Background
The Master of Science (MS) degree is intended for students who want
to pursue careers in computer science at the highest levels of the
practice. In general, students with an MS degree receive higher
starting salaries and quicker advancement than students with BS
degrees. Some companies prefer to hire students with MS degrees. The MS
degree also qualifies students to be hired as faculty members at some
community colleges and smaller four-year colleges, or to work as
adjunct instructors at larger institutions of higher learning.
Completion of an MS degree, particularly on the thesis track, is good
preparation for pursuit of a PhD degree as well.
In order to understand the requirements for the MS degree it is
important to understand how the MS program is administered by the
University. In particular, to earn an MS degree, a student must satisfy
the requirements of
- the Division of Graduate Education
- the College of Engineering
- the Department of Computer Science
The Division of Graduate Education sets the minimum standards and
requirements for admission to the MS program and completion of the MS
degree from MSU regardless of the College or Department in which the
degree is earned. The College of Engineering may impose additional
standards and requirements, but cannot lessen the requirements
established by the Division of Graduate Education. Similarly, the
Computer Science Department may impose additional standards and
requirements, but cannot lessen those of the College of Engineering or
the Division of Graduate Education. All prospective and current
students are therefore required to become intimately familiar with the
standards and requirements imposed by each of these entities.
Back to Master's Degree Menu
Updated: 2009-08-27
