Advanced research meets hands-on teaching.

The Master of Science in the field of Computer Science program elevates your computer science expertise through advanced coursework while offering valuable teaching experience with undergraduates. The fully-funded program combines graduate-level research with hands-on teaching opportunities, designed for self-motivated researchers and communicators who thrive in a research environment and enjoy mentoring others.

See and compare degrees.

See and compare degrees.

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MS

M.Eng.

MS/Ph.D.

Degree Awarded:

Master of Science

Master of Engineering

Master of Science (after A Exam); Doctor of Philosophy (after B Exam)

Overview:

Two-year research degree. Small program with strong preference for Cornell undergraduates.

Principle one year master’s professional degree. 

Research degree; multiple years (typically 5-7 years total)

Degree Differences:

Specialized area coursework with the completion of a thesis; aiming to provide advanced knowledge and skills in a specific area of computer science.

Primarily focused on coursework with a capstone project that advances students' placement in industry jobs.

Emphasizes original research and requires the completion of a dissertation; aiming to contribute new knowledge to the field.

Financial Support:

Supported by teaching assistantships for fall and spring semesters with good standing. No guarantee of summer support.

Self-supported

Full support for duration of degree with good standing. Students supported by a combination of any of the following: teaching assistantships; graduate research assistantships, or fellowships.

Career Path:

Development or research jobs in industry; Ph.D. programs; teaching positions.

Development jobs in industry

View CS M.Eng. Program

Research jobs in industry/academia; teaching positions.

View CS Ph.D. Program

Explore the curriculum - the path to your MS.

This highly selective, four-semester MS in the field of Computer Science combines advanced coursework with research and teaching opportunities to deepen expertise through hands-on experience. 

Program requirements include:

  • A student must complete a total of 34 credit hours.
  • Six to twelve (6-12) of the 34 credits must be associated with thesis research.
  • An outside minor is required and that typically involves two (2) or three (3) graduate-level courses. Requirements are determined by the outside field.
  • Written thesis and oral presentation. 

ACADEMIC PLANNING

A student must complete a total of 34 credit hours.

  • At least 34 credit hours of work is required.
  • Six (6) to 12 credit hours must be associated with thesis research (CS 7999).
  • All CS courses must be 4000-level or higher.
  • At least four (4) of these courses must be CS courses at the 5000-level (or higher) and at least one of these must be at the 6000-level.
  • All CS courses must be taken for a letter grade and that grade must be C or better for the course to count.

View credit distribution details on Academic Planning.

Student Resources and Support

Our mission is to help you succeed so you can fully participate in the Cornell Bowers experience.

 

Current Student Resources

Program Office

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Our commitment to belonging.

Fostering an inclusive environment is a core value of the Computer Science Department and Cornell University. In line with Cornell’s founding principle of educating “any person…in any study,” we seek applicants who contribute to a climate of inclusion — especially those from historically underrepresented backgrounds or who have overcome personal challenges. 

Because graduate students often serve in teaching and mentoring roles, we ask all applicants to explicitly express a commitment to Cornell's guidelines for equity and inclusiveness. 

Diversity Recruitment Fellowships are also available. Applicants who wish to be considered for these fellowships must indicate their interest within the Graduate School application, please visit Founder's Excellence Fellowship Portfolio.

The Graduate School offers application fee waivers to participants in eligible pipeline programs. Instructions and eligibility details can be found here, and waiver requests are typically processed within three business days.

Read CS Values of INCLUSION

View Belonging at Bowers