phd in computer science part time

Pursuing A Part-Time Phd In Computer Science: What You Need To Know

Earning a PhD is the pinnacle of academic achievement in computer science, opening doors to research, teaching, and leadership roles. But taking 4+ years off work for a full-time program isn’t feasible for everyone.

Part-time PhD options allow professionals to attain this goal while continuing their careers.

If you’re short on time, here’s the key takeaway: Part-time CS PhD programs typically take 5-7 years to complete . They provide flexibility for working students but require diligence to balance school, research, and professional demands.

The Benefits of a Part-Time CS PhD

Progress academically without leaving your job.

A part-time PhD in Computer Science offers the unique opportunity to advance your academic career while still maintaining your professional commitments. This flexibility allows you to continue working in your current job, providing financial stability and practical application of your studies.

Balancing work and study can be challenging, but the rewards are worth it. By pursuing a part-time PhD, you can deepen your knowledge in your chosen field and make significant contributions to the advancement of computer science.

Network with faculty and peers in your field

One of the key advantages of pursuing a part-time PhD in Computer Science is the opportunity to network with esteemed faculty members and like-minded peers who share your passion for the subject. Interacting with experts in the field can provide valuable insights, guidance, and collaboration opportunities.

Attending conferences, workshops, and seminars can further expand your network and expose you to the latest developments in computer science. Building these connections can open doors to new opportunities and enhance your career prospects.

Strengthen research skills and resume

A part-time PhD program allows you to develop and refine your research skills, which are highly valued in the field of computer science. Through conducting in-depth research, analyzing data, and writing scholarly papers, you can enhance your ability to critically think, problem solve, and contribute to the body of knowledge in your area of expertise.

Moreover, having a PhD in Computer Science on your resume demonstrates your dedication, perseverance, and expertise, making you a highly sought-after candidate for both academic and industry positions.

Program Structure and Requirements

Reduced course load each semester.

Pursuing a part-time PhD in Computer Science offers flexibility in terms of course load. Unlike full-time students, part-time students typically take a reduced number of courses each semester. This allows them to balance their academic commitments with other personal and professional responsibilities.

By taking fewer courses at a time, part-time students can focus on their coursework more effectively and ensure a better understanding of the material.

Original dissertation research

The cornerstone of a part-time PhD program in Computer Science is the dissertation research. Students are required to embark on an original research project under the guidance of a faculty advisor. This research should contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the field and demonstrate a deep understanding of a specific area of computer science.

The research can involve developing new algorithms, designing innovative software systems, or exploring cutting-edge technologies.

Qualifying exams and proposal defense

Part-time PhD students in Computer Science are typically required to pass qualifying exams to demonstrate their readiness for conducting research. These exams assess the student’s knowledge and understanding of the core concepts in the field.

Once the exams are passed, students need to prepare a research proposal outlining the objectives, methodology, and expected contributions of their dissertation. The proposal is then defended in front of a committee of faculty members who evaluate its feasibility and significance.

It’s important to note that the specific structure and requirements of a part-time PhD program in Computer Science may vary depending on the institution. It is advisable to consult the program’s official website or contact the program coordinator for more detailed information.

Finding the Right Program

When pursuing a part-time PhD in Computer Science, finding the right program is crucial for success. Here are some key factors to consider:

On-campus and online options

One of the first decisions to make is whether to pursue your PhD on-campus or online. On-campus programs offer the benefit of face-to-face interactions with professors and fellow students, while online programs provide flexibility for those who are working or have other commitments.

It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each option and choose the one that aligns best with your lifestyle and goals.

Focus on faculty research expertise

Another important factor to consider when choosing a program is the faculty’s research expertise. Look for programs where the faculty members have research interests and expertise that align with your own.

This will ensure that you receive guidance and mentorship from experts in your field of interest. Additionally, professors with strong research backgrounds can provide valuable networking opportunities and connections in the industry.

Funding availability

Funding is a significant consideration for many part-time PhD students. Look for programs that offer funding options such as scholarships, grants, or assistantships. These can help alleviate the financial burden and allow you to focus on your studies.

It’s also worth exploring external funding opportunities from organizations or government agencies that support research in your field.

Managing Your Time Effectively

Stay organized with schedules and goals.

When pursuing a part-time PhD in computer science, time management becomes crucial. It is important to create a schedule that includes dedicated study hours, research time, and coursework completion. By setting goals for each week or month, you can track your progress and ensure that you are staying on track.

One effective strategy is to use a planner or a digital calendar to keep track of deadlines, meetings, and other important events. By having a visual representation of your commitments, you can prioritize your tasks and allocate time accordingly.

Additionally, breaking down larger tasks into smaller, manageable chunks can help you stay organized and prevent overwhelm. By setting realistic goals for each study session, you can make progress towards your PhD while still managing other responsibilities.

Communicate needs clearly at work

When pursuing a part-time PhD, it is essential to communicate your needs with your employer or colleagues. Letting them know about your academic commitments and the time required for your studies can help them understand your availability and make necessary adjustments.

Consider having a conversation with your supervisor or manager to discuss your situation and explore potential flexible working arrangements. This could include adjusting your work schedule, reducing your workload, or even exploring opportunities for research collaboration between your job and your PhD.

Open and honest communication can go a long way in ensuring that both your work and academic responsibilities are managed effectively.

Leverage support systems

Pursuing a part-time PhD can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. It is crucial to leverage the support systems available to you.

Reach out to your academic advisor or supervisor for guidance and support. They can provide valuable insights on managing your time, selecting courses, and balancing your academic and work commitments.

Additionally, consider joining or forming study groups with fellow part-time PhD students. Collaborating with others who are facing similar challenges can provide a sense of camaraderie and support. You can share study materials, discuss research ideas, and offer each other encouragement along the way.

Lastly, don’t forget about the support of your family and friends. Let them know about your academic journey and the challenges you may face. Their understanding and encouragement can help you stay motivated and focused on your goals.

Remember, pursuing a part-time PhD in computer science requires dedication, discipline, and effective time management. By staying organized, communicating your needs, and leveraging support systems, you can successfully navigate this exciting academic journey while maintaining a balance with your work and personal life.

Completion, Careers and Next Steps

Job prospects post-phd.

Completing a part-time PhD in computer science opens up a world of exciting job prospects. With a doctoral degree in this field, you are well-equipped to pursue highly specialized positions in both industry and academia.

The demand for computer science professionals continues to grow, and obtaining a PhD can give you a competitive edge in the job market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of computer and information research scientists is projected to grow 15 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.

This means that there will be ample opportunities for individuals with advanced degrees in computer science.

Potential teaching and research roles

One of the key benefits of earning a PhD in computer science is the opportunity to pursue teaching and research roles. Many universities and research institutions are constantly seeking experts in the field to join their faculty and contribute to cutting-edge research.

As a PhD holder, you can become a professor, teaching and mentoring the next generation of computer scientists. Additionally, you can engage in research projects, pushing the boundaries of knowledge in the field and making significant contributions to the advancement of technology.

The opportunity to share your expertise and make a lasting impact in the academic community is truly rewarding.

Higher salaries and senior positions

Earning a PhD in computer science can also lead to higher salaries and senior positions. With the advanced knowledge and skills gained during your doctoral studies, you become a valuable asset to companies and organizations.

Employers often recognize the expertise and dedication required to complete a PhD, and are willing to offer higher salaries to attract and retain top talent. In addition, holding a doctoral degree can open doors to senior management and leadership positions, where you can have a greater influence on strategic decisions and shape the direction of the company.

According to a survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, computer science PhD graduates earned an average starting salary of $123,000 in 2020, significantly higher than those with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

While requiring diligence and time management skills, part-time computer science PhD programs make this high-level credential attainable for busy professionals. From strengthening your research abilities to opening new career doors, the long-term benefits of earning a PhD on a flexible schedule are immense.

If you’re willing to balance work, research, and coursework, a part-time CS PhD can help you achieve your pinnacle academic and career aspirations.

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Part-time PhD Programs

Tufts School of Engineering’s part-time PhD Program helps working professionals achieve their education and career goals. Conduct cutting-edge research and develop new technologies with our world-class faculty, all while maintaining your employment in industry.

Our part-time PhD program is tailored for industry professionals who receive full financial support from their employers. Financial arrangements between the employee and employer must be agreed upon in advance. Tufts University does not offer stipends, scholarships, discounts, or financial support for this program. Part-time PhD students are not eligible for TA/RA positions, grading roles, or any other paid positions within the university. We strongly advise applicants to seek employer permission before considering external work. It's essential to adhere to employment agreements and program policies to ensure compliance.

Qualified domestic students who are interested in continued learning, developing their skill set, or expanding their career path are encouraged to apply. This program is not available to international applicants unless they are currently working for a U.S. company. No visas can be issued for part-time PhD students.

How to Apply

All applicants must submit the following materials: Contact an advisor or faculty member Contact the advisor or faculty member with whom you would like to study to talk about the specific requirements. Before applying you must first have a discussion with a faculty member to confirm that there is mutual interest in the research the applicant intends to pursue. A successful discussion and any agreement among the candidate and faculty member does not supersede the formal application process. All applicants must formally apply. The application will be reviewed following all the processes and guidelines established for SOE graduate applicants.

Online Application for Admission  Note: An application fee of $85 is payable through the online application by credit card or e-check (drawn on a U.S. bank). The application fee is not refundable. Your credit card or e-check statement is your receipt. Applications cannot be reviewed until this fee has been received. Check our website to see if you are eligible for a fee waiver. Start or resume your application here .

Academic Records  Applicants are required to upload a copy of transcripts received from each accredited college or university attended, where credit was earned toward an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree. Transcripts for study abroad or transfer programs are not required if the course titles, grades, and credit hours are included on the transcript of the degree-granting institution. If the transcript is in a language other than English, you are required to provide a certified, official translation into English. If you are admitted and decide to enroll, you will be required to request the official hard copy transcripts from all of your degree granting institutions be sent directly to our Office of Graduate Admissions, from that institution, before you can matriculate. 

