Earning a CS MS as a Non-CS PhD Student

PhD students in other other departments who are interested in earning a MS in computer science must fulfill the following requirements and submit the following documents. Such students should apply to the CSEN MS after completing the THREE BIN classes (9 CS creidts) and not more than 15 graduate credits that count towards their CSEN MS degree. Students are expected to complete at least 15 graduate credits towards CSEN MS degree as a CSEN MS student. Applying to the CSEN MS program after completing more than 15 credits that count towards their CSEN MS degree will be considred ineligible for this option.

Requirements

  • Be a PhD student in another department within CU.
  • Must have completed the breadth requirements listed on the main Graduate Students page. Total 9 credits of CS courses.
  • Must not have exceeded more than 15 credits that count towards CSEN MS degree.
  • Current GPA of at least 3.5 in the program.
  • Cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 in both undergrad and MS degree, if applicable.
  • Strong letter of support for research work from a computer science faculty member, describing the research project for research-based MS option. (This is not required for the course-based MS option)

Process

Please email the following to Graduate Team at gradadms@colorado.edu. 

  • Application form
  • Letter of support that includes a research plan, from a sponsoring computer science faculty member (for research-based MS option only. Not required for course-based MS option)
  • Copy of official transcripts for undergraduate degree and MS degree, if applicable
  • Statement of purpose
  • Resume (with research and publication details for research-based MS option)
  • Two letters of recommendation (for research-based MS option, the faculty support letter can count as one recommendation letter)

The Graduate Committee will review the application and make its decision on a case-by-case basis. If a decision is made before census date of the applied term, then the computers science master’s degree will be added during that term. If a decision is made after the census date, then the degree will be added in the following term.