A master’s degree isn’t required to work in this field, but with a limited number of highly skilled workers graduating with advanced computer science degrees every year, having a master’s degree may help you get your foot in the door–and once you’re in, a graduate degree may also help you climb the CS career ladder. But what if you majored in something other than computer science? The good news is programs all over the country, including many online master’s programs, offer non-CS students the opportunity to pursue an advanced degree in this exploding field.

To help you get started in your search, here are a few online graduate CS programs that consider applicants who do not have an undergraduate degree or professional experience in computer science. This is not an exhaustive list, but merely a starting point in your journey.

UNIVERSITIES OFFERING MASTERS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE FOR NON CS MAJORS IN USA

1. Wright State University Dayton, Ohio – Master of Science in Computer Science : The Masters in Computer Science for non CS majors in this university is very flexible. Those students who are from non CS background is required to take an exam upon enrollment, OR, take a preparatory course consisting of 6 credit hours.
2. Gannon University Erie, Pennsylvania – Master of Science in Computer and Information Science : It is a private catholic university offering the Masters in Computer Science without Bachelors degree in Computer Science.
3. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – Master of Science in Computer Information Sciences.
4. University of Massachusetts Lowell, Massachusetts – MS in Computer Science – Entrepreneurship option
5. Bradley University Peoria, Illinois – Master of Science in Computer Science
6. Lawrence Technological University Southfield, Michigan – Master of Science in Computer Science.
7. California State University Fresno, California – Master of Science in Computer Science : This is one of the best public universities offering Masters in Computer Science for non CS majors in USA.
8. National University San Diego, California – Master of Science in Computer Science :It is San Diego’s largest private nonprofit university offering Masters in Computer Science in USA. Foundation courses are required for those from the non CS background to get admitted to the program.
9. Missouri State University Springfield, Missouri – Master of Science in Computer Science : Students without Bachelors in CS must complete undergraduate courses prior to registration in graduate courses.
10. Montana State University Bozeman, Montana – Masters in Computer Science : It is one of the best private universities offering the Masters in Computer Science in USA. The students from non CS background need to take some provisional courses in order to get admitted to the program.
11. University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas – Masters in Computer Science : The students from non CS background are required to take some undergraduate coursework prior to admission.
12. West Virginia University Morgantown, West Virginia – Masters in Computer Science : Provisionally admitted students from non CS background should attend remedial coursework in the first year of study.
13. Monroe College Bronx, New York – Masters in Computer Science : This university provides the most affordable Masters in Computer Science in USA. Foundation courses are required for those from the non CS background to get admitted to the program.
14. Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, Missouri – MS in Applied Computer Science : The students from non CS program should have a pre-requisite knowledge in Data structure. The rest of the requirements can be satisfied by doing an undergraduate coursework prior to admission.
15. SUNY Polytechnic Institute Utica, New York – MS in Computer and Information Science : Students without Bachelors in CS should attend some bridge courses as required.
16. Texas A & M University Corpus Christi, Texas – MS in Computer Science : The MS in Computer Science in this university is offered via a thesis option or a course only option.
17. Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado – MS in Computer Science : The Masters in Computer Science program is offered either oncampus or online.
18. Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, Louisiana – MS in Computer Science : It is one of the best universities offering the Masters in Computer Science in USA.
19. Purdue University Northwest, Indiana – MS in Computer Science : It is one of the best universities offering the Masters in Computer Science in USA.
20. University of Nevada Reno, Nevada – MS in Computer Science : Only those extraordinary students from non CS background will be admitted to the program.
21. University of South Florida Tampa, Florida – MS in Computer Science : The Masters in Computer Science in this university is offered in thesis and non-thesis option.
22. Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, Florida – MS in Computer Science : Students from non CS background are expected to take additional courses.
23. New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, New Jersey – MS in Computer Science : It is one of the best universities offering the Masters in Computer Science in USA. The students from non CS background are required to take required bridge courses.
