Graduate Education

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering offers high quality graduate education. Graduate study is offered  leading to the degrees of Master of Science in Computer Science, Master of Science in Cyber Security and Operations, and Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science. All programs are offered on Starkville's campus and online. Several teaching and research assistantships are available. To determine each program's requirements, including needed classes and exams, see our admissions page.

Benefits of a graduate degree from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering include:

  • The curriculum is flexible to match your interests.
  • Research is pursued in some traditional areas of computer science, cross-specialty areas, and interdisciplinary projects.
  • Graduates are hired by quality employers.
  • A growing job market.

Undergraduate students in our programs may qualify for an accelerated Master's program during their study.

Degree Programs

Computer Science Degrees (M.S. and Ph.D.)

The program of study of a Master of Science in Computer Science (M.S. CS) degree includes advanced courses in computer science that are selected according to the goals of the student.  The program of study includes a thesis option, a professional project option, or courses-only option. The program of study of a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Computer Science degree includes advanced courses in computer science and significant scholarly research in computer science, presented in a dissertation.

The department’s core research areas include the following:

  • Artificial intelligence
  • Computational science
  • Computer Graphics
  • Human-centered computing
  • Software engineering
  • Systems & Security

These core competencies support research applications in areas such as bioinformatics, visualization & data science, computer security & forensics, human-computer interactions, robotics, and high performance computing.  Faculty, research assistants, thesis students, and dissertation students participate in a wide variety of research projects.  Many research projects are multi-disciplinary or multi-specialty in nature.

Cyber Security and Operation Degrees (MS)

The Master of Science in Cyber Security and Operations (MS CYSO) is designed for students who wish to help meet the challenges posed by increasing cyber-threats. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the program is designed to provide students with a focused education within a broad analytical framework for evaluating, understanding, and solving cyber security problems. The program allows either a thesis or non-thesis option.

Online Degrees

All of the CSE degrees are offered online; see the admissions page for any specific requirements for online students. CSE courses are generally offered synchronously during the same time at their on-campus equivalent; asynchronous classes are indicated during registration.

Other Graduate Programs

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering participates in the graduate programs administered in other departments. These degrees relate to areas adjacent to CSE (such as Computer Engineering) or focus more in-depth on research being done in CSE in collaboration with others (such as Data Science).

For more information, please first refer to our FAQ. Additional questions can be sent to:
Dr. T.J. Jankun-Kelly
Graduate Coordinator
319 Butler Hall
662.325.7504
tjk@cse.msstate.edu