Program description

The computer science program is designed for students seeking to expand their knowledge of computer science or computation. This program reflects the dual nature of computer science as both a scientific and engineering discipline by placing emphasis on both theory and practical applications. The interdisciplinary strength of the program is enhanced by the opportunity for students to have a concentration in cybersecurity or art, media and engineering.

*GRE waiver: GRE score is waived for ASU computer science undergraduate students irrelevant of the GPA;  and waived for ASU STEM undergraduate students with 3.75+ GPA. GRE waiver does not apply to PhD applicants.

Degree options

Art, media and engineering MS and PhD

Program description

The Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs in computer science with a concentration in art, media and engineering emphasizes research on the integration of the human physical experience with computation and digital media.

Art, media and engineering researchers produce experiential media systems and models that assist the disadvantaged, empower creativity, enhance scientific discovery, evolve human ability, facilitate learning, and improve quality of life. Within these application areas, researchers explore experiential construction, interaction and feedback, knowledge creation, sensing, perception and modeling.

The purpose of the art, media and engineering concentration under the master's degree in computer science is to train hybrid engineering-arts graduates who get their inspiration from the arts and their methodology from computer science and engineering. Students specialize in transdisciplinary media development. More information about the art, media and engineering concentration can be found at https://artsmediaengineering.asu.edu.

Application Deadlines

MS

Fall:  December 1
Spring:  August 1

PhD

Fall:  December 31
Spring:  August 1

Big Data Systems MCS (online only)

Program description

The big data systems concentration under the Master of Computer Science (MCS) degree is designed for graduate students who want to pursue a thorough education in the area of big data systems.

This online program is designed to provide students the knowledge, skills and expertise in designing scalable systems (parallel, distributed and real time) for acquiring, storing, processing and accessing large-scale heterogeneous multisource data and in using analytical tools to mine information from the data.

Graduates will be able to choose and deploy the appropriate data management processing and analysis systems with a suitable structured or unstructured data model that a particular task and domain application needs. There is a growing need for data scientists and engineers who can architect, implement and manage large data systems, and graduates of this program will have a competitive advantage in securing employment.

Application Deadlines

Applicants with international credentials have an application deadline of six weeks prior to the selected session start date. All other applicants have an application deadline of four weeks prior to the selected session start date.

This degree is offered in A and B sessions for fall and spring, and in C session for summer. You can view upcoming start dates in the academic calendar.

Learn more about the Online Master of Computer Science – Big Data Systems at ASU Online.

Big Data Systems MS

Program description

The big data systems concentration under the Master of Science (MS) degree program in computer science is designed for graduate students who want to pursue a thorough education and research in the area of big data systems.

The goal of this concentration is to provide students with the knowledge, skills and advanced research expertise in designing scalable (parallel, distributed and real-time) systems for acquiring, storing, processing and accessing large-scale heterogeneous multisource data and in using analytical tools to mine information from the data.

Graduates will be able to choose and deploy the appropriate data management processing and analysis systems with a suitable structured or unstructured data model that a particular task and domain application needs. This concentration program will provide a competitive advantage to secure employment as there is a growing need for data scientists and engineers who can architect, implement and manage large data systems.

Application Deadlines

Fall:      December 1
Spring:  August 1

Computer Science MCS (online only)

Program description

The MCS is an online advanced degree program targeted at students with an undergraduate education in computing and related disciplines who can best profit from further breadth and background in computer science. The Master of Computer Science program also affords an opportunity for students employed in industry to seek a breadth of advanced education in computer science.
The program reflects the dual nature of computer science as a scientific and engineering discipline by allowing emphasis on theory as well as practical applications. Students can study topics such as:

  • artificial intelligence
  • bioinformatics
  • cloud and distributed computing
  • computer-aided geometric design
  • computer design and architecture
  • computer graphics
  • computer networks
  • cyber-physical and embedded systems
  • cyber security
  • database management and information retrieval
  • database systems
  • data mining and machine learning
  • distributed computing and operating systems
  • embedded systems
  • health operations and informatics
  • imaging, graphics and visualization
  • information assurance and security
  • intelligent information integration
  • multimedia
  • network algorithms
  • personalized learning and educational games
  • simulation modeling and systems
  • social computing
  • software engineering
  • statistical modeling
  • theory and algorithms

Application deadlines

Applicants with international credentials have an application deadline of six weeks prior to the selected session start date. All other applicants have an application deadline of four weeks prior to the selected session start date.

This degree is offered in A and B sessions for fall and spring, and in C session for summer. You can view upcoming start dates in the academic calendar.

Learn more about the Online Master of Computer Science at ASU Online.

Computer Science MS and PhD

Program description

The Master of Science (MS) in computer science is a research-oriented degree program targeted toward students with an undergraduate education in the science of computation. It provides instruction in advanced coursework and emphasizes research by the student.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in computer science prepares students to undertake fundamental and applied research in computer science. Graduates are prepared for careers in academia, government and industry.

