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2022-2023 Graduate Catalog This is not the most recent catalog version; be sure you are viewing the appropriate catalog year.
Computer Science [M.S.]
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The Master of Science in Computer Science program provides a flexible and rigorous education in the advanced principles of computer science. Graduates are prepared for research or doctoral programs and employment in business, government organizations, educational institutions, and other enterprises.
The program requires 33 credit hours of Computer Science courses, including one practicum, research study, or thesis. All students must also complete a core set of courses if they have not already completed them in their undergraduate studies. With the help of the graduate coordinator, students can design their programs of study to specialize in a particular area of interest. The flexibility in course formats, such as online, evening, and hybrid offerings, encourages students to complete their degrees part-time or full-time. Graduate Assistantships are available to qualified students to aid them financially and enhance their academic experiences here at EMU.This is a designated STEM program (See OPT Extension).
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Program Admission
Admit Terms and Deadlines
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; students may start the program in the Summer, Fall, or Winter. See Application Deadlines.
Due to the limited number of courses available during the summer semester, international students studying on an F1 Visa may only begin coursework during the Fall or Winter. Minimum Graduate School Requirements
For full admission, applicants must have 1) Earned a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent degree from a non-U.S. institution, 2) a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, or 3.0 in the last half of the undergraduate program. Conditional admission may be available to applicants who do not meet minimum admission requirements.
Program Requirements
Applicants must also meet the following program requirements. Requirements may be more stringent than the minimum graduate school requirements.
- Have at least 18 hours of 200-level (or above) computer science courses, including data structures, programming languages, computer organization, and competency in a high-level programming language such as C, C++, Python, or Java;
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.75 in computer science coursework; and
- Have completed a course (one semester) in discrete mathematics, probability or statistics, linear algebra, and calculus.
International Applicants All international applicants whose native language is not English must meet the English proficiency requirements:
- IBT - 79 overall with a writing score of at least 19
- IELTS - 6.5 overall with a writing score of at least 5.5
- MET- 57 overall with a writing score of at least 53
- PTE - 58 overall with a writing score of at least 65
Application
Your application will be submitted using GradCAS, a Centralized Application Service (CAS) hosted by Liaison. After reviewing the admission requirements, please review the application instructions and select the appropriate application.
Domestic Applicants Domestic applicants are required to submit only the transcript from the institution granting their bachelor’s degree if either of the following criteria is met: 1) Lists 30 or more credit hours with an overall GPA of 3.0 or over OR 2) Lists 60 or more credit hours with an overall GPA between 2.7 and 2.99. Within the application, follow the instructions to submit an official transcript. The University may ask applicants to submit additional transcripts after applying.
International Applicants Before applying, applicants must review the international application/process deadlines at emich.edu/international as they may differ from general program requirements.
For additional information regarding the application process, please see Graduate Admissions or International Admissions.
Advisor Information
Please contact the department for advisor information.
Foundational Coursework: 12 hours
Students must complete a minimum of one course in each of the following areas, if not taken as an undergraduate student. These graduate courses may also be used to satisfy degree requirements.
Degree Requirements: 33 hours
All students may follow one of three plans: Plan A, with a practicum; Plan B, with a research study; or Plan C, with a thesis. Each plan requires 33 hours. All students must have an approved plan of study on file in the department.
Plan A - Practicum: 33 hours
This plan requires a capstone practicum course.
Restricted Electives: 30 hours
Plan B - Research Study: 33 hours
Plan B requires the completion of a research project. A committee of three members, chaired by the student’s research advisor, is responsible for confirming the student’s preparedness, approving the topic and readings and accepting the research report. One committee member may be from outside the department. The research report must be publicly presented after approval by the committee.
Restricted Electives: 30 hours
Plan C - Thesis: 33 hours
Plan C requires the completion of a thesis for six hours. A committee of three members, chaired by the student’s research advisor, is responsible for confirming the student’s preparedness, approving the topic and readings, and accepting the thesis. One committee member may be from outside the department. The thesis must be publicly defended.
Required Courses: 6 hours
Complete six credit hours from the following.
Restricted Electives: 27 hours
Critical Graduation Information
Each graduate student is responsible for fulfilling the requirements or equivalents of the Eastern Michigan University catalog in force at the time of their initial registration or a subsequent catalog, including the one in effect at the time of their graduation.
Master’s degree requirements must be completed within six (6) years of first enrollment in the master’s degree program.
In the event a student does not complete the master’s degree requirements within six years of the date of their original registration, the student may be required to have their credits re-evaluated by the academic department(s) of their degree in keeping with catalog requirements in force during the year of their graduation.
The following are minimum requirements for all master’s degrees awarded by Eastern Michigan University. Some programs require more than the minimum in one or more areas below.
- A master’s degree must require a minimum of 30 credit hours.
- No more than six credits of independent study courses and no more than 12 credit hours of special topics and independent study courses combined may be applied to a graduate degree.
- Residency Requirement:
- For students admitted to master’s degree programs of 36 or fewer required hours, at least 24 new graduate hours beginning the semester of acceptance and enrollment into the degree program must be earned at EMU. The remaining program requirement hours may be met through transfer or prior degree credit (EMU or elsewhere).
- For students admitted to master’s degree programs of 37 or more required hours, at least 30 new graduate hours beginning the semester of acceptance and enrollment into the degree program must be earned at EMU. Minimum degree hours must still be met for graduation. The remaining program requirement hours may be met through transfer or prior degree credit (EMU or elsewhere).
- Residency and enrollment in multiple programs: Students enrolled in multiple master’s/specialist degree programs must have 24 unique credit hours in each degree program.
- Only credits from one completed graduate certificate may be applied to a master’s or specialist degree in a relevant field of study, as determined by the Graduate School and with the approval of the degree-granting academic department, and be included in the residency hours above.
- Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in all graduate-level courses taken at EMU and in their program of study to remain in good academic standing and be eligible for graduation. Students do not need to be registered for classes during the semester of graduation.
- The Graduate School does not permit the use of undergraduate courses (499 and below) to meet degree requirements on graduate programs of study.
- Some master’s programs require a thesis; others require a special project or internship; others require students to pass a final exam. See the Graduate School website for Thesis and Dissertation Manuals, all forms, and information about research and human subject approval. Every completed thesis or dissertation must be submitted to Digital Commons. Any form of graduate student work submitted to Digital Commons must first be approved by a faculty advisor and the Graduate School.
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