The Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences offers a five-year program that allows students to obtain a Bachelor of Science (BS) in computer science and a Master of Science (MS) in computer science in five years.
Program Structure
Students enrolled in the Accelerated MS program will take four graduate-level COMPSCI courses during their final (fourth) year of undergraduate studies. All four of these courses will count towards the MS degree, with two of them also counting towards the BS degree.
After completing their undergraduate studies, students will take six courses to complete the MS degree requirements. This typically takes one year (two semesters). Students may take independent study credits or complete an MS project in addition to regular courses.
Eligibility
The Accelerated MS program is open to computer science BS or BA undergraduate students at UMass Amherst who meet the following two criteria:
At least 3.6 overall GPA (grade point average) upon application to the program
Students who have a 3.5 GPA may apply for a pending status and have an end of semester GPA review
B+ or higher in COMPSCI 311
Students who did not earn a B+ in COMPSCI 311 may use 501, 514, or 575 with a B.
Will have completed two eligible graduate courses to double count and two eligible graduate courses to transfer. Students who do not meet this requirement may apply for the Bay State Scholarship and the MS in computer science degree program without the accelerated option.
Application and Admission Process
Students should apply in the second semester of their junior year (the semester prior to their final two semesters of their undergraduate program).
Students who do not meet the minimum requirements during the second semester of junior year can apply in the first semester of their senior year or final semester, as long as the following criteria are met:
B+ in COMPSCI 311
3.6 overall GPA
On track to complete four eligible 500 or 600 level courses to count toward the MS degree.
Applications automatically include eligibility review for the Bay State Scholarship, a multi-tiered program that provides tuition assistance for the MS program to computer science undergraduates from UMass Amherst and the Five Colleges.