Computer and Information Sciences, M.S.

Master of Science in Computer and Information Sciences

The Citadel’s Master of Science in Computer and Information Sciences is designed to offer professionals an opportunity to attain an advanced degree in the computer science field while upgrading their skills and knowledge. The computer science program is a joint program with the College of Charleston, and classes are held in person at both campuses.

Students in this program can choose from the following specializations: Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or Computer Science.

Program Specializations

Computer Science: Providing a traditional master’s degree program that offers a balance between theory and application, the Computer Science specialization prepares students to pursue further coursework that leads to a Ph.D. and preparation for work in software development roles that include elements of architecture and design.

Cybersecurity: Founded on the academic requirements set forth by the National Security Agency, the Cybersecurity specialization provides students the technical skills and knowledge needed to successfully protect organizational data, investigate data breaches, and develop strategies to prevent data from being compromised.

Information Systems: With an emphasis on analyzing business problems that lend themselves to software solutions, the Information Systems specialization prepares students for positions that involve analysis, design, and management of information processing systems.

Software Engineering: Using methodologies for designing and testing medium and large-scale software systems, the Software Engineering specialization prepares students for software engineering positions that require proficiency in specific areas of the software-development lifecycle: requirements gathering/definition, software quality assurance, and software testing and maintenance.

Admission Requirements

Application Process

To apply for The Citadel’s Master of Science in Computer and Information Sciences program, applicants must complete the following:

Submit the online graduate application along with the non-refundable application fee.
Send all admission materials to The Citadel Graduate College.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet one of the following criteria to be admitted into the program. Additionally, all students must satisfy the prerequisite knowledge areas listed below before enrolling in any graduate CSCI/CSIS course.

Complete a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
Complete a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher. Complete six credit hours of graduate CSCI/CSIS coursework as a non-degree-seeking student with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
For students in a combined/accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s program, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher for all CSIS/CSCI graduate courses to continue as a full-time graduate student.
Complete a graduate certificate from the joint College of Charleston/Citadel programs in Computer and Information Sciences, with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.

Statement of Purpose

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

Prerequisite Knowledge Area Requirements

Prospective students of The Citadel’s Computer and Information Sciences Master’s Degree must demonstrate competency in basic computer architecture, object-oriented programming, discrete mathematics, and data structures before enrolling in any graduate CSCI/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.
Click here to read more details on the four prerequisite knowledge areas.

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.

TOEFL Requirement

Prospective students whose native language of citizenship is not English will be required to additionally submit TOEFL scores. he minimum acceptable scores are:

213 (computer-based)
550 (paper-based)
79-80 (internet-based)

Registration Requirement

All admitted students must have approval from the Program Director or Department Head before registering for any courses in the Computer Science curriculum.

After attending The Citadel as a cadet, I wanted to continue my education and obtain a master’s degree in a computer science discipline. I wanted a program that offered the flexibility for working professionals but was also recognized as a quality program. After searching through many different online programs, it became obvious that The Citadel’s program was far superior to other comparable programs. The location of the classes, small class size, and thorough curriculum make The Citadel Graduate College an ideal program for working professionals who need flexibility without sacrificing quality.

After entering the program, I could see ways in which I could immediately apply what I was learning in the classroom to my job. The program isn’t just abstract theories, it’s real-world application for the real-world professionals who want to further themselves in their careers. This allowed me to progress in my career immediately based on my performance and not due to letters behind my name.

The leadership and curriculum taught at The Citadel through its Corps of Cadets are of the same quality in The Citadel Graduate College.

John Ravan
Corps of Cadets, Class of 2011
Citadel Graduate College, Class of 2014

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Computer and Information Sciences degree is conferred upon those candidates who successfully complete an approved program of study consisting of a minimum of 33 semester hours of graduate credit (of which no more than nine may be transfer credit) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0. At least four courses must be taken at each institution to meet the residency requirement for joint programs.

All degree candidates must:

Complete the following four core courses for a total of 12 hours.
- CSCI 601 Data Modeling and Database Design
- CSCI 602 Foundations of Software Engineering
- CSCI 604 Distributed Computer Systems Architecture
- CSCI 605 Applied Algorithms
Declare an area of specialization/emphasis from among cybersecurity, software engineering, information systems, or computer science, and complete three courses.
- Degree candidates in the Computer Science specialization must complete three courses from the courses numbered 612, 614, 616, 618, 632, 638, 674, or 690 when approved by the department head or program director.
  - CSCI 612 Advanced Computer Organization
  - CSCI 614 Advanced Operating Systems
  - CSCI 616 Automata
  - CSCI 618 Programming Languages
  - CSCI 632 Data Communications and Networking
  - CSCI 638 Advanced Topics in Database Systems
  - CSCI 674 Introduction to Computer Graphics
  - CSCI 690 Special Topics in Computing (with approval)
- Degree candidates in the Cybersecurity specialization must complete the following courses:
  - CSCI 631 Privacy and Security Issues
  - CSCI 632 Data Communications and Networking
  - CSCI 641 Advanced Cybersecurity
  - *It is recommended, but not required, that CSCI 614 be taken as an elective.
- Degree candidates in the Information Systems specialization must complete three courses from the courses numbered 631, 632, 634, 636, 638, 659, 672, or 690 when approved by the department head or program director.
  - CSCI 631 Privacy and Security Issues
  - CSCI 632 Data Communications and Networking
  - CSCI 638 Advanced Topics in Database Systems
  - CSCI 659 Service-Oriented Computing
  - CSCI 672 Human-Computer Interaction
  - CSCI 690 Special Topics in Computing(with approval)
- Degree candidates in the Software Engineering specialization must complete three of:
  - CSCI 603 Object-oriented Design Patterns
  - CSCI 634* Project Change and Management/Overview of Technical Project Management
  - CSCI 635* Foundations of Agile Project Management
  - CSCI 654 Software Requirements Analysis and Specifications
  - CSCI 656 Software Systems Design and Implementation
  - CSCI 657 Embedded Systems Design
  - CSCI 658 Software Testing and Maintenance
  - CSCI 659 Service-Oriented Computing
  - CSCI 672 Human-Computer Interaction
  - CSCI 690 Special Topics in Computing(with approval)
  - * only one of CSCI 634 or 635 can apply to the specialization
Complete one of the following three options (12 hours).
- CSCI 699 Research Thesis (6 hours) plus two electives (6 hours).
- CSCI 698 Project Thesis (3 hours) plus three electives (9 hours).
- Four electives (12 hours).

Contact Us

For more information about the program or admission requirements, contact Dr. Michael Verdicchio, Graduate Program Director (phone: 843-953-5039, e-mail: mv@citadel.edu)