Degree & Program Options

Illinois Computer Science offers a variety of graduate study options to fit any educational goal.  Read through each program carefully to determine which option is right for you.  Applicants can only have one pending application for our graduate programs at a time.

 

Comparison of CS Graduate Programs

Program Admission Cycle Average
Duration
Thesis
Required
Research
Required
Undergraduate GPA
(Recommended, 4.0 scale)
Ph.D. in Computer Science Fall only 5-7 years Yes Yes 3.4
M.S. in Computer Science Fall only 2 years Yes Yes 3.2
M.S. in Bioinformatics Spring & Fall 2 years No No 3.2
Professional Master of Computer Science (MCS) Spring & Fall  3 semesters (on campus)
Up to 5 years (online)
No No 3.2
Professional Master of Computer Science (MCS) in Chicago Spring & Fall Up to 5 years No No 3.2
Professional Online MCS and Professional MCS in Data Science Spring, Fall & Summer Up to 5 years No No 3.2
5-year BS-MS Program* Fall only 1 year Yes Yes 3.5
5-year BS-MCS Program* Fall only 1 year No No 3.2

*Applicants to the Fifth Year Master's Programs are only open to current CS undergraduates enrolled in The Grainger College of Engineering who have a junior standing (must have at least one year left of their undergraduate studies after admission into the program).