There are three Graduate Degree Programs offered by the College of Information and Computer Sciences.
M.S. Students are required to pass 4 core requirements, complete 30 credit hours (credits include core courses taken to pass requirements), with an option to complete a 6-credit MS Project toward the 30 credits.
The College expects that students starting work toward a Masters degree have a solid undergraduate background in Computer Science.
Most Computer Science graduate students are admitted in the MS/PhD track. That means they are intending to work toward a PhD, but will acquire a masters degree along the way. During the first stage of a student's graduate career, he or she will be simultaneously working toward the MS degree and compiling a portfolio, both of which are requirements of the PhD.
M.S./Ph.D students are required to pass 6 core requirements, complete 36 credit hours (credits include core courses taken to pass requirements), 18 Dissertation Credits, and a 6-credit MS Project (which can be applied to the 36 credit hours).
The College expects that students starting work in the MS/PhD track have a solid undergraduate background in Computer Science.
Most MS/PhD students are supported by research or teaching assistantships.
Students admitted into the PhD-only program usually arrive at UMass having already earned an MS degree at an accredited University.
Ph.D. students are required to pass 6 core requirements, complete 18 credits (credits include core courses taken to pass core requirements), and 18 Dissertation Credits.
Most PhD students are supported by research or teaching assistantships.