Admission Requirements for MS in Computer Science starting 2023

Note: Pending changes. Students admitted before the changes are official will have a choice to follow this program or the program in effect when admitted.

The Master of Science in Computer Science at UMSL prepares students for rewarding careers related to computer science or solidifies the knowledge and offers advancement of those already working in a related field. Admission is open to applicants with some computing-related coursework, training, and/or experience. Others can still transition into the program – review this page for more information and contact the program director for additional guidance.

Applicants apply through and must meet the Graduate School requirements plus the following additional departmental GPA and foundation requirements. Those admitted, for whom we could not determine some foundations or with GPA deficiencies, can be admitted with restrictions - see the restrictions section.

Applicants with relevant full-time training and/or experience can apply for up to 6 proficiency transfer credits toward the degree in CMP SCI 5991, regardless of their undergraduate degree.

GPA

Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 (out of 4.0) GPA to be considered for admission. This can be an undergraduate GPA or some later GPA. Applicants with a GPA of 2.75-2.99 will be considered but must provide additional evidence, which can be a combination of GRE, reference letters, and/or relevant experience and should all be presented in the Statement of Intent. Applicants below 2.75 will only be considered if supplemented by lengthy related experience, as demonstrated in the Statement of Intent.

Foundations

Applicants will be evaluated for proficiency in the following areas. This can be prior coursework on transcripts or non-academic training/relevant experience. Applicants are advised to refer to these items below and offer relevant information in the Statement of Intent.

Computer Science

1. At least two different modern general-purpose programming languages.
2. Object-oriented programming, concepts, and terminology
3. Basic dynamic data structures such as strings, lists, stacks, queues, and trees
4. Design and analysis of algorithms
5. Mathematical foundation for computer science (discrete structures) with topics such as sets, logic, functions, and relations

Mathematics

1. A calculus course
2. A probability and statistics course

Restrictions

An applicant missing or not adequately demonstrating in the Letter of Intent some of the above requirements may be admitted on restricted status. The GPA restriction will be lifted after a successful semester. The foundation restrictions may be lifted after the applicant provides the graduate director evidence of proficiency which can be transcripts or additional non-academic training, or otherwise the admitted student will have to pass appropriate undergraduate courses to lift the remaining restrictions.

For more information on restrictions see here.

If you are transitioning to computer science and miss many of the requirements, review this page.