Department of Computer Science
Computer Science (M.S.)
Program Coordinator, Department of Computer Science
sji@bowiestate.edu
Computer Science Building, Suite 207
Master of Science in Computer Science, Leading the Digital Frontier
Step into the forefront of technology and innovation with the Master of Science in Computer Science at Bowie State University. Our curriculum offers a rigorous scientific and technical foundation that prepares you to solve complex challenges for industry, business or government. At Bowie State, we are dedicated to equipping you with the skills and knowledge to drive innovation and solve real-world problems.
Online degree option
Why Choose a Computer Science Master’s Degree?
With a Master of Science in computer science from Bowie State University, you'll gain the specialized expertise and practical skills needed to propel your career to new heights. Whether you're looking to advance within your current field or pivot to a new career path, our program equips you with the knowledge and credentials to excel in roles across industries such as technology, cybersecurity, data science and more.
What Can You Expect?
To earn the Master of Science in computer science, you must complete 30 course credits, including five core courses that total 15 credits.After completing your core courses, you will then choose one of two options for the reminder of your program:
- Applied research option: Choose this option if you crave hands-on experience.
- Graduate thesis option: Choose this option if you if you prefer to explore and analyze theories and problems in computer science.
- A minimum of 24 credits, excluding prerequisite courses, must be completed at Bowie State University. Therefore, no more than six graduate computer science credits may be transferred from other institutions.
- You must complete all degree requirements within a period of seven consecutive years.
- The following course is a prerequisite: COSC 503 Software Design and Development. Credits obtained from this course cannot be counted as part of a student's graduation requirements.
Specializations
You may also choose from three specializations.
- Artificial Intelligence: Explore core topics such as machine learning, robotics, natural language processing and logical reasoning to understand and build intelligent systems.
- Cybersecurity: Learn to design secure systems using cryptography and other tools while developing a security-first mindset to defend against real-world threats.
- High Performance and Data Science: Gain expertise in machine learning, data mining, visualization and cloud computing to extract insights from big data and solve complex problems efficiently.
Our Center for Cyber Security
The Center for Cyber Security is where our students go to push the boundaries of computer science theory and dive into different algorithms and computer models. Many of our graduate students go on to publish their research.
The faculty perfectly prepared us to thrive in my internships.
— Ashanti Boone, Class of ’24
Career Outlooks
When you attend the Bowie State computer science program, you’re tapping into our strong connections to government agencies and industry shakers. Our students have a thorough immersion into their field well before graduation. As a result, our alumni land roles across the nation, including at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and Fort Meade, which is a national premier platform for intelligence, information and cyber operations.
Graduate Fellowships
Make your graduate experience affordable by applying for fellowships within Bowie State and from public and private funding sources. These programs sometimes offer a cost-of-living stipend, health insurance or coverage for professional development and academic conferences.
Graduate Resources
We’ve compiled a list of resources to help you navigate your graduate studies and get the most out of your educational experience. Make an appointment to receive writing assistance, reserve a private study space or contact Disability Support Services for additional accommodations.
Graduate Assistantships
You can apply for a limited number of graduate assistantships and receive a monthly stipend and a tuition waiver for 9 credit hours a semester. You will work 20 hours a week as a researcher, teacher, or administrative assistant.
To qualify, be a full-time graduate/doctoral student with at least 9 completed credits and a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Deadlines:
- Spring Appointments: Second Friday of November
- Fall Appointments: Last Friday in March
More From the Computer Science Department
Cybersecurity and Bowie State
At Bowie State University, you’ll gain industry-aligned education, hands-on experience, and access to strong partnerships that prepare you for a successful career protecting against cyber threats. Learn more about cybersecurity at Bowie State.
Department News
Keep up with the latest department events and news items. You can see what alumni are working on now, learn about Bowie State initiatives and see the latest public and private partnerships.
Meet Faculty and Staff
Get to know the expert faculty and staff who will be instructing you throughout your time at Bowie State. Build connections, ask for mentorship and receive guidance as you prepare to embark on your career.
