FAQs for Current Masters Students

MS Program in Computer Science: FAQs

Q: What are the educational goals of the program?

The MSCS program is designed to make you a better thinker, a better programmer and a better language designer. It will also provide you with a good understanding of current technology. Our philosophy is to require you to master foundational topics and then let you specialize in application areas of your interest.

Q: How will this help my career?

You will gain a broad and deep understanding of many aspects of computer science, choosing among such fields as security and cryptography, graphics, scientific computing, programming languages, databases, networking, and distributed systems, to name a few. This may enable you to become a design lead in a complex multi-faceted project.

Q: What are the basic requirements for the degree?

These are fully outlined in the MSCS Requirements . However, here are the basics:

  • Complete 36 credits of approved coursework. Complete the three foundational courses, which are CSCI-GA 1170 Fundamental Algorithms , CSCI-GA 2110 Programming Languages and CSCI-GA 2250 Operating Systems and achieve at least a B- (2.7) or better rolling gpa in the foundational courses attempted.
  • Maintain at least a B (3.0) cumulative grade point average (gpa) in each semester and successfully complete at least 66% of the credits attempted.
  • Pass one course in two of the following four designated application areas: Computation for Science and Society; Graphics; Intelligent Systems and Databases.
  • Complete a designated capstone course with a grade of B (3.0) or better. Alternatively, subject to DGS approval, a student may complete an approved master's thesis or an approved capstone advanced lab.
  • All of the above must be completed within 5 years.

Q: Can you send me pamphlets or brochures about the program?

We no longer create paper informational materials, but please browse our website or email admissions@cs.nyu.edu if you have any specific questions not answered on our website.

Q: How can I get involved in research?

The best way is to find a professor whose interests coincide with yours. Often this will be a professor whom you have gotten to know during a class. You can contact the professor to see if you can find a project of mutual interest. The project can be done for credit, as an independent study, if you and the professor agree and the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) approves it. Another option is to do a master's thesis with a full-time faculty member. An approved thesis counts for 6 credits of course work. You can learn more about the requirements for a thesis on the Master's research page.

Q: My background in math is a little weak. Is there anything I should be careful about?

CSCI-GA 1170 Fundamental Algorithms is somewhat mathematical (recurrence equations, proofs, etc.). So, it would be suggested to take CSCI-GA 2340 Discrete Math before Fundamental Algorithms. Also, please be sure to have enough time to handle that course and to attend the weekly problem sessions. Please note that the graduate level offering of Discrete Math is only offered in the summer.

Q: I am from a natural science department and would like to learn programming and algorithmic skills. What should I take?

You should take CSCI-GA 1133 PAC I in the fall and CSCI-GA 1144 PAC II in the spring, unless you have done serious programming. It is also recommended to take CSCI-GA 2340 Discrete Math in the summer, when it is offered at the graduate level. In addition, courses such as computational biology and scientific computing may be helpful depending on your discipline

Q: Do you accept part-time students?

Yes, we allow part-time students. Most of our Computer Science master's courses take place in the evening, either 5:10-7:00pm or 7:10-9:00pm, to allow people who work full-time to attend classes.

Q: How many courses a semester should I take?

Typically, full-time students take three courses (9 credits) a semester. When doing so, international students on an F1 visa must remember to request full-time equivalency . Most part- time students will take one course (3 credits) a semester. This is the course load that the Computer Science Department recommends for our students. It is possible for students to take more credits a semester than what is recommended by the department i.e. a full time student taking 4 courses (12 credits) or a part-time student taking 2 courses (6 credits a semester). Full time students wishing to take 4 courses in one semester should request a course overload . However, we do not recommend taking the heavier course load in your first semester. We encourage students not to push themselves so much in their first semester, as students are still transitioning to graduate level coursework and in many cases adjusting to living in the New York City area, and in some cases adjusting to living in the United States.

Q: What kind of courses do you offer?

You can review our course catalog to see what courses have been offered in recent years.

Q: Do international students have to be full-time students in the summer?

No, international students on an F1 visa are not required to be full-time students in the summer semester. International students on an F1 visa only need to be full-time students in the fall and spring semester. Furthermore, students are not required to take any courses in the summer, if they prefer not to enroll in the summer.

Q: How long does it take to complete the degree program?

Most full-time students complete the degree in two years. The time to degree varies more for part-time students, depending on how many classes they take a semester and if they take courses in the summer. The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences gives students 5 years to complete their master's degrees. International students should be aware that they might have other time restrictions.

Q: I'm on a foreign student visa. What special conditions apply to me?

  • New students must complete an arrival form and submit their Immigration documents to the Office of Global Services (OGS) . Students must also attend a International student orientation through OGS.
  • Be sure to register on time each fall and spring semester. Students who fail to register or register late will be reported to the Immigration Service as not attending, which could result in revocation of the visa. If you will not be taking courses in the fall or spring semester, you must leave the country.
  • Report any change in local address on Albert. Students on an F1 visa must maintain full-time status. In the Computer Science department, 9 credits is considered a full time course load but students must request Full Time Equivalency each fall and spring semester.
  • If you have medical reasons for not taking a full-time course load, you must apply for approval from the NYU Office of Global Services (OGS) .

Q: I know there is no financial aid for master's students, but is there some way for me to earn some money to help pay the tuition as an international student on a student visa?

You are eligible for jobs within the university. These include grading and other jobs, although they are by no means sufficient for funding your education or meeting your living expenses. These positions are advertised on our departmental opportunities mailing list. Please refer to the information on department mailing lists for details about how to sign up for that list.

Other on-campus and off-campus opportunities are also distributed through the departmental opportunities mailing list. Additionally, students can search for on campus and off campus employment through the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development.

