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Master of Science Degree in Computer Science

Program Description

    The Department of Computer Science offers a graduate program leading to the Master of Science degree with a major in Computer Science through the Graduate School. The M.S. degree program has been designed to provide students with a relevant graduate level education and to prepare them for careers as professional computer scientists or for advanced doctoral level study. Faculty members and graduate students engage in informal and direct contacts to better utilize their combined resources in studies and research. All graduate level teaching is done by full-time highly qualified faculty members who are committed to pursuing excellence in both teaching and research. A friendly, stimulating atmosphere is present in both the Department and the University as a whole.

More information is available on:

Admission Requirements

MS Program Requirements

Financial Assistance

Steps to be Followed in Fulfilling the M.S. Thesis Requirement

Steps to be Followed in Fulfilling the M.S. Non-Thesis Requirement

Application Information

PLEASE read the detailed information about our program admission requirements http://www.cs.siu.edu/grad_app_req.shtml, paying particular attention to the list of Relevant Undergraduate Coursework. Our recommendation regarding your admission is dependent upon your eligibility, which will be determined from the information you provide on the forms and required documentation. You will need to submit ALL of the following information electronically before any action will be taken on your application (deadline FEBRUARY 15 for Fall admission; deadline SEPTEMBER 15 for Spring admission):

1. Graduate School Application - at http://www.gradschool.siuc.edu/applygrad.html

   Read all instructions & information carefully. Click the "Apply Now" link & fill out information completely. Use your official name as it appears on your passport since documents must match.

2. $50 application fee in U.S. funds – This can be paid with credit card done online at the time of application. Otherwise, you must pay by check made payable to "Southern Illinois University Carbondale;" this fee will not be waived and is non-refundable. U.S. bank checks or money orders should be sent with student's name on front of check in "memo" section to department address which follows below.

   The following must be uploaded with Graduate School application or sent to the department

3. Official transcripts and/or diplomas (degrees) for all university-level courses in your native language and English. NOTE: Your U.S.-equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA) must be 3.0 (4.0=A) or higher. These should be NON-Consolidated Official certified true photocopies of individual mark sheets and/or degrees for each semester or year courses, in your native language and English. They must be issued & certified by the University and have an original school seal and original signature of 1) The Registrar's Office, 2) The Controller of Exams OR 3) the U.S. Educational Foundation. Consolidated mark sheets are not acceptable.
4. TOEFL or IELTS score (International applicants only, minimum score is 550 paper/213 computer based/80 iBT; IELTS 6.5) – A) photocopy of the TOEFL Examinee Score Report or IELTS report uploaded with application or sent to our department (georgia@cs.siu.edu) AND B) an official TOEFL or IELTS report or score sent to our Graduate School from Educational Testing Services. These scores cannot be more than 24 months old at the beginning of the semester for which you are applying.
5. GRE report - unofficial copy can accompany application but ETS should send an official one to department. This is highly recommended for any financial support by the department, i.e. an assistantship. It is required by the university for any fellowships.
6. Financial Statement for Graduate International Students - online http://www.gradschool.siuc.edu/InternationalFinance.pdf Whether or not you are considered eligible for a graduate assistantship, to save time you should provide us with proof of your own support for the first year of your attendance at SIUC. This requires a bank statement from your sponsor and a written statement from them stating that they are willing to finance your education at SIUC for the first year of your graduate education. They must show the availability of funding up to $30,500 per year of study.
7. Photo of passport page (International applicants only) which has your full name & birth date. This is a policy required of us by the USCIS because the information on the passport must match the information on your application & your I-20 if you are admitted. This is usually the second page.

NOTE: You are responsible for providing all the documentation and information. You should have ORIGINALS of all documentation you submitted so you can provide them immediately to us, if requested. This department will not request anything from other departments, colleges, universities or other sources. Remember to always use your full name as it appears in your passport when you correspond with any office at this university.

If needed to postal mail or courier deliver, please return the above to:

Graduate Program Assistant
Department of Computer Science
Faner 2125 Mail Code 4511
1000 Faner Drive
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale IL 62901