The post-baccalaureate certificate program in computer science (PBCS) is designed for qualified students who have an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than computer science. It lets students take foundational courses in programming, data structures, algorithms, hardware, and systems. The program prepares students for further advancement in their current field, for entry-level positions in industry and in government, or for advanced study in computer science at the graduate level.

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science

The official policies for this program may be found in the CS Department Bulletin. If there is any conflict between this webpage and the official policies, then the official policies have precedence. 

The post-baccalaureate program in Computer Science offers the student with a bachelor’s degree, but few computer science courses, the opportunity to earn the equivalent of an undergraduate minor in computer science by completing the requirements for the minor. It is designed to give the student with a nontechnical, liberal arts degree the introductory knowledge base to enter the technology field or continue on to graduate study in computer science. For more information, visit the website.

We offer a standalone post-baccalaureate track or a combined post-baccalaureate/MS track. Most students who successfully complete the standalone post-baccalaureate continue to our master’s programs, and a small but significant percentage continue for a PhD. Any courses taken as part of the post-baccalaureate numbered above 100 will count toward the master’s degree.

Certificate Track: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science. This track is designed for students who are new to the field of computer science and are looking to gain a solid foundation in the field to pursue new career opportunities.

Master’s Track: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science to MS in Computer Science or another MS program in the CS Department. This track is designed for students who are new to the field of computer science with the goal of continuing their education to pursue a Master of Science in the field of computer science.

What are Post Baccalaureate Computer Science programs?

A post-baccalaureate program is an educational program for individuals who already possess a Bachelor’s degree in some field. Post-bacc programs are taught at universities, sometimes as a degree program and sometimes as non-degree coursework. Such programs usually take 1-2 years to complete and are awarded a diploma or a certificate upon graduation.

Who are Post Baccalaureate Computer Science programs for?

Post Baccalaureate Computer Science programs are reserved for students who have an undergraduate degree and are looking to expand their knowledge in a related or unrelated subject. These programs are a great choice for career changers who would like to gain expertise in another field without attending another traditional 4-year degree. A post-bacc degree in computer science can help you acquire foundation in CS and pursue a career in technology. As a result, you may qualify for jobs in software engineering, data science, machine learning, and other specialties in computer science.

Another reason to get enrolled in a post-baccalaureate program in computer science is to pursue a graduate degree afterwards. Thus, you may use a post-bacc program as a path to applying for a Master’s or doctoral degree in CS.

What is the difference between Post-Bacc and Bridge programs?

There are many similarities between post baccalaureate computer science programs and Bridge programs. However, the two are different entities with separate aims and properties.

Post-Bacc program is:

• A degree or certificate program
• Either terminal or links to graduate degree
• Takes 1-2 years to complete
• Often sufficient for employment

Bridge program is:

• A non-degree program or part of Master’s coursework
• Mostly links to graduate degree
• Takes 3-12 months to complete
• Sometimes sufficient for employment

Best Post Bacc Computer Science Programs

1. Post Baccalaureate Computer Science Online Degree at Oregon State University

Post baccalaureate computer science online degree program at Oregon State is a fully online degree program geared for students with non-CS background. This rigorous and comprehensive program comprises 15 courses that can be completed in 1.5-2 years. Upon graduation, a student receives a diploma that states Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science. This highly rated program will prepare you for a successful career in CS.

2. Applied Computer Science Post-Baccalaureate at University of Colorado Boulder

Applied Computer Science degree at CU Boulder is a fully online degree for anyone with an existing bachelor’s degree looking to advance in their current career, make a career pivot and/or prepare for a master’s degree. The program culminates in a Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science diploma, which would, by definition, be your second Bachelor’s degree. The program has a rigorous curriculum, which consists of 45 credit hours and can be completed in 1-3 years.

3. Post-Baccalaureate Certificate at Georgetown University

Post-baccalaureate certificate program in computer science (PBCS) at Georgetown University is also designed for students with no computer science background. The program consists of 12 courses, which include introduction to computer science, data structures and algorithms, math, and electives. This rigorous program takes about 2 years to complete.

4. Post-Baccalaureate Certificate at Tufts University

Tufts University offers both online and on-campus post-baccalaureate certificates in computer science separately. Two tracks are offered to the prospective students. Certificate track is comprised of 5-6 courses and culminates in a graduation certificate. Master’s track consists of 2 courses, after which students continue to the Master’s degree in computer science. Curriculum includes such courses as programming languages, data structures and algorithms, discrete math, and computational theory.

5. Programming Graduate Certificate at Harvard Extension School

Harvard Extension School’s Programming Graduate Certificate is designed for students with little or no prior knowledge in computer programming and language. It consists of 4 courses and has online or on-campus studying options. In this program, you will be able to learn algorithms, data structures, string manipulation, encapsulation, resource management, security, software engineering, and web development in one of the world’s best universities. Moreover, graduates of the Programming Graduate Certificate program are eligible to apply for 12-course Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Software Engineering at Harvard Extension School.

