Computer Science MS

Build a career that shapes innovation.

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About the Program

UMass Boston’s Computer Science master’s program prepares you for in-demand careers in software development and tech. You’ll build strong theoretical foundations and apply them through hands-on, real-world projects using widely used programming languages such as Python, Java, C, and C++. Learn in a supportive academic environment with dedicated advising and a modern, industry-relevant Computer Science MS curriculum shaped by expert faculty. Graduates leave with the skills, experience, and confidence employers value across the tech industry.

Here’s your chance to:

Study with faculty experts in AI and cybersecurity in a curriculum that reflects the current industry. Classes are held in the late afternoon and evening to accommodate working professionals
Gain hands-on software engineering experience with expert guidance in modern, cutting-edge labs, balancing academic quality and affordability.
Complete a year-long, three-course sequence culminating in a large-scale capstone project, working directly with real clients to deliver software solutions.
Take advantage of low in-state tuition. Massachusetts residents pay under $30k for the program.

median salary for Computer Science MS graduates

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024

full-time employed

UMass Boston Survey Data, 2020-2022

projected job growth through 2034

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024

student in college of science and mathematics reviews brain scan imagery

Career Possibilities

Graduates transform the tech landscape and advance computing innovation as software engineers or computing researchers, while others choose to lead teams, direct research groups, teach in higher education, or pursue a PhD.

Here’s where this degree can take you:

Software Engineer
Data Scientist
Systems Engineer
Analyst
AI / Machine Learning Engineer
Research Scientist

Example Employers of Program Graduates

UMass Boston Computer Science MS alumni launch careers at top technology firms in Boston and across the country, including:

Program Pathway Options

How to Apply

Deadlines: June 15 for fall, November 1 for spring

Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.

Applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements in addition to the following program-specific requirements

Apply as a Graduate Student

Financing Your Education

Estimate Your Program Cost: Get a feel for your expected program costs using the Graduate Program Cost Calculator.

Program Cost Information: For more detailed information on costs, please visit the Bursar's website to learn more about Regular Session Tuition & Fees for in person courses and Special Price Tuition & Fees for online courses. Please refer to Financial Aid for more information on assistantships and other financial aid resources.

Graduate Student Financial Aid

Graduate Scholarships

Program Details

Computer Science MS Application Requirements

Applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements in addition to the following program-specific requirements:

A minimum, cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (or international equivalent) in all undergraduate work
A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of recognized standing or an international equivalent at the time of enrollment
Official GRE score
Official transcripts for all institutions where you have earned more than 6 credits. If your transcript is in a language other than English, please include an English translation, validated by an official public translator.
Statement of Purpose
Two letters of recommendation
Applicants who completed the majority of their undergraduate coursework outside of the United States are typically required to submit official TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo English proficiency test scores.

Curriculum

Object-Oriented Software Development (6 Credits)

CS 681 - Object-Oriented Software Development 3 Credit(s)
CS 682 - Software Development Laboratory I 3 Credit(s)

Theoretical Electives (6 Credits)

Take two from below.

CS 620 - Theory of Computation 3 Credit(s)
CS 622 - Theory of Formal Languages 3 Credit(s)
CS 624 - Analysis of Algorithms 3 Credit(s)
CS 720 - Logical Foundations of Computer Science 3 Credit(s)
CS 724 - Topics in Algorithm Theory and Design 3 Credit(s)

Undergraduate Courses (see Undergraduate Catalog for descriptions):

CS 420 Introduction to the Theory of Computation
MATH 470 Mathematical Logic

Applied Electives (18 Credits)

Take six from below.

Student approved for a master's thesis may take three credits of CS 699 - Research for MS Thesis.

CS 613 - Applied Cryptography 3 Credit(s)
CS 615 - User Interface Design 3 Credit(s)
CS 630 - Database Management Systems 3 Credit(s)
CS 634 - Architecture of Database Systems 3 Credit(s)
CS 636 - Database Application Development 3 Credit(s)
CS 637 - Database-Backed Websites 3 Credit(s)
CS 646 - Computer Communications Networks 3 Credit(s)
CS 648 - Wireless Networks and Mobile Computing 3 Credit(s)
CS 651 - Compiler 3 Credit(s)
CS 670 - Artificial Intelligence 3 Credit(s)
CS 672 - Neural Networks 3 Credit(s)
CS 675 - Computer Vision 3 Credit(s)
CS 680 - Object-Oriented Design and Programming 3 Credit(s)

Undergraduate Courses (see Undergraduate Catalog for descriptions):

CS 410 Introduction to Software Engineering
CS 411 Competitive Programming
CS 444 Operating Systems
CS 446 Introduction to Internetworking
CS 450 Structure of Higher Level Languages
CS 445 Real-Time Systems
CS 460 Graphics

For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.

Learning Outcomes

Prepare students for designing and implementing industrial-scale programming applications.
Provide students with a solid understanding of theoretical results in Computer Science and of their relevance for programming.

Graduation Criteria

Complete a minimum of 30 credits from at least ten courses including two object-oriented software development courses, two theoretical electives, and at least six applied electives.

Capstone: Complete a software engineering project as part of CS 681 and 682 or a master’s thesis which requires a minimum GPA of 3.5 and approval of the graduate program director.
GPA: A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required from all courses applied toward the program. A student may not choose to take an additional course in lieu of a course in which he or she has earned a low grade.
Minimum grade: No courses with a grade below C may be applied toward the program. No more than two courses with a grade below B- may be applied toward the program.
Course level: At least 24 credits for the program must be from courses at the 600-level or higher. With the exception of CS 485, all 400-level computer science courses are considered graduate-level courses.
Statute of limitations: Seven years.

Contact

Graduate Program Director Dan Simovici
dan.simovici@umb.edu
(617) 287-6472

Administrative Assistant Gemma Galecia
gemma.galecia@umb.edu
(617) 287-6441

Email Program Director

Build real software. Solve real problems.

Complete a one year, three-course sequence culminating in a two-semester capstone, where you’ll work with real clients on large-scale software projects and deliver professional solutions.

Using object-oriented techniques in C++ and Java, you’ll build a series of moderate-sized programs before designing and implementing a substantial team project, gaining the experience and skills to make an impact in the tech industry.

Computer Science MS

Request Info

About the Program

Career Possibilities

Program Pathway Options

How to Apply

Financing Your Education

Program Details

Computer Science MS Application Requirements

Curriculum

Learning Outcomes

Graduation Criteria

Contact

Build real software. Solve real problems.

Program Faculty

Beatrice Perez

Bo Sheng

Dan Simovici

Daniel Haehn

Duc Tran

Funda Durupinar Babur

Gabriel Ghinita

Junichi Suzuki

Kenneth Fletcher

Nurit Haspel

Ozgun Babur

Shichao Pei

Stephen Chang

Swaminathan Iyer

Tarikul Islam Papon

Tales de Oliveira Imbiriba

Tiago Soares Cogumbreiro Garcia

Wei Ding

Xiaohui Liang

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