University of San Francisco - College of Arts & Sciences
MS in Computer Science
San Francisco, USA
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 29,880 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for living on campus and living in off-campus housing
Key Summary
Develop software. Dive into systems, networking, AI, and distributed programming. Explore algorithms and computer theory. As a graduate student in computer science at USF, you'll learn what you need to succeed as a software engineer or software developer.
The 36-unit program requires two years (four semesters) of full-time study and follows a cohort model during the first year in which all students take the same set of core courses. During the second year, students may choose from a rotating selection of graduate electives based on their interests and goals. Students develop several large software projects throughout their degree, including a substantial capstone project during their second year.
Year 1 (18 units)
- CS 601 - Principles of Software Development
- CS 603 - Algorithms
Development Elective (Choose one):
- CS 682 - Distributed Software Development
- CS 677 - Big Data
- CS 663 - Machine Learning
Systems Elective (Choose one):
- CS 631 - Systems Foundations
- CS 621 - Network Programming
- CS 695 - Practicum Study
Year 2 (18 units)
- CS 690 - Master's Project
Graduate Electives (14 units):
- CS 560 - Data Visualization
- CS 562 - Foundations of AI
- CS 621 - Network Programming
- CS 625 - Parallel & Distributed Computing
- CS 635 - Advanced Systems Programming
- CS 636 - Operating Systems
- CS 640 - Bioinformatics
- CS 642 - Bioinformatics Research
- CS 648 - Blockchain
- CS 662 - Artificial Intelligence Programming
- CS 663 - Machine Learning
- CS 675 - Theory of Computation
- CS 676 - Data Processing in Cloud
- CS 677 - Big Data
- CS 681 - Foundations of Security & Privacy
- CS 682 - Distributed Software Development
- CS 683 - Computer Security and Privacy
- CS 684 - Human-Computer Interaction
- CS 685 - Wireless Sensor Networks
- CS 686 - Special Topics in Computer Science
- Understanding of advanced topics in computer science including software engineering, algorithms, artificial intelligence, programming languages, parallel computing, networking, and low-level systems
- Ability to design, implement, and debug large-scale software application
- Ability to evaluate and understand advanced research from computer science literature
- Effective communication and team participation skills concerning software development
The MSCS program offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships to incoming and current graduate students, both domestic and international, on a competitive basis.
MSCS Admission Scholarship
Awarded to incoming MSCS applicants with outstanding applications from all backgrounds. Approximate awards range up to $5k over the first year of study.
MSCS Merit Scholarship
Awarded to incoming MSCS applicants with outstanding applications from all backgrounds, or current MSCS graduate students who demonstrate outstanding skills and leadership. Approximate awards range from $5–10k over one to two semesters.
The Dean's Scholarship
An award of up to $15,000 to use toward tuition, research, and conference travel. Connect with other Dean's Scholarship recipients and leaders across the College of Arts & Sciences. Serve as a program representative to USF donor initiatives to help transform the lives of other USF students. For more information please see the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Scholarships website.
Double Dons Scholarship
USF Alumni and current students can be awarded the USF Double Dons Scholarship upon admission. The scholarship covers 20% of the program tuition, and may not be stacked with other USF scholarship awards. Exceptions may apply.
In the heart of the world's hub of technology and innovation, USF gives you the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking you need to succeed in the fast-growing and ever-changing world of computer science.
Employment Offers
MSCS graduates thrive in the workplace. 85% of them land a full-time job within three months of graduation. Many start at small companies and startups, but five years after graduation our students are often found at larger companies such as Google, Apple, Amazon, and Uber.
- 85% of alumni employed within three months of graduation
- Mean annual salary for computer science graduates in the San Francisco Bay Area is $140,660
- The most common job titles are Software Engineer and Software Developer
Top Alumni Employers
- Apple
- UCSF Medical Center
- SnapLogic
- Amazon
- Salesforce
- Uber
- Amazon Web Services
- Cisco
- Oracle
- Adobe
- Zendesk