Accelerated Master's Program of Computer Science

The Department of Computer Science offers two Master of Science options: a thesis-based or non-thesis degree. The thesis-based path is best if you are interested in completing a doctoral program and entering an academic and research career. The non-thesis track is ideal if you want to develop more sophisticated theoretical, applied and programming skills for professions in business or industry. The National Research Council ranks the department the best of its size among publicly funded universities, likely for its strong research in the areas of algorithms, artificial intelligence, visualization, programming languages, security, systems, and parallel and high-performance computing.

The expectation is that you will complete your undergraduate degree within four years, and the fourth year will coincide with the first year of graduate study. As such, successful applicants will be those who demonstrate the maturity, intellectual ability, and ability to work in a team necessary for the rigors of an accelerated, highly competitive program.

You will need:

• a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a minimum of 12 units of undergraduate UA credit.
• a 3.5 computer science GPA.
• a minimum of 90 undergraduate credit hours is required at the time of entry into the AMP. If your cumulative GPA falls below 3.3, or your major GPA falls below a 3.5, at the time you have completed 90 units, you will not be admitted into the program.
• to have completed or be near completion of general education requirements.
• to be a Computer Science major.
• to have completed the undergraduate core curriculum (CSC 252, 335, 345, and 352) and be enrolled in or completed one 400-level CSC course.