Computer Science
Program Information
The Master of Science in Computer Science program at Duquesne University offers a comprehensive education in computing, focusing on current research areas, with opportunities for involvement in faculty research projects and publications, and without comprehensive examinations. Competitive tuition rates enhance accessibility for aspiring students.
Degree
Master's
Academic Department
Mathematics and Computer Sciences
Duration
1.5 years (full-time)
Required Credit Hours
30
Professors Take the Spotlight on the One Mic Stand Podcast
Graduate Director and Professor Dr. Jeffrey Jackson, along with Instructor of Computer Science and former student David Berdik, discuss the Computer Science master’s program with Jonathan Kersting from the PGH Tech Council on the One Mic Stand podcast.
Questions? Contact Us!
The Student & Instructor Perspective
“As a student, I really appreciated the small class sizes because it allowed me to build relationships with my professors that would not have been possible in a lecture hall setting. Now, as an instructor, the small class sizes enable me to give the same one-on-one support to my students that I enjoyed during my time as a student.”
Application Requirements
You must have a 4-year bachelor's degree, or a 3-year degree followed by a master's,
in computer science or closely related field covering material at least equivalent
to Duquesne University's undergraduate majors-level courses in operating systems, algorithms and their prerequisites.
We also expect a first course in calculus, such as Calculus I or a business calculus course.
- Applications from students who have completed only a 3-year undergraduate degree without
a master's degree will not be considered.
- If you have not completed all of the appropriate coursework, you might be admitted provisionally, but if so you will be required to satisfactorily complete missing foundational courses as specified above before taking any graduate courses. This foundational coursework will not count toward the necessary graduate credits.
- The GRE examination is not required for admission, but is recommended for all applicants.
- GRE is required for applicants wishing to be considered for an assistantship.
If you do not have an approved waiver of language testing, regular admission to the MSCS program requires language scores of 80 TOEFL (iBT), 6.5 IELTS or 105 Duolingo English. Also note that we offer a Pathway Program for students who need to improve their English language skills but want to take some computer science coursework at the same time. Pathway can last up to three semesters, and the GRE is not required.
Once you successfully complete the Pathway Program, you will be directly admitted to the MSCS program with 6 graduate credits earned toward your degree. The Pathway Program requires applicants to have earned iBT (TOEFL) test scores of at least 60, IELTS scores of at least 5.5 or Duolingo scores of at least 85 prior to starting the program and to have an appropriate background in computer science.
For all applicants, there is a $38 application fee, and you may need to pay a fee to a third party in order to submit supporting materials, such as international credit evaluations and satisfactory test scores on the TOEFL for non-English language speakers.
Students must complete Duquesne's graduate application, including submission of an updated resume.
Application submission deadlines:
- Fall admission: July 1
- Spring admission: December 1
- Applications for a Fall 2025 start are due by July 1, 2025. To be considered for available teaching assistantships, submit your application with GRE scores by February 1, 2025.
- There is a $38 application fee.
Students must submit two letters of recommendation, at least one of which should be from a reference who can comment meaningfully on your prior academic performance.
A personal statement of no more than 500 words that explains why you are applying to the Computer Science Master's program and provides any other information you wish the admissions committee to have.
The GRE examination is not required for admission, but is recommended for all applicants. The GRE is required for applicants wishing to be considered for an assistantship. (The Duquesne school code is 2196 and the department code is 0402).
Outstanding applicants may qualify for a limited number of graduate assistantships. Applications that include an assistantship request will be considered for the fall term only and must be submitted by February 1. Note that to be considered for an assistantship, GRE general exam scores are required.
- Graduate assistantships provide full or partial tuition remission and a stipend.
- Teaching assistants primarily lead undergraduate labs and tutor undergraduate students. If it is mutually agreeable, they might also have full responsibility for teaching an introductory course.
- Research assistantships may be available subject to grant funding.
