Computer Science

Program Type
Master’s Program
Degree
Master of Science (MS)
Mode of Study
In person
Department
Department of Computer Science

Tuition & fees

Costs include tuition & fees. See cost details

Credit hours

30 required credit hours. Most courses are equal to 3 credit hours. Browse course list

Financial aid

Over 150 graduate assistantships available with stipend & tuition assistance, plus scholarship, fellowship & research opportunities. Explore aid

Admissions

No GRE required. Apply for fall, spring, or summer term. View application process & deadlines

Program highlights

  • Earn your degree on your own terms: Study full-time and finish in as few as 2 years or study part-time and finish in 4 years.
  • Tailor the program to your goals: Choose to focus on Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics, Software Development, or a self-designed area.
  • Choose to work on a culminating research project or a computer science application with the support of a faculty committee.
  • Learn from highly supportive faculty with extensive teaching and research expertise.

Expected career outcomes

A man sits at a table with a laptop and types on his phone.

Career opportunities

Our alumni have obtained positions at organizations including WEX, Tyler Technologies, Cash Star, IDEXX Laboratories, Unum, TD Bank, Quantrix, and Kepware.

Discover careers
Students working on a computer together

Program requirements

Our program will prepare you for roles involving the design, implementation, and testing of software products; the development of new hardware technology; the analysis, construction, and management of large-scale computer systems; and the quantitative analysis of large data sets for modeling and decision making.

View course catalog
A student works at a computer with two large monitors.

Hands-on learning

Your culminating work in the program will be either a master’s thesis or master’s project. If you choose a master’s thesis, you’ll work on research that’s important to you. For the master’s project, you could design an application or solve a software application problem.

Review options
Groups of students walk or sit outside of the Portland campus Science Building.

Faculty research

Our faculty’s interests are focused in a wide array of research areas, including software technology for health research, artificial intelligence, bidirectional debugging, computer simulation techniques, programming languages, and computer security.

Meet our faculty
A graduate student stands in front of a table where staff are answering questions and typing on laptops. Behind her are several more graduate students facing the table.

Graduate student support

Our Office of Graduate Studies connects you with opportunities for professional development, scholarships, and graduate assistantships. They also foster our graduate student community through Peer Mentorship and the Graduate Student Board.

Browse resources
Two women sit at a table and review paperwork together.

Scholarship opportunities

Scholarships offer financial aid that doesn’t need to be repaid. We encourage students in graduate degree programs to apply for scholarship opportunities.

Explore scholarships
A man sits at a table and types on a laptop.

Connect with us

Our monthly Graduate Information Sessions are an excellent way to learn more about the benefits of our program, as well as our admissions and financial process.

Register today
A computer monitor with software programming interface on the screen.

Computer labs

Our in-demand Computer Science lab contains a collection of Linux, Windows, and Apple computers; along with a full suite of development, business, scientific, and research applications.

You may also be interested in…

Computer Science

Undergraduate Major

Cybersecurity | Online

Master’s Program (Online)

Data Science

Master’s Program
Next steps

Our graduate admissions counselors are here to answer your questions about the admissions process, our academic programs, and student support services.

Get info
Meet us
Apply
A student sits at a table and writes on a stack of papers.

Admission information: MS in Computer Science

Application deadlines

We accept applications on a rolling basis and review them continuously.

Application deadlineFall term startSpring term startSummer term start
FinalFebruary 1October 1April 15
International applicantsJune 1October 15Not available

Each student applying for full admission into the Master of Science program must meet the following requirements (conditional admission status may be granted to students who do not fully meet these requirements):

  • A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (B average).
  • The following USM courses or their equivalent with an average grade of 3.0:
    • COS 280 Discrete Mathematics II
    • COS 285 Data Structures
    • Students intending the Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics track additionally:
      • at least one college-level course in Calculus
      • at least one college-level course in Statistics

Note: Students with little or no computing background may need to take some or all of the following courses that are prerequisites to the courses listed above: MAT 145 Discrete Mathematics I, COS 160 Structured Problem Solving: Java/COS 170 Structured Programming Laboratory, COS 161 Algorithms in Programming, COS 250 Computer Organization/COS 255 Computer Organization Laboratory.

Applicants meeting the entrance requirements for a master’s in Computer Science will be granted regular admission status. Applicants not meeting the entrance requirements of the program may be granted conditional admission status for an initial period during which time the student must make up for missing foundational coursework. The Computer Science Graduate faculty will designate specific undergraduate Computer Science or mathematics courses to ensure that the applicant has the requisite foundational knowledge for success. These courses will carry no credit toward the master’s degree and must be successfully completed and must precede the completion of twelve hours of graduate credit. Upon successful completion of the designated preparatory coursework, the student may be granted regular admission status.

Applicants are required to provide the following materials:

General requirements

  • Application: Online application
  • Application fee:
    • In-state, out-of-state, and Canadian applicants: Free to apply
    • International applicants: Submit US $50 fee to apply
  • Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, excluding the seven campuses of the University of Maine System (UMS transcripts are accessible to USM). A transcript is official when sent directly from the institution.
  • Resume: Submit a resume or CV that outlines professional, volunteer, and community experience.
  • Students whose first language is not English may be required to take one of the following: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Pearson Test of English (PTE) or Duolingo. Applicants must submit official scores as part of the application process. See additional information regarding test scores and requirements.

Additional requirements

  • Essay: Your essay should discuss your goals in seeking a graduate degree in Computer Science. Do you have a specific career in mind, or a specific topic area within Computer Science that you wish to explore? How did you become interested in this (career path or topic area)?
  • References: Supply at least two persons for reference, including contact information for and your relationship with each (teacher, supervisor, advisor, etc.).
  • A personal interview with the Computer Science graduate faculty will be scheduled following a preliminary review of all required admission materials.

International student instructions

View additional application requirements

English proficiency test scores

View test requirements

Where to send application materials

Get our mailing address and email address