Department: Computer Science
Modality: In-Person
Concentrations: n/a
Semester hours: 30
Total years: 1-3
The graduate program in Computer Science is designed to provide theoretical knowledge as well as practical applications in the areas of software architecture, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and computer networks (to name a few). In this program, students are given an opportunity to continue their education on a part-time or full-time basis, and can conduct research under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Upon graduation from the program, students will be conferred the degree of Master of Science (M.S.) in Computer Science.
The Computer Science graduate program educational objectives are:
Upon successful completion of the Computer Science graduate program, students will be able to:
Students seeking admission should have completed an undergraduate program in computer science or a closely related field. To be considered for admission, students must submit an application, a statement of intent, and transcripts. Letters of recommendation and the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) are optional.
Applicants who have not completed an undergraduate degree in computer science or a closely related technical field must demonstrate completion of the required prerequisite coursework outlined below as part of the admissions review process.
The undergraduate preparation of all applicants, regardless of their previous degrees, should include the following subject areas:
and at least one of the following:
If prerequisite coursework is incomplete at the time of application review, the application may be placed on hold until official documentation of course completion is submitted. Required courses need not be taken at Loyola Marymount University; however, applicants are responsible for ensuring that courses taken at other institutions meet LMU’s course standards.
In limited cases, the Admissions Committee may offer admission to applicants who are missing a limited number of prerequisite courses. In such instances, the additional required coursework will be stated in the admission letter and must be completed within a specific timeframe. These requirements are mandatory and cannot be waived.
International applicants should submit the items listed above plus the additional items required by LMU Graduate Admission. To review the additional requirements, visit the International Admission page.
Students may transfer up to six (6) semester hours for graduate-level courses completed at another regionally accredited college or university. Credits to be transferred must be taken prior to admission. Each transferred course grade must be at least B (3.0), and the course must not have been used to satisfy degree requirements at another college or university. To request more information about this process, contact SeaverGraduateAdmission@lmu.edu.
Students admitted into this graduate program may defer their admission offer for up to one year from the initial admission entry term. A formal request should be made by the student by contacting SeaverGraduateAdmission@lmu.edu. Requests to defer past the one-year mark from the initial admission entry term are reviewed upon request, and the decision is left to the discretion of the Admission Committee.
The appeal process should be sought after once an admission decision has been provided, and the applicant would like to be reconsidered. To explore the appeal process, the applicant should be prepared to present new evidence of admissibility via new/additional/updated documentation aside from what was presented during the initial admission submission. Such documentation can be in the form of final grades, proof of updated relevant course completion and grade(s), etc.
In addition to the documents provided, the student will be required to submit a short essay stating why they are interested in having their application be reconsidered and explain how the new/updated documentation provided shows improvement for admission reconsideration. The admissions team will review the submission of all new documentation and provide the applicant with an updated decision. To request more information about this process, candidates interested in this option may contact SeaverGraduateAdmission@lmu.edu.
A degree candidate is required to complete, with a cumulative grade point average of at least B (3.0), a program of study comprising a minimum of thirty (30) or more semester hours of graduate-level coursework (i.e., 500/5000-level or 600/6000-level courses), with a cumulative grade point average of at least B (3.0). Additional prerequisite (undergraduate) courses may be required as deemed appropriate by the advisor in consultation with the department. Of the graduate-level coursework, at least fifteen (15) semester hours are to be in 600/6000-level courses. Students must achieve a grade of B (3.0) or better in all 500/5000-level courses. Applicable courses generally include both courses offered by this department, as well as appropriate courses from mathematics, electrical engineering, or other disciplines. At least twenty-four (24) semester hours must be comprised of CMSI courses.
500/5000-level courses taken as an undergraduate may not be repeated for graduate credit. If a 500/5000-level course is cross-listed with a 600/6000-level course, graduate students must enroll in the 600/6000-level course.
The program of study must include the following courses: (1) CMSI 583 Computability and Complexity, (2) CMSI 585 Programming Language Foundations, and (3) either CMSI 694 Graduate Capstone Project or two or three Master’s Thesis courses (CMSI 695 Master's Thesis I, CMSI 696 Master's Thesis II, CMSI 697 Master's Thesis III). One or more of the 500/5000-level required courses may be waived if the student demonstrates satisfactory completion of a similar course. Waived courses will be replaced by electives at the 500/5000 or 600/6000 level.
During the first semester of attendance, the student should prepare a program of study with a faculty advisor. The 30 semester hours of required coursework is allocated as follows:
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CMSI 583 | Computability and Complexity | 3 |
| CMSI 585 | Programming Language Foundations | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Select one of the following options: | 9 | |
| Option 1 | ||
Elective | ||
Elective | ||
| Graduate Capstone Project | ||
| Option 2 | ||
Elective | ||
| Master's Thesis I | ||
| Master's Thesis II | ||
| Option 3 | ||
| Master's Thesis I | ||
| Master's Thesis II | ||
| Master's Thesis III | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 30 | |
Preparation of a master’s Thesis is optional and can fulfill up to a maximum of nine (9) semester hours of elective course requirements. The student electing the thesis option (option 2 or option 3 above) must obtain a thesis advisor and the thesis must conform to the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering requirements. With direction from the academic advisor, a thesis committee will be formed. Typically, the thesis committee consists of the student’s thesis advisor, a full-time faculty member from the student’s department, and a third member from other than the student’s department. The thesis is a report on the results of the student investigation of a problem in computer science under the supervision of the thesis committee, which approves the subject and plan of the thesis and reads and approves the complete manuscript.
The requirements of the M.S. in Computer Science allow for great flexibility in a student’s path to completion. The student’s academic advisor should be consulted if adjustments are needed based on individual circumstances, but most students will follow this approach:
Based on this plan, time to degree varies based on the average number of classes taken per term (including summer):
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