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The Master of Science in Computer Science and Systems (MSCSS) degree builds a solid foundation for advanced careers in computer science.
Develop your breadth of understanding of the latest applied and theoretical concepts within computer science through study and research guided by renowned faculty and industry fellows. You may choose to pursue a thesis or capstone project, or expand your learning by exploring a variety of electives through our course-only option.
Benefiting from close relationships with our local high-tech industry partners, MSCSS students gain real-world perspective through their classroom experiences. Graduates are working as software development engineers, program managers, cybersecurity experts, data scientists, and systems developers at industry leaders around the globe, driving growth, innovation and change.
Application Process
Our application is built into the Application for Admission to the UW Graduate School.
Required with your application:
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A personal statement describing your interest in the MSCSS program
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Resume
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2 Letters of Recommendation
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Proof of English Language Proficiency (ELP)
- Proficiency in English is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Therefore, every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. No waivers of this requirement may be given.
- More information on how students can demonstrate ELP can be found in the "English Language Proficiency" tab
- Please refer to Graduate School Policy 3.2 for more information about this requirement
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One transcript from each post-secondary school you have attended.
- All MSCSS applicants must provide evidence of the successful completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with at least a 3.0 GPA
- After you have accepted an offer of admission, you will need to submit an official transcript for degree verification.
- More information on how to submit your official transcript to the Graduate School can be found here.
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Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores from within the last five (5) years
- Request that ETS send your scores directly to the University of Washington. Our institution code is: 4854. Department code: 5199.
- Visit the GRE website to learn more about the test and to find a testing center near you. Please notify the Graduate School at uwgrad@uw.edu if your scores are missing or if you took the test under an alternate spelling of your name (i.e., last and first name are switched).
- Competitive applicants score in the top percentiles for quantitative and mid-percentiles or better for verbal.
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An $85 application fee
- Payable with a credit card
- Note: once the fee is submitted, you will not be able to make any changes to your application
All MSCSS applicants must demonstrate successful completion of preparatory coursework prior to their formal application to the master's program, and are expected to have competency in the following areas:
- Object-Oriented Programming (equivalent to TCSS 142, TCSS 143 and TCSS 305)
- Discrete Mathematics (equivalent to TCSS 321)
- Data Structures (equivalent to TCSS 342)
- Algorithms (equivalent to TCSS 343)
- Program Management/Software Engineering (equivalent to TCSS 360)
- Computer Organization (equivalent to TCSS 371)
- Computer Architecture (equivalent to TCSS 372)
- Calculus
- Science (Physics preferred)
Application deadlines:Spring 2024:F1 Students: November 17, 2023 All students: January 5, 2024 Autumn 2024:All students: February 16, 2024* *Accepting applications until all seats are filled |
For applicants who met the February 16th deadline or otherwise received confirmation from their Academic Advisor that their applicants would be considered for this round, we hope to have admission decisions released by mid-May 2024.
Application Fee Waivers are distributed by the UW Graduate School. More information on the required qualifications* and instructions to apply for a fee waiver can be found here.
*Unfortunately, applicants studying on F or J visas are note eligible for application fee waivers.
English Language Proficiency (ELP) is required for Graduate study at the University of Washington. Every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate ELP. Each prospective Graduate student indicates on the graduate application whether or not the student is a native speaker of English.
Please refer to UW Graduate School Policy 3.2 for more information on the Graduate School's English Language Proficiency Requirements.
Demonstration of Proficiency
Proficiency can be demonstrated in one of the following ways:
- A bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution located in the United States and where English is the medium of instruction.
- A bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree from an institution in Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, or the United Kingdom and where English is the medium of instruction. While enrolled at the degree-granting school, the student must be in residence on campus.
- Official documentation from the applicant’s undergraduate degree-granting institution (if the institution is in a country other than those listed in #2 above) verifying that all instruction is in English. A minimum of three years of enrollment at the undergraduate institution is required. Documentation must be presented to the Graduate School; credential service reports are not acceptable. Acceptable documentation must be one of the following:
- Official or attested letter from the undergraduate college, university Registrar, or Controller of Examinations office.
- Official transcripts, attested mark sheets or degree statements, are also accepted if English is stated as the medium of instruction.
- Official English Language Test Score (sent electronically to the University of Washington via testing center). Note: Graduate programs may require a higher minimum scores for admission than the scores listed below.