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) GRE scores are no longer required for candidates with an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited U.S. institution. Letters of Recommendation Most programs will require three letters of recommendation. Current Tufts students and alumni are only required to submit two letters. If an applicant submits three letters, one letter may be a commitment letter from your company that your studies will be supported. Letters of recommendation should be submitted through the online application system. If that is not possible, you may have your recommender email their letter as an attachment to [email protected], from a company/institutional/organization/professional email account. Personal Statement  Applicants are required to upload a personal statement describing your reasons for wanting to pursue graduate study at Tufts in the program to which you are applying. Please limit your personal statement to a maximum of five pages. Refer to the Requirements and Deadlines  to determine if the program to which you are applying has specific prompts.  Résumé / CV A current résumé or CV that includes information about, and dates of your educational history, employment, academic honors, scholarships, publications, and other activities is required to be uploaded as part of your completed application.

> Spring applications need to be completed and submitted by September 15th .

> Fall applications need to be completed and submitted by December 15th .

Some exceptions may be made by the faculty member you will be working with.

Tuition and Fees

Students who enroll part-time in an engineering PhD program will be responsible for all tuition and fees charged at a per semester rate. No scholarships, financial aid, or stipends are available for these programs. Please visit  https://asegrad.tufts.edu/tuition-aid/tuition-and-fees  for more details.

Financial Aid and Employer Tuition Reimbursement

Low-interest Federal Direct Loans and Federal Perkins Loans are administered by Tufts Student Financial Services which maintains information on all federal programs as well as alternative forms of financing such as non-need-based loans. Federal aid is available for U.S. citizens and permanent residents only. To apply for Federal Direct loans, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The form is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov, and the Tufts University Institution code is 002219. We recommend that you file the FAFSA by December 1 for spring admission and by March 1 for fall admission.

Tuition reimbursement/Tuition assistance is an employee benefit through which an employer pays for a predetermined amount of continuing education credits or college coursework to be applied toward a degree. These programs are intended for employees looking to advance their careers and educational goals by increasing their industry knowledge and developing advanced skills.

PhD Programs

Faculty Members

Below you will find faculty members who are eager to receive part-time PhD applications. Click on the department heading for a list of available faculty members.

Biomedical Engineering

Chemical and Biological Engineering

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Computer Science

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Department of Computer Science

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The Ph.D. in Computer Science aims to build the next generation of scholars in computer science research. At GW, doctoral students can expect to work closely with a faculty advisor in their chosen research area to create a curriculum plan and guidance for the doctoral dissertation. Students have the opportunities to teach introductory-level courses to undergraduates, present conference papers, and work with faculty on research grant applications.

With its unique location of Washington, D.C., GW maintains access and connections to one of the highest concentrations of tech companies in the country, as well as research-granting federal institutes, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), NASA , National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Naval Research Laboratory . 

For Prospective Students:

Admissions requirements.

• If an applicant has obtained a master’s degree, a minimum grade point average of 3.5 (on a scale of 4.0) is required.
• If an applicant has only obtained a bachelor’s degree, the minimum grade point average must be a 3.3 (on a scale of 4.0).
• Completion of two math courses beyond pre-calculus.
• Strong academic background that includes courses in structured programming language, discrete structures and data structures.
• Successful submission of online application form, exam scores and other documents as outlined in the admissions requirements .

Faculty Advisor & Research Area

We strongly recommend that prospective doctoral students determine a faculty member in the department with whom they would like to work, as well as the research area of interest.

Top research areas of the department:

• Algorithms and theory
• Computer architecture, networks, parallel and distributed computing
• Computer security and information assurance
• Database and information retrieval systems
• Machine intelligence and cognition
• Multimedia, animation, graphics and user interface
• Software engineering and systems

Download Faculty & Research Factsheet (PDF)

For Current Students: 

The general requirements are stated under School of Engineering, Doctoral Program Regulations . 

Program Requirements

Relevant Forms

• Preliminary examination form
• Proposal defense report form
• Final examination approval form
• Dissertation completion form
• Additional forms and resources from SEAS

PhD Course Guidelines:

PhD students must work with their advisors to develop a program of study that meets the following requirements.

• For direct Ph.D. degree students: 54 credit hours (minimum of 42 credit hours of course work available for graduate credit and minimum of 12 credit hours of dissertation research credits (CSCI 8999)) are required. Additionally, a student should continue to enroll in Continuing Research - Doctoral (SEAS 0940) until their dissertation is completed.
• For post-Master’s Ph.D. students: 18 credit hours of course work available for graduate credit and 12 credit hours of dissertation research credits (CSCI 8999) are required. Additionally, a student should continue to enroll in Continuing Research - Doctoral  (SEAS 0940) until their dissertation is completed. 
• A maximum of 15 credits outside of the department for direct Ph.D. students; a maximum of 9 credits outside of the department for post-Master’s Ph.D. students.
• Algorithms and theory;
• Software and systems
• See details in the Preliminary Examination section below. 

Preliminary Examination

Failure of full-time students to pass the preliminary examination by the end of the fourth semester will lead to dismissal from the program.

Students who register for 6 credits or fewer in three consecutive semesters are part-time. Part-time students are required to pass the preliminary examination within their first three years, or 30 credits, of enrollment in the PhD program. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program.

To demonstrate competency, students may take one course in each of the following areas:

• Algorithms and theory: CSCI 6212 Design and Analysis of Algorithms or CSCI 6311 Theory of Computation
• Software and systems: CSCI 6221 Advanced Software Paradigms, or CSCI 6431 Computer Networks, or CSCI 6461 Computer System Architecture

Competency is demonstrated in one of two ways:

• By completing the course with a minimum grade of A-; or,
• By taking only the written, in-class examinations in the course. With this option, students must pass all exams given during a semester, earning a minimum grade of A- in each. 

Students who prove, via their official transcript, that they earned the requisite grades as part of their master’s degree may apply that result to the preliminary exam requirement. 

Students must submit a Preliminary Examination Form to the Department of Computer Science after completing the requirements for the preliminary exam. 

Publication Requirements

Students must have at least one peer-reviewed conference or journal paper accepted for publication at the time of the dissertation defense.

As a guideline, students are expected to have at least two or three conference or journal papers accepted for publication by the time of their dissertation defense, and the material from those papers should be the core of the dissertation.

Dissertation

Dissertation advisor and co-advisor(s).

Every PhD dissertation must be supervised by a faculty advisor who must be (1) a regular full-time faculty member of GW with a primary or secondary appointment in the CS Department, or (2) a research faculty member of the CS Department. Besides the dissertation advisor, a PhD student may have one or more co-advisor(s), who may be full-time or part-time faculty at GW, or professionals from outside the university. Co-advisors are expected to hold a terminal degree.

Forming a dissertation committee

• The dissertation committee must consist of at least three members, including the major advisor. Additional advisor(s) and co-advisors are optional and additional to the three members.
• The committee must have a presiding chair who is a regular full-time faculty member whose primary appointment is in the Department of Computer Science. The committee chair may not be the student's research advisor or co-advisor.
• Faculty with secondary appointments in the Department of Computer Science are not considered regular full-time faculty members in the Department.
• At least one member of the committee must be an external reviewer. The external reviewer must hold a doctoral degree. They may not be a research advisor or co-advisor of the student. They should have a primary appointment in another GW department or outside the University.
• The dissertation committee must be approved by the Chair of the Department of Computer Science.
• The committee membership is normally the same for the dissertation proposal examination and the dissertation defense. However, the membership may change with the approval of the advisor and department chair.

Dissertation proposal defense

• The defense may not take place before the student has passed the preliminary examination.
• The student’s advisor must approve the scheduling of the dissertation proposal defense.
• The student submits a written proposal, in the style of a dissertation, to the members of the dissertation committee. The proposal should contain preliminary results.
• The dissertation committee evaluates the proposal and conduct an oral examination of the student. The committee conveys its recommendation of pass/fail to the Department of Computer Science.
• A proposal defense report should be filed.  

Dissertation defense

• The dissertation defense may not be scheduled before the student has passed the dissertation proposal defense.
• The student’s advisor must approve the scheduling of the dissertation defense.
• The student submits a written dissertation to the members of the dissertation committee, normally two or more weeks in advance of the defense. The writing should follow the dissertation writing guidelines .
• The committee evaluates the dissertation and conducts an oral examination of the student. The committee conveys its recommendation to pass or fail to the Department of Computer Science.
• The final examination approval form and the dissertation completion form should be filed.

University Graduation and Scholarship Requirements

Students are responsible for knowing the University’s graduation and scholarships requirements. Consult the University Regulations section of this Bulletin. Students should consult the department for additional information and requirements.

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Computer and Information Science PhD

The Computer and Information Science PhD prepares students to undertake independent research to promote science and engineering advances in the field of computer and information sciences. Doctoral students work closely with faculty at the frontier of research in the field, developing theory, methodology and experimental skills to investigate and solve advanced technological issues.

The program can be completed on either a full- or part-time basis, and classes take place during the evening. Many doctoral students work 20 hours each week in teaching assistant roles. This means that most students will be funded for up to four years beyond a master’s degree.

The Computer and Information Sciences (CIS) Department is located in the state-of-the-art SERC (Science Education and Research Center) building on Temple’s Main Campus. The CIS Department is one of the oldest Computer Science Departments in the country and is consistently expanding its academic and research offerings.

Concentrations

You can focus on Computer and Information Science or you can take one of the following concentrations.

Artificial Intelligence and Applications

Advance the field of artificial intelligence with a terminal degree for future educators, researchers, and developers. Students learn the characteristics and specifications of systems that exhibit intelligent behavior before theorizing on the next step for this technology. 

Computer and Network Systems

Design and maintain the largest and most complex computing systems and networks with a doctoral program that covers all issues related to interconnected devices. Candidates become proficient in systems programming and architecture, including networks and distributed systems. 

Information Systems

Optimize corporations and organizations with data-based consulting as a PhD in information systems. Candidates focus on systems that provide information to users regarding performance levels, and employ their new skills in improving them. 

Software Systems

Create new software platforms and research their development with a PhD in software systems. Candidates focus on the processes and methodologies associated with superior software design. 

Classes & Curriculum

The PhD program is structured around the thesis; course and seminar work are designed around candidates’ completion of this original piece of work. A metric of quality for the thesis is that it be publishable in a recognized scientific journal.

