Graduate Certificate in Computer Science
This certificate program provides essential skills for computing professionals interested in designing and developing a variety of software systems. This includes the theoretical foundations of computer science and practical applications of database design, programming and software engineering.
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Graduate Certificate in Computer Science (12 credits)
The certificate is tailored 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. The instruction method combines formal lectures with hands-on coding projects to ensure a comprehensive learning experience.
The curriculum is designed to accommodate various levels of preparation. For those new to the field, two introductory-level electives serve as a smooth bridge to computer science. These courses cover fundamental logic, discrete math, algorithms, and programming for web development, providing a solid foundation for further study.
Students must select two out of three possible core courses. These required options ensure a broad understanding of essential computer science concepts.
Students with a stronger background in computing can bypass the introductory-level courses and instead complete their certificate with two additional electives of their choice from a broad set of options. This approach allows students to tailor their certificate to their specific interests or plans for further study.
Participants will develop a diverse skill set and gain exposure to various programming languages and computing environments, allowing them to not only acquire a solid grounding in computer science principals but prepare for the diverse challenges of the tech industry.
Whether pursuing career advancement or laying the groundwork for further academic study, this program serves as a valuable steppingstone to expanding both knowledge and practical skills.
Recommended part-time credit schedule: Two courses (6 credits) per semester over two consecutive semesters, including Summer. Start is possible in Fall, Spring or Summer semesters.
Credits earned in the certificate may be applied to a M.S. in Computer Science or other possible MS degrees in the Ying Wu College of Computing.
The Computer Science Graduate Certificate is designed for professionals with an undergraduate STEM degree,or some background in computing. Students without a 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:
At most two courses from this list
At least two courses from this list
CS 631 | Data Management System Design |
Skills: Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS), Transaction Management, OLTP, OLAP, HTAP | |
Environments & Tools: MySQL, PostgreSQL, ARIES | |
CS 630 | Operating Systems Design |
Skills: Computer Architecture Overview, Processes & Threads, Memory Management, Process Scheduling, File Management, Deadlock & Starvation | |
Environments & Tools: C, C++, Java, Linux OS, IntelliJ, Visual Studio | |
CS/DS 675 | Machine Learning |
Skills: Supervised and Unsupervised Learning, Model Evaluation, Feature Engineering, Neural Networks, Decision Trees, Boosting Methods | |
Environments & Tools: Python, scikit-learn, TensorFlow, Keras, Pandas, NumPy, Matplotlib, Jupyter |
At most two courses from this list
CS 506 | Foundations of Computer Science - Entry-level Course |
Skills: logical reasoning, proof techniques, mathematical tools in CS, Algorithm analysis, graphs, programming,implementation | |
Environments & Tools: Java or Python | |
IS 601 | Web Sytems Development - Entry-level Course |
Skills: Python development, REST APIs, JSON, Automated Testing, Version Control | |
Environments & Tools: Python, FastAPI, PyTest, Git | |
CS 602 | Java Programming |
Skills: JVM, OOP, JDBC, Multithreading, Concurrency, Interactive Programming, 3-tier Client-Server Applications | |
Environments & Tools: Java, MySQL, JSP, Servlet, Eclipse, IntelliJ, JavaFX | |
CS 610 | Data Structures and Algorithms |
Skills: Algorithm Design, Data Structures, Sorting & Searching, Optimization, Graph Algorithms, Problem-Solving Strategies | |
Environments & Tools: C++, Java, Python | |
CS 632 | Advanced Database System Design |
Skills: Relational Databases, Object-oriented Data, XML, JSON, NoSQL, Graph Databases | |
Environments & Tools: SQL, PL/SQL, Neo4j, MongoDB | |
CS 635 | Computer Programming Languages |
Skills: Lexical & Syntactical Analysis, Advanced Data Structures, Imperative & Declarative Languages | |
Environments & Tools: Flex, Bison, C/C++, Python | |
CS/DS 644 | Introduction to Big Data |
Skills: Big Data Analytics, Distributed Computing, MapReduce | |
Environments & Tools: Java, Hadoop, Spark, AWS | |
CS 645 | Security and Privacy in Computer Systems |
Skills: Computer System Security, Cryptography, Access Control, Software Security, Network Security, Privacy | |
Environments & Tools: Java, C | |
CS 656 | Internet and Higher Layer Protocols |
Skills: TCP/IP Model, Routing, Subnetting, Network Security - | |
Environments & Tools: Java, Wireshark, Netcat | |
CS 673 | Software Design and Production Methodology |
Skills: Software Verification, Formal Specification, Agile Development, Program Correctness Proofs - | |
Environments and Tools: Xcode, Android Studio |
- Develop a professional working knowledge of one or more high-level programming languages.
- Comfortably assess the run-time efficiency of a given computer algorithm and identify common logic errors in software design.
- Build a robust and secure database system – from design to implementation – for a wide range of purposes.
Tuition, University Fee, and GSA Fee for ALL non-F1 students per consecutive semester, assuming two courses (6 credits) at 2024-2025 rates:
Out-of-State:
- Summer 2025: $11,275.00
- Fall 2024: $12,624.00
- Spring 2025: $12,624.00
In-State:
- Summer 2025: $7,921.00
- Fall 2024: $9,270.00
- Spring 2025: $9,270.00
Total Tuition, University Fee, and GSA Fee for degree, assuming two courses (6 credits) per consecutive semester at 2024-2025 rates:
Out-of-State:
- Summer Start: $23,899
- Fall Start: $25, 248
- Spring Start: $23,899
In-State:
- Summer Start: $17,191
- Fall Start: $18,540
- Spring Start: $17,191