Master’s program · Rossin College of Engineering
Master of Science in Computer Science
The MS in Computer Science at Lehigh University gives you a broad education in algorithms, artificial intelligence, systems and applications, with the chance to add research and entrepreneurship through coursework, a thesis or independent projects.
- Credits30
- Typical length1.5–2 years
- DeliveryOn campus
- Degree awardedMaster of Science
- GRENeither accepted nor reviewed
On this page
Overview
What the Master of Science in Computer Science is
Computer science moves quickly, so the program pairs a short required foundation with a wide field of choices. Every student builds advanced programming skill and mastery of algorithm design, and the rest of the degree is advisor-approved electives that you shape around your own interests and career plans.
The program is designed for applicants with a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. It is taught within the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, whose mission combines educating students, developing new knowledge through research, and serving society.
A 30-credit degree, typically 1.5–2 years of full-time study, delivered on campus.
Research areas
Research on computing’s biggest questions
Across its four research areas, the department’s faculty and students take on some of the largest and most complex problems in computing: making intelligent machines capable and trustworthy, drawing reliable knowledge from overwhelming amounts of data, designing technology that people and communities can use well, and building systems that stay fast and dependable at scale. Master’s students can connect with this work through advanced electives, independent study and optional thesis research.
AI and Robotics
Intelligent systems are moving into homes, workplaces and roads, where they have to make sound decisions in an unpredictable world. Work in this area aims at giving machines the ability to perceive their surroundings, plan and act.
Machine Learning and Data Mining
Science, medicine, business and government all generate more data than anyone can read. Research in this area develops methods that learn from that data and uncover patterns people could not find alone.
Human Computer Interaction & Social Computing
How well technology serves people depends on how they use it and how they use it together. This area studies the interaction between people and computing systems and the social settings in which they operate, with the aim of making technology more useful and more humane.
Systems
Every application sits on layers of software and hardware that must perform and keep working under heavy demand. Systems research aims at making those underlying layers faster, more reliable and easier to build on.
Curriculum
What you study
The degree requires 30 graduate credits: 6 credits of required courses, 12 credits of 400-level advisor-approved electives, and 12 credits of advisor-approved free electives.
- Required courses, 6 credits. Advanced Programming Techniques (CSE 411), plus either Design and Analysis of Algorithms (CSE 340) or Advanced Algorithms (CSE 440).
- 400-level advisor-approved electives, 12 credits. At least 9 credits must be from CSE, and the remaining 3 may be from CSE or another department or program. CSE 490 and CSE 492 are excluded from this group.
- Advisor-approved free electives, 12 credits. Courses at the 300 and 400 level, from within or outside CSE. This group may include no more than 6 credits of independent study (CSE 392 or CSE 492) and no more than 6 credits of thesis (CSE 490).
- Course-level rules. At least 24 credits must be at the 300 and 400 level, with at least 18 of those at the 400 level. Research or thesis registration does not count toward that 18-credit coursework requirement. At least 18 credits must be in the major field, with at least 15 of them at the 400 level. You need a B- or better in at least 18 credits of your program and in all 300-level courses in the major field, and no course graded below C- counts toward the degree.
- Courses that do not count. CSE 300, CSE 406, CSE 412, CSE 499, courses with an ESLP or EAPC subject code, ENGR 492 Summer Research, and ENGR 496 Summer Work Experience.
| Code | Course | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| CSE 411 | Advanced Programming Techniques | Advanced programming and software engineering. |
| CSE 340 | Design and Analysis of Algorithms | Algorithm design, analysis and proofs. |
| CSE 440 | Advanced Algorithms | Average-case runtime analysis of algorithms. |
The Lehigh University Course Catalog is the official source for degree requirements, and requirements can change from year to year. Confirm your own plan against the catalog and with your academic advisor.
Careers
Where graduates work
Computer science alumni build and lead technology across industries.
Most of our alumni work in information technology, with others in education, finance, defense and space, healthcare and telecommunications. Typical roles include software engineer, applied scientist, research scientist, machine learning engineer and technology consultant, and many advance to staff engineer, engineering manager, director and vice president positions. Some move into teaching and research as professors.
