Earning a CS MS as a Non-CS PhD Student

PhD students in other departments who are interested in earning a MS in Computer Science (MSCS), either the research-based or the course-based option must fulfill the following requirements and submit the following documents. Such students should apply to the MSCS after completing the THREE (3) BIN classes to satisfy the breadth requirement (9 CS credits) and not more than 15 total graduate credits that count towards their MSCS degree. Students are expected to complete at least 15 graduate credits towards the MSCS degree as a MSCS student. Applying to the MSCS program after completing more than 15 credits that count towards their MSCS degree will be considered ineligible for this option.

Requirements

  • Be a PhD student in another department within CU.
  • Must have completed the breadth requirements listed on the main Graduate Students page. Total 9 credits of CS courses.
  • Must not have exceeded more than 15 credits that count towards MSCS degree.
  • Current GPA of at least 3.5 in the program.
  • Cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 in both undergrad and MS degree, if applicable.
  • Strong letter of support for research work from a computer science faculty member, describing the research project for research-based MSCS option. (This is not required for the course-based MSCS option)
    • The faculty advisor has to be a tenured or tenure track faculty in the CS department, or a T&TT faculty who holds courtesy appointment with CS or a research faculty in CS with an ongoing research.

Process

Please email the following to the CS Graduate Advising Team at gradadms@colorado.edu

  • Application form
  • Letter of support that includes a research plan, from a sponsoring computer science faculty member (for research-based MS option only. Not required for course-based MS option)
  • Copy of official transcripts for undergraduate degree and MS degree, if applicable
  • Statement of purpose
  • Resume (with research and publication details for research-based MS option)
  • Two letters of recommendation (for research-based MS option, the faculty support letter can count as one recommendation letter)

The Graduate Committee will review the application and make its decision on a case-by-case basis. If a decision is made before census date of the applied term, then the computer science master’s degree will be added during that term. If a decision is made after the census date, then the degree will be added in the following term.