The students completing the degree will have a broad knowledge in various subject areas which include operating systems, computer architecture, networking, WEB programming, software engineering, databases, computer programming, artificial intelligence, e-commerce, compiler design, computer security, cryptography, multimedia technology, advanced algorithms, cryptography, information security, secure system administration, database security, and network security.
The Master of Science in the Computer Science Technology requires a minimum of thirty (30) semester credit hours, not including the foundation courses.
The Master of Computer Science Technology program admits only students whose preparation indicates potential for a high level of success. Applicants who have earned bachelor's degrees from accredited institutions and have overall GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) receive regular admission based entirely on evidence of the undergraduate accomplishment. Applicants with GPA of less than 3.0 may obtain regular admission by meeting BOTH Requirements A and B below. Requirement A ensures that all MSCST students are likely to succeed in professional graduate study; Requirement B ensures that all students also have the potential for career success in the computer science field. Only applicants meeting both requirements can be admitted.
The applicant must possess an earned bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.7. This information should be verifiable from the applicant's official transcript.
The applicant must meet at least one of the following requirements:
Has completed at least 24 hours of undergraduate work related to Computer Science.
Has been verifiably employed full time in a technological field for a period of at least two (2) years.
Has a combined score of at least 1,000 (Verbal and Analytical) on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
The applicant who meets any one of the three requirements is not required to submit documentation concerning the other two. For example, if an applicant's transcript indicates that he/she has completed 24 hours of course work related to computer science (requirement 1), then the applicant need not submit a GRE score or an employer letter.
Upon recommendation of the Graduate Program committee, probationary admission may be granted to applicants who have undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 and who meet all other requirements for regular admission. Such applicants must possess baccalaureate degrees and must meet Requirement B of the regular admission requirements. Probationary admitted students are subject to initial performance requirements more stringent than those imposed upon others, as described below under Probation and Dismissal. They must maintain a GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) every semester.
An individual wishing to take graduate computer science courses for personal or professional development, but who does not plan to pursue a graduate degree, may be admitted as a non-degree student. A non-degree student must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and must have a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 2.5. After completing twelve credit hours in the degree program, the student will need to transition into a degree-seeking status. Otherwise, the student cannot enroll into additional graduate courses. To be considered for full-degree status, non-degree students must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all courses recommended by the faculty advisor and provide other required documents for admission as a degree-seeking student.
Students who have been previously admitted to other accredited graduate programs may register for graduate courses as visiting students. In order for a visiting student to be enrolled officially for graduate credit at Kentucky State University, the student must file an application and submit an official Visiting Student Form from his/her home institution.
Candidates for this master's degree are restricted to a maximum of nine semester credit hours by transfer of work completed at another accredited graduate institution. Official copies of transcripts must be submitted and evaluated before any transfer credit can be accepted. Certain courses submitted for transfer may not be considered equivalent to specified program requirements even if course titles are the same.
A limited number of graduate assistantships are available for full-time students pursuing the Master of Science in Computer Science Technology degree. Students holding these positions work 20 hours per week and receive stipends and waivers of out-of-state tuition. Graduate assistants assist the faculty members in their instructional and research activities. Students interested in such positions apply to the division's office. Assistantships are awarded on the basis of financial need and high academic achievement.
The University
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