Master of Science in Computer Science Plan A

Apply to the Master of Science Program

Admissions

Coursework

Financial Aid

Resources

Admissions

Minimum Requirements

  • Those who submit GRE scores should have above the 40th percentile on the verbal section and 80th percentile on the quantitative section. Those whose score(s) are below that level on either section will need to show compensating strength in their background.
  • TOEFL score of 79 or IELTS overall score of 6.0 and a minimum score of 5 on each subscale
  • Extensive experience in computing, programming experience in C++, and a course in Data Structures and Algorithms (CS 2420), as well as a working grasp of calculus and statistics

Application Materials

Note: Application materials may be submitted after paying the $55 nonrefundable application fee. For more information on application materials, visit the School of Graduate Studies' Steps to Apply and Admissions Policies. If you have an error on your application such as the start date, contact the School of Graduate Studies to adjust this before you complete the application.

Application Deadlines

Semester Application Deadline
Fall (Begins in August) November 1
Spring (Begins in January) No Admission
Summer No Admission

No spring admissions unless the student is recommended by a faculty member as a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA).
No summer admissions

* Please be aware that for many international students, it can take up to 6 months to secure a student visa even after they've had their interview.

Please note that to be considered for Departmental funding (Teaching Assistantships) you must apply in the Fall.

Note: Admitted students may defer their acceptance for a maximum of one year. Beyond one year, students need to reapply for their program.

Coursework

Program Pathway

  1. Be accepted to the Computer Science PhD program and work with your temporary advisor: the Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC), Taryn Sommers taryn.sommers@usu.edu
  2. Register for courses. CS 6900 Seminar must be completed during your first Fall semester. In this course you will meet all the faculty and become familiar with their research.
  3. International students must register for International Graduate School Orientation their first semester.
  4. If you are a GTA, register for USU 7920 your first semester. Registering is a requirement to receive funding. Questions? Contact erika.beckstrand@usu.edu.
  5. Complete the RCR training for research by 2nd semester.
  6. Complete the Individual Development Plan (IDP) on Canvas yearly (due Feb. 20th).
  7. Second Semester (due Nov. 30th or Apr. 20th): Form your graduate committee and complete the Supervisory Committee Approval Form (SCAF)
  8. Second Semester (due Nov. 30th or Apr. 30th): Submit your Program of Study (POS) by emailing the Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC), Taryn Sommers taryn.sommers@usu.edu, to let her know it is ready for approval. If you submit your POS late you may lose your tuition award.
  9. Complete an Annual Review with your major professor each year. (due Apr. 30th). Satisfactory progress required in order to continue receiving funding.
  10. Third Semester (or sooner): Submit your Thesis Proposal Approval (TPA).
  11. Take 6 credits of CS 6970 or STAT 6970 and conduct your research. Take 24 credits of coursework, as listed on your POS.
  12. Write your thesis and submit it to your major professor, then to your committee.
  13. Tentatively schedule your defense with your committee and complete your Appointment for Examination (AFE) at least 2 weeks prior to your defense.
  14. Work with the Staff Assistant to schedule a meeting room and publicize the thesis defense.
  15. Defend your thesis then complete any edits requested by your major professor.
  16. Complete post-defense forms: Format and Style, Authorship and Copyright, and Title Pages. Send finalized thesis and title page to the Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC), Taryn Sommers taryn.sommers@usu.edu, who will send them to the Graduate School for approval.
  17. Your MS/CS, Plan A program is complete after you complete the coursework on your POS and your successfully defended thesis has been approved.
  18. Check with the Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC), Taryn Sommers taryn.sommers@usu.edu, about any final closeout steps for the CS department.

Supervisory Committee (SCAF)

  • New students are assigned a temporary advisor.
  • By the end of their first semester students should know their research area and have identified a professor to supervise said research.
  • Students formulate a research idea/topic and approach the identified professor.
  • If the identified professor agrees to accept the new student, the professor becomes the student’s permanent advisor (also called Committee Chair or Major Professor).
  • Together, the student and the Committee Chair decide the other members of the student’s Graduate Supervisory Committee. Contact the Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC), Taryn Sommers taryn.sommers@usu.edu, to get more information about who can serve on the committee.
  • For students joining the department in Fall semester, you will need to submit a Supervisory Committee Form (SCAF) by November 30th. For students joining the department in Spring semester, you will need to submit a SCAF by April 20th.
  • If your advisor leaves USU, it is your responsibility to get a new advisor. The advisor cannot, in general, direct your progress from another university.

