Mar 22, 2026  
2026-2027 Catalog 
    
2026-2027 Catalog

Master of Science in Computer Science (MS)


  • Grade Requirements: An MSCS student must complete all program courses, including electives, with a grade of “B-” or higher. In addition, the overall program GPA must be 3.0 or higher.
  • Credit Hour Requirements: The program requires a minimum of 30 semester hours beyond a bachelor’s degree in computer science.
  • Program Code: 8023MS
  • CIPC: 110701

Once enrolled, a student must register for at least one MSCS course each semester, except summers, until graduation. Students who fail to do so must petition for readmission into the program.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants for admission into the Master of Science in Computer Science program must possess a bachelor’s degree or be in the final stage of completing the degree. An overall GPA of 3.25 is required from the undergraduate program in which the bachelor’s degree is earned.

Applicants will submit:

  • Completed application.
  • Current resume.
  • Official transcripts from every institution of higher education attended.
  • GRE Scores are required for International Applicants.
Applicants already accepted into the Weber State Computer Science accelerated degree pathway will also need to apply into this program.

Additional Admission Requirements for International Students

All international students and any applicant educated outside the U.S. must demonstrate proficiency in English. For applicants for whom English is not their first language, a minimum English language proficiency score is required.  (TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) = 75 overall, with a minimum of 17 in each category: OR IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in each category).

The application for admission to the Master of Science in Computer Science program must be submitted online. Official transcripts from each institution of higher education attended and all test scores must be sent directly to the WSU School of Computing.

Deadlines for application are October 15, for students enrolling in spring semester and March 15, for students enrolling in fall semester. Completed applications are considered by the Admissions Committee after each application deadline

Advisement

For questions related to registration and registration errors, academic planning, university policies, or general program support, contact a graduate academic advisor.

For questions related to pre-admissions contact a graduate enrollment advisor.

For guidance on technical course content, future course offerings, thesis or project ideas, or program or course exceptions, contact the program director.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge of math, science and engineering.
  • Demonstrate the ability to design a system, component or process.
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify, formulate and solve computer science problems.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply master’s level knowledge to the specialized area of computer science.

Leveling Courses


As determined on a case-by-case basis, students with non-computer science degrees may be required to take leveling courses in technology-related areas that will adequately prepare them for the MS core courses. The minimum leveling courses for non-computer science degrees are the following:

Prior Courses and Credit Sharing


Weber State University bachelor’s students admitted into the accelerated 4+1 CS degree pathway program may apply up to 12 credits of prior 5000-level and 6000-level coursework toward the graduate degree, provided they earn a grade of B- or better in each course applied.

Students with prior undergraduate 5000-level credit may petition for retroactive graduate credit. These courses must have a grade of B or better and taken no more than 3 years prior to the petition. Such graduate credit is limited to 6 semester hours or 2 courses (CPPM 6-3).

Course Requirement for MSCS


Required Core MSCS course (1 credit):


Required Thesis Research, Design Project, or Course-Work Only Option (6 credits):


MSCS students are required to complete original research resulting in a thesis (CS 6011 ), a substantial project (CS 6010 ), or a course-work option (two additional CS graduate electives). The student must declare to the department their intent to do a thesis, project or course-work only option. It is presumed that students will do a research thesis unless the program director is otherwise notified.

Generally, CS 6011  is taken by students who are interested in being introduced to research and development and are considering the possibility of pursuing their doctorate (Ph.D.).

Alternatively, CS 6010  is taken by students with an industry-minded perspective.

The course-work only option is for students seeking to increase their technical depth in Computer Science.

A total of 6 or more credits is required for each of the three tracks.

Select a Track (6 credits):


Thesis Option (6 credits)

Project Option (6 credits)

Course-Work Option (6 credits)

Two other CS 6000-level courses (except CS 6000 CS 6010 , and CS 6011 ).

Note: 5000-level Courses


For the upcoming elective sections, a student may count no more than 12 credits total of 5000-level courses for the degree.

Computer Science Graduate Electives (18 credits)


Complete 18 credits of Computer Science electives at the CS 5000-level (see prior note) or CS 6000-level (except CS 6000 , CS 6010 , and CS 6011 ). For a list of scheduled and recently scheduled CS graduate courses, see the following: https://weber.edu/mscs/course-schedule.html.

Additional Electives (6 credits):


Complete 6 additional credits from the list below. The MSCS graduate director can, on a case-by-case basis, approve an alternative 5000-level or 6000-level course. 

  • Any CS 5000-level course (see prior note)
  • Any CS 6000-level course (except CS 6000 , CS 6010 , and CS 6011 )
  • Any ECE 6000-level course
  • Any MATH 6000-level course
  • Any ECON 6000-level course
  • Any MPC 6000-level course