Along with a thesis and coursework, PhD candidates are expected to teach at least one course. As a full-time PhD student, you should be able to complete all of your requirements within three to four years. The time limit for completing the PhD program is seven years.

Required courses you will take during your studies vary depending on your chosen track.

Learn more about Computer and Information Science PhD courses and requirements .

Related Graduate Degrees

• Computational Data Science MS
• Computer Science MS
• Cyber Defense and Information Assurance PSM
• High- Performance Computing for Scientific Applications PSM
• Information Science and Technology MS

Related Graduate Certificates

• Computer Science
• Information Science and Technology

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, this Doctor of Philosophy offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2024–2025 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident : $1,353.00 per credit Out-of-state : $1,765.00 per credit

You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website .

Faculty advisors will help you to shape your coursework and research activities to align with your goals and academic interests.

Chiu Chiang Tan is the graduate chairperson and main faculty advisor for the Computer and Information Science PhD. Phone : 215-204-6847 Email : [email protected]

If you can find the time to participate while meeting the demands of your degree program, student clubs offer valuable opportunities to meet fellow graduate students, researchers and professionals from science- and technology-related industries.

Clubs and organizations for students pursuing a Computer and Information Sciences degree include

• the Alliance for Minority Participation in STEM , which works to increase opportunities for students and help them complete their undergraduate and graduate degrees in STEM.
• the Association for Computing Machinery , which promotes the academic, professional and social development of students interested in computer technology.
• Association for Computing Machinery for Women , an organization that provides support and advocacy for women pursuing careers in technology.
• Leadership, Education and Development in Science , an organization that empowers Philadelphia middle school students to form an interest in STEM through science experiments and mentors.
• TU Dev , a community of students with a mutual interest in software design that fosters discussions on emerging trends and technologies in the field.

Explore the full list of College of Science and Technology student clubs and organizations .

If the demands of your degree program allow it, consider spending a summer or semester overseas building international connections with researchers from other countries. Temple’s study abroad program offers College of Science and Technology students opportunities to spend a summer or semester studying in China, Germany, Italy, South Korea or Taiwan. Learn more about your study abroad options .

As a division within Temple University, the College of Science and Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education .

Additional Program Information

Go back to academics more in computer and information science phd.

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The Department of Computer Science and Technology will offer a part-time route to the PhD Degree with effect from October 2022. 

Part-time structure

The Department of Computer Science and Technology could offer a part-time route to the PhD. At present, the University allows a part-time route which is 60% or 75% of a fulltime PhD route for which the minimum number of terms:

 60% route -15 terms minimum; maximum number of terms for a part-time student is 21 terms.

 75% route - 12 terms minimum; maximum number of terms for a part-time student is 16 terms.

The requirements for the probationary CPGS in Computer Science will be spread across two years with the first-year report due near the end of the fifth term (i.e. end of March for a Michaelmas admittee), and the registration viva occurring in the sixth term (Easter term). The Department expects the completion of the required 12 units from the Researcher Skills Programme across two years. Part-time students are also encouraged to spend one term full-time in the first year of the programme and that students will be in residence in Cambridge during that time.

After successful registration for the PhD Degree, part-time Ph.D. students are expected to have between 2 and 4 meetings with their supervisor per term for at least a further ten terms. They are expected to spend an average of three weeks each term in the Department with a minimum of 45 nights p.a. in residence.

Requirements for a part-time PhD applicants in Computer Science and Technology

• The proposed topic needs to be suitable for study over a minimum of 12 or 15 terms (75% or 60% route respectively) and a maximum of 16 or 21 terms (75% or 60% route respectively) . Applicants will need to provide a schedule of the research over the first few years. 
• If a supervisor identifies a potential student and a topic as being possibly suitable for part-time study, an initial interview report form must be sent to the PhD Applications Panel for consideration.
• Potential supervisors should invite the Chair of the PhD Applications Panel or a deputy to attend the formal interview.
• As well as consideration by the PhD Applications Panel, the interview report will be considered by, and a decision approved by, the Degree Committee. The approved form will also be loaded to the applicant portal for consideration by the Postgraduate Admissions Office.
• The proposed supervisor must be able to supervise a part-time Ph.D. for at least the minimum 15 terms. This means that supervisors on short-term contracts, or those due to retire within seven years of a part-time student being admitted, will not be eligible to supervise. Those who are due to take sabbatical leave should consider alternative supervision arrangements.
• Applicants should be aware that there is no obligation on supervisors to accept applicants who wish to be admitted as part-time students.
• The student must live close enough to Cambridge, or be able to spend enough time in Cambridge during the first two years, to be able to participate, as much as possible, in research group seminars, reading groups and other activities.
• The student and supervisor will sign an agreement about how often the student will be in the department. This might be, for example : 2 x 8-hour days per working week per term, or 3 x 1-week per term, plus 40% of time in the research term (1 July to 30 September).
• Most CST Research Skills courses are available remotely. For research themes’ group meetings and seminars, physical presence in the department is preferred.
• The student will be required to provide a letter from the employer (if the student is employed) confirming that they may have time off to attend the University as required for the duration of the course. Applicants are required to upload a part-time attendance Declaration to their application once approved for admission.

Updated May 2024

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Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

48 hours of graduate-level coursework must be completed

Where will I take classes? Atlanta Campus

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

Fall Semester:

• February 15 (Priority Deadline)
• March 15 (Regular Deadline)

Admissions Deadlines

Computer science, ph.d..

Computer Science

[email protected]

The Georgia State University Computer Science Ph.D. program offers educational and research opportunities for students in a wide variety of research and technology areas, including:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• Deep Learning
• Bioinformatics
• Health Informatics
• Computer Architecture
• Data Mining
• Graphics and Visualization
• Security and Privacy
• Parallel and Distributed Computing
• Cloud Computing
• Cyber Physical Systems
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Programming Languages
• Simulation and Software Engineering

Concentrations in Bioinformatics and Security & Privacy are available.

The department encourages applications from technology and teaching professionals and those with non-computer science but closely related degrees. Pursuing the Ph.D. program part-time is possible, so working professionals are encouraged to consider applying.

VIEW CATALOG INFORMATION

• Our program focuses on the cutting-edge advances in information technologies related to computer science, data science, cyber-security and bioinformatics.
• Our faculty have won six National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER awards and one NSF CRII award, and have received research grants from variety of funding agencies such as the NSF, the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Ph.D. students have opportunities to obtain fellowships through the Molecular Basis of Disease program in computational biomedicine and the Brains and Behavior program in neuroscience.
• Our downtown location offers students great opportunities to land internships in metro Atlanta, which is becoming the next great tech hub .

• Admissions Requirements
• Goals & Outcomes

Description

In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Computer Science has the following requirements:

• A baccalaureate or master’s degree in computer science or its equivalent. While we welcome capable students with non-computer science degrees, they may need some foundation courses.
• A statement of background and goals.
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s potential for Ph.D. work in computer science.
• Minimum GPA 3.0/4.0.

Foundation Course Requirements      

We welcome students from all backgrounds. However, applicants are expected to have completed certain computer science foundation courses with a grade of B or higher in each. Please refer to the current Graduate Catalog for a list of foundation courses. If you did not take all of these courses but the admission committee thinks you are talented, you will be asked to take the missing foundation courses during the first semester of enrollment at Georgia State, before starting your M.S. or Ph.D. coursework. Typically, we recommend that non-CS majors complete the CSC 1000–3000 level courses with a grade of B or higher before applying to our graduate program. You may also consider Georgia State’s post-baccalaureate program .

We also require the TOEFL/IELTS for international students. Please be aware that English proficiency is not the only evaluation metric.

The following courses are required:

• Foundation coursework in computer science with a grade of B or higher in 7 courses.
• 48 hours of Ph.D. coursework. This includes 12 hours of core coursework, 12 hours of breadth coursework and 23 hours of elective courses.
• 1 hour research training course to be taken in the first semester.

In addition, students must go through a qualifying process, form a dissertation committee, and pass a candidacy examination. Finally, each student must complete and defend a dissertation.

Students in the Bioinformatics Concentration must complete three bioinformatics courses, three biology courses, one chemistry course and a biostatistics course.

We consider all accepted students for financial aid at the time of admission; top students will be admitted with funding support. Once we receive your completed application, our graduate admission committee will review your application. Top candidates may receive funding (with a tuition waiver) such as fellowships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships and office assistantships in our department, as well as on-campus jobs at our university. More details will be provided once an admitted student shows up on campus.

Competitive financial aid is available for full-time Ph.D. students, along with tuition waivers.

The Computer Science Ph.D. program provides students with advanced training in the fundamental principles, processes and applications of information and computational technologies and data science.

The Computer Science Ph.D. program is flexible and suitable for a wide range of career interests, allowing our students to find their place in industry or research. Our doctoral program graduates pursue careers at leading universities, research institutions and government agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or find employment in leading information technology or biotech companies such as Google, GE, Anthem and Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Director of Graduate Studies Dr. Xiaojun Cao [email protected]

Associate Directors of Graduate Studies

Dr. Wei Li [email protected]

Dr. Ashwin Ashok [email protected]

The information shared provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs .

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Computer Science, Ph.D.

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We have a thriving Ph.D. program with approximately 80 full-time Ph.D. students hailing from all corners of the world. Most full-time Ph.D. students have scholarships that cover tuition and provide a monthly stipend. Admission is highly competitive. We seek creative, articulate students with undergraduate and master's degrees from top universities worldwide. Our  current research strengths  include data management and analysis, cybersecurity, computer games, visualization, web search, graphics, vision and image processing, and theoretical computer science.

This degree program offers interested students opportunities to do their research abroad, under the supervision of faculty at NYU Shanghai or  NYU Abu Dhabi .

• View the Computer Science Ph.D. program flyer
• Admissions requirements for the Ph.D. Program.
• Find out more about general  Admission Requirements .

To receive a Ph.D. in Computer Science at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, a student must:

• satisfy a breadth course requirement, intended to ensure broad knowledge of computer science,
• satisfy a depth requirement, consisting of an oral qualifying exam presentation with a written report, to ensure the student's ability to do research,
• submit a written thesis proposal and make an oral presentation about the proposal,
• write a Ph.D. thesis that must be approved by a dissertation guidance committee and present an oral thesis defense, and
• satisfy all School of Engineering requirements for the Ph.D. degree, as described in the NYU Tandon School of Engineering bulletin, including graduate study duration, credit points, GPA, and time-to-degree requirements.

