Master of Science in Computer and Information Sciences
The Master of Science in Computer and Information Sciences is designed to offer professionals an opportunity to attain an advanced degree in the computer science field while upgrading their skills and knowledge. The computer science program is a joint program with the College of Charleston, and classes are held at both campuses. Students in this program can choose from the following specializations:
Computer Science: Providing a traditional master’s degree program that offers a balance between theory and application, the Computer Science specialization prepares students to pursue further coursework that leads to a Ph.D. and preparation for work in software development roles that include elements of architecture and design.
Cybersecurity: Founded on the academic requirements set forth by the National Security Agency, the Cybersecurity specialization provides students the technical skills and knowledge needed to successfully protect organizational data, investigate data breaches, and develop strategies to prevent data from being compromised.
Information Systems: With an emphasis on analyzing business problems that lend themselves to software solutions, the Information Systems specialization prepares students for positions that involve analysis, design, and management of information processing systems.
Software Engineering: Using methodologies for designing and testing medium and large-scale software systems, the Software Engineering specialization prepares students for software engineering positions that require proficiency in specific areas of the software-development lifecycle: requirements gathering/definition, software quality assurance, and software testing and maintenance.
Admission Requirements
Complete of the online graduate application along with the non-refundable application fee. All admission materials should be submitted to The Citadel Graduate College.
To be admitted, applicants must satisfy one of the following options. All students must satisfy prerequisite areas indicated below before enrolling in any graduate CSCI/CSIS course.
- Complete a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher.
- Complete a Bachelor’s degree in a computing or engineering field from The Citadel or the College of Charleston with a major GPA of 3.00 or higher.
- Complete a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher. Satisfy GRE requirements indicated below.
- Complete a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher. Satisfy GRE requirements indicated below. After satisfying GRE and prerequisite area requirements, complete six credit hours in the joint program as a non-degree-seeking student with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
- Complete a graduate certificate from the joint College of Charleston/Citadel programs in Computer and Information Sciences, with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
Prerequisite Area Requirements
Prospective students must be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of basic computer architecture, object-oriented programming, discrete mathematics, and data structures, before enrolling in any graduate CSCI/CSIS course. These prerequisite areas may be covered by undergraduate coursework from any regionally accredited college or university. Coverage of areas by courses is at the discretion of the graduate program director. Grades of B or higher are required for courses taken outside of a baccalaureate program. Some courses may have additional prerequisites depending on where they are offered.
Relevant work experience may be acceptable in demonstrating competency if mapped to typical learning outcomes for courses normally accepted. With prior approval from the graduate program directors, certain certified, online, university-style, MOOC courses (e.g. Coursera, edX, etc.) may be acceptable for demonstrating competency in some prerequisite areas.
GRE Requirements
A GRE composite score of 300 and 4.0 analytical writing is required. There is a five-year time limit on the use of GRE scores.
TOEFL Requirement
Prospective students whose native language of citizenship is not English will be required to additionally submit TOEFL scores. The minimum acceptable scores are 550 paper-based, 79-80 internet-based, or 213 computer-based.
Registration Requirement
All admitted students must have approval from the Program Director or Department Head before registering for any courses in the Computer Science curriculum.
After attending The Citadel as a cadet, I wanted to continue my education and obtain a master’s degree in a computer science discipline. I wanted a program that offered the flexibility for working professionals but was also recognized as a quality program. After searching through many different online programs, it became obvious that The Citadel’s program was far superior to other comparable programs. The location of the classes, small class size, and thorough curriculum make The Citadel Graduate College an ideal program for working professionals who need flexibility without sacrificing quality.
After entering the program, I could see ways in which I could immediately apply what I was learning in the classroom to my job. The program isn’t just abstract theories, it’s real-world application for the real-world professionals who want to further themselves in their careers. This allowed me to progress in my career immediately based on my performance and not due to letters behind my name.
The leadership and curriculum taught at The Citadel through its Corps of Cadets are of the same quality in The Citadel Graduate College.
