Dec 15, 2024  
2025-2026 Graduate Catalog [DRAFT] 
    
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2025-2026 Graduate Catalog [DRAFT] [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Computer and Information Sciences, M.S.

Ellie Lovellette, Program Director
843.953.2754
gradcs@cofc.edu
https://compsci.cofc.edu/graduate-programs/index.php

Mission Statement

The mission of the graduate program in Computer and Information Sciences is to provide excellence in instruction, innovation in research and scholarship, and to serve a growing professional work force in computer science, cybersecurity, information technology and software engineering in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. The goals of the graduate program in Computer and Information Sciences are

  • preparing the next generation of scholars and professionals capable of conducting basic research and extending the current knowledge base in the discipline
  • discovering and disseminating new knowledge in the field of computer science through research and scholarship
  • preparing innovators who can communicate their ideas and who understand their responsibilities as computer and information science professionals in a global society

The graduate program complements and strengthens the undergraduate program in Computer Science by providing advanced coursework in Computer Science and by encouraging creative thinking in research and scholarship.

Program Description

The College of Charleston and The Citadel offer a joint graduate program leading to a Master of Science in Computer and Information Sciences. The program is offered primarily at Harbor Walk and is designed to serve a growing professional work force in computer science, information technology, software engineering and cybersecurity in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. The 33-credit-hour program offers four areas of emphasis: computer science, information systems, software engineering and cybersecurity. Courses are taught in the evenings or late afternoons, accommodating the schedules of most professional students. Courses are offered on alternating days, permitting full-time students to schedule up to four courses (12 credit hours) in a semester.

Program Duration

A typical professional student might take two courses per semester during the fall and spring terms and one course during the summer. Such a schedule would put the student on track to graduate in two and a half years, depending on which degree-completion option is selected. Non-degree students simply desiring to build skills and expertise in one or more specialized areas may, of course, simply schedule such courses as desired. A full-time, degree-seeking student would typically take between three and four courses during the fall and spring terms and up to two courses during the summer, putting the student on track to graduate within a year and a half, depending on the degree-completion option.

Assistantships

A number of graduate assistantships are available for full-time students in the Department of Computer Science. The awards will normally be made by April 30 for the following academic year; applications indicating an interest in an assistantship should be completed by March 1. However, applications for assistantships will be considered throughout the year if funds permit.

Note: For information on additional financial aid, please refer to the financial information section  of the Graduate Catalog.

Admission Requirements and Application Deadlines


Institutional Admissions Requirements

  • A completed application form with a nonrefundable application fee of $60.
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework. An earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required.
  • International applicants should refer to the International Students area within the “Admissions Information” section of the catalog for information on providing appropriate documentation with the application.

Program Admissions Requirements

Satisfy one of the following options. All students must satisfy prerequisite areas indicated below before enrolling in any graduate CSIS course.

  1. Complete a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher
  2. Complete a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 2.500 or higher. Complete six credit hours of graduate CSIS coursework as a non-degree-seeking student with a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher.
  3. For students in the accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s program at the College of Charleston, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher for all CSIS courses to continue as a full-time graduate student.
  4. Complete a graduate certificate from the joint College of Charleston/Citadel programs in Computer and Information Sciences, with a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher.

Statement of Purpose

Submit a statement of purpose with admission materials (700-1000 words).

Prerequisite Area Requirements

Prospective students must be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of basic computer architecture, object-oriented programming, discrete mathematics, and data structures, before enrolling in any graduate CSIS course. These prerequisite areas may be covered by undergraduate coursework from any regionally accredited college or university. Coverage of areas by courses is at the discretion of the graduate program director. Grades of B or higher are required for courses taken outside of a baccalaureate program. Some courses may have additional prerequisites depending on where they are offered.

Relevant work experience may be acceptable in demonstrating competency if mapped to typical learning outcomes for courses normally accepted. With prior approval from the graduate program directors, certain certified, online, university-style, MOOC courses (e.g. Coursera, edX, etc.) may be acceptable for demonstrating competency in some prerequisite areas.

GRE 

A GRE score is optional but recommended for applicants who want to be considered for scholarships or fellowships.


Application Deadlines

  • Fall: January 15, priority*; July 1, final
  • Spring: November 1, priority; December 1, final
  • Summer: January 15, priority; April 1, final

*Candidates who submit a completed application by the priority deadline will automatically be considered for Graduate School and/or graduate program funding.

 

Transfer Credit Policy

An applicant or student of the M.S. in Computer and Information Sciences program can seek approval from the Joint Program Committee to accept up to nine transfer credit hours. These courses must have a grade of B or higher, and can count toward the M.S. in Computer and Information Sciences degree requirements. Courses with a grade of “Pass” or “Satisfactory” will not be accepted.

 

Program Requirements
Program Learning Outcomes