Upon entering the program, each student will be assigned an advisor who will guide them in formulating an individual study plan directing their course choice for the first two years. The department will hold an annual Ph.D. Student Assessment Meeting, in which all Ph.D. students will be formally reviewed.

Note: for pre-fall 2015 Ph.D. students, please see the pre-fall 2015 Ph.D. Curriculum.

Program Requirements

Details about Breadth and Depth Requirements, Thesis Proposal and Presentation, and Thesis Defense can be found in the NYU Bulletin.

Program Details

Individual Study Plan

Each incoming Ph.D. student will be assigned to a research advisor, or to an interim advisor, who will provide academic advising until the student has a research advisor. The advisor will meet with the student when the student enters the program to guide the student in formulating an Individual Study Plan. The purpose of the plan is to guide the student’s course choice for the first two years in the program and to ensure that the student meets the breadth requirements. The plan may also specify additional courses to be taken by the student in order to acquire necessary background and expertise. Subsequent changes to the plan must be approved by the advisor.

Sample Plan of Study

Credit Requirements and Transfer Credits

In order to obtain a Ph.D. degree, a student must complete a minimum of 75 credits of graduate work beyond the BS degree, including at least 21 credits of dissertation. A Master of Science in Computer Science may be transferred as 30 credits without taking individual courses into consideration. Other graduate coursework in Computer Science may be transferred on a course-by-course basis. Graduate coursework in areas other than Computer Science can be transferred on a course-by-course basis with approval of the Ph.D. Committee (PHDC). The School of Engineering places some limits on the number and types of transfer credits that are available. Applications for transfer credits must be submitted for consideration before the end of the first semester of matriculation. 

Annual Ph.D. Student Assessment Meeting

All Ph.D. students will be formally reviewed each year in a Ph.D. Student Assessment Meeting. The review is conducted by the entire CSE faculty and includes at least the following items (in no particular order):

• All courses taken, grades received, and GPAs.
• Research productivity: publications, talks, software, systems, etc.
• Faculty input, especially from advisors and committee members.
• Student’s own input.
• Cumulative history of the student's progress.

As a result of the review, each student will be placed in one of the following two categories, by vote of the faculty:

• In Good Standing: The student has performed well in the previous semester and may continue in the Ph.D. program for one more year, assuming satisfactory academic progress is maintained.
• Not in Good Standing: The student has not performed sufficiently well in the previous year. The consequences of not being in good standing will vary, and may include being placed on probation, losing RA/GA/TA funding, or not being allowed to continue in the Ph.D. program.

Following the review, students will receive formal letters which will inform them of their standing. The letters may also make specific recommendations to the student as to what will be expected of them in the following year. A copy of each student’s letter will be placed in the student’s file.

Quick Links

• Graduate Admissions
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Pre-Fall 2015 Ph.D. Curriculum

Program Admissions Chair

Justin Cappos

Program director.

Rachel Greenstadt

Periwinkle Doerfler

Nektarios Tsoutsos

Email forwarding for @cs.stanford.edu is changing. Updates and details here .

PhD Admissions

Main navigation.

The Computer Science Department PhD program is a top-ranked research-oriented program, typically completed in 5-6 years. There are very few course requirements and the emphasis is on preparation for a career in Computer Science research. 

Eligibility

To be eligible for admission in a Stanford graduate program, applicants must meet:

• Applicants from institutions outside of the United States must hold the equivalent of a United States Bachelor's degree from a college or University of recognized good standing. See detailed information by region on  Stanford Graduate Admissions website. 
• Area of undergraduate study . While we do not require a specific undergraduate coursework, it is important that applicants have strong quantitative and analytical skills; a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science is not required.

Any questions about the admissions eligibility should be directed to  [email protected] .

Application Checklist

An completed online application must be submitted by the CS Department application deadline and can be found  here .

Application Deadlines

The online application can be found here . You may submit one application for a PhD program per respective academic term.

Get connected with a faculty member or program advisor

Since the department's founding in 1968, faculty members have made pioneering contributions to fundamental and interdisciplinary fields of computing. Today, the department is a research and education leader in computation, information, and digital media, offering innovative environments for study and research.

Department newsletter: Fall 2021

It’s been an exciting year for USC’s Department of Computer Science! See some of our faculty and student highlights, learn more about our new hires and research funding awards in this handy fact sheet.

Student & Alumni Profiles

Jingbo Wang

Kegan Strawn

Kushal Chawla

View more Doctoral Student & Alumni Profiles

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Jingbo Wang PhD in Computer Science

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?

What's your favorite impulse purchase from the past 12 months?

Nintendo switch! During COVID, most of the time, we have to stay at home. Playing some games (e.g. animal crossing) on Nintendo switch is really relaxing

Please describe a little about your research and what excites you about it.

If you could choose any other profession outside of engineering or computer science, what would it be? 

I think I would like to pursue J.D. or LL.M in law school. For some of the code-based laws, it is well suited to apply formal methods and logic to represent them. Researchers have proposed a default logic to formalize the federal tex code and its accompanying regulations. What I’m currently doing is applying the logic to formalize the behavior of the software. In the future, I wish I could use that to formalize code-based laws, to detect ambiguities and drafting errors.

What are some factors that helped you decide to pursue your PhD at USC?

There are so many reasons:) First, the professor I want to work with is at USC. Second, there are many PL/SE researchers in USC and we could discuss, collaborate in many possible ways. The atmosphere here is really motivating. Third, USC has so many female clubs (e.g. WinCC, WiSE) where we could learn from each other’s experiences and try to encourage more females in the STEM area. Fourth, USC provides many valuable classes such as public speaking, creative thinking, arts performance and etc. It really broadens our horizons in addition to our own expertise. Last but not least, LA is such a special city with palm trees, skateboarding teens, oddball bohemians, and the occasional movie star. You will fall in love with it once you come here.

If you were to recommend to an incoming student 3 places to go in California/Los Angeles, what would they be?

Griffith observatory, Universal Studios, Getty center

What is a memory you'll cherish about your time at USC?

There are so many unforgettable memories at USC. The farmer’s market outside Leavey library, annual conquest rally, birthday celebrations for our lab-mates, and hanging out together in USC Village.

What's one thing about you that might surprise me?

Although I give public presentations in the premier conference and make friends with other researchers, I am a typical introvert and I dislike social activities. When attending the conference, people are expected to interact with each other over few days. To be frank, I enjoy talking with people and introducing my research. However, none of these could compare favorably to solitary. I always spend a lot of time learning and reflecting in solitude. It’s more like a meditation where I could relax and talk with myself.

What are your plans after graduation?

I plan to stay in academia and look for faculty jobs or other research-related jobs.

Hometown (city, country):

Nanyang, China.

Personal Website (if any):

http://scf.usc.edu/~ jingbow/

Faculty Advisor:

Prof. Chao Wang.

Kegan Strawn PhD in Computer Science

I subscribe to the "next right step" advice. Life can be overwhelming at times, especially during your studies, and focusing on the next right step rather than the entire mountain you are trying to hike up has really helped me every day.

I  come from a family where no one has been in academia and I was not exposed to anything close to it growing up. Research, and even college, felt like this scary gated community that only a certain few could participate in and I'm very grateful to those in my undergraduate studies who helped open the gate for me and showed me that anyone can do this. Don't get me wrong, I have many privileges in my life, but I'm very proud to be here at USC and working hard among some very smart peers every day. 

Last week I bought an LA Dodgers hat at the game against the Giants. I think this means I can officially say I live here now.

I work in multi-robot coordination and collaboration. I'm very interested in how robots can work together with other robots and humans as part of a team to help improve our lives. It's slightly different from the majority of current work that is about training a robot to beat us at a certain game or to replace a job completely. I spend a lot of my time thinking about how we can improve the algorithms they use and the way they learn to work together and I find it incredibly fun and rewarding work.

If you could choose any other profession outside of engineering or computer science, what would it be?

I always wanted to be a veterinarian when I grew up. I love animals and find biology and genetics fascinating. So, I think I still want to be a vet when I finally grow up.

If they are looking to live somewhere I highly recommend the Culver City area. For things to see, I really like the Getty Center for not only the art but the cool architecture and outdoor garden. I also love cruising up and down the pacific coast highway and going to any of the beaches (although Hermosa beach down south is my favorite). Finally, I'd recommend some Korean BBQ in Koreatown. 

I only applied to drama colleges for college. I was fully expecting to only ever be in LA for acting, but now I'm here for my Ph.D. working in computer science and robotics. Life has a crazy way of working out!

Currently, I am interested in continuing in academia with a postdoctoral position.

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.

https://sites.google.com/view/ kegan-strawn

Professor Nora Ayanian

Kushal Chawla PhD in Computer Science

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

One should never judge their own or someone else’s decisions based on the outcomes (that is, in hindsight). That’s just unfair! Instead, think about whether the decision made sense, given the situation you were in. If you are in a similar situation again, how can you make a better call?

That has to be the network of friends and colleagues that I could build from a variety of professional experiences in both academia and industry. Life is a bit easier with folks you can always turn up to for some advice and of course, for referrals!

Minion-shaped slippers with button eyes that move when you walk.

I am currently working on enabling human-machine negotiations in natural language such as in English. Think about buyer-seller price negotiations or salary negotiations. Automated systems that negotiate with humans can be really helpful in advancing conversational AI and for teaching social skills to humans. Most practical systems in this space are based on restrictive communication protocols such as a predefined menu of options. Instead, I am trying to incorporate more natural means of communication such as language so that these systems can be more useful in the downstream applications. This area opens up exciting avenues for interdisciplinary research between NLP, Affective Computing, and Psychology. For a glimpse of what I do, here is a TechXplore blog that covers our recent work published at NAACL-HLT 2021: https://techxplore.com/news/2021-05-casino-campsite-based-dialogs- automatic.html

A full-time host for grand cultural events! I just love the job and the feel that comes with it! Even now, I grab such opportunities with both hands.