TOEFL iBT | TOEFL MyBest | Duolingo | Academic IELTS | |
Minimum Required Score (ELP Not Satisfied) |
80 | 80 | 105 | 6.5 |
Recommended Score (ELP Satisfied) |
92 or higher | 92 or higher | 120 or higher | 7.0 or higher |
Submission of Test Scores
- The Graduate School also accepts the TOEFL paper-delivered test, which is available only to students in areas without internet testing access. Contact Graduate Enrollment Management Services (GEMS) for special instructions if you have taken this test.
- Applicants using TOEFL test scores must submit official scores electronically via ETS, using the University of Washington’s institution code 4854. An offer of admission cannot be extended prior to the receipt of official scores.
- Applicants using Academic IELTS test scores must submit official scores electronically via the IELTS system (E-TRF), using the University of Washington’s organization ID 365. An offer of admission cannot be extended prior to the receipt of official scores.
- Applicants using Duolingo test scores must submit official scores via Duolingo to the University of Washington Graduate Admissions (Bothell, Seattle, Tacoma). An offer of admission cannot be extended prior to the receipt of official scores.
- An applicant who does not meet the minimum required score will not be considered admissible by the Graduate School. The Graduate School does not offer conditional admissions to students who have not yet met the minimum English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement.
Meeting English Language Proficiency (ELP) Requirements
- An applicant who has attained the recommended score has satisfied the Graduate School’s ELP requirement.
- An admitted applicant below the recommended score will be required to satisfactorily complete 1 to 3 UW Academic English Program (AEP) courses to fulfill the ELP requirement. Students are expected to register for any required AEP classes beginning the student’s first quarter.
- Admitted applicants who are required to take ENGL 102 and ENGL 104 may choose to fulfill this requirement before the start of the student’s graduate program by successfully completing the Graduate Preparation Program through the International & English Language Programs. Students enrolled in the Graduate Preparation Program pay additional fees.
- Test scores are valid for two years and must be valid on the date the application is submitted or on the date the program requests a deferral petition.
Find current tuition information on the UW Tacoma's Office of the Registrar site, under Tier III. Note that costs are different for Washington State Resident and Non-Resident, as shown in the tuition tables:
Credits | Resident | Non-resident |
7-18 credits** | $7,120 | $12,354 |
6 credits | $6,135 | $10,621 |
5 credits | $5,150 | $8,888 |
4 credits | $4,165 | $7,155 |
3 credits | $3,180 | $5,422 |
2 credits (minimum) | $2,195 | $3,689 |
Most applicable fees are included in the listed tuition rate, but some courses will require additional fees.
Curriculum
MSCSS students can choose one of three pathways to complete their degree:
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A Master's Thesis
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Capstone Project
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Electives Only
Master's Thesis
If you are interested in theory and research, you are encouraged to choose this option. A thesis investigates an important research question and provides an in-depth background to the problem being addressed, and points to varying approaches to solving the problem. A thesis is excellent preparation for pursuit of a doctorate degree, and this research often results in one or more publications in journals or conference proceedings.
Students who select the thesis option must work with a faculty advisor to produce a thesis proposal. The proposal, along with a permission to enroll form, is submitted to the Graduate Committee for approval.
After the Graduate Committee approves the proposal, the student registers for TCSS 700. A total of ten (10) credits of TCSS 700 must be completed to meet the degree requirements. These units are taken over two quarters, though a third quarter may be added if necessary. TCSS 700 is graded credit/no credit, so the grades do not count toward the student’s grade point.
Capstone Project
A capstone experience is a valuable part of advanced work in computer science. In a supportive environment, students work with faculty on innovative research programs.
With the help of a faculty advisor, you define, develop and implement a real-world project. When projects involve significant research, you are encouraged to write a publishable paper covering your work. You are required to present your results in a public colloquium.
Students who select the capstone project option must work with a faculty advisor to produce a project proposal. The proposal, along with a Proposal to Enroll in MS CSS Capstone, is submitted to the Graduate Committee for approval.
After the Graduate Committee approves the proposal, the student registers for TCSS 702. A total of ten (10) credits of TCSS 702 must be completed to meet the degree requirements. These units are taken over two quarters, though a third quarter may be added if necessary. TCSS 702 is graded the same way core and elective courses are graded, so the grades count toward the student’s grade point average.
Coursework Only
The Coursework Only pathway allows more flexibility in course scheduling and broader exploration of CS subjects.
Students may choose to take an additional three (3) 500-level electives (15 credits) to satisfy their degree requirements in place of thesis or capstone courses. This option is provided for students who are primarily interested in maximizing the breadth of their background in computer science.