Program Requirements
Non-thesis program with advanced coursework.
One core course must be taken from each of the following four core areas:
- COSC 510 or 511 Advanced Operating Systems and Computer Architecture
- COSC 512 or 513 Artificial Intelligence and Data Management Systems
- COSC 514 or 515 Networks and Security
- COSC 516 or 517 Algorithms and Models of Computation
- COSC 521 Automated Theorem Proving
- COSC 522 Data Compression
- COSC 523 Machine Learning
- COSC 524 Natural Language Processing
- COSC 525 String Processing
- COSC 560 Algorithms/Graph Theory
If you have no prior, relevant work experience, you will be required to complete an internship or employment experience, typically during the summer term.
If you have prior, relevant work experience, you may satisfy the internship requirement by submitting suitable materials. These materials include an academic reflection that addresses the skills, knowledge, techniques and design principles related to computer science acquired in your work, along with a portfolio of related work projects, including design documents, programs and documentation as appropriate, which demonstrate a mastery of these areas.
All Duquesne students have access to Handshake through the Center for Career Development as one of the tools in finding internships.
You may take up to six credits of 500-level courses outside the program with departmental approval. These credits may be earned at Duquesne or at other approved institutions, including at Carnegie Mellon or the University of Pittsburgh through cross-registration.
- COSC 530 Web-based Systems
- COSC 531 Parallel and Distributed Computing
- COSC 532 Data Visualization
- COSC 533 Compilers
- COSC 535 Theory of Programming Languages
- CPMA 551 Digital Image Processing
- CPMA 565 Numerical Methods
- CPMA 566 Operations Research
- CPMA 573 Statistical Computing
Featured content
Internship Opportunities
Internships play a crucial role in career development. In our program, students have access to a wide range of internship opportunities, spanning large and small companies, non-profit organizations, and government agencies.
Optimal Location
Duquesne University is nestled in the heart of Pittsburgh, PA! A vibrant epicenter of finance and technology, fostering a dynamic environment for you to engage with industry leaders and opportunities.
Questions?
We have the answers to help you reach your bigger goals. Please contact us if you do not find the MSCS answer you need.
To be considered for available teaching assistantships, submit your application with GRE scores by February 1, 2025.
If you are an international applicant, you might need transcript evaluation and/or English language testing. Please note that we are unable to waive any fees that might be charged by third parties for such services.
Learn more about Graduate English Proficiency Guidelines for Duquesne University.
Note that the current MSCS tuition rate is approximately 33% less than the typical Master's program in Duquesne's Graduate School of Science and Engineering. There is also a one-time $125 fee for new international students. Estimates for other expenses, such as health insurance and living expenses, can be found at our Graduate admissions page.
We often offer two teaching assistantships for each Fall that includes some level of tuition remission and a stipend. To be considered for a teaching assistantship, an applicant should indicate their interest in response to the appropriate question in the application system and submit GRE general exam scores. Applications due by February 1.
Duquesne's Center for Career Development does support students seeking internships by providing access to the Handshake employment-search system, hosting job and internship fairs, leading resume and interview skills workshops, etc.
Students have at least six years to complete the program. You can potentially earn your degree even when completing only two courses most years and taking a leave for a semester or two.
Each application to the MSCS program will then be reviewed by a faculty committee to determine acceptance.
However, if an application shows very little or no background in computer science, it is the applicant will likely not be admitted to the MSCS program, even provisionally.
We aim to communicate decisions to applicants within three weeks of the completed application reaching the faculty admission committee. However, at times when we have received many applications within a short period of time there may be a slightly longer response time.
We cannot consider applications from students who expect to have completed only a three-year degree by the semester for which they are applying.
For additional application process information, please email the Graduate Admissions team or contact them directly at (412) 396-6219.
Learn more about the Pathway for Computer Science program and the Pathway options available based on your English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo).
Review English as a Second Language for more detailed information or email the ESL Grad Team directly.