24. New York Institute of Technology New York City, New York – MS in Computer Science : The students from non CS background are required to take some required courses from the list of wavable and pre-requisite courses.
25. University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida – MS in Computer Science : The students from non CS background are required to have a deeper understanding on the list of undergraduate courses such as Operating System, Computer Architecture, etc.
26. University of Colorado Denver, Colorado – MS in Computer Science : The students from non CS background are required to take some foundation courses and earn a minimum of B grade in the first year of study.
27. University of Illinois Chicago, Illinois – MS in Computer Science : Outstanding students from non CS background with substantial coursework in CS will be considered for admission.
28. University of New Hampshire Durham, New Hampshire – MS in Computer Science : The students from non CS background are required to take an undergraduate coursework as specified.
29. University of Vermont Burlington, Vermont – MS in Computer Science : Provisionally admitted students from non CS background should attend remedial coursework in the first year of study.
30. Drexel University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – MS in Computer Science : The students from non CS background are required to take a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science
31. American University Washington D.C – MS in Computer Science : It is one of the best universities offering the Masters in Computer Science in USA.
32. Arkansas State University Jonesboro, Arkansas – MS in Computer Science : This university offers the nationally ranked Masters in Computer Science in USA. The students from non CS background should attend a remedial coursework after attending a mock test.
33. California State University Channel Islands, California – MS in Computer Science : Students from non CS background need to do some foundation courses in Computer Science or Mathematics as prescribed by the university.
34. California State University Dominguez Hills, California – MS in Computer Science : Students from non CS background should take a levelling course prior to admission.
35. City University of Seattle Seattle, Washington – MS in Computer Science : The students from non CS background are required to take some bridge courses.
36. College of Charleston Charleston, South Carolina – MS in Computer Science : Students from non CS background should attend the pre-requisite courses and earn a minimum grade of ‘B’.
37. DePaul University Chicago, Illinois – MS in Computer Science : This university offers the nationally ranked Masters in Computer Science in USA.
38. Georgia State University Atlanta, Georgia – MS in Computer Science : Foundation courses are required for those students from non CS background.
39. International Technological University San Jose, California – MS in Computer Science.
40. Lewis University Romeoville, Illinois – MS in Computer Science : Foundation courses of atleast 13 credit hours are required for those students from non CS background.
41. Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design Lakewood, Colorado – MS in Computer Science
42. Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, Missouri – MS in Computer Science
43. The State University of New York New Paltz, New York – MS in Computer Science.
44. The State University of New York Albany, New York – MS in Computer Science : This university offers the nationally ranked Masters in Computer Science in USA. Students from non CS background are required to take some undergraduate courseworks in the first year of study.
45. Troy University Troy, Alabama – MS in Computer Science : Students from non CS background are required to take necessary pre-requisite courses.
46. University of Alabama Birmingham, Alabama – MS in Computer Science : The students from non CS background are required to take the pre-requisite courses in Computer Science and Calculus.
47. University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) St. Louis, Missouri – MS in Computer Science : It is one of the best universities offering the Masters in Computer Science in USA. The highly talented students from non CS background are required to take some pre-requisite courses.
48. University of Tulsa Tulsa, Oklahoma – MS in Computer Science : Students from non CS background are required to take some pre-requisite courses as prescribed by the university.
49. University of Utah Salt Lake City, Utah – MS in Computer Science : This university offers the nationally ranked Masters in Computer Science in USA. Students from non CS background are required to take some pre-requisite courses.
50. Midwestern State University Wichita Falls, Texas – MS in Computer Science – Software Development : Students from non CS background are required to take undergraduate preparatory courses.
51. Long Island University Brooklyn, New York – MS in Computer Science (Blended) : This university offers the Masters in Computer Science in hybrid format. Students from non CS background are required to pass the competency waiver exam or completing two preparation courses