The courses a student takes to satisfy the requirements for the MS degree fall into six categories:
- Core courses (required for all students, regardless of chosen degree pathway)
- Elective Courses (required for all students, regardless of chosen degree pathway)
- Research Seminars (TCSS 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 597)
- Thesis/Capstone courses (required for those who select either thesis or capstone as their degree pathway)
- Independent Study
- Substitution courses taken on another UW Campus
- Petition to Substitute MS Course
- Please reach out to your Graduate Advisor, Rachel Crook if you are interested in doing this
Core Courses
All MSCSS students are required to take three core courses:
- TCSS 540 or TCSS 543 (5 credits)
- TCSS 558 (5 credits)
- TCSS 598 (5 credits total - 3 credits in Autumn quarter, 2 credits in Winter quarter)
Elective Courses
The number of elective courses a student is required to take depends on the degree pathway (thesis, capstone, or coursework only) has chosen.
- For students in the Coursework Only option, 30 elective credits are required.
- Students may request permission from the Graduate Committee to apply TCSS 600 credits (Independent Study) to this total.
- Internship credits (TCSS 701) can't be counted toward program requirements.
Independent Study - TCSS 600
After taking 15 credits of core courses, a student may decide that they have a strong interest in an area of computer science that is not covered in the scheduled courses. In this case, the student may propose that they be permitted to substitute an independent study course for an elective course. Students must find a graduate faculty member who will supervise the independent study, and complete the Petition to take Independent Study (requires signatures from student and graduate faculty member).
Internships - TCSS 701
Internships do not count toward elective credit. A student may need to take an internship for credit for a variety of reasons, such as to maintain full-time status, or to satisfy a scholarship requirement. Internship packets should be turned in to the Graduate Advisor, Rachel Crook with a cc: to the Graduate Program Coordinator, Dr. Ankur Teredesai.
Thesis and Capstone Project Courses - TCSS 700 and 702
Students enrolled in the thesis option are required to take 10 credits of TCSS 700 and students in the project option are required to take 10 credits of TCSS 702. These courses are taken in place of 10 credits of elective courses. If a student chooses to switch from the thesis or project option to the course only option, 700 and 702 will NOT count as electives.
Educational Objectives
MSCSS graduates will:
- Have the necessary skills and knowledge to independently conduct investigative work in selected sub-areas of computing/technology;
- Have a broad understanding of the technologies and theories supporting the architecture and construction of software systems;
- Be able to pursue successful careers or subsequent postgraduate studies while adapting to emerging technologies;
- Be able to analyze issues and synthesize solutions to computing-related problems;
- Be able to use their communication skills while working in team environments.
Learning Outcomes
MSCSS students are able to:
- Apply knowledge of theoretical foundations in computer science
- Use current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computing practice
- Analyze a problem, to assess and articulate its requirements, to design, to implement, and to evaluate a computer-based system
- Communicate effectively in both oral and written forms
- Participate effectively in team projects
- Recognize the need for and an ability to engage in self-directed learning and continuing professional development
Apply Today!
Applications are accepted through the UW Graduate School. The process includes:
- Creating or updating your graduate applicant profile (one profile for all program applications)
- Making sure required documents have been submitted
- Paying the application fee
Winter 2024 Information Sessions
Date/Time | Registration Link (all info sessions take place virtually via Zoom) |
---|---|
Monday, February 5 8am - 9am PDT | |
Thursday, February 8 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT | |
Tuesday, February 13 12pm - 1pm PDT |
Center for Data Science at UW Tacoma
Current and past research within the School of Engineering and Technology
The Center for Data Science is a hub for experts in data analytics, data management, and data science.
At the Center for Data Science we embrace these challenges. We design and develop solutions that enable our partners and sponsors to solve complex problems posed by volume, variety and velocity (3Vs) of data.
At the Center for Data Science we use a multi-disciplinary approach to explore the impact of big data, its challenges, and its opportunities. Our aim is to develop tools and algorithms that enhance our fundamental understanding of how to store, manage, analyze, search and model data. We use the principles and openness of the World Wide Web to deliver this impact.
What our Graduates Do
Career Options for M.S. in CSS Graduates
As a M.S. in Computer Science graduate, you will acquire the skills and competencies sought by companies such as Google, Microsoft, Facebook, REI, Disney, Amazon, HBO, and other emerging startup companies.
Graduates are prepared to solve problems in all aspects of computing. Career options include:
- Software Development Engineer
- Computer and Information Research Scientist
- Computer Network Architect
- Database Administrator
- Information Security Manager
- Systems Developers at industry leaders around the globe, driving growth, innovation and change.