It is also possible to take up to two paid internship courses for credit, provided a student qualifies and is approved. Additionally, international students can apply for Pre-Completion OPT, for authorization to work a paid job off campus. See here for more information.

Student can also review the links below for useful information on financing your graduate education.

Q: How can I get into Ph.D. program?

MS students who wish to enter the Ph.D. program must submit a new complete application and are considered together with all the applicants to the Ph.D. program. There is no special mechanism for transferring from the MS to the Ph.D. program.

Q: Can I transfer from one of the department's master's program into the other master's program?

Effective January 22, 2024: Students who wish to transfer to the MSIS or MSCS program must apply via the regular GSAS application for Fall by the March 1st deadline or Spring by the November 1st deadline for admissions considerations with all applicants. The internal transfer process will be discontinued on January 23, 2024. The internal program change policy has been discontinued. All applicants will be considered with the applicant pool.

Q: What is the difference between the MS in Computer Science offered by the NYU Tandon School of Engineering and the MS in Computer Science offered by the NYU Graduate School of Arts and Science?

These are two different degree programs. One is offered through the NYU Tandon School of Engineering in Brooklyn, New York and the other is through the Department of Computer Science at that Washington Square campus at NYU. You apply for admissions separately, and their requirements are independent of each other.

You can review the NYU Tandon School of Engineering program on the school's program webpage .

Q: Can we take classes at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering?

You can take these courses with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies and count them towards your electives for courses taken at other NYU departments outside of the Courant Institute.

MS Program in Informations Systems

Q: What are the educational goals of the program?

Students who obtain an MSIS degree are qualified to do significant work in the computer industry or industries making use of computers to support their business.

Q: What are the basic requirements for the degree?

These are fully outlined in the MSIS Degree Requirements Form and on the MSIS requirements page. However, here are some of the basics:

  • You must complete 39 credits.
  • You must complete: 5 Computer Science courses (within the parameters of the degree requirements); 5 Stern courses (within the parameters of the degree requirements); the Information Technology Projects course and 6 additional credits from either Computer Science or Stern.
  • You may not take more than 21 credits in Stern.
  • You must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and successfully complete at least 66% of the courses attempted.
  • You must complete your degree requirements within 5 years.

Q: How can I get involved in research?

The best way is to find a professor whose interests coincide with yours. Often this will be a professor whom you have gotten to know during a class. Contact that professor and see whether you can find a project of mutual interest. The project can be done for credit, as an independent study, if approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

Q: Is there a recommended course of study?

Further course advice can be found in the MSIS Course Roadmap.

Q: How do I register for my Stern courses?

MSIS students register for Stern courses on Albert. Please consult Stern Registration Procedures for MSIS Students for more information.

Q: I'm on a foreign student visa. What special conditions apply to me?

  • New students must complete an arrival form and submit their Immigration documents to the Office of Global Services (OGS) . Students must also attend a International student orientation through OGS.
  • Be sure to register on time each fall and spring semester. Students who fail to register or register late will be reported to the Immigration Service as not attending, which could result in revocation of the visa. If you will not be taking courses in the fall or spring semester, you must leave the country.
  • Report any change in local address on Albert. Students on an F1 visa must maintain full-time status. In the Computer Science department, 9 credits is considered a full time course load but students must request Full Time Equivalency each fall and spring semester.
  • If you have medical reasons for not taking a full-time course load, you must apply for approval from the NYU Office of Global Services (OGS) .

Q: I know there is no financial aid for master's students, but is there some way for me to earn some money to help pay the tuition as an international student on a student visa?

You are eligible for jobs within the university. To view such jobs, visit the The Wasserman Center for Career Development. These jobs include grading and other jobs, although they are by no means sufficient for funding your education or meeting your living expenses. It is also possible to take up to 2 paid internship courses while you are completing your master's degree. Please refer to Earning Credit for Internship for more information.

Q: For what companies have MSIS students interned?

  • Alcatel-Lucent
  • Amazon Corporate
  • Bank of America
  • Barclays Capital
  • Bloomberg
  • Ernst & Young
  • Highbridge Capital Management, LLC
  • JP Morgan Chase
  • Liquidnet
  • McKinsey and Co.
  • Moore Capital Management, LLC
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Murex
  • Nab Capital
  • Pricewaterhouse Coopers
  • Swiss Re
  • RBC Capital Markets Corporation
  • UBS
  • Rabobank International
  • Towers Perrin

Q: How does obtaining a MSIS degree help my career?

The MSIS program is geared to provide students with the solid foundation of practical business and information technology knowledge that will help them succeed as they develop or interact with modern business solutions throughout their career.

Q: What types of jobs to MSIS graduates obtain and what companies do they end up working for?

Our graduates work in a myriad of fields in various positions. A sampling of the positions held by our MSIS graduates includes:

  • Analyst
  • Program Manager
  • Senior Technical Engineer
  • Solution Architect
  • AVP, Information Technology
  • Financial Software Developer

Our graduates are employed by some of the leading companies in the world. A sampling of the companies that our MSIS graduates work for includes:

  • Bloomberg
  • Credit Suisse
  • IBM
  • JP Morgan Chase
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Nomura Research Institute Ltd.

Q: Is there anything I can do to advertise my skills to potential employers?

Yes, you can subscribe to the mailing list opportunities@cs.nyu.edu. Directions are posted on the Opportunities list. In addition, you can post your resume through the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development and set up a resume that is accessed by many employers.

Q: How can I get into the Ph.D. program?

MS students who wish to enter the Ph.D. program must submit a new complete application and are considered together with all the applicants to the Ph.D. program. High GPA will be essential. Research experience is a plus (often, obtained by prior independent study with faculty). There is no special mechanism for transferring from the MS to the Ph.D. program.