Program of Study (POS) Requirements

The Program of Study (POS) is a contract among the student, committee members, and the School of Graduate Studies outlining which courses the student will take to meet the School of Graduate Studies requirements and complete their degree program.

Students joining the department in a Fall semester will need to submit a Program of Study by April 30th of their second semester. Students joining the department in a Spring semester will need to submit a Program of Study by November 30th of their second semester.

In order to be approved, the POS must follow the MS/CS, Plan A degree requirements listed on the USU Catalog. Requirements for a MS/CS, Plan A POS are as follows:

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At least 30 credits

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1 credit of CS 6900

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6 credits of CS 6970

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14 credits of CS 6000+ courses. Excluding CS 6250, CS 6900, and CS 6970

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9 additional credits of graduate coursework at the 5000-level or above

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Up to 3 credits of CS 6250

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Up to one course from CS 5950, CS 6950, and CS 7950

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Additional credits of CS 6970 may not apply to the elective course requirements

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Cannot include CS 6990, CS 7970, or CS 7990

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May include up to 6 credits outside the CS department. Outside credits must be from: ECE, MATH, STAT, PSC 6150 or SOC 6150

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Cannot include independent study, research, or continuing graduate advisement outside of the CS department.

GPA Policy

Before Fall 2020
  • No more than two courses used to satisfy these requirements can have grades below B-.
  • No courses used to satisfy these requirements can have grades below C.
  • Students must maintain a 3.00 GPA on all courses they take as a graduate student on all courses numbered 5000 or above.
  • Students must maintain a 3.00 GPA on all courses shown on his or her Program of Study Form.
  • Student must maintain a 3.0 GPA on all courses taken as a matriculated graduate student.
  • Student must maintain a 3.0 GPA all CS courses numbered 5000 or above.

Fall 2020 to Present
  • Graduate students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA for degree-program courses. 
  • Grades of C+ or lower will not be accepted for a graduate degree.

Info! Students with an overall GPA below 3.0 at the completion of fall and spring semesters will be issued an academic warning. If a student’s institution GPA remains below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters, then they will be dismissed from the program.

Financial Aid

Graduate students frequently wonder whether they can get financial assistance from the Department. This is available to qualified students in a variety of forms:

  • Research assistantships (GRA) are awarded by individual professors who have research funds to support graduate students; consult the web pages of individual faculty to determine whether they are seeking research assistants.

In addition to the stipend, students receiving financial aid usually qualify for a waiver of up to 9 credits non-resident and resident portion of tuition.

Students who accept the offer of admissions by April 15 will be eligible to apply for financial aid for the following Fall semester.

Some students are able to find campus employment with other departments or research groups.

Computer Science Tuition Award Policy

Restrictions
  1. No student may receive a tuition waiver if they have been found to have violated the Computer Science Code of Conduct or the Computer Science Cheating Policy and been reported to Student Services.
  2. Students who were previously a GTA must receive satisfactory review from their previous supervisor in order to be considered for a GTA  position in future semesters.
  3. Students who are employed outside of the Department will not be awarded tuition waivers from the Computer Science Department. They will need to petition the Department where they are working.

Priorities for Tuition Awards
  1. First priority will be given to students who are supported by research grants.
  2. Second priority will be given to students selected for specific tasks by the Department.
  3. Third priority will be given to doctoral students and MS/CS, Plan A students who are recommended by their major professor.
  4. If any tuition waivers remain, they will be assigned based on the discretion of the Department.

Constraints on Teaching and Research Assistantships
Department support is not unlimited or unconditional. The following constraints apply for both MS and doctoral students.
  1. If you are a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA), you must do well as a GTA. The CS Department may end your funding, or not renew it in future semesters, if you consistently have poor evaluations of your GTA performance.
  2. You must have a CS faculty advisor (excluding adjuncts). Department support does not go to students who are supervised by faculty from other departments.
  3. You must have a current CS faculty advisor. If your advisor leaves, get a new one. The advisor cannot, in general, direct from another university (exceptions are made for students who have passed the PhD proposal or are otherwise nearing completion of their degree).
  4. You must continuously be making progress towards your degree in classes and research.
  5. MS students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 for degree-program courses. Doctoral students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.5 for degree-program courses.