The distance Master of Computer Science degree is intended for students wanting to pursue graduate-level coursework remotely.We also offer an in-person Master of Computer Science degree.
The Master of Computer Science (MCS) should be thought of as a professional terminal degree. This degree does not include a thesis, project or final examination.This is a STEM program.
For more information about our distance programs,please visit our frequently asked questions page.
Advisory Committee
MCS students will have a default advisory committee consisting solely of the graduate advisor as chair.
Degree Plan
Requirements for the MCS degree include:
- At least 18 credit hours of graded computer science and engineering (CSCE) graduate coursework (excluding CSCE 681, 684, 685 and 691).
- Three breadth CSCE courses, one selected from each of these sets: Theory (627 and 629), Systems (605, 611, 613, 614 and 678) and Software (604, 606, 634, 655, 656, 670, 671, 672 and 713). These must be passed with a grade of B or better. These count toward the requirement of 18 hours of graded CSCE graduate coursework.
- At most, one three-credit 400–level CSCE undergraduate course approved by the graduate advisor. This course doesNOTcount toward the 18 hours of CSCE-graded graduate coursework.
- Up to six credit hours of non-CSCE graded graduate coursework (excluding 681, 684, 685 and 691).
- One credit hour of CSCE 681 (Graduate Seminar).
- Up to three credit hours of CSCE 685 (Directed Studies).
- A total of at least 30 credit hours satisfying the above requirements.
Courses That Cannot Be Used on Any Degree Plan
- In CSCE, we do not allow 601, 602, 603, 701, 705, 706, 707, 708 and 709.
- In ECEN, we do not allow 714 and 749.
- In STAT, we do not allow 624 and 654.
- In MATH, we do not allow 679.
- In CYBR, we do not allow 601.
- Any course that contains material required of our undergraduate computer science (CPSC) or computer engineering majors.
- CSCE undergraduate courses 481, 482 and 483.
Other Degree Plan Information:
- Texas A&M undergraduateswho have taken 410 cannot use 611 on their degree plan. If the Texas A&M undergraduate receives an A in 410, they satisfy the Systems breadth requirement for the CPSC degrees.
- Texas A&M undergraduates who have taken 431 cannot use 606 on their degree plan. Texas A&M undergraduates who receive an A in 431 satisfy the Software breadth requirement for the CPSC degrees.
- Texas A&M undergraduateswho have taken 420 cannot use 625 on their degree plan. This course is not stacked normally but overlaps by about two-thirds.
- Texas A&M undergraduateswhoreceivean A in 411satisfythe Theory breadth requirement.
- For stacked courses: If为本科类信贷,你cannot get credit for the graduate class, except via Fast Track. When a graduate and undergraduate course is stacked, graduate students arerequiredto take the graduate course in the stacked pair. If there are seats in the undergraduate section but not in the graduate section, you should contact the graduate advising office to request that seat be reallocated. Reallocation can be requested but will have to be approved. Not all reallocations may be able to be approved.
- The common stacked pairs are:
- 401/701 (always)
- 402/702 (always)
- 403/703 (always)
- 410/611 (sometimes)
- 413/713 (always)
- 421/633 (always)
- 433/627 (always)
- 435/735 (sometimes)
- 440/640 (sometimes)
- 445/656 (always)
- 447/679 (always)
- 451/652 (always)
- 452/752 (always)
- 463/612 (always)
- 469/614 (always)
- 477/703 (always)
- The common stacked pairs are:
- Texas A&M undergraduates can receive credit for both courses in an undergraduate/graduate course pair under Fast Track.
For additional information and clarification, please see the graduate catalog and the department’sgraduate programwebpages.