Graduate Admissions

Welcome to the College of Information and Computer Sciences Graduate Programs

The College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS) has offered graduate-level computer science education for over fifty years. Today, it is one of the highest ranked and highest impact graduate research programs in the nation. 

According to the U.S. News & World Report rankings of the best graduate schools, the UMass Amherst graduate program in computer science in the top 25 graduate programs, while our artificial intelligence specialty ranked 16th. Our programs frequently rank even higher in metrics-based rankings such as CS Rankings, a website developed by CICS Professor Emery Berger. 

The graduate student body consists of over 700 graduate students from many different backgrounds and from all parts of the globe. As a group, they are characterized by a spirit of cooperation and camaraderie that contributes significantly to the college.

Once students enter graduate studies, the college aims to see that they not only successfully complete a comprehensive academic program but also prepare themselves well for their future careers. Master's degree students are able to strengthen their research skills through independent studies. PhD track students are involved in research from the start of their graduate careers. Upon graduation, our students have consistently found positions in some of the best academic and industrial settings.

Programs

The Computer Science graduate program has three tracks: PhD, MS/PhD, and MS.  The two PhD tracks focus on research toward a PhD as well as a broad background in the field.  The MS track serves students interested in expanding their undergraduate education in computer science, either in preparation for a job where a master's degree is important, or as a first step toward a PhD here or elsewhere.

How do you decide which track is the right one for you?

• The PhD track is for students who have already obtained a master's degree in computer science from an established and reputable US program.  These students are well prepared for PhD research and typically complete our breadth requirements quickly.  PhD students hold research or teaching assistantships which provide a tuition waiver.
• The combined MS/PhD track is for students who have not completed a Master of Computer Science.  These students satisfy the MS requirements--so earn a master's degree--on their way to being admitted to PhD candidacy.  The credit hour requirements for this track result in the equivalent of two courses more than in the PhD-only track.  MS/PhD students hold research or teaching assistantships which provide a tuition waiver.A number of students who are not accepted to the MS/PhD program will be offered admission to the MS program. 
• The MS track provides a terminal non-thesis master's degree.  The program requires 30 credit hours, typically taken over two years.  Research opportunities are offered through independent studies for course credit. Some students discover an interest in computer science research and apply to the MS/PhD track during their MS program.  However, the PhD program is very selective and only a small percentage of MS students are accepted.

Admission

Admission is very competitive. We typically accept 10% of students applying to our PhD program and 15-20% of students applying to our MS program. Applicants come from varying backgrounds including engineering, math, computer science, electrical engineering, psychology and social sciences. Students are expected to be prepared for graduate level computer science coursework. Please see the suggested undergraduate preparation coursework.

Applicants to the MS Amherst program may be invited to join through our MS Online to Amherst program if they are not admitted to the MS Amherst program.

These pages are provided to help answer the questions that prospective graduate students often ask about our college, graduate programs of study, and the graduate admissions process. Applicants are also encouraged to learn more about our research, and the many benefits of living in the Amherst Area.  To apply, see our application instructions. For questions about our admissions deadlines or program information not found on our web pages, please email admissns [at] cs.umass.edu.