Computer science graduate students can conduct cutting-edge research in a wide variety of research areas including:

  • artificial intelligence
  • bioinformatics
  • cloud and distributed computing
  • computer-aided geometric design
  • computer design and architecture
  • computer graphics
  • computer networks
  • cyber-physical and embedded systems
  • cyber security
  • database management and information retrieval
  • database systems
  • data mining and machine learning
  • distributed computing and operating systems
  • embedded systems
  • health operations and informatics
  • imaging, graphics and visualization
  • information assurance and security
  • intelligent information integration
  • multimedia
  • network algorithms
  • personalized learning and educational games
  • simulation modeling and systems
  • social computing
  • software engineering
  • statistical modeling
  • theory and algorithms

Application Deadlines

Fall Applications: December 1
Spring Applications: August 1

Cybersecurity MCS

Program description

The MCS program with a concentration in cybersecurity is designed for graduate students who want to pursue a thorough education in the area of cybersecurity and information assurance. The goal of this concentration is to provide students the knowledge and skills in science and engineering for cybersecurity, including computer and network security, software security, data and information security, applied cryptography and computer forensics.
The concentration in cybersecurity is an advanced degree designed for students with an undergraduate education in computing and related disciplines and students employed in industry who can best profit from further breadth and background in computer science and information assurance. Graduates have a competitive advantage to secure employment.

According to the National Security Agency, information assurance is defined as the set of measures intended to protect and defend information and information systems by ensuring their availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality and nonrepudiation. This includes providing restoration of information systems by incorporating protection, detection and reaction capabilities.

Information assurance courseware at ASU has been certified by the Information Assurance Courseware Evaluation Program to satisfy the standards for Information Systems Security Professionals (NSTISSI 4011) and Senior Systems Managers (CNSSI 4012). For more information on the scholarship programs, students should see https://globalsecurity.asu.edu/center-cybersecurity-and-digital-forensics/scholarship.

Application deadlines – in person

Fall Applications: December 1
Spring Applications: August 1

Application deadlines – online

Fall 2023:
Session A is 7/20/2023
Session B 10/13/2023

Spring 2023:
Session A: 12/13/2022
Session B: 02/12/2023

Summer 2023:
Session C: 4/18/2023

Cybersecurity MS and PhD

Program description – MS

The Master of Science (MS) program with a concentration in cybersecurity is designed for graduate students who want to pursue a thorough education in the area of cybersecurity and information assurance. The goal of this concentration is to provide students the knowledge and skills in science and engineering for cybersecurity, including computer and network security, software security, data and information security, applied cryptography and computer forensics.

The concentration in cybersecurity is an advanced degree designed for students with an undergraduate education in computing and related disciplines and students employed in industry who can best profit from further breadth and background in computer science and information assurance. Graduates have a competitive advantage to secure employment.

According to the National Security Agency, information assurance is defined as the set of measures intended to protect and defend information and information systems by ensuring their availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality and nonrepudiation. This includes providing restoration of information systems by incorporating protection, detection and reaction capabilities.

Information assurance courseware at ASU has been certified by the Information Assurance Courseware Evaluation Program to satisfy the standards for Information Systems Security Professionals (NSTISSI 4011) and Senior Systems Managers (CNSSI 4012). For more information on the scholarship programs, students should see https://globalsecurity.asu.edu/center-cybersecurity-and-digital-forensics/scholarship.

Program description – PhD

The PhD program in computer science with a concentration in cybersecurity is designed for graduate students who want to pursue a thorough education in the area of cybersecurity and information assurance. The goal of this concentration is to provide students the knowledge and skills in science and engineering for cybersecurity, including:

  • applied cryptography
  • computer and network security
  • computer forensics
  • data and information security
  • software security

Graduates will have a competitive advantage to secure employment. According to the National Security Agency, information assurance is defined as the set of measures intended to protect and defend information and information systems by ensuring their availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality and nonrepudiation. This includes providing restoration of information systems by incorporating protection, detection and reaction capabilities.

ASU has been certified as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education and a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance – Research by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. Information assurance courseware at ASU has been certified by the Information Assurance Courseware Evaluation Program to satisfy the standards for Information Systems Security Professionals (NSTISSI 4011) and Senior Systems Managers (CNSSI 4012). For more information on the scholarship programs, students should see https://globalsecurity.asu.edu/center-cybersecurity-and-digital-forensics/scholarship.

Application Deadlines MS and PhD

Fall Applications: December 1
Spring Applications: August 1

Contact Us

MS program

Contacts for the MS program are specific to the desired concentration. See the DSAE MS website contacts list for the correct contact.

PhD program

School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence
Graduate advising office