Shippensburg University

Program Information

Degree Offered

M.S.

Format: Campus

Program Description:

The M.S. in Computer Science is designed to accommodate students from several different backgrounds. Students with at least a minor in computer science will find a traditional M.S. in Computer Science. Our undergraduates may obtain an advanced degree through a 4+1 B.S./M.S. option. Students who wish to transition from math, science, or engineering into computer science may be fully enrolled in the program after taking three prerequisite undergraduate courses. The degree requires 30 graduate credits. There are six core courses out of a total of 10 total courses required. At most two 400-level courses may be used as electives. Traditional students can be admitted in either the spring or fall and complete the degree in three semesters plus one summer.

The Department of Computer Science at Shippensburg supports a number of platforms and operating systems (e.g., PC, Mac, Windows, OSX, Linux). Classrooms are populated with up to 32 computers per room (one per student), and have wireless network access. The department maintains its own servers, to which students have access; in addition, students have accounts on the university academic servers. Hardware is at most four years old; the university’s Computing Services insures that academic computing equipment is replaced on a four-year cycle.

Software includes a gamut of applications and developer tools, most of which is freely available. This software is available on all of the department’s computers and in some open university labs. The department also participates in the Microsoft Developers’ Network Academic Alliance (MSDNAA), which enables our students free access to all software supported by the MSDN.

Accreditation:

Shippensburg University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, AACSB International, ABET Inc., American Chemical Society, Council on Social Work Education, Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, International Association of Counseling Services, Council for Exceptional Children and by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teachers.

Eligibility Requirements:

To gain admission to the M.S. in computer science program, an applicant must satisfy the general admission requirements of the graduate school. Students are admitted in summer, fall and spring. Applicants whose overall quality point average is below 2.75 will be required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) prior to admission. In addition, applicants with a quality point average below 2.75 must submit a statement outlining extenuating circumstances that affect their application.

International Student Requirements:

All international applicants who have not graduated from a four-year American university must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Additionally, all such applicants must achieve a minimum score of 237 on the TOEFL (computer based).

Tuition & Financial Aid

Financial Aid Offered: No

Classification: Master's Colleges & Universities I

Institution Sector: Public

Locale: Distant Town

Size & Settings: 5,000 - 9,999