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What is Computer Science?

Get a Master's in Computer Science

The Computer Science M.S.

Gain specialized technical knowledge and hands-on experience.  

The M.S. in computer science gives you the technical foundation to excel in high-demand fields like artificial intelligence, cloud engineering, cybersecurity, data science and software development. You'll sharpen your algorithmic thinking, design and test software systems, and apply your skills to real-world challenges in AI, human-computer interaction (HCI) and cybersecurity.

The artificial intelligence specialization lets you dive deeper into AI theory and application, with focused courses in machine learning, computer vision, robotics and intelligent systems.

This flexible, in-depth training prepares you for career advancement or doctoral study.

Top 15%
Best Master's Degree Schools
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Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research
National Security Agency (NSA)/
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Top 5.8%
World University Ranking
The Center for World University Rankings

Why Choose Florida Tech for Computer Science?

Florida Tech offers an exceptional environment for earning your master’s in computer science. Here, you'll engage in innovative research and collaborate with internationally recognized faculty, whether you're advancing your current career, preparing for a leadership role or planning further graduate study.

At Florida Tech, professors create a collaborative environment where mentorship and hands-on learning are central. Students work closely with faculty on coursework and research, empowering them to address complex tech challenges and innovate solutions.

This student-centered culture extends beyond the classroom, encouraging students to apply real-world experience to discussions and projects. This combination of mentorship and practical application sharpens problem-solving skills and fosters breakthrough ideas in technology.

At Florida Tech, you'll learn from internationally recognized faculty who are not just experts but pioneers in fields like computer security, intelligent systems and computer vision. Their cutting-edge research shapes the future of technology, and you’ll have the chance to be part of it.

Our interdisciplinary approach allows students to apply their classroom knowledge in research settings, gaining experience that mirrors the demands of a tech career. Computer science graduate students collaborate on innovative projects in exciting areas such as AI, machine learning, biologically inspired computing, cryptography, cybersecurity, data mining and speech recognition.

By engaging in cutting-edge research alongside experienced professors, students gain the skills and experience to excel in today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Students are encouraged to complete and defend a thesis. Those opting not to complete a thesis must pass a final program examination.

The thesis provides an in-depth research experience, allowing you to explore a specific topic and contribute new insights to computer science. This process helps you develop expertise in a specialized area, giving you an edge in roles that prioritize deep knowledge and preparing you for potential doctoral studies. Additionally, working closely with faculty mentors offers personalized guidance and networking opportunities.

For those who choose not to pursue a thesis, the comprehensive final examination allows you to demonstrate your understanding of the discipline and readiness for professional challenges, ensuring you are well-prepared for careers in the field.

Florida Tech’s location in a high-tech corridor is ideal for your computer science master’s degree. Our area has one of the largest high-tech workforces in the country—and that means numerous internship and employment opportunities for our students. Our 130-acre campus is in the heart of the Space Coast; NASA and the Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral are just north of us.

When it’s time to kick back and relax, you’re just minutes from 72 miles of beautiful beaches on the Atlantic Ocean or the Indian River Lagoon, the most biodiverse estuary in North America, and a short trip away from the Florida Keys or the Orlando theme parks.

At Florida Tech, our campus is a hub of global connections, where students from the U.S. and around the world come together to create a rich, dynamic environment. This sense of community fosters mutual understanding and collaboration, reflecting the increasingly interconnected world we all share.

Whether you're a U.S. student seeking to broaden your horizons through interacting with peers from different countries or an international student exploring new opportunities in the U.S., Florida Tech offers a place for learning and professional growth in a truly global setting.

This master’s program is designed for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in computer science. To ensure you're prepared for the advanced coursework, you should have a background in areas such as calculus, discrete mathematics, statistics, data structures and algorithms and other advanced undergraduate computer science topics.

If your academic record is strong but you’re missing a few specific courses, the academic department may recommend steps you can take to fill in those gaps to ensure you’re fully ready to succeed in the program.

