Master's Degrees

M.S. in Computer Science

The Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) lets students build on existing computer science skills, providing leadership abilities, advanced knowledge, and an opportunity to leverage yourself into a more competitive computer science professional. 

The GRE is optional for admission to this program.

At A Glance

Credits: 30                       Duration: 2 to 4 years to complete                        Format: On campus

Next Start Date: August 24

Application Deadlines
TermDomestic StudentsInternational Students
FallFebruary 15February 15
SpringSeptember 15June 15

Tuition     Apply Now

Admissions Requirements

General guidelines for applying to a graduate program at the University of Pittsburgh should be reviewed prior to submitting an application for admission. These guidelines are available on the University’s Application for Admission Catalog page.

All applicants will be judged on their own merits. Applicants for master’s study must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a scholastic average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better; the doctoral programs have more stringent requirements. For those who have been in the workforce, admission will be based upon academic achievement, area of study, career orientation and work experience.

The Department of Computer Science is open to applications from exceptional students transitioning to graduate study in Computer Science from other undergraduate fields. Transitional students with demonstrated computing aptitude, as evidenced by outstanding grades in at least 4 of the required computer science courses noted below, may be considered for admission to the graduate program. Completed minimally a selection of courses in the following topical areas (the corresponding Pitt course numbers are indicated):

In Computer Science, one course in each of:

  •  Intermediate Programming (CMPINF 0401)
  • Discrete Structures (CS 0441)
  • Information/Data Structures (CS 0445)
  • Computer Organization/Assembly Language (CS 0447)
  • Theory (CS 1510 or CS 1511)
  • Languages (CS 1520 or CS 1621)
  • Systems (CS 1550 or CS 1651)

In Mathematics, the following:

  • The two-course calculus sequence (MATH 0220, MATH 0230)
  • A course in linear algebra (MATH 1180 or MATH 0280)
  • A course in probability and statistics, requiring calculus as prerequisite (STAT 1151, STAT 1152)
What can you do with a master's degree in computer science?

Graduates from this program can continue to pursue a doctoral degree or work in industries like higher education, technology, start-ups, business, and beyond. They can apply their skills in various roles, such as artificial intelligence specialists, web and software developers, network architects, cybersecurity managers, and more. 

Top 5 Industry Sectors Hiring SCI Master's Graduates (excluding MDS and MLIS)*
  • Technology, Software, and IT Services
  • Financial Services, Banking, and Insurance
  • Retail, Consumer, and E-Commerce
  • Aerospace, Engineering, and Industrial
  • Healthcare and Life Sciences
Top 5 Job Areas of SCI Master's Graduates (excluding MDS and MLIS)*
  • Software Engineering & Development
  • Data Science, Analytics, Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence
  • Cybersecurity, Cloud, & IT Infrastructure
  • Business Analytics, Product, & Consulting
  • Research and Academic

Learn More

Graduate Admissions Inquiries
Jane Smith
Graduate Admissions Manager
412-383-2031
jeb286@pitt.edu

Admissions Information

Information Sessions

Learn what you need to know about our master's degrees and get all your questions answered.

Upcoming Sessions
August 20, 2026 at 9 a.m. Eastern Time (US)
September 8, 2026 at Noon Eastern Time (US)

Additional dates are available on our Information Sessions page.

Register Now
$94,605
average salary for employees with a master's degree in a Computer Science major**
81%
of SCI graduate students completed at least 1 career development experience before graduation*

Coursework

This degree requires 30 credits of formal coursework, which includes 24 credits plus a thesis or 27 credits plus a master's project. View full Master of Science in Computer Science degree requirements in the Pitt course catalog. 

Typically, full-time students will complete the degree within two years. This degree must be completed within four calendar years from the student's initial registration for graduate studies. This limit applies to all students, whether full-time or part-time.

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*Employers, experiences, and jobs reported by masters-level graduates in survey responses between fall 2022 and summer 2024. Survey responses are collected within 1 year of graduation.“Career development experiences” includes but isn’t limited to: Internship or practicum, co-op, field work, skills-based volunteering, industry projects or competitions, on-campus employment, research under faculty or in labs, independent research, etc.

**This information is from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) 2026 Winter Salary Survey.