6. Graduate Certificate in Software Design & Development at University of Washington, Bothell

This post-baccalaureate program at UWB involves 6 undergraduate-level courses that can be completed in one academic year. Students may choose to attend the program in order to learn fundamentals of computer science and seek employment or to continue to pursue a Master’s degree at UWB. The learning system involves evening on-campus or online lessons adaptable to working professionals.

7. Computer Science Certificate at Drexel University

This four-course program, offered on-campus or online, provides an in-depth overview of the fundamentals of the computer science field, including courses in programming, algorithms, systems and software design. Graduates of the program may either decide to join the workforce or continue their education at one of Drexel’s Master of Science programs.

8. Programming Post-Baccalaureate Certificate at Northwestern University

Programming Post-Baccalaureate Certificate students at Northwestern University will learn programming and software design skills for application in business and organizational fields. The program focuses on Java and other object-oriented programming languages, data science, and systems design and analysis. No prerequisite knowledge besides general experience with computers is needed for admissions.

9. Computer Programming Certificate at North Carolina State University

Computer Programming Certificate (CPC) at NCSU is an entirely online program open to students with a bachelor’s degree in any field other than computer science or computer engineering. The program is specifically designed to help you gain the fundamental computing skills you need to further your current career or prepare for a career change. Graduates of the program may use their acquired skills for seeking employment or to continue their education at NCSU’s graduate programs.

10. Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Data Science at University of Minnesota

This rigorous program is designed to provide interested students a solid conceptual foundation in data science. The program consists of 4 courses, which are usually completed in 2 semesters. Students take one course in each of the three focus areas (statistics, algorithmics, and infrastructure and large scale computing) plus one elective.

11. Post-Baccalaureate program at University of Houston

This program at University of Houston offers two options for prospective students. Degree-seeking option is for those students who wish to acquire a second Bachelor’s degree, while non-degree option is for those who either want to obtain general foundational knowledge in computer science or to fulfill prerequisite requirements for graduate degree. Coursework focuses on math, object-oriented programming, data structures, computer architecture, and operating systems.

12. Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science Applications at Hofstra University

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science Applications is a pathway program that will teach students with a Bachelor’s degree core knowledge in computer science, including programming, discrete mathematics, data structures, and algorithm analysis. No prior knowledge of programming is required. Students who complete the program with a minimum GPA of 3.0 will automatically be admitted to the MS in Computer Science, the MS in Cybersecurity, or the MS in Data Science program at Hofstra University.

Requirements

The program requires five Tufts courses:

• Computer Science 15 Data Structures*
• Computer Science 61 or Mathematics 61 or 65 Discrete Mathematics

Choose two: 

• Computer Science 40 Machine Structure and Assembly Language Programming
• Computer Science 105 Programming Languages**, ***
• Computer Science 160 Algorithms***
• Computer Science 170 Theory of Computation***

One elective:

• One computer science elective above Computer Science 15****

*Prerequisite course Computer Science 11: Introduction to Computer Science is available to individuals without a previous programming course.
**Only one of Computer Science 80 and 105 may be counted toward the program.
***Courses numbered above 100 award graduate credit and are transferable into the Tufts Master of Science in Computer Science program upon acceptance into that program.
**** Computer Science  55 and 155 may not be utilized as the Computer Science elective. 

Application Deadlines

• July 15 for Fall admission
• October 15 for Spring admission
• March 15 for Summer admission
• Applicants who require visa must also contact Georgetown’s Office of Global Services (OGS) for visa related deadlines. Visit https://internationalservices.georgetown.edu/ (new window) for more information.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the post-bacc program must have a four-year degree or equivalent from an accredited academic institution. They must have a 3.2 grade-point average in previous undergraduate study. Applicants to the post-bacc program must assemble and submit

• application form
• application fee of $65.00 (check or money order payable to Georgetown University)
• one-page personal statement
• official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions
• two letters of recommendation, preferably with at least one from a person familiar with the applicant’s academic work
• Official TOEFL scores for applicants whose language of instruction was not English
• SAT or ACT scores may be submitted, but are not required

Applicants must submit their complete application to

Post-baccalaureate Program
Department of Computer Science
329 St. Mary’s Hall
Georgetown University
Washington, DC 20057-1232

Note that applicants can submit unofficial copies of transcripts with their application, but the department can not make a formal decision to award admission to the program until it receives official transcripts.

International Students

The post-bacc program has been approved for international students. However, international students must be enrolled in twelve credits per semester. This requires course work in addition to that required for the certificate, but international students can elect to take additional courses in computer science, in mathematics, and in their undergraduate discipline of study.

