University of Massachusetts - Computer Science
 
 

MS Requirements

It is unusual for students to be admitted into a Masters-only track within our department. Most such students are UMass Amherst undergraduates with a strong academic record who are admitted via the Bay State Fellowship program. One or two additional students are admitted MS-only each year. Most of our students enter in the MS/PhD track or the PhD-only track. Financial support for most MS-only students comes in the form of half or full assistantships.

The Department expects that students starting work toward a Masters degree have a solid undergraduate background in Computer Science. If you are unsure of your background, you should consult your advisor.

M.S Students are required to:

  • Satisfy 4 Core Requirements (at least one from each area)
  • Complete 24 course credits (core courses taken to satisfy core requirements are included)
  • Complete a 6-credit MS Project

M.S Students are strongly encouraged to actively participate in research under the guidance of an advisor.


Sample schedule

The following schedule shows one way in which an MS-only track student could progress through the program to complete the MS in two years. Because people have different backgrounds and different skills, an individual student's progress will almost certainly vary somewhat from this. It can be a helpful guide nonetheless. Students supported by an RAship will be able to make progress more efficiently if their Masters project is in line with that RAship.

Year Fall Spring Summer
1st core (3cr)
non-cores (6cr)
RA/TA		 core (3cr)
non-cores (6cr)
RA/TA		 --------
2nd core (3cr)
non-core (3cr)
RA/TA		 core (3cr)
Masters project begins
RA overlaps project		 Complete project
MS completed