Computer Science (M.S.)

The M.S. program is designed to help students increase the breadth and depth of their computer science knowledge, strengthen their software development skills, and build their research skills. Professionally-­oriented students often complete industry internships, and the program has an outstanding job placement record for its graduates. Research­-oriented students complete an M.S. thesis under the guidance of a faculty mentor, which usually leads to publication and provides clear evidence of the developed research skills useful for obtaining a leadership position in industry or to go on to do a Ph.D. Applications are welcomed from students whose undergraduate degree is not in computer science. In this case, a well-­defined set of undergraduate prerequisites must be completed as part of the M.S. program of study.

The M.S. program has three options: thesis, project, and exam.

M.S. Thesis Option

¹

The courses must satisfy the following requirements:

• Two courses must be implementation intensive (see list below)
• All students must take CS 845 Formal Specification and Verification of Software Systems or CS 858 Algorithms
• At least two courses must be above 900
• At most one can be CS 998 Independent Study
• Students must take courses taught by a minimum of five different faculty

²

The student must complete a thesis under the supervision of a thesis adviser and a thesis committee of at least three members.

M.S. Project Option

¹

The courses must satisfy the following requirements:

• Two courses must be implementation intensive (see list below)
• All students must take CS 845 Formal Specification and Verification of Software Systems or CS 858 Algorithms
• At least three courses must be above 900
• At most one can be CS 998 Independent Study
• Students must take courses taught by a minimum of five different faculty

²

The student must complete a project under the supervision of a faculty adviser.

 M.S. Exam Option

¹

The courses must satisfy the following requirements:

• Two courses must be implementation intensive (see list below)
• All students must take CS 845 Formal Specification and Verification of Software Systems or CS 858 Algorithms
• At least three courses must be above 900
• At most one can be CS 998 Independent Study
• Students must take courses taught by a minimum of five different faculty

²

One topic must be from the Theory topic area. The other three should be selected from three different topic areas (which can include a second theory topic). The topic areas are as follows: a) Theory: Formal Specification and Verification; Algorithms, b) Distributed Systems, c) Artificial Intelligence, d) Computer Graphics, e) Computer Networks, f) Information Retrieval, g) Machine Learning, h) Computer Security, i) Robotics, j) Parallel and Distributed Programming, k) Cloud computing.

Accelerated Master's Overview

Accelerated Master’s programs offer qualified University of New Hampshire undergraduate students the opportunity to begin graduate coursework in select graduate programs while completing a bachelor’s degree. Accelerated master's programs are designed to provide students with an efficient and cost-effective pathway to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree or graduate certificate, enhancing career opportunities and long-term earning potential. 

Accelerated Master's Highlights

• Begin studying advanced topics while an undergraduate student with the opportunity to complete a master’s degree or graduate certificate early.
• Master’s degree program students: Earn up to 12* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
• Graduate certificate program students: Earn up to 8* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s degree and the graduate certificate.
• Students complete the bachelor’s degree, and then officially matriculate into the master’s or graduate certificate program to complete the remaining required graduate-level coursework.

*Some exceptions apply. 

Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements

• A minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA is required.*
• A minimum of 90 undergraduate credits must be completed prior to enrolling in graduate (800-level) courses.
• Streamlined Graduate School Application (two letters of recommendation; most standardized tests and application fee are waived).*

*Some exceptions apply.

Accelerated Master's Requirements

• Students must attend a mandatory orientation session.
• Students must submit a special registration form each semester for dual-credit courses and note any DegreeWorks exceptions.
• Students may defer graduate matriculation for up to one year after earning their bachelor’s degree in most programs.
• See the Accelerated Master’s Catalog Policy and Accelerated Master’s Website for additional information and a list of programs. Note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g. higher-grade expectations) compared to the general policy.

Computer Science (M.S.) Accelerated Option

This graduate degree program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with the following undergraduate program(s):

¹

Excluding CS 800 Internship, CS 898 Master's Project, and CS 899 Master's Thesis.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the UNH M.S. CS program will have an ability to:

• Apply computer science theory to increase the breadth and depth of their computer science knowledge.
• Utilize advance software development skills.
• Carry out guided computer science research.
• Obtain an advanced position in industry or continue onto a PhD program.