The M.S. programs are appropriate for students who intend either to improve their professional skills or to prepare for doctoral studies in computer science. The requirements for an M.S. degree normally can be completed in two years or less, even without prior graduate-level coursework in computer science. Students earning an M.S. from any of the department's master's programs can elect to continue for the Ph.D. in Computer Science, though students who are admitted to the Computational Operations Research program must reapply.
We offer three different paths to a Master’s in Computer Science:
M.S. Computer Science:
M.S. Computer Science, Computational Operations Research Specialization
M.S. Computer Science, Computational Science Specialization
Students seeking the M.S. degree in computer science are expected to have a background that includes the following:
1. Mathematics: two calculus courses and one linear algebra course.
2. Computer Science: two introductory programming courses (CS1 and CS2 in the standard curriculum) and one course in each of discrete mathematics, data structures, algorithms, and computer organization.
Applicants lacking this background may be admitted provisionally into the M.S. program. In that case, the department will establish a suitable set of qualifying courses at the time of admission. To achieve regular status, provisionally accepted students must earn at least a B in each qualifying course.
Students seeking an M.S. degree with a specialization in computational operations research are expected to have a background in mathematics, science, or engineering and the ability to program in a high-level language. Students with an insufficient computer science background may be required to enroll in CSCI 241 and CSCI 303/503. Applicants lacking an appropriate background may be admitted provisionally.
Students seeking the M.S. degree with a specialization in computational science are expected to have a background in mathematics, science or engineering that includes the following:
1. Mathematics: two calculus courses and one linear algebra course.
2. Computer Science: two introductory programming courses (CS1 and CS2 in the standard computer science curriculum).
Students with an insufficient background in data structures, algorithms, computer organization, and systems programming may be required to enroll in CSCI 241, CSCI 303/503, CSCI 304/504 and CSCI 415.
GRE: The results of all three portions of the GRE General Test must be received directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). You must use the William & Mary institution code 5115 to ensure that your scores are sent to William & Mary. Only scores sent directly to William & Mary by ETS will be accepted.
TOEFL/IELTS: If English is not your first language, your TOEFL or IELTS scores are required and must be sent directly to William & Mary by the Educational Testing Service or the International English Language Testing System.