Program Summary

The certificate is designed for professionals with undergraduate degrees in STEM disciplines or some prior work experience in computing. This program consists of 4 courses, taught over 2 semesters of 15 weeks each. Courses combine formal lectures with hands-on coding projects to ensure a comprehensive learning experience.

Participants develop a versatile skill set and gain experience with various programming languages and computing environments, providing a strong foundation in computer science principles. This program equips them for diverse challenges in the tech industry, supports career advancement, and prepares them for further academic pursuits, serving as a crucial step toward expanding both knowledge and practical expertise.

All Credits earned in the certificate can be applied towards the M.S. in Computer Science. Some courses also apply towards other M.S. degrees offered by the Ying Wu College of Computing. 

Curriculum Flexibility

The curriculum offers flexibility for students at different levels. Students with weaker backgrounds can take two entry-level electives covering fundamental concepts, while all students must select two out of three core courses for acquiring background on essential topics. Those with more experience can bypass the entry-level courses and instead choose two additional electives from a range of options, allowing them to tailor their certificate to their interests or future goals. This structure accommodates diverse backgrounds and learning objectives in computer science. 

Essential Information

Detailed curriculum and course requirements for the Certificate in Computer Science is available in the catalog of the program.

Prerequisites ▼

Students without a computing background who wish to prepare for the program may want to consider the below listed courses. Proof of completion of these courses is also accepted as supporting material for applications to the program.

For those wishing to pursue an MS degree, these courses are also suggested:

Entry-Level Courses ▼
[take at most two]
CS506 Foundations of Computer Science
Skills: logical reasoning, proof techniques, mathematical tools in CS, Algorithm analysis, graphs, programming, implementation
Environments & Tools: Java or Python
IS601 Web Systems Development
Skills: Python development, REST APIs, JSON, Automated Testing, Version Control
Environments & Tools: Python, FastAPI, PyTest, Git
Core Courses & Competencies ▼
[take at least two]
CS631 Data Management System Design
Skills: Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS), Transaction Management, OLTP, OLAP, HTAP
Environments & Tools: MySQL, PostgreSQL, ARIES
CS630 Operating Systems Design
Skills: Computer Architecture Overview, Processes and Threads, Mutual Exclusion, Deadlock & Starvation
Environments & Tools: C, C++, Java, Linux Operating System
CS/DS675 Machine Learning
Skills: Regression, Classification, Decision trees, Random Forests, Neural Networks, Boosting, Data Preprocessing, Feature engineering, Representation learning
Environments & Tools: scikit-learn, PyTorch, Tensorflow
Elective Courses & Competencies ▼
[take at most two]
CS602 Java Programming
Skills: JVM, OOP, JDBC, Multithreading, Concurrency, Interactive Programming, 3-tier Client-Server Applications
Environments & Tools: Java, MySQL, JSP, Servlet, Eclipse, IntelliJ, JavaFX
CS610 Data Structures and Algorithms
Skills: Algorithm Design, Data Structures, Sorting & Searching, Optimization, Graph Algorithms, Problem-Solving Strategies
Environments & Tools: C++, Java, Python
CS632 Advanced Database System Design
Skills: Relational Databases, Object-oriented Data, XML, JSON, NoSQL, Graph Databases
Environments & Tools: SQL, PL/SQL, Neo4j, MongoDB
CS635 Computer Programming Languages
Skills: Lexical & Syntactical Analysis, Advanced Data Structures, Imperative & Declarative Languages
Environments & Tools: Flex, Bison, C/C++, Python
DS644 Introduction to Big Data
Skills: Big Data Analytics, Distributed Computing, MapReduce
Environments & Tools: Java, Hadoop, Spark, AWS
CS645 Security and Privacy in Computer Systems
Skills: Computer System Security, Cryptography, Access Control, Software Security, Network Security, Privacy
Environments & Tools: Java, C
CS656 Internet and Higher Layer Protocols
Skills: TCP/IP Model, Routing, Subnetting, Network Security
Environments & Tools: Java, Wireshark, Netcat
CS673 Software Design and Production Methodology
Skills: Software Verification, Formal Specification, Agile Development, Program Correctness Proofs
Environments & Tools: Xcode, Android Studio
Campus Options & Cost ▼
Tuition & Fees by Campus (based on AY 2024-2025 rates)
  • Online: $13,716
  • Jersey City: $13,132-$14,880
  • Newark, NJ residents: $17,192-$18,540
  • Newark, non-NJ residents: $23,900-$25,248

The lower amounts assume student takes two courses in a summer semester.

For details, see NJIT's Tuition and Fee Schedule.
For information about cost of living see Tuition and Costs at NJIT.