MS Degree | Computer Science | SIU

Master of Science Degree in Computer Science

Program Description

The School of Computing Computer Science Program offers a graduate program leading to the Master of Science degree with a major in Computer Science through the Graduate School. The M.S. degree program has been designed to provide students with a relevant graduate-level education and to prepare them for careers as professional computer scientists or advanced doctoral-level study. Faculty members and graduate students engage in informal and direct contacts to better utilize their combined resources in studies and research. All graduate-level teaching is done by full-time highly qualified faculty members who are committed to pursuing excellence in both teaching and research. A friendly, stimulating atmosphere is present in both the School of Computing and the University as a whole.

Current students information:

• MS Program Requirements
• Financial Assistance
• Steps to be Followed in Fulfilling the M.S. Thesis Requirement
• Steps to be Followed in Fulfilling the M.S. Non-Thesis Requirement

Prospective students information:

• Admission Requirements
• Application Information
  

Application Information

PLEASE read the detailed information about our program Admission requirements, paying particular attention to the list of Relevant Undergraduate Coursework. Our recommendation regarding your admission is dependent upon your eligibility, which will be determined from the information you provide on the forms and required documentation. You will need to submit ALL of the following information electronically before any action will be taken on your application (deadline FEBRUARY 15 for Fall admission; deadline SEPTEMBER 15 for Spring admission):

1. Please see checklist prior to applying.

2. Carefully read all instructions and fill out the graduate application at:
https://gradschool.siu.edu/apply/.

(Please use your official name as it appears on your passport or driver license since documents must match.)

3. $65 non-refundable application fee in U.S. funds – This must be paid by credit card done online at the time of application.

  The following must be uploaded with the Graduate School application or sent to the School of Computing:

• Identification Documents
  • Photo of Passport page (International applicants only) which has your full name and birth date. This is a policy required of us by the USCIS because the information on the passport must match the information on your application and your I-20 if you are admitted. This is usually the second page.
  • Photo of ID (Domestic applicants only) Driver's License/Permanent Resident Card/Green Card)

• Unofficial Transcripts and/or diplomas (degrees) for all university-level courses in your native language and English. NOTE: Your U.S.-equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA) must be 3.0 (4.0=A) or higher. These should be NON-Consolidated Official certified true photocopies of individual mark sheets and/or degrees for each semester or year courses, in your native language and English. Official hard copy documents will be required by the graduate school prior to first registration.

• Language Proficiency Test: TOEFL or IELTS or DUOLINGO score (International applicants only, minimum score is 550 paper/213 computer based/80 iBT; IELTS 6.5; DUOLINGO 105) – A) photocopy of the TOEFL Examinee Score Report or IELTS report or DUOLINGO report uploaded with application or sent to our School of Computing (gradinfo@cs.siu.edu) AND B) Official score report will be required by the graduate school prior to first registration. These scores cannot be more than 24 months old at the beginning of the semester for which you are applying.

• GRE Report (optional for admission) - Required for eligibility of any available funding (Higher Achiever Alternative Tuition Rate assistantships/scholarships). HA ATR eligibility criteria is available here. Unofficial score report is sufficient for the School of Computing purpose in making a recommendation of admission. For eligibility of the HA ATR, the official GRE score report is required at the time of application. Copy can accompany application but ETS should send an official one to the School of Computing. This is required for any financial support by the School of Computing, i.e. an assistantship.

• Financial Documentation - 3 Parts (International applicants only)
  • Graduate School Financial Statement form for International Graduate Students. Download and fill out the Financial Statement for Graduate International Students.
  • Current Bank Statement from the financial sponsor's bank showing proof of funds in the graduate international tuition rate of $44,000 USD.
  • Notarized Affidavit of Support Letter from the financial sponsor stating the funds mentioned in the bank statement are for your education in the United States.
  • International students bringing dependents will need to provide a scanned copy of the following documents: passport of each dependent, a marriage certificate, proof of funding of living expenses for each dependent, per the instructions on the attached Graduate Student Financial Statement form ($5,000.00 for spouse, $2,500.00 per child).

NOTE: You are responsible for providing all the documentation and information. You should have ORIGINALS of all documentation you submitted so you can provide them immediately to us, if requested. The School of Computing will not request anything from other schools, programs, colleges, universities or other sources. Remember to always use your full name as it appears in your passport when you correspond with any office at this university.

If needed to postal mail or courier delivery, please return the above to:

Graduate Program Assistant
School of Computing
Engineering A0319 Mail Code 4511
1230 Lincoln Dr
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale IL 62901