Program Requirements and Sequence

The curriculum for the post-baccalaureate program consists of twelve courses or thirty-six credits:

• Computer Science I (COSC-051)
• Computer Science II (COSC-052)
• Math Methods for Computer Science (COSC-030)
• Data Structures (COSC-160)
• Computational Structures (COSC-125)
• Introduction to Algorithms (COSC-240)
• Three computer science electives selected from COSC courses numbered 200 or higher
• Calculus I (MATH-035)
• Calculus II (MATH-036)
• One additional math elective from Probability and Statistics (MATH-040), Multivariable Calculus (MATH-137), Introduction to Mathematical Statistics (MATH-140), Linear Algebra (MATH-150), Abstract Algebra (MATH-203), Number Theory (MATH-211), Numerical Analysis (MATH-212), Combinatorics (MATH-223), Graph Theory (MATH-224), Optimization (MATH-225), Mathematical Statistics I (MATH-233), Mathematical Statistics II (MATH-234), and Symbolic Logic (PHIL-378)

Course Waivers and Substitutions

The minimum number of required credits is twenty-seven credits, or nine courses. Students who have taken relevant courses at other institutions either before or during their enrollment in the program may petition the program administrator for course waivers. Students enrolled in the program who elect to take courses at another university must obtain prior approval from the program administrator. Students who fall short of the minimum requirement of twenty-seven credits because of course waivers must petition the program administrator for a course substitution. A substituted course must be comparable to or more advanced than the original course. Because of the program’s short duration, the department does not award transfer credit.

Class Time, Enrollment Status, and Time to Completion

Students may enroll part-time or full-time and must maintain a minimum grade-point average of 2.8 to be in good academic standing. To earn the post-baccalaureate certificate, students must complete their program of study with a grade-point average of 2.8 or higher.

The normative time to complete the certificate program is four semesters. A hypothetical schedule for a fall start appears in

Universities Offering Online Post-Baccalaureate Computer Science Degree Programs

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

Drexel University

Drexel University’s post-baccalaureate in Computer Science helps to prepare students for a career in a variety of technology or programming areas.

This accelerated degree program is designed to teach the essential elements of the computer science field, while also providing the basics of programming and advanced technical skills that allow students to participate in a fully online setting.

Students considering computer science education should possess strong analytical and math skills and understand the basic concepts of computer programming.

Earning a master’s degree in Software Engineering and Artificial Intelligence are some examples of pathways available to learners pursuing a Computer Science post-baccalaureate degree at Drexel University.

• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science

Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Harvard University

Offering four options for students to gain higher education in computer science, Harvard University’s Extension School certificate programs are designed to give students the tools they need to excel in the technology field.

Certificates offered at Harvard help students learn the ins and outs of information systems and software engineering.

Using a variety of computer languages, students will work to write programs and algorithms that can be used in web development, data security, software engineering, and many other areas of the computer science field.

• Programming Graduate Certificate

Harvard University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

New York University

Post-baccalaureate students preparing to bridge into a STEM area of study such as computer science who are coming from another field may want to consider New York University’s Tandon Bridge program to assist with the transition.

This program is designed to prepare students to enter into a graduate degree in areas such as computer science, computer engineering, cybersecurity, and many other related fields.

By helping learners become efficient in program languages, operating systems, algorithms, and mathematics, New York University’s Bridge program allows students to enter into an online master’s degree program in computer science for non CS majors and without having to take the GRE and can be completed entirely online.

• Certificate in Computer Science

New York University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Oregon State University

Taking education to the next level, Oregon State University allows students a flexible format to earn a post-baccalaureate in computer science no matter what field of study students come from.

This self-paced degree allows students to easily transition into many technology-related fields by studying the fundamentals of networking, computer software, coding, engineering, and many other computer-based areas.

Allowing students to enroll during any academic term and to progress at their own pace is a unique feature that Organ State University offers. Students accepted into this program can complete their degree through a virtual learning platform and still have access to a variety of support systems.

• Postbaccalaureate in Computer Science

Oregon State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

University of Colorado – Boulder

Learners looking to make a change in their education field turn to the University of Colorado – Boulder’s computer science post-baccalaureate program to help them reach new levels of knowledge in their academic field.

Technology has become the cornerstone of almost all organizations. Having a diverse portfolio that includes computer knowledge, web development, software design, and knowledge of a variety of operating systems is becoming more and more vital.

The University of Colorado has a flexible online program to help students gain the knowledge needed to excel in a career in technology, no matter what area of study they are coming from.

• Postbaccalaureate in Applied Computer Science

The University of Colorado Boulder is accredited by Higher Learning Commission.

Getting Your Post Bacc Computer Science Degree Online

The time is ripe to get a computer science degree. Not only is it a field with potentially high salaries and varied career prospects, but thanks to its ever-increasing job demand, you could find a world of opportunity waiting for you after graduation.

With the ease of online programs, you don’t even need to live near a college campus to earn your degree. You can study right at home.

Consider a post-baccalaureate computer science degree if you have a passion for the subject and a willingness to go back to school to earn a second bachelor’s degree. It might be just the boost that you need for a better job and a brighter future.