Texas Tech University

Accelerated Bachelor's and Master's Programs

These programs are intended for current undergraduate students at Texas Tech University who wish to stay on for a master’s degree. Students take 9 credit hours of graduate courses counting as undergraduate electives, and then follow that with the remaining graduate coursework the next year. Students tend to complete the required total of 148 credit hours in 5 years and earn both B.S. and M.S. degrees. They are available as thesis or non-thesis for both the M.S. in Computer Science, the M.S. in Software and Security Engineering, and the M.S in Bioengineering. 

These programs are designed to allow undergraduates who are studying computer science the opportunity to pursue and finish their master’s degree through a shortened period of study.

Overview

The CS Department has two accelerated B.S./M.S. programs that will allow students to obtain a Master of Science in either Computer Science (M.S.C.S.) or Software and Security Engineering (M.S.S.S.E). The Whitacre College of Engineering also offers an accelerated B.S. in Computer Science/M.S. in Bioengineering.

Students enrolled in an accelerated B.S./M.S. program follow the standard undergraduate computer science curriculum for course work through the first three years. In the final undergraduate year, the student begins taking graduate coursework towards the selected graduate degree. These courses include three graduate courses (9 credit hours), which are counted for both the undergraduate and graduate degrees, in place of three undergraduate electives.

The M.S. in Computer Science and M.S. in Software & Security Engineering degrees can be completed in 31 hours, or, in other words, 10 master’s level courses that are degree applicable and then a 1-hour seminar in CS 5120. By choosing the accelerated B.S./M.S. program, students desiring a master's degree can complete both degrees while taking nine (9) fewer hours in less time than if the student had completed the full Bachelor's degree before starting the Master's program.

Upon completing your Bachelor's degree, both the M.S. in Computer Science and M.S. in Software & Security Engineering degrees can be completed either face-to-face or online. This provides you with a great deal of flexibility depending on if you choose to stay in Lubbock to finish your master’s degree or if you choose to leave the area and begin working will completing your master's degree.

Curriculum Tables

Application Deadlines

Most applicants who are accepted into the accelerated program have already completed CS 2413 – Data Structures and CS 3350 – Computer Organization. These courses are historically taken at the end of your second year in computer science. Ideally, you would apply in your junior year, however, you can apply as long as you are not in your graduating semester.

The application deadlines for the accelerated programs are as follows:

  • Summer 2025 - May 1st, 2025
  • Fall 2025 - August 1st, 2025

Apply HERE!

The Value of Pursuing a Master's Degree in Computer Science

1. A master’s degree in computer science or a related field is considered a terminal professional degree. By completing a master’s degree in this field, you will become more competitive to potential employers who are seeking workers with more in-depth knowledge in particular fields. Completing a master’s degree also showcases your ability to perform independent research, which is a valuable skill to employers.

2. Completing a master’s degree will maximize your earning potential. Those who have completed their master’s degree in computer science or a computer science related field will earn on average $16,000 more per year compared to students who have only completed their bachelor’s degree. (Franklin University)

3. The BS in Computer Science program is designed to teach you the foundations and theory of computing and how to apply it in different ways and in different areas, whereas our master’s degree programs are much more flexible and give you the opportunity to better specialize in a particular area such as artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, software engineering, high-performance computing, and more.

Advising & Registration

Those accepted into an accelerated program should continue to meet with their undergraduate academic advisor until they have successfully completed the B.S. program.

Once the student has completed the B.S. program, they will then be considered a graduate student, and can discuss course registration with their graduate academic advisor

This is the case even if the student is enrolling in graduate level coursework.