Computer Science MS, PhD Programs | Michigan Technological University

Prepare for an Advanced Career in Computer Science

Graduate programs in the Michigan Tech Department of Computer Science pave the way to exciting, well-compensated career opportunities. You'll be well-prepared through Michigan Tech's high-quality educational experience, which blends fundamentals, cutting-edge technologies, and innovative research.

Computer Science faculty and students apply computational approaches to solve significant hardware, software, and data problems across a wide range of disciplines. Students have many rich opportunities to conduct leading-edge research in a friendly, collegial atmosphere. You will find us working on research in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, big data, internet of things, biometrics, computer and network security, human-computer interaction, and more.

Our students and graduates are in high demand by state, national, and international companies. And our alumni are active throughout the nation and worldwide, developing innovative technologies and solving hard multidisciplinary problems.

Are you ready for the future? We are. Join us!

What Sets Us Apart

Four faculty members and an alumnus have received prestigious NSF CAREER Awards.
Alumni hold faculty positions at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, University of Houston, and University of Rochester, among others.
Our graduates are employed in a range of industries, including Amazon, AMD, Ford, Google, Microsoft, Netflix, Intel, Qualcomm, Raytheon, Texas Instruments, and more.
Graduate students have received the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Award, the King-Chavez-Parks Future Faculty Fellowship, the Google Anita Borg Scholarship, and a NASA-Harriet G. Jenkins Predoctoral Fellowship Award
Research projects in compilers, computer architecture, computer science education, and parallel computing have each received funding of over $1 million.
Special-Purpose Research and Learning Labs
- Artificial intelligence/robotics lab
- Cluster computing lab
- Compiler/architecture lab
- Graphics and Visualization lab
- Human-computer interaction lab
- Virtual Reality Lab
- Operating Systems/Security and Privacy

MS Degree Plans

MS, Computer Science: Thesis Option

This option requires a research thesis prepared under the supervision of the advisor. The thesis describes a research investigation and its results. The scope of the research topic for the thesis should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in 12 months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

The minimum requirements are as follows:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	20 Credits
Thesis research	6-10 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

The CS Department allows up to 6 of the 30 hours of credit required for graduation to be in CS5990. In addition to completing the 30 hours of credit in approved courses (including CS5990 and up to 3 hours of CS5999 credit though not more than 9 total hours may be taken in CS5990 and CS5999), a student following the thesis option is expected to:

Prepare a written plan describing the thesis research.
Defend the research plan in an oral seminar presentation or meet with the advisory committee to discuss the research plan.
Prepare a final thesis.
Defend the thesis in an oral seminar presentation.
Learn more about the Thesis Option

MS, Computer Science: Project Option

This option requires a report describing the results of an independent study project. The scope of the research topic should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in twelve months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

Of the minimum total of 30 credits, at least 24 must be earned in coursework other than the project:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	24 Credits
Report	2-6 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

The project option allows up to 6 of the 30 hours of credit required for graduation to be in CS5990. In addition to completing the 30 hours of credit in approved courses (including CS5990 and up to 3 hours of CS5999 credit), a student following the project option is expected to: present written and oral project reports at the conclusion of the project. Thus, the student should:

Prepare a written project plan that describes any background work necessary for completion of the project.
Present the project plan to the advisory committee.
Prepare a final report at the conclusion of the project.
Defend the project report in a public oral seminar presentation.
Learn more about the Project Option.

MS, Computer Science: Coursework Option

This option requires a minimum of 30 credits be earned through coursework. A limited number of research credits may be used with the approval of the advisor, department, and Graduate School. See degree requirements for more information.

A graduate program may require an oral or written examination before conferring the degree and may require more than the minimum credits listed here:

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	18 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

The coursework option requires 30 hours of graded course work.
None of the 30 hours of credit required for graduation may be in CS5990 and no more than 3 hours of CS5999 credit may be applied to the 30-hour requirement.
Course work option students have the graduate director as their advisor.
Learn more about the Coursework Option.

Accelerated Master's, Computer Science

Undergraduate students can complete both their bachelor's and master's degrees on an accelerated timeline.

PhD Degree Plan

PhD Requirements: Computer Science

To complete a doctoral degree, students must complete the following milestones:

Complete all coursework and research credits (see credit requirements below)
Pass Qualifying Examination
Pass Research Proposal Examination
Prepare and Submit Approved Dissertation
Pass Final Oral Defense

The minimum credit requirements are as follows:

Total Credit Requirements
Degrees	Credits
MS-PhD (minimum)	30 Credits
BS-PhD (minimum)	60 Credits

Individual programs may have higher standards and students are expected to know their program's requirements. See the Doctor of Philosophy Requirements website for more information about PhD milestones and related timelines.

The PhD student must complete:

An approved MS program in computer science,
A PhD credit requirement, and
A graduate-level breadth requirement.
Learn more about PhD degree plans.

Funding Opportunities

Many University-related and external funding options are available to graduate students. Accepted PhD students are automatically considered for Graduate Teaching Assistantships. Check out available CS department Graduate Research positions. In addition, find an extensive list of resources to aid students in finding additional funding on the Michigan Tech Graduate School website.

I chose MTU for my graduate degree because of the great relationships I made with the professors in my undergrad. People actually care about you at MTU and you are not just a number. The welcoming environment at Computing[MTU] brings with it opportunities and a bright future.