First and foremost, my interactions with the lab that I am joining. I would definitely recommend that to all the prospective students. Secondly, the ever-increasing research opportunities and a helpful environment over here at USC. Lastly, it would be unfair if I don’t include this but the nice LA weather was always there at the back of my mind.

- Weekend getaway at Big Bear - Manhattan beach - Hikes in Malibu

I am a part of a religious organization at USC called the Bridges International. In Fall 2019, we went to Big Bear for a weekend, in a group of nearly 30. We rented out two huge houses near the lake, danced and sang songs from different cultures around the globe, and went for a hike! Amazing experience!

I have an OCD of repeatedly checking the locks and always making sure that everything is locked. It is so bad that once, during my undergrad, I preferred to calmly lock my door first, when everyone else was vacating the building due to a strong earthquake. As a side note, I later got to know that my friend ran with a laptop in her hand: the most expensive stuff that she could find in her room. People have weird priorities!

I am keeping it wide open for now, although I am slightly inclined towards joining the industry again, given my previous experience as a full-time researcher at Adobe for a couple of years.

Delhi, India.

https://kushalchawla.github.io/

I am jointly advised by Gale Lucas and Jonathan Gratch at ICT, USC.

• Department of Computer Science
• Ph.D. Degree

Other Resources

• Search for Research Opportunities

Doctoral Degree Program

The Ph.D. degree program in Computer Science provides for a rigorous foundation in theoretical and applied computer science. Students obtain in-depth knowledge by satisfying a breadth course requirement intended to ensure broad knowledge of computer sciences as well as satisfy a depth requirement in the ability to conduct research to advance knowledge and application of Computer Sciences to diverse fields.

Our program places a strong emphasis on research and on graduates making novel contributions to Computer Science in the form of a dissertation and scholarly publications. Students pursuing the Ph.D. degree are trained to become teachers, researchers, and technical leaders in industry, academia, or research labs.

Students will be prepared to be technical problem solvers, competent in the state of the art, and will master a particular aspect of Computer Science. They will be trained to identify and clearly formulate problems, to develop and analyze algorithmic solutions, and to direct research.

The Ph.D. in Computer Science is a traditional face-to-face/in-person program. There is currently no option to complete it fully online.

Fall 2021 - present

Fall 2020 - summer 2021, fall 2017 - summer 2020, prior to fall 2017, course requirements.

Students who began the Ph.D. program Fall 2021 through present : A student must complete a minimum of 66 credit hours subject to the following restrictions:

• Can include 1 hour of COSC 6110
• Can include up to 3 hours of COSC 6398 Special Problems if taken within the first four longer terms of the program¹
• Can include up to 6 hours of non-COSC graduate courses¹
• Can include up to 9 hours of transfer graduate coursework following university   Transfer Credit policy ¹
• At least 24 credit hours of Doctoral Research (COSC 8x98).
• At least 3, but not more than 12 credit hours of dissertation (COSC 8x99), to be taken in the term of anticipated graduation.
• ¹Requires prior approval from the director of graduate studies via a Graduate & Professional Student Petition

Research Advisor

Students are urged to find a research advisor as early as possible. Full-time and part-time students must declare a research advisor by the end of the first long term by completing the Research Advisor Assignment form . Student may enroll in doctoral research hours once they have declared a research advisor.

Graduate Colloquium/Research Methods

All PhD students are required to pass COSC 6110 - Graduate Colloquium or COSC 6321 - Research Methods in Computer Science by the end of the second long term in the program.

Research Competency Evaluation (RCE) Exam

Fall 2024 RCE Exam date is Friday, November 8, 2024

PhD students are expected to spend a substantial amount of time on research starting in the first semester. The RCE requires students to learn and demonstrate specific skills necessary to doing research early in their career. These include the ability to perform a literature review, understand and synthesize research topics, conduct independent and collaborative research to the standards of the chosen discipline, and communicate the findings in a scholarly fashion.

For the RCE exam, the student (in consultation with their research advisor) selects and conducts research on a topic, writes an ACM/IEEE style paper, and presents a talk, to be approved by the student’s RCE committee. A student may submit and present their own submitted or published research for RCE requirements. The RCE committee will evaluate the student with respect to two questions:

• Has the student demonstrated scholarship and potential to conduct original research?
• Has the student demonstrated the ability to communicate technical content effectively to a general computer science audience?

RCE Process

The student’s research advisor, with the consultation of the student’s RCE committee, assigns a research topic to the student no later than the beginning of the third long term. The student may also receive an initial selection of relevant literature. The project should be designed to test the student’s ability to independently conduct research at a level commensurate with his/her education.

The student will prepare a written report and an oral presentation of the project results. The research advisor may provide feedback during the preparation of the written report, but the report should be substantially the student’s own work. The report should include a statement of the problem, present a critical survey of relevant methods and existing state of the art solutions to the problem, present their own methods and proposed solution, results, and discussion. The length of the report should be similar to a standard paper in the research area and be formatted using the IEEE or ACM docx or Latex templates. The report should be submitted to the student’s RCE committee at least one week prior to the RCE exam. The RCE exam consists of a public presentation of the project, followed by a closed–door oral examination.

RCE Committee

The student’s RCE committee should comprise of at least 3 Computer Science faculty members (not including the research advisor) and approved by the Director of Graduate Studies. At least one committee member should be from outside the student's research area. The research project topic for the RCE will be selected in consultation with the student’s research advisor. Once the evaluation has taken place, the Chair of the RCE committee will inform the student and the Director of Graduate Studies about the outcome of the exam. Should a student switch their research advisor after completing the RCE requirement, the student is not required to retake the RCE exam.

RCE Deadlines

The RCE exam must be completed by the end of the third long term of the PhD program. It is not necessary to complete all coursework before attempting the RCE exam. The RCE Exam is offered once each long term. Unless otherwise announced, in Fall it is offered the second or third Friday in November and in Spring it is offered the second or third Friday of April. The exact date RCE date for each semester will be announced at the beginning of the respective semester.

RCE Outcome

The student will either pass or fail the RCE exam, and this decision, based on a majority vote of the committee, will be communicated within one (1) week following the exam. Once the student passes, they may proceed with the preparation of the dissertation proposal. If failed, the student may request a second attempt. For a second attempt, the RCE committee will assign additional work, which should be completed and presented at the end of the next long term. Students who fail the second attempt will be discontinued from the PhD program.

Breadth Requirements

A student satisfies the core requirement by taking a set of three or more courses from the lists below. At least one course must be from the Theory list and one from the Systems list. The remaining course may be from either list. In exceptional cases, the Director of Graduate Studies may transfer or substitute at most two of the three courses based on equivalent courses taken at another university following transfer or course substitution policies. Similarly, any breadth course taken as a MS Computer Science student at UH may count towards the breadth requirement following transfer and course substitution policies. Time limitations apply to transferred and substituted courses.

Breadth Requirements Completion Period

The “breadth requirement completion period” begins as soon as the student has successfully passed the RCE Exam. The breadth requirement completion period applies to PhD students as well as MS students who later pursue the PhD program.

Full-time students must complete the breadth requirements in at most two consecutive long terms after passing the RCE Exam. Part-time students (6 hours or less every term) must complete the breadth requirement in at most four consecutive long terms after passing the RCE Exam. Failure to complete this requirement within the specified timeframe normally results in an MS student not being allowed to continue into the PhD program and a PhD student being dismissed from the PhD program.

Students who began the Ph.D. program Fall 2020 through Summer 2021 : A student must complete a minimum of 66 credit hours subject to the following restrictions:

• Can include up to 3 hours of COSC 6398 Special Problems¹

Graduate Colloquium/Research Method Courses

All Ph.D. students are required to take either the Graduate Colloquium course (COSC 6110) or the Research Method course (COSC 6321) within the first two years of enrollment.

Students are urged to find a research advisor as early as possible. Full-time and part-time students must have a research advisor declared by the end of the second long term by completing the Research Advisor Assignment form . Student may enroll in doctoral research hours if they have an advisor and have completed the core requirement.

Core Completion Period

The “core completion period” begins as soon as the student has accumulated 18 or more hours of credits applicable to a graduate degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Computer Science. These include transferred credits, waived credits, and credits earned at UH. The core completion period applies to Ph.D. students as well as M.S. students who later pursue the Ph.D. program. Full-time students must complete the core requirements in at most 2 consecutive long terms after the start of the core completion period. Part-time students (6 hours or less every term) must complete the core requirement in at most 4 consecutive long terms after the start of the core completion period. Failure to complete the core requirements with the required GPA and within the specified timeframe normally results in an M.S. student not being allowed to continue into the Ph.D. program and a Ph.D.  student being dismissed from the Ph.D. program.

Core Requirements

A student satisfies the core requirement by taking at least 4 core courses with:

• At least 2 courses from the Theory list
• At least 2 courses from the Systems list
• At least 3.40 or higher core course GPA
• No grade less than B

The Director of Graduate Studies may in exceptional cases waive at most 2 of the 4 courses based on similar courses taken at another university. If a students takes Ph.D. core courses while enrolled as an M.S. student in the UH Department of Computer Science and is subsequently admitted to the UH Computer Science Ph.D. program, any Ph.D. core courses taken within 5 years prior to the date of the Ph.D. admissions can count towards meeting the Ph.D. core requirement.

Full-time students must complete the core requirements in at most 2 long semesters after core completion period begins. Part-time students (6 hours or less every semester) must complete the core requirement in at most 4 long semesters after the core completion begins. Failure to complete the core requirements with the required grades and GPA within the core completion period normally results in an M.S. student not being allowed to continue into the Ph.D. program and a Ph.D. student being removed from the Ph.D. program.

Students who began the Ph.D. program Fall 2017 through Summer 2020 : A student must complete a minimum of 66 credit hours subject to the following restrictions:

• At least 30 credit hours of approved, regular, or special topics (COSC xx97) courses. At most 6 of these 30 hours may be outside the Department with the approval of the student’s research advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies.

Students who began the Ph.D. program prior to Fall 2017 : A student must complete a minimum of 72 credit hours subject to the following restrictions:

• At least 36 credits of approved, regular, or special topics (xx97) courses. At most 6 of these hours may be outside the Department with the approval of the student’s research advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies.
• Between 24 and 30 credits of research hours (8x98) to fulfill the 72 hour degree requirement.
• At least 6 but not more than 12 credits of dissertation (8x99).