For more information about applying and admission, please see our graduate admission requirements and the catalog.

Careers in Computer Science

Graduates with a master’s degree in computer science find employment opportunities in nearly every market segment as technology expands into every aspect of life.

Computer science careers include:

  • AI specialist
  • Application developer
  • Cloud solutions architect
  • Computer and information system manager
  • Computer network architect
  • Computer support specialist
  • Computer systems analyst
  • Data scientist
  • Database administrator
  • DevOps engineer
  • Full-stack developer
  • Information security analyst
  • Machine learning engineer
  • Network administrator
  • Software engineer
  • Web developer

Our alumni find computer science careers in all sectors of the economy and have gone on to work for companies such as:

  • Electronic Arts, Inc. (EA)
  • General Electric (GE)
  • Google
  • HP Inc.
  • Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
  • Microsoft
  • Mozilla
  • National Security Agency (NSA)
  • Zynga

Florida Tech Career Services assists students, alumni and employers in their search for careers and employee candidates. We help students develop career plans and job-search skills. Explore our Career Toolbox to learn more about our services and access additional resources.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), provides information about specific jobs, including median annual pay, working conditions and job outlook, among other things. Check the handbook for information on the outlook for computer science careers.

Advanced Degree Options

The computer science M.S. provides solid preparation for students who choose to pursue a doctorate.

Popular areas of study for students continuing into the doctoral program include AI, computer vision, bioinformatics, computer graphics, data engineering, networks and information management.

Computer Science, Ph.D.

Explore the Computer Science, M.S., Curriculum

The Computer Science, M.S., Curriculum

This 30-credit program delivers a well-rounded, advanced education in core areas of computing, blending theory and hands-on experience to prepare graduates for success in the field.

Students choose electives from computer science, cybersecurity or software engineering, with the option to specialize in artificial intelligence.

The AI specialization offers a customizable track with courses in machine learning, computer vision, robotics, foundational AI theory and real-world AI applications in robotics.

Students are encouraged to complete a thesis to explore a topic of personal or professional interest in greater depth.

Check the catalog for a description of all courses.

Download the Computer Science, M.S., Curriculum now!

A student works through a programming challenge at a whiteboard.

Artificial Intelligence Specialization

A student works in the IoT lab

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the computing landscape, and the AI specialization prepares you to lead that transformation with advanced, research-informed training.

Through this flexible specialization, you’ll explore core AI frameworks including heuristic search, automated reasoning and adaptive systems, with hands-on experience implementing algorithms in an AI programming language.

Courses cover key areas such as supervised and unsupervised learning, neural networks, Bayesian methods, genetic algorithms and reinforcement learning.

Dive into applications like computer vision and robotics through work on image recognition, autonomous navigation, 3D reconstruction, robotic planning and multi-agent coordination.

Engage with the full machine learning pipeline, from feature engineering and transfer learning to model evaluation and continuous monitoring.

Whether you're designing autonomous systems, optimizing machine learning models or preparing for doctoral research, the AI specialization gives you the depth, flexibility and technical rigor to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving field.

Learn more about Computer Science at Florida Tech on the website.

Established Excellence in Computer Science

Florida Tech’s advanced research labs provide students with opportunities to work on groundbreaking technologies across various fields.

The L3Harris Institute for Assured Information (L3HIAI) serves as the university’s hub for cutting-edge cyberdefense and offense, agent simulations, identity tracking and assurance frameworks. Research extends to behavioral analysis, human-centered design and space flight systems, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration.

At the Center for Advanced Data Analytics & Systems (CADAS), researchers apply AI across platforms, with expertise in machine learning for computer vision and time-series analysis. Projects span big data infrastructure in the cloud to advanced edge computing for IoT devices.

These labs offer students hands-on experience with real-world problems in cybersecurity, AI, big data and more, positioning them at the forefront of innovation.

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