M.S. in Computer Science Curriculum & Courses
Required Coursework
All students are required to earn the following credit:
- 6 (six) credit hours of theory-based coursework. Students will pick TWO (2) classes from:
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- CS 5381 - Analysis of Algorithms (AOA)
- CS 5383 - Theory of Automata (TOA)
- CS 5384 - Logic for Computer Scientists (LCS)
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- 6 (six) credit hours of systems-based coursework. Students will pick TWO (2) classes from:
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- CS 5352 - Advanced Operating Systems Design (AOS)
- CS 5375 - Computer Systems Organization & Architecture (COA)
- CS 5368 - Intelligent Systems
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- 1 (one) credit hour of graduate seminar.
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- CS 5120 - Graduate Seminar
- Students are required to enroll in this course during their first semester in the program.
- CS 5120 - Graduate Seminar
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In addition to the above requirements, students will be required to earn elective credit.
Students may complete coursework from other departments at the discretion of the student's graduate advisor and/or thesis advisor (if applicable).
Effective Fall 2025, the MSCS is 31 credit hours. This is only for students starting the program in Fall 2025. Students enrolled in prior semesters must complete the 37 credit hour program.
Students can review concepts found in the above courses, by searching for them in the TTU Course Catalog.
Search the Course Catalog Here
Distance Coursework
Our program offers coursework which can be completed 100% virtually (distance)*, meaning that students can earn a MSCS from anywhere.
*Distance courses may have some synchronous, virtual components at the discretion of the instructor. CS faculty do their best to provide any synchronous requirements (e.g. exam scheduling, presentations) to students in advance so that they may plan accordingly. Distance students will NOT be required to come to the Lubbock campus*
The MSCS diploma will not indicate that the degree was completed virtually.
Comprehensive Evaluation
All master's students must complete a comprehensive evaluation in order to graduate. The CS Dept. offers 4 different options for completing this:
Master's Thesis
Students following the thesis-plan, must:
- Take at least 6 (six) credit hours of CS 6000 - Master's Thesis
- Take 12−hours of Computer Science elective courses.
- Complete and defend a master's thesis successfully.
- This option can only be selected with approval from Computer Science faculty.
Master's Project (Non-Thesis)
The project option is application−oriented and includes the development of a software system. In the project/report−based options, students are required to:
- Earn 15 credit hours (5 classes) of Computer Science electives.
- Earn at least 3 (three) credit hours of CS 6001 - Master's Project, which can be taken at any time.
- Complete an oral examination at the completion of the project or report.
- This option can only be selected with approval from Computer Science faculty.
- This satisfies the comprehensive evaluation requirement.
Industry Career Certificate (Non-Thesis)
Students can complete an approved industry career certificate (from the CS Learning Group) to apply to their comprehensive evaluation.
Students must sign up for Coursera using their TTU eRaider credentials.
View the CS Learning Group here.
Additional information can be found in the CS Grad Advising Piazza forum.
Work Experience (Non-Thesis)
- Internship/CPT AND co-enrollment in CS 5000 for full-time Lubbock campus students, or
- Consideration of full-time work experience for distance students who are current working professionals in an industry related to their degree programs
Department of Computer Science
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Address
Texas Tech University, Box 43104 | Lubbock, TX 79409-3104 -
Phone
806.742.3527 -
Email
cs@ttu.edu