Degree Requirements

Degrees earned will be distributed as: "Master of Computer Science" without track specifications. Students may request a department letter upon successful completion of a track curriculum.

Master of Computer Science (MR)

Core Courses

Master of Computer Science (MR) with Data Science Track

Algorithmics Category

Systems Category

Applications Category

Master of Computer Science (MR) with Security Track

Security Core Courses

Security Foundation Courses

Master of Computer Science (MR) with Software Engineering Track

Software Science Courses

Software Foundations

Additional Requirements

1. At least 21 hours must be in graduate 500- and 700-level Computer Science courses (note: the Graduate School does not allow 500- and 700-level courses to be taken pass-fail).
2. "Restricted elective" courses may be any graduate letter-graded (500- or 700-level) course within the College of Engineering (including Computer Science), or within the College of Sciences. Exceptions that will *not* count towards graduation:
   • ST 511(if taken after Spring 2014)
   • special topics courses (including EGR 590) in departments other than Computer Science (if taken after Fall 2012).
3. All Computer Science credits must be at or above the 500 level.
4. To graduate, a student must have at least a 3.00 grade point average (GPA). In addition, for students beginning their degree on or after Fall 2013, the GPA in the group of courses used to satisfy the core course requirement must be at least 3.0 as well. For additional Graduate School requirements regarding degree completion see the Graduate School Handbook.
5. A maximum of four special topics courses (either CSC 591 or CSC 791) may be counted towards graduation (for students beginning Fall 2012 or later).
6. Registration by MCS students in Independent Study (CSC 630) requires approval by the faculty member who will supervise the work, followed by submission to the DGP of a one page written description of the topic and expected outputs, and approval of the DGP. A grade of "S" will require submission of a report describing the work done, and the results obtained. A maximum of three credits of CSC 630 may be counted towards graduation.
7. Minors are neither required nor permitted.

Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degree Requirements

The Accelerated Bachelors/Master’s (ABM) degree program allows exceptional undergraduate students at NC State an opportunity to complete the requirements for both the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at an accelerated pace. These undergraduate students may double count up to 12 credits and obtain a non-thesis Master’s degree in the same field within 12 months of completing the Bachelor’s degree, or obtain a thesis-based Master’s degree in the same field within 18 months of completing the Bachelor’s degree.

This degree program also provides an opportunity for the Directors of Graduate Programs (DGPs) at NC State to recruit rising juniors in their major to their graduate programs. However, permission to pursue an ABM degree program does not guarantee admission to the Graduate School. Admission is contingent on meeting eligibility requirements at the time of entering the graduate program.

Faculty