COSC Academic Policies

The following are required of all COSC PhD students regardless of when they started the program except when noted.

• Declare a research advisor (also known as dissertation committee chair)
• Satisfactory completion of COSC 6110 or COSC 6321
• *Satisfactory completion of the Research Competency Evaluation (RCE) Exam ( *applicable to those in Catalog 2021-2022 and onward ) 
• Satisfactory completion of the Core/Breadth Requirement
• Declare a dissertation committee
• Proposal Defense (preliminary examination): written proposal and satisfactory defense thereof.
• Dissertation Defense: written dissertation and satisfactory defense thereof.
• Satisfactory performance on Annual Reviews
• Publication of doctoral research. It is recommended to work towards one or more publications before the proposal defense and additional publications or submissions before the dissertation defense.
• Attend at least 5 department seminars per term.  Effective January 2018. In addition, all Ph.D. students, regardless of year, are expected to attend at least one (1) Computer Science Focus on Research presentation per academic year. Ph.D. students in the third year or after are expected to present their research during at least one (1) Computer Science Focus on Research presentation per academic year.
• Maintain satisfactory progress. Failure to meet degree, department, college, and university requirements and policies may be dismissed from the PhD program.

Dissertations Committee

The dissertation committee must be comprised of a minimum of four members to include three internal members (inclusive of the research advisor who serves as the dissertation committee chair or co-chair) who have their primary faculty appointment within the major department and one approved external member from outside the major department at UH, industry or other academic institution who is acceptable to the department and approved by the college. A faculty member with a joint appointment in the major department is considered as an external member unless he/she chairs the committee. In this case, an additional external member outside the major department is required. After these minimum requirements for committee members are satisfied, additional committee members may be approved, but at least 50% of the committee must be tenured/tenure-track faculty at the University of Houston. Research faculty, instructional faculty and emeritus faculty may serve on dissertation committees, but not chair the committees. However, a research professor may serve as a co-advisor with a tenured/tenure-track faculty. For the purpose of the committee composition, an emeritus faculty is considered as internal non-tenure-track faculty member.

Proposal Defense

A student must pass a proposal defense (also referred as the preliminary examination) administered by the student’s dissertation committee. The purpose of the proposal defense is to evaluate and give feedback on the proposed dissertation research of the student. Candidates should have one or more publications before the proposal defense and additional publications or submissions before the dissertation defense.

The student must prepare the dissertation proposal document using the NSM PhD dissertation template and present the proposal to the dissertation committee. The proposal document should include an overview of the proposed work, relevant related work, completed work, and a plan for the work to be completed in the dissertation. The presentation should cover the same topics in the proposal document, and include a listing of coursework completed, publications, and a proposed timeline for key activities to complete in the dissertation. The proposal document should be submitted to the dissertation committee at least two weeks before the proposal defense.

Proposal Defense Announcement

The proposal defense is open to the public and should be announced two weeks in advance. All may ask the student questions related to the proposal or the student’s preparation for doctoral-level research. The committee may have a closed session with the student at the end of the proposal defense. Details on how to announce the defense can be found on the Defense Guidelines page.

Proposal Defense Evaluation Outcome

The committee will submit the  Proposal Defense Evaluation Form to the Director of Graduate Studies summarizing the student’s performance of the proposal defense and assign an overall evaluation of satisfactory (pass) or unsatisfactory (fail). A student will be informed of the outcome and upon receiving a satisfactory evaluation the student becomes a Ph.D. candidate.

Proposal Defense Deadline

Full-time and part-time students must attempt the proposal defense no later than the end of the third long term after completing the core/breadth requirement. The proposal defense cannot be held before fulfilling the core/breadth requirement. The proposal defense must be completed at least one term before the dissertation defense.

Dissertation Defense

A PhD candidate will be required to present their dissertation in a public defense. The dissertation defense and the proposal defense may not be scheduled in the same term. The dissertation committee decides the acceptability of the dissertation. Candidates are expected to publish results of their dissertation research prior to the dissertation defense. Candidates should have one or more publications before the proposal defense and additional publications or submissions before the dissertation defense.

Dissertation Defense Announcement

The dissertation defense is open to the University community and the student must inform the department at least two weeks in advance so that it can be publicized. Details on how to announce the defense can be found on the  Defense Guidelines  page.

Annual Review

Every PhD student must complete the formation of a dissertation committee no later than the end of the 2 nd  year in the program. Each student will be reviewed annually by the dissertation committee during a review meeting; the review is mandatory starting on the 3rd year. The review meeting should be integrated to the proposal defense in the year in which the proposal defense takes place, and it is not necessary in the year of the dissertation defense.

After meeting with the student, the dissertation committee will submit a “PhD Annual Review - Committee Evaluation Form” to the Director of Graduate Studies. The evaluation can be satisfactory “S”, unsatisfactory “U”, or needs improvement “NI”. If the student receives a “U” or “NI” grade, the student must be provided with a clear plan to return to a satisfactory status and reviewed again in the next long term. A subsequent evaluation of “NI” or “U” can result in removal of the program.

PhD Annual Review Deadlines

• Self-Evaluation Form must be submitted by the student before the following deadlines: October 31 (during fall reviews) or May 31 (during spring reviews)
• Committee Evaluation Form must be submitted by the dissertation committee no later than the end of the Spring or Fall semester.

Time Limitations

Students who enroll as doctoral candidates must complete their degree requirements within 10 years of the date of first enrollment with a doctoral degree objective. All courses used towards the degree, including transferred and substituted courses, must not be older than 10 years at the time of graduation. Failure to comply will result in the candidate being ineligible for a doctoral degree.

Doctoral students who fail to complete their dissertation within five years after completion of the comprehensive examination must retake the examination.

Refer to the  Time Limitations of Completion of Degree Requirements  section of the Graduate Catalog .

UH and NSM Academic Policies

Ph.D. in Computer Science Program Guide

Liz Simmons

Contributing Writer

Learn about our editorial process .

Updated July 10, 2024

Mitch Jacobson

Contributing Editor

Reviewed by

Victoria Ivy Southall

Contributing Reviewer

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Are you ready to discover your college program?

A Ph.D. in computer science is a terminal degree — the highest credential you can earn in the field. Ph.D. computer science students take advanced coursework that covers computer science theory. They also must complete a dissertation: original research addressing a problem or question in computer science.

Pursuing a doctoral degree in computer science means studying advanced concepts. Graduates can boost their earning potential and qualify for high-level jobs, including teaching and research roles.

This guide explores the benefits of computer science Ph.D.s. We explain what to expect from a typical program, describe potential careers for graduates, and examine important considerations as you choose a school.

Popular Online Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Why Get a Ph.D. in Computer Science?

A Ph.D. program in computer science can prepare you for in-demand jobs : The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that computer and information technology professions will grow much faster than average between 2022 and 2032, with about 377,500 projected job openings annually. The continued integration of technology into every facet of modern society drives demand for skilled workers in this field.

The need for professionals with computer science expertise also drives wages: The BLS reports that computer science-related jobs paid a median annual salary of $104,200 in 2023, more than double the median salary of $48,060 for all workers.

Benefits of a Ph.D. in computer science include:

• Sharper Skills : A computer science doctorate can help you improve a variety of important career skills, such as research, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
• Job Opportunities : Ph.D. in computer science graduates can qualify for promotions and higher-level roles. This includes management, administrative, and leadership jobs, as well as teaching and research careers.
• Higher Salaries : Earning an advanced degree in computer science can help increase your earning potential. Payscale reports that workers with a computer science Ph.D. earn an average wage of $139,000 as of October 2023. By comparison, those with just a BS in computer science make $94,000 annually as of May 2024.

The table below consists of data about Ph.D. graduates in computer and information sciences. Between 2017 and 2022, the number of graduating students has increased overall. Though male-identifying students receive significantly more degrees in this field than female-identifying students, the number of graduates overall increased for both groups. This increase may reflect the ongoing demand for computer science professionals with advanced knowledge.

Computer Science Careers for Ph.D. Graduates

Computer and information research scientists.

Computer and information research scientists study computing problems and innovate new technologies. Frequent duties include creating new computer languages and software systems, designing computer experiments, and writing papers about their research. The BLS projects much faster-than-average growth for this job from 2022 to 2032.

• Required Education: Master's degree
• 2023 Median Annual Salary: $145,080
• Job Outlook (2022-32): +23%

Postsecondary Teachers

Graduates of Ph.D. in computer science programs can qualify for postsecondary teacher jobs — professors and lecturers at the college level. Typical duties include creating lesson plans, teaching classes, grading student work, and conducting research. Some postsecondary teachers advance their careers by becoming a dean, provost, or president of a university.

• Required Education: Master's degree or Ph.D.
• 2023 Median Annual Salary: $96,430
• Job Outlook (2022-32): +5%

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Computer and information systems managers oversee all computer-related work at their organizations. They usually need at least five years of relevant professional experience. They set goals, manage workers, and analyze IT needs for their organization.

• Required Education: Bachelor's degree
• 2023 Median Annual Salary: $169,510
• Job Outlook (2022-32): +15%

Read More Explore computer science careers

What to Expect From Computer Science Doctoral Degrees

Ph.D. programs in computer science explore advanced topics in computing theory, including artificial intelligence , database management, software engineering , and human-computer interaction. In addition to coursework, doctoral students typically complete a dissertation reflecting their original research.

A typical Ph.D. in computer science takes 4-6 years. Factors that can impact program length include whether you already hold a master's in computer science , how long your research takes, and whether you attend part time or full time.

Read More Learn more about computer science programs in general

Admission Requirements

To get into a Ph.D. program in computer science, applicants typically need a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or a related field, such as a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity or computer engineering. Many programs require a minimum 3.0 GPA from previous coursework.

Applicants — especially those from non-computer science backgrounds — may need to complete foundational prerequisites in computer science before taking classes for their doctoral degree. Some schools require GRE or GMAT scores. Other admission requirements may include letters of recommendation, resumes, and statements of purpose. Applicants typically pay an application fee, often ranging from $50 to $150.

