow by 35% by 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . And students graduating with a master’s in data science often land six figure salaries. The reason it’s a fast growing field, with high paying jobs, is because companies across all industries want data-savvy professionals in this era of digitization. Data provides companies and organizations with the resources they need to make better decisions—and in turn, they need professionals with data science skills who know how to understand and analyze data. 

The GPA you’ll need to get accepted into a master’s program for data science varies by school. For all of the programs ranked by Fortune for 2024, the average undergraduate GPA for enrollees was 3.27. Students at Harvard and New York University had the highest GPA, with 3.87 and 3.75, respectively. Marquette University enrollees had the lowest reported GPA—at 3.01.

Master’s degree programs in data science can be offered in person, online or in a hybrid format—and that might be the difference in what the “best program” for you means. Fortune ranks the top five in-person programs for 2024 as: Harvard University, the University of North Texas, New York University, University of Michigan—Ann Arbor, and Carnegie Mellon University. Additionally, our ranking of the top five online programs in 2023 include: University of Southern California, UC—Berkeley, Bay Path University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Clemson University.

On average, it takes about one-and-a-half to two years to complete a master’s degree program in data science—with most programs requiring roughly anywhere from 25 to 60 credits to graduate. So it does depend on each individual program and whether you choose to be a full-time or part-time student. That said, thanks to a boost in salary and expanded career options, many students find it worthwhile to obtain a master’s degree in data science—and Gen Z considers the role of data scientist to be one of the most satisfying occupations .

A master’s degree in data science will teach you how to understand and analyze data. But because it’s a recently defined career path, how it’s applied can vary significantly. As Maurizio Porfiri, a New York University professor, told Fortune: “It’s a weird thing because it’s very vague. I discovered after a while that I had become a data scientist : people just started to refer to me as such.” But sometimes the first step to finding your place in the world of data science is picking a specialization—what type of problem you want to solve by using data. And a master’s degree can either help you find that specialization, or if you’ve already got the answer, will teach you the skills to pursue it.

Fortune compiled a list of seven universities that offer free online data science courses , which offers prospective students an opportunity to learn more about this field. Each university—Harvard University, the University of Michigan, UC Irvine, John Hopkins University, Columbia University, MIT, and Duke University—offers a different course, from linear regression to data science ethics to data science in real life. However, the common goal of these free courses is to give people an inside look into the field.

In 2022, data scientists earned median salaries of $103,500, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . But a degree from a top program might mean even more money; New York University’s (ranked third on Fortune’s best in-person data science programs) 2022-23 graduates with a master’s in data science earned an average salary of $143,000 four months after graduation, according to data provided by the university.