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Master of Science in Computer Science

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The Master of Science serves several audiences, from the professional - with extensive industrial experience, to the recent graduate - aiming ultimately for an advanced research degree.

In all cases, a major objective is to prepare the student for a work environment requiring continued growth.

Full time Part time BS to MS Duration: 3-4 Semesters

UMass Lowell’s computer science program offers theoretical grounding combined with an industry-influenced curriculum that sets our graduates apart. Alumni of the program work in companies like Amazon, Bloomberg, EMC, Facebook, Fidelity, Google, IBM, Microsoft, MITRE and Raytheon.
Graduates of the program work across industries, in large and small organizations.
Opportunities abound for students to work on industry-sponsored research projects and in well-funded research centers and research labs, like the Human Robot Interaction (HRI) Lab. Students collaborate with their peers on projects and field competitive teams, like the one that developed the "Rover Hawk" robot that took first place at a NASA competition. Students work with and learn from faculty who are experts in AI and Machine Learning, Information/Systems Security and Big Data.
UMass Lowell’s Computer Science Department is top ranked among computer science departments in the United States by CSRankings.org, in areas such as Machine Learning and Data Mining, Computer Security, Robotics, Programming Languages, Mobile Computing, Embedded and Realtime Systems, Design Automation, Computer Vision and Databases.

The Computer Science Master of Science curriculum requires that students take between 30 and 34 credits. In addition to 12 credits in core courses, students may take electives grouped into one of the following areas: 1) Human-Computer Interaction, Visualization, Robotics and AI; 2) Foundations; 3) Systems and Networks; or 4) Information Management and Analysis. An optional master’s thesis may count toward up to six credit hours.

UMass Lowell undergraduate students majoring in computer science may be eligible for the accelerated BS to MS Program, in which students who take some graduate courses in their senior year can earn both the undergraduate and graduate degree while saving time and expense. For more information on the BS to MS Program, contact the Graduate Coordinator at gcoord@cs.uml.edu.

For more information on the curriculum including course listings and degree pathways, visit the Graduate Catalog.

Master of Science, General Option

Course Requirements:

  • 30 Course Credits (10 courses)
  • Ten graduate level courses in Computer Science, from an approved list of courses.

Students may choose to gain a concentration in:

  • Bioinformatics
  • Cybersecurity
  • Entrepreneurship

Master of Science, Cybersecurity Option

Course Requirements:

  • 30 Course Credits (10 courses)
  • Four graduate level core courses in computer science and eight graduate level courses selected from five categories (Foundations, Systems & Networks, Human-Computer Interaction, Visualization, Robotics & AI, Information Management & Analysis, Interdisciplinary and Other Approved Electives) 
An optional master’s thesis can be substituted for two elective courses (a maximum of six credits). Students who wish to do a thesis must file a Proposed Thesis Committee form with the Graduate Coordinator prior to beginning work on the thesis.
  • Review the application process
  • Submit online application
  • Undergraduate degree in computer science or a related discipline such as mathematics, physics, or engineering
  • Applicants must demonstrate courses taken or competency in the following areas:
    • Data Structures and Programming
    • Operating Systems
    • Analysis of Algorithms
    • Calculus, Discrete Mathematics, Probability and Statistics
  • Official transcript from previously earned degrees
  • Official score from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
  • 2 letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose
  • $50 application fee

International Applicants

  • For applicants who earned their degree outside of the US, you do not need to have your transcript evaluated by a credentialing service such as WES or CED.
  • English proficiency testing
    • TOEFL minimum 79
    • IELTS minimum 6.5
UMass Lowell Computer Science BS to MS Applicants
UMass Lowell offers a five-year combined BS to MS Program in Computer Science, in which students earn both degrees while saving time and expense by taking some graduate courses in the final year of the undergraduate program. Enrollees in this program do not need to submit GRE scores.

See the Graduate Catalog for additional requirements of the program. 

Visit Graduate Admissions for more information.

In-State

Cost Per Credit: $844.99* 

Total Tuition (Based on 30 Credits): $25,349.70*

Out-of-State/International

Cost per credit: $1,499.44* 


Total Tuition (Based on 30 Credits): $44,983.20*

*These estimated graduate charges are for the 2021-2022 academic year. These prices are subject to change by vote of the UMass Board of Trustees.

Financing

For more information on tuition and financing, visit Costs & Aid for Graduate Programs.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for software developers is expected to grow 24 percent through 2026 – an occupation that is experiencing a critical labor shortage already.

Companies that have hired our graduates include Amazon, BAE, Cisco, EMC, Facebook, Fidelity, Google, HP, IBM, Intel, iRobot, MITRE, Microsoft, Oracle and Raytheon.

Why Study Computer Science at UMass Lowell?

headshot of graduate student John Kilgo

“Taking an HCI (Human-Computer Interaction) course at UML is helping me. It has caused me to ask myself: How is my user going to use this? Does the workflow I’m building make sense?”

John Kilgo VI, a software systems engineer at MITRE Corporation in Bedford, Mass., works full-time while enrolled in UMass Lowell’s master’s in computer science program part-time. It’s helping him improve on the job. Read more

Computer-Science-Male-Female-800

Standout Faculty

Four new faculty in Computer Science add depth to UMass Lowell’s big data and machine learning, human-computer and human-robot interaction, and storage security strengths. Read more

Prof. Holly Yanco with a Baxter robot

Multidisciplinary Research

Robots may soon be able to tell us how they’re doing, thanks to defense department grant that will advance machine learning and Artificial Intelligence by bringing together UMass Lowell’s robotics experts with those at Carnegie Mellon University, Tufts University and Brigham Young University. Read more