Employers where our alumni most often work include:
- Amazon
- Meta
- JPMorgan Chase
- Microsoft
- Vanguard
- Palo Alto Networks
- Bloomberg
Alumni also work at Lutron Electronics, Databricks, Lockheed Martin, Baidu, Seegrid, Qualcomm and NVIDIA.
Based on current employers of Lehigh computer science alumni who graduated between 1996 and 2025. Class of 2025 master’s graduates across the Rossin College averaged $100,000 in starting salary.
Tuition and funding
What it costs, and what help is available
Base tuition for this 30-credit degree is $52,050.
- Qualified applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships as high as 20% of tuition, with no separate application required.
- International students are considered on the same basis as domestic applicants.
- Merit-based and alumni tuition scholarships are available.
How to apply
What a complete application needs
- Academic record
A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. A GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale is required, and a major GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale is preferred. You will also submit official transcripts, a personal statement, a resume, and letters of recommendation.
- GRE
GRE scores are neither accepted nor reviewed as part of the application review.
- English proficiency
International applicants submit a TOEFL iBT, IELTS, Duolingo, Cambridge English or Pearson Test of English score that meets the minimums in the table below.
- Application fee
$50, non-refundable.
- Deadlines
December 15 for a spring start, May 15 for a summer start, and July 15 for a fall start.
| Test | Overall | Speaking | Writing | Reading | Listening |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 81 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 16 |
| IELTS | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| Duolingo | 125 | 125 | 120 | 125 | 110 |
| Cambridge English | 176 | 176 | 169 | 176 | 169 |
| Pearson Test of English | 68 | 53 or above on each band | |||
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the MS in Computer Science at Lehigh?
It is a 30-credit master’s degree that gives students a broad education across algorithms, artificial intelligence, systems and applications, and lets them integrate research and entrepreneurship through coursework, theses and independent projects.
How many credits is the MS in Computer Science?
30 credits: 6 credits of required courses, 12 credits of 400-level advisor-approved electives, and 12 credits of advisor-approved free electives.
How long does the MS in Computer Science take to complete?
Typically 1.5 to 2 years. Faster completion may be possible through academic planning with your advisor.
Do I have to write a thesis or take a comprehensive exam?
No. Neither is required. If you want research experience, up to 6 credits of your free electives can go to thesis (CSE 490), and up to 6 can go to independent study.
What courses are required?
Six credits: Advanced Programming Techniques (CSE 411) and one algorithms course, either Design and Analysis of Algorithms (CSE 340) or Advanced Algorithms (CSE 440).
How much freedom do I have in choosing electives?
Quite a lot. Twelve credits of 400-level electives, at least 9 of them in CSE, and 12 credits of free electives at the 300 and 400 level, from within or outside CSE, are chosen with your advisor’s approval.
What are the admission requirements?
A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field and a GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. A major GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale is preferred.
Is the GRE required for the Master of Science in Computer Science?
GRE scores are neither accepted nor reviewed for any Rossin College graduate program.
What English proficiency scores do international applicants need?
Minimum overall scores are 81 on the TOEFL iBT, 6.5 on the IELTS, 125 on Duolingo, 176 on Cambridge English, and 68 on the Pearson Test of English. Each test also has minimum speaking, writing, reading and listening scores, listed in the application requirements section above.
When are applications due?
December 15 for a spring start, May 15 for a summer start, and July 15 for a fall start.
How is the program delivered?
On campus. Consult the program contact for the current term-by-term format.
What does it cost, and is funding available?
Base tuition is $52,050 for the 30-credit degree. Qualified applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships as high as 20% of tuition, with no separate application required. International students are considered on the same basis as domestic applicants.
What scholarships apply to this program specifically?
Merit-based and alumni tuition scholarships are available.
Which department offers this program?
The Department of Computer Science and Engineering.
What do graduates earn?
Class of 2025 master’s graduates across the Rossin College averaged $100,000 in starting salary.
How do I apply?
Apply through Lehigh’s graduate application. A complete application includes transcripts, a personal statement, a resume, letters of recommendation, English-proficiency scores where applicable, and a $50 application fee. Deadlines are December 15 for a spring start, May 15 for a summer start, and July 15 for a fall start.
Contact
Talk to the program
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Building C (Mountaintop Campus), 113 Research Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18015
Department of Computer Science and Engineering »
General inquiries go to engineering@lehigh.edu.