best online master’s in computer science

Professionals armed with a master’s degree in computer science are poised for career advancement in a growing industry with diverse opportunities. Graduates can find employment in many niche markets including: mobile application development, big data analytics, healthcare IT, video game design and software architecture and development.

Employers seek computer science experts skilled in a number of areas, including: artificial intelligence, algorithm development, data mining and security. And from software development to security analysis, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts this field will continue to grow at a rate upwards of 20% for most job sectors.

With a high demand for qualified and skilled computer science professionals, taking education to the next level is a wise move for those in this industry. And while bachelor’s degree holders will have a solid foundation in computer science, they simply won’t have the same in-depth knowledge or specialized skills a candidate with a master’s degree possesses. An online master’s provides an affordable and flexible graduate option that also allows professionals to continue working while pursuing their degrees.

General and specialized studies offer a broad range of opportunities. To help narrow your search, we provide the following top 25 online master’s in computer science programs.

One of the nation’s leading public universities, Georgia Tech was founded in 1885 to help the South rebuild during Reconstruction. Originally a mechanical engineering school, the Atlanta-based institution has grown to become a comprehensive research university specializing in the STEM disciplines. More than 21,500 technology students are enrolled in the institute’s six schools and colleges, with just under 10,000 of them pursuing graduate degrees. Dozens of Georgia Tech’s programs are ranked nationally, including the school’s online master’s in computer science.Georgia Tech partnered with Udacity and AT&T to create one of the country’s most unique computer science graduate programs. The 30-credit online master of science in computer science was the first to follow the “massive online” format (MOOC), which has become popular for free, open-source, web-based education. While Georgia Tech is not gratis, it is relatively inexpensive. The format allows for more interaction between students, peers, and faculty than traditional online platforms, and it fosters mentoring. Participants can specialize in four fields: computational perception and robotics; interactive intelligence; computing systems; and machine learning. The degree requires a bachelor’s, preferably in computer science, with a 3.0 GPA or better.
2	University of Southern California	Los Angeles			University Park Los Angeles, CA 90089 (213) 740-2311	SCHOOL PROFILE	Located in Los Angeles, the University of Southern California is an educational giant, with 21 schools and colleges. The public, four-year, research university is the single largest employer in LA, with an economic impact of more than $8 billion annually. Of the 44,000 students enrolled, 7,300 attend online and more than 25,000 are in graduate programs. From the arts to the sciences, USC is a national leader.USC has 88 online degrees, and all of them are graduate and professional programs. The online computer science master’s degree has five areas of specialization. Students can take the school of engineering’s traditional 30-credit master of science in computer science. The curriculum offers a broad overview of computer systems, languages, designs, and applications. Students can also enroll in a more specialized track such as: computer security; data science; multimedia and creative technologies; software engineering; or scientists and engineers. Most classes have real-time and asynchronous components and involve peer-to-peer connections with both fellow online learners and on-campus students.
3	University of Minnesota – Twin Cities	Minneapolis	$$$$$		100 Church Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55455-0213 (612) 625-5000	SCHOOL PROFILE	The U of M is a public land-grant university where students actively participate in major research alongside their professors. Based in Minneapolis-St. Paul, with campuses three miles apart, the school has a student population of 30,000. About half of the students are in graduate programs. Part of the prestigious Association of American Universities, U of M is often referred to as a “Public Ivy.” The school’s master’s in computer science online prepares students for careers in programming, technology companies, systems engineering, and big business.The master of computer science program follows a 31-credit curriculum and is delivered by the university’s UNITE Distributed Learning Office. Coursework includes synchronous events and asynchronous lessons. Classes include subjects such as: modern cryptography; animation and planning in games; and computational aspects of matrix theory. UNITE faculty coordinate proctored exams for students in remote locations. U of M Online offers resources to online students on its site that includes technology support, advising, digital tutorials, and free training courseware.
4	Illinois Institute of Technology	Chicago			3300 S Federal St Chicago, IL 60616 (312) 567-3000	SCHOOL PROFILE	Founded in 1890, the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) is one of the country’s leading research institutions. The Chicago-based school has a history of innovation. It is associated with advancements like skyscraper architecture, cellphones, barcodes, and recording technology. IIT offers cutting-edge online programming and more traditional degree programs.IIT was one of the first schools to pioneer technology-based distance learning, using television to deliver programs as far back as the 1970s. Today, IIT Online offers dozens of degrees entirely through the web, including two master’s in computer science. The 30-credit master of computer science program explores the concepts, systems, and practical application of computers in the modern world. Students can specialize in 11 different areas including: business, database systems, and software engineering. Participants can elect to complete a major project or additional coursework. The other degree track is a master of science in computer science, designed for students who want to continue on to a PhD program or a career in research and development. IIT Online offers a full range of support services to virtual students.