John Ravan
Corps of Cadets, Class of 2011
Citadel Graduate College, Class of 2014
Degree Requirements
The Master of Science in Computer and Information Sciences degree is conferred upon those candidates who successfully complete an approved program of study consisting of a minimum of 33 semester hours of graduate credit (of which no more than nine may be transfer credit) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0. At least 11 credit hours must be taken at each institution to meet the residency requirement for joint programs.
All degree candidates must:
- Complete the following four core courses for a total of 12 hours. (Students starting before fall 2020 can take CSCI 603 instead of 605)
CSCI 601 Data Modeling and Database Design
CSCI 602 Foundations of Software Engineering
CSCI 604 Distributed Computer Systems Architecture
CSCI 605 Applied Algorithms (new course) - Declare an area of specialization/emphasis from among cybersecurity, software engineering, information systems, or computer science, and complete four courses. (See below for updates for 2021 and forward.)
- Degree candidates in the Computer Science specialization must complete four courses from the courses numbered 612, 614, 616, 618, 638, 674, or 690 when approved by the department head or program director. Three of the four courses must be from the courses numbered 612, 614, 616, or 618.
CSCI 612 Advanced Computer Organization
CSCI 614 Advanced Operating Systems
CSCI 616 Automata
CSCI 618 Programming Languages
CSCI 632 Data Communications and Networking
CSCI 638 Advanced Topics in Database Systems
CSCI 674 Introduction to Computer Graphics - Degree candidates in the Cybersecurity specialization must complete the following four courses: 614, 631, 632, and 641.
CSCI 614 Advanced Operating Systems
CSCI 631 Privacy and Security Issues
CSCI 632 Data Communications and Networking
CSCI 641 Advanced Cybersecurity - Degree candidates in the Information Systems specialization must complete four courses from the courses numbered 631, 632, 634, 636, 638, 659, 672, or 690 when approved by the department head or program director. Two of courses must be 631 and 632.
CSCI 631 Privacy and Security Issues
CSCI 632 Data Communications and Networking
CSCI 634 Project Change and Management
CSCI 636 Information Technology Policy, Strategy, and Governance
CSCI 638 Advanced Topics in Database Systems
CSCI 659 Service-Oriented Computing
CSCI 672 Human-Computer Interaction - Degree candidates in the Software Engineering specialization must complete CSCI 602, two of: CSCI 654, 656, 658, two of: (either CSCI 634 or 635), 654, 656, 657, 658, 659 (service-oriented computing), 672 (human-computer interaction), 690 (special topics in computing)
CSCI 634 Project Change and Management/Overivew of Technical Project Management
CSCI 635 Foundations of Agile Project Management (new course)
CSCI 654 Software Requirements Analysis and Specifications
CSCI 656 Software Systems Design and Implementation
CSCI 657 Embedded Systems Design
CSCI 658 Software Testing and Maintenance
CSCI 659 Service-Oriented Computing
CSCI 672 Human-Computer Interaction
- Degree candidates in the Computer Science specialization must complete four courses from the courses numbered 612, 614, 616, 618, 638, 674, or 690 when approved by the department head or program director. Three of the four courses must be from the courses numbered 612, 614, 616, or 618.
- Complete one of the following three options (9 hours).
Updates for Fall 2021 and forward
The MS program will require three courses for a concentration and four electives instead of the above. Contact the program director if you have any questions about your catalog year and your requirements.
Below are the updated requirements for concentrations/emphases. CSCI 690 (Special Topics in Computing) still requires approval to count towards the concentration.
- Computer Science: Three of CSCI 612, 614, 616, 618, 632, 638, 674, 690
- Cybersecurity: CSCI 631, 632, 641
- Information Systems: Three of CSCI 631, 632, 638, 659, 672, 690
- Software engineering: Three of CSCI 603, (634 or 635), 654, 656, 657, 658, 659, 672, 690
For more information about the program or admission requirements, contact Dr. Shankar Banik, Department Head (phone:843-953-5048, e-mail: baniks1@citadel.edu), or Dr. Michael P. Verdicchio, Graduate Program Director (phone: 843-953-5039, e-mail: mv@citadel.edu)