Back to Academic Programs

Our MS program in computer science gives students the chance to develop essential skills for both academic and industrial applications. Participants will gain a wide breadth of advanced knowledge in the design, programming and application of modern computer technology. They also will establish a deeper understanding of the discipline's fundamentals and explore their own particular areas of interest in the field. This flexibility with opportunities for specialization is an essential element of our program, and allows our graduates to enter the workforce with the skills to both quality and stand out in a variety of positions.

Graduates of the program often pursue careers based on their chosen specialization, but the strong and varied knowledge base they develop throughout can make them attractive to a wide range of employers. The master's also serves as an excellent foundation for students who wish to pursue research and continue on into a PhD program

Request Information

Program at a Glance

Applications for 2027 Quarters are now open. 35% to 50% scholarship opportunities available.

  • Start Dates: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

  • Curriculum: 48-60 Credit Hours 

  • Term Length: 10 weeks

  • Format: On Campus

  • Duration: Approximately 2 years

  • Pathways: Coursework-focused or Thesis-Focused

  • Funding: 35% - 50% Scholarships Offered

  • Deadline: November 16, 2026 (Winter), February 10, 2027 (Spring)

  • International Deadline: December 7, 2026 (Spring),February 22, 2027 (Summer)

    • Contact Enrollment Advisor Kevin Alt for more info.

    image

    Kevin Alt
    Call: 303-871-6964
    Kevin.Alt@DU.edu

    Schedule a Call With Kevin

Request Information

Loading...

Application Information

Take the first step toward your academic career at the Ritchie School and start your application today.

admission steps

Admission Steps

financial aid

Financial Aid

Apply

Start Your Application

See the DU Graduate Bulletin for full course requirements

View Bulletin

Why Study Computer Science at DU?

Build Advanced Knowledge 

Move beyond introductory programming into graduate study of algorithms, systems, theory and software. 

Shape the Degree Around Your Interests 

A large elective component gives you flexibility to develop deeper expertise in current and emerging areas of Computer Science. 

Choose Research or Coursework 

Emphasis Pursue a thesis if you want a substantial faculty-guided research experience, or complete the degree through advanced coursework. 

Learn Across Computing Areas 

Graduate Computer Science at DU spans research and coursework in fields including algorithms, machine learning, privacy, robotics, software engineering, HCI and related areas. 

Prepare for Technical Leadership 

Graduate-level Computer Science helps you move from using technologies to understanding their architecture, tradeoffs and limitations.

Featured Courses

COMP 3341

Multimedia Systems

About this Course

This course covers fundamental issues in design and implementation of multimedia applications. This course also covers technologies in multimedia systems such as multimedia data representation, compression, coding, networking, data management, and I/O technologies. Prerequisite: COMP 3361.

COMP 3361

Operating Systems I

About this Course

Operating systems functions and concepts; processes, process communication, synchronization; processor allocation, memory management in multiprogramming, time sharing systems. Prerequisites: COMP 2355, COMP 2370, and COMP 2691.

COMP 3351

Programming Languages

About this Course

Programming language as a component of software development environment; binding, scope, lifetime, value and type of a variable; run-time structure--static, stack-based and dynamic languages; parameter passing--call by reference, value, result, value-result and name; subprogram parameters; role played by side effects, dangling pointers, aliases and garbage; garbage collection; data abstraction - study of object-oriented, functional, and logic languages. Prerequisites: COMP 2370, COMP 2691, and COMP 2355.