5	University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	Champaign	$$$$$		601 E John Street Champaign, IL 61820-5711 (217) 333-1000	SCHOOL PROFILE	Referred to as “Illinois”, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is known for far-reaching research, top-tier educational opportunities, and its status as one of the founders of the Big Ten. More than 44,000 attend, pursuing 150 degree programs at the baccalaureate, graduate, and post-graduate levels. At the forefront of web-based learning – the university offered one of the oldest off-site programs as far back as 1948 – Illinois now hosts Illinois Online, where students select from over 75 degree programs.In the 32-credit professional master’s in computer science, distance learners receive the same lectures and assignments as their on-campus counterparts. The non-thesis program is composed of coursework only. A specialized data science concentration is an option. The degree takes three to five years to complete.
6	Stevens Institute of Technology	Hoboken			Castle Point On Hudson Hoboken, NJ 07030-5991 (201) 216-5000	SCHOOL PROFILE	One of the country’s oldest technology schools, Stevens sits across the river from Manhattan in Hoboken, New Jersey. Since its founding in 1870, the institute has built a national reputation for innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, and community service. The 3,600 graduate students outnumber the school’s undergraduates in the institution’s four schools. With a student to faculty ratio of 10:1, all learners enjoy a close relationship to the faculty. Stevens’ online arm, the WebCampus, offers 18 degree programs, including an online master’s in computer science.The computer science masters at Stevens’ school of engineering and science takes a broad look at the nature of computer technology. It covers operating systems, languages, applications, systems, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. At least 21 of the 30-credits required for graduation must come from computer science courses. The degree is customizable with electives; possible focus areas might be: cloud computing, data mining, gaming, security, web applications, mobile computing, and software development. Students interested in computer science might also appreciate some of Stevens’ other online master’s offerings: computer engineering, information systems, networking, information and data engineering, enterprise and cloud computing, and software engineering.
7	University of Illinois at Springfield	Springfield	$$$$$		One University Plaza Springfield, IL 62703-5407 (217) 206-6600	SCHOOL PROFILE	The University of Illinois system (UIS) boasts small classes and close relationships between students and faculty. Located near Lake Springfield, about 200 miles southwest of Chicago, the school offers a variety of programs that include 31 bachelor’s degrees, 20 master’s degrees, and one doctoral program. The student population of about 5,000 is split roughly in half between undergraduates and graduates students. More than 1,600 are enrolled in UIS’ online programs, and criminal science is the most popular graduate program.The 8 course, 32-credit curriculum of UIS’ online master’s in computer science emphasizes software. Students delve deep into the design, function, use, and management of software applications through classes like discrete structures, systems programming languages, and data structures and algorithms. Other topics in the computer science master’s degree program include security and information assurance. Classes are cohort based. Applicants with a baccalaureate background in computing are preferred; the GRE is not required. UIS publishes a newsletter twice annually to keep its web-based students up-to-date, and it hosts a brunch for online students at graduation.
8	Southern Methodist University	Dallas			6425 Boaz St Dallas, TX 75275-0221 (214) 768-2000	SCHOOL PROFILE	As its name suggests, Dallas-based Southern Methodist University was founded in 1911 by the Methodist Church. A private research institution, the school is now non-sectarian in its academics and promotes independent and creative thinking. One of the country’s most powerful academic supercomputers is used for research at the university.SMU’s online computer science master’s takes an interdisciplinary approach and features a great deal of networking, collaboration with peers, and face time with professors. In the master of science in data science program students attend live classes delivered through the web. They also participate in study groups and social networking. Periodic on campus “immersions,” meetings with faculty, guest speakers, and classmates, are required. A wide array of support services is available to online students, from tech support and platform help to advising and library access.
9	University of Hawaii at Manoa	Honolulu	$$$$$		2500 Campus Road, Hawaii Hall Honolulu, HI 96822-2217 (808) 956-8111	SCHOOL PROFILE	The University of Hawaii at Manoa (UH) is located three miles from downtown Honolulu. UH was founded in 1907 as Hawaii’s land-, sea-, and space-grant institution, and it’s become known as a research leader in oceanography, astronomy, genetics, and tropical agriculture. About a third of the school’s 18,000 students come from outside the state, and they represent 126 different countries, giving the school an international feel. UH created its distance learning program to extend educational opportunities to students in remote areas of the Hawaiian Islands, and it now serves learners all around the globe.The university’s online master’s in computer science is aimed at students who are interested in a high-level position at a tech company or want to earn a PhD in the subject. The 31-credit master of science in computer science program focuses on software, its construction, uses, and maintenance. Students can select between the thesis or capstone track. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, a 3.0 GPA, and three consecutive semesters in a programming language. They also must have passed the GRE and completed a year-long course in calculus. UH offers a wealth of services to online learners, including IT support, library access, and proctoring help.
10	Nova Southeastern University	Fort Lauderdale	$$$$$		3301 College Ave Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314-7796 (954) 262-7300	SCHOOL PROFILE	Established in 1964, Nova opened its doors in Fort Lauderdale as a technology school with revolutionary ideas about learning. The private, non-profit school is a research institution with 24,000 students studying in centers across Florida, the U.S., and around the world. Nova is a national leader in online learning.The 36-credit curriculum of Nova’s master of science in computer science program gives participants a solid foundation in the basics of computer programming and usage and encourages critical thinking and problem solving. Classes explore algorithms, operating systems, languages, and software engineering. Six areas of concentration allow students to tailor their degree to their field of interest. They include: theory, computer systems, software engineering, data science, real-world computing, and a security specialization recognized by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency. Nova’s online platform puts a premium on interaction and collaboration and it features many real-time components.