Degree and Specialization Options

Doctoral programs in computer science may culminate in a Ph.D. or a doctorate in computer science. Ph.D. programs usually focus on research and academics, while doctorates may emphasize professional applied skills. Ph.D. programs may take longer to complete than doctorates because of more intensive research requirements.

If you want to become a computer science professor or work in academia, consider a Ph.D. In contrast, pursue a professional doctorate if you plan to work in the private sector.

At the Ph.D. level, some programs offer concentrations that let students focus on subfields of computer science. Popular specializations include data science , software engineering, artificial intelligence, and software systems.

Popular Graduate Degree Courses

Ph.D. programs in computer science offer advanced courses that explore topics like algorithms, human-computer interaction, research methods, and data mining. Other popular classes include software architecture, computer security, and theory of computation. Below, we highlight some typical courses Ph.D. in computer science students take. Specific courses vary by program.

• Algorithm Concepts : This class explores abstract data structures and design and analysis of algorithms. Students learn about parallel algorithms, performance evaluation, and dynamic programming.
• Computer Security Risk : Students in this course learn about topics like security management practices, network and internet security, and security architecture.
• Programming for Data Science : This elective class examines various programming languages, including how to use them for data science. Topics include string operations, data mining techniques, and debugging.
• Graduate Research Methods : This course covers foundational quantitative and qualitative research methods. Students learn to apply these techniques in computer science contexts and explore research question formulation, data analysis, and presentation skills.
• Human-Computer Interaction : Learners in this class explore theories of human-computer interaction. Topics include interface design, human-computer interaction research methods, and interface programming.

How Much Will a Doctoral Degree in Computer Science Cost?

The cost of getting a doctoral degree in computer science varies. Factors that impact the price of a degree include institution type (public versus private), school prestige, and program length.

Public universities generally charge lower tuition rates than private ones, and in-state students at public schools pay significantly less than out-of-state learners. When evaluating tuition costs, however, keep in mind that a program's sticker price can vary significantly from its net price — the amount you actually pay. Financial aid from the government or your school can reduce your doctorate's price significantly.

Don't forget about other costs that students typically incur while earning a degree. This may include textbooks, software, a computer, and living expenses.

Average Published Tuition Price for Doctoral Degrees, 2023-24

Public Four-Year Institutions

Private Nonprofit Four-Year Institutions

Graduate students can pursue multiple avenues of funding to cover the cost of their tuition. You can help pay for your computer science degree using federal financial aid, which includes student loans and grants. Schools and private organizations give out computer science scholarships . At the doctoral level, programs often offer fellowships and assistantships for researching and teaching, which can cover the full cost of tuition and provide a stipend.

Choosing the Right Ph.D. in Computer Science Program

When choosing where to earn your Ph.D. in computer science, think about the factors that matter most to you. We explore several crucial considerations below.

• Accreditation : Make sure that all prospective schools on your list hold institutional accreditation. You can verify this information with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation's school directory . Accreditation verifies that a school meets standards of academic excellence.
• Prestige : Attending a prestigious computer science Ph.D. program with name recognition may help you get better job offers after graduation. However, it's not essential that you attend a top-tier program to get the knowledge and skills you need to excel in this field.
• Cost : Ask any prospective program about the total estimated cost of the degree and any institutional funding opportunities. These may include graduate research or teaching assistantships, scholarships, or fellowships.

Discover more options for expanding your education

Ph.D. Programs in Software Engineering

Online Master's Degrees in Computer Science

Master's Degrees With No GRE Requirement

Ph.D. Programs in Artificial Intelligence

Questions about doctorates in computer science, is it worth getting a ph.d. in computer science.

Whether getting a Ph.D. in computer science is worth it depends on your goals. Graduates of computer science Ph.D. programs can earn higher-than-average salaries and qualify for advanced roles, including teaching and research jobs.

How do I get a Ph.D. in computer science?

Many colleges and universities offer Ph.D. programs in computer science. You can earn this degree by completing advanced coursework and an original research dissertation that contributes new ideas to the field.

How much can I make with a doctorate in computer science?

Graduates of Ph.D. programs in computer science can earn higher-than-average wages. For example, computer and information systems managers — an advanced role that typically requires multiple years of experience — earned a median annual salary of $169,510 in 2023.

What skills will I learn in a computer science graduate program?

A computer science graduate program covers advanced computer science theory, algorithms, database management, and machine learning. Ph.D. students usually specialize in a subdiscipline of the field, like data science, cybersecurity, or artificial intelligence.

Page last reviewed April 22, 2024.

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PhD Program Admissions

Applying to our PhD Program

We’re thrilled that you are interested in our PhD program in computer science! This page provides an overview of the application process, some guidelines, and answers to specific questions. Please check our FAQ before emailing [email protected] with any questions not answered here.

Our program accepts a large number of applicants each year from a diverse range of backgrounds. Our applicants come directly from undergraduate or master’s programs, as well as industry positions, and from within United States and numerous countries around the world.

Visit the interactive PhD program statistics page   to view historical program data pertaining to admissions, enrollment, retention/attrition/completion, and time to degree conferral. (Select “ Computer Science” from the “Choose Program” drop-down menu.)

Ready to start your PhD application?

We’re ready for you. Click on the link below to start your application to become a PhD student at Johns Hopkins University

The Application: General Advice

The most important question we ask when reviewing applications is "Will this individual excel at research?" Every part of your application is helpful insofar as it answers this question. The three major components of an application are the statement, letters of recommendation, and grades.

This is one of the most important parts of your application; it lets us get to know you and creates a narrative of your academic career and future plans. Before you write your statement, start by thinking about what you want us to learn about you. Make a list of important achievements, perspectives, and goals. Build your statement around this list. We are looking for students who have made the most of the opportunities they have been presented with and who are smart, creative, and motivated. Keep in mind that we also have your CV and letters of recommendation, so we don’t necessarily need a list of all your accomplishments. However, your statement can fill in the narrative around what you did and, more specifically, why you did it. What motivates you? What are your research interests and why? These details aren’t found elsewhere in your application, so focus on them in your statement.

There are a few things we suggest not including in your statement. While it’s tempting to give a rationale for why you are applying to our program, don’t include it if it’s uninformed. Consider: “I want to apply to Johns Hopkins because it’s one of the premiere academic programs.” We know that already! If you do have specific reasons to be interested in our program (e.g. location, a specific project, a faculty member, etc.), be sure to mention them.

In terms of your motivation, be specific! Don’t write: “I’ve wanted to do a PhD in CS since I was six years old.” We don’t trust that six-year-olds make good career decisions. If you write “I have always found AREA X fascinating,” explain why.

Letters of Recommendation

The two most important factors of a recommendation letter are: 1) select someone who knows you well, and 2) select someone who knows how to write a letter.

First, it’s tempting to ask Professor X. to write a letter for you because they are a well-known person in the field. While we can better contextualize letters from people we know, it’s only helpful if the letter contains meaningful information. If Professor X. writes, “I’ve met the applicant a few times and they seem sharp,” that’s not useful information. It’s more important to select someone who knows you well and can discuss your achievements in detail.

Second, your letter writer should know how to write a letter. Academic research programs look for different things than a company. We often read letters from work supervisors that say nice things, but don’t speak to the qualities we find most important.

Of course, it’s a balance. You want someone who knows you well, but they still need to know how to write a good letter of recommendation.

We understand that three letters are a lot, especially for an undergraduate applying directly to a PhD program. We don’t expect each candidate to have three amazing letters. Your choices should be about balance: you want people who know you well, can write good academic letters, and know the research field. Use your choice of your three letter-writers to create this balance.

There isn’t much you can do about your grades—you have the grades you have. However, we do not use any grade cutoffs or thresholds in admissions. We want to see that you did well and excelled in whatever program you were in. Did you push yourself to take upper-level classes? Did you do well in the classes most directly related to your research area? If you have special circumstances that explain some of your grades, please include a description of them in your statement.

The Whiting School of Engineering does not require GRE General Test scores for applications to our PhD programs.

TOEFL or IELTS

Non-native English speakers must take the TOEFL or IELTS exams. Details on accepted exams, scores, and exceptions to this requirement can be found here .

Application Tips

There are many helpful guides for PhD applications. Here are a few we recommend:

• How to be a Successful PhD Student (co-authored by our own Mark Dredze )
• What Readers Look for in a Statement of Purpose
• Student Perspectives on Applying to NLP PhD Programs
• A Survival Guide to a PhD

Application Deadlines

Application Deadline:

The deadline for fall is December 15th. (No recruiting for spring admissions.)

The application will be available for submission on or around August 15.

Vivien Thomas Scholars

The Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI) is an endowed fellowship program at Johns Hopkins for PhD students in STEM fields. It provides full tuition, stipend, and benefits while also providing targeted mentoring, networking, community, and professional development opportunities. Students who have attended a historically black college and university or other minority serving institution for undergraduate study are eligible to apply. To be considered for the VTSI, all application and supplementary materials must be received by December 1, 2021.

• University of Connecticut

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• Ph.D. Program Requirements

The Ph.D. program is designed to prepare students for a career in research. As such, it requires considerable self-directed study and independent research. The Ph.D. program is individually tailored to each student, requiring close cooperation between the student and his or her research adviser.

Detailed Program Requirements

While each Ph.D. program is unique, the Ph.D. program requires completion of the following major milestones:

• Coursework and Plan of Study Submission : The program requires roughly one year of coursework beyond the M.S., spanning several breadth areas in computer science; the program has an additional English proficiency requirement. (See below for further discussion.)
• Ph.D. Dissertation Proposal and Oral Presentation : Once a research topic has been approved by the student’s adviser, an initial investigation of the relevant literature in the area is undertaken to establish necessary background and to precisely identify the focus of research project. The initial investigation of the relevant literature in the area will culminate in the preparation of a dissertation proposal , a written discussion of relevant background and a definition of the thesis work. The proposal is presented during an oral presentation and exam ; on approval, the student may begin dissertation research. (See below for further discussion.)
• Ph.D. Dissertation and Defense : The Ph.D. dissertation is comprised of a detailed scholarly exposition of completed research and background. Ultimately, the thesis work is presented in a defense open to the public. (See below for further discussion.)
• Ph.D. Publication Requirement : All doctoral students are required to publish at least 3 articles in full-length refereed conference venues prior to completion. (See below for further discussion.)
• Ph.D. Qualifying Exam : Students must pass the Ph.D. qualifying exam. The exam must be taken in the first three semesters of Ph.D. study.

See the Ph.D. Program Description in the Graduate Catalog for an authoritative description of the Graduate School’s official requirements.

Adviser & Committee Selection. Ph.D. students must associate themselves with a faculty adviser in consultation with whom they will select an advisory committee . The advisory committee consists of at least three faculty members chaired by the adviser. The advisory committee is responsible for reviewing the student’s plan of study (see below) and evaluating thesis work.

Coursework and Plan of Study Submission

Coursework requirements for the Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering depend on whether the student has an existing M.S. degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science and Engineering.

Course requirements for students without an existing M.S. (in CS, CE, or CSE):

• At most 12 credits, in total, of CSE5097 (Seminar), CSE5099 (Ind. study), and CSE5600 (Design lab.);
• At most 3 credits of CSE5097 (Seminar);
• At least 18 credits of CSE graduate courses other than CSE5097 (Seminar), CSE5099 (Ind. study), and CSE5600 (Design lab.);
• Satisfaction of the Ph.D. breadth requirements;
• At least 15 credits of GRAD6950 (dissertation research).

Course requirements for students with an existing M.S. (in CS, CE, or CSE):

• At most 9 credits, in total, of CSE5097 (Seminar), CSE5099 (Ind. study), and CSE5600 (Design lab.);
• At least 12 credits of CSE graduate courses other than CSE5097 (Seminar), CSE5099 (Ind. study), and CSE5600 (Design lab.);
• At least 15 credits of GRAD6950 (Dissertation Research).

The Ph.D. Breadth Requirement. The breadth requirement demands that Ph.D. students satisfy a collection of content areas. See the forms page for current details.

The English proficiency requirement (native English speakers exempt). The program requires evidence of English competency at CEFR level B2 or successful completion of a UCAELI Evening English Course (EEC). The requirement can be met in several ways:

• Native English speakers are exempt.
• Evidence of level B2 CEFR English competency (TOEFL Speaking score ≥ 23, IELTS speaking score ≥ 7.0, or official UCAELI assessment via interview) satisfies the requirement.
• Successful completion of a UCAELI EEC Course satisfies the requirement.

The plan of study. Ph.D. students must file an official plan of study form, signed by their adviser and committee. For further details, see the Ph.D. Program Description in the Graduate Catalog . The official plan of study form can be found with the other forms .

Ph.D. Publication Requirement

All CSE Ph.D. students are required to publish (or have accepted for publication), prior to their dissertation defense, a minimum of 3 peer-reviewed full conference or journal articles. Major advisers have the authority to establish a higher threshold of publications for his/her students.

Ph.D. Dissertation Proposal and Oral Presentation

A general area of research is usually selected during the first year of Ph.D. study and an agreement is obtained from a faculty member to serve as the major adviser. After selection of a research area has been approved, an initial investigation of the relevant literature in the area is undertaken to establish necessary background information and to define the exact problem to be studied. This initial investigation may also include a preliminary experiment to prove the feasibility of any experimental program that will be included in the research effort. The initial investigation of the relevant literature in the area will culminate in the preparation of a dissertation proposal. Submission of the proposal to the committee is followed by an oral presentation and exam. This oral presentation and examination serves two purposes: evaluation of the proposal and the general examination for the degree. As such the oral exam must be attended by (i.) all members of the student’s advisory committee, (ii.) at least five faculty in total, (iii.) and at least two area experts who are not on the committee (these may be CSE faculty). Acceptance of this proposal by the student’s advisory committee must be obtained before the student begins the proposed research effort. For further details, see the Ph.D. Program Description in the Graduate Catalog .

Ph.D. Dissertation and Oral Defense

The Ph.D. dissertation must make a significant contribution to the computer science discipline. Submission of the dissertation to the committee is followed by an oral defense.

For further details, see the Ph.D. Program Description in the Graduate Catalog .

Part-Time Study

The Ph.D. program supports part-time study. To accommodate students with full-time employment, the department typically offers at least one CSE graduate course in the late afternoon (starting at 3:30) or early evening on a twice weekly basis. In semesters where that does not occur, students may be able to take independent studies (CSE5099) after consultation with their advisers.

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Doctoral Program

The primary focus of the doctoral program is research, with the philosophy that students learn best by doing—beginning as apprentices and becoming junior colleagues working with faculty on scholarly research projects. The faculty in the department conduct research in all areas of computer science. The doctoral degree requires a dissertation based on the candidate’s original research, which is supervised by a faculty member, and all students in the doctioral program are actively engaged in research throughout the program.

The PhD is the Computer Science Department’s primary doctoral program.  PhD students are expected to be full-time on-campus during every fall and spring academic semester from initial enrollment until the dissertation has been distributed to their defense committee, except during leaves of absence approved by the university.  PhD students spend at least half of their time on research under the direction of their faculty adviser from their first day in the program and devote themselves full time to research after coursework and other preliminaries have been completed. PhD students are also expected to participate in departmental and laboratory activities full time throughout the program, except possibly for summer internships elsewhere, and the department does not consider admission of part-time PhD students. The policy on outside activities by PhD students is here .

DEPARTMENTAL INFORMATION FOR DOCTORAL STUDENTS

• Program Requirements
• MS leading to PhD
• Milestones Chart
• Milestones Registration Form: Candidacy, Thesis Proposal, Thesis Defense
• Doctoral Course Import Forms
• Doctoral Algorithms Prerequisite Form
• Data Science Specialization Option  (further details here )

SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY INFORMATION FOR DOCTORAL STUDENTS

• Registration
• SEAS Doctoral Fieldwork (CPT) Policy
• Time-Off Policy for Doctoral Students on Appointment in the Sciences and Related Research Fields

GENERAL DOCTORAL INFORMATION AND ADVICE

• CAREER Club
• Computer Science Open Data
• Computer Science Graduate Job and Interview Guide
• Background in case you ever need to teach online with two days notice
• The Definitive ‘what do I ask/look for’ in a PhD Advisor Guide
• The Thesis Whisperer
• Prem Devanbu’s Review Anti-Patterns
• Computer Science Rankings
• Michael Ernst’s Compilation of Great Advice
• Productivity Tips for PhD Students
• Getting Admitted to a Top PhD Program
• Tips on the Interview Process
• Networking on the network
• Advice on research and writing
• More advice on writing
• Corporate Lab or Academic Department, Which Fits?
• How To Survive A Thesis Defense
• 10 easy ways to fail a PhD
• Dealing with plagiarism
• Academic job site
• Computing Research Association
• IEEE Computer Society

(link suggestions appreciated; send email to [email protected] )

Last updated on July 11, 2024.

Find open faculty positions here .

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In the News

Press mentions, dean boyce's statement on amicus brief filed by president bollinger.

President Bollinger announced that Columbia University along with many other academic institutions (sixteen, including all Ivy League universities) filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York challenging the Executive Order regarding immigrants from seven designated countries and refugees. Among other things, the brief asserts that “safety and security concerns can be addressed in a manner that is consistent with the values America has always stood for, including the free flow of ideas and people across borders and the welcoming of immigrants to our universities.”

This recent action provides a moment for us to collectively reflect on our community within Columbia Engineering and the importance of our commitment to maintaining an open and welcoming community for all students, faculty, researchers and administrative staff. As a School of Engineering and Applied Science, we are fortunate to attract students and faculty from diverse backgrounds, from across the country, and from around the world. It is a great benefit to be able to gather engineers and scientists of so many different perspectives and talents – all with a commitment to learning, a focus on pushing the frontiers of knowledge and discovery, and with a passion for translating our work to impact humanity.

I am proud of our community, and wish to take this opportunity to reinforce our collective commitment to maintaining an open and collegial environment. We are fortunate to have the privilege to learn from one another, and to study, work, and live together in such a dynamic and vibrant place as Columbia.

Mary C. Boyce Dean of Engineering Morris A. and Alma Schapiro Professor

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Ph.D. Program

The Allen School provides every student accepted to our Ph.D. program with full financial support in the form of teaching and research assistantships or fellowships, from program inception to degree. Students earn an integrated Master’s Degree on their path to the Ph.D. Key features of our program include:

• Comprehensive, high-quality graduate computer science curriculum.
• A vibrant academic and social community.
• Welcoming and inclusive environment for international students, women, and other underrepresented groups.
• Robust schedule of colloquia and lectures on current topics in research and technology.
• Leading-edge interdisciplinary research opportunities, on and off campus.

Our students benefit from many collaborations and relationships that we have developed across the campus and in the region. In addition to being the headquarters of established technology leaders such as Microsoft and Amazon, Seattle is also home to an extensive (and ever-growing) list of engineering centers established by major industry players from outside the Pacific Northwest.

Admission to the Allen School’s Ph.D. program is competitive. Each year, we receive applications from approximately 2,500 prospective graduate students from around the globe for 50 - 60 positions. We accept applications once a year, for entrance in the following autumn quarter. Our application process opens on September 1, and all application materials are due December 15, or the next following business day, if the 15th falls on a weekend. The Allen School hosts its annual Grad Visit Days in March for applicants who have received an offer of admission. This event provides an opportunity for applicants to meet with faculty, get to know their prospective colleagues, and experience the Seattle area’s quality of life.

The Ph.D. Process

The Allen School's Ph.D. process consists of three components: coursework, research, and thesis preparation. At the beginning of the program, students will take graduate-level courses in an array of topics spanning theory, systems, programming, and applications. They will also develop and refine their research skills working with their faculty advisor and other collaborators. These skills include information analysis and synthesis as well as written and verbal presentation capabilities. Student progress is measured at multiple steps throughout the program: the Qualifying Evaluation (a.k.a. “quals”), the General Exam, and the Candidacy of Philosophy, leading to the preparation and defense of their dissertation to obtain their Doctor of Philosophy degree.

Course Guide

Students are required to complete approximately 90 credits on their way to obtaining a Ph.D. degree in Computer Science & Engineering from the Allen School, 60 of which must be earned at the University of Washington. Explore our online course guide to peruse available courses, teaching schedules, internship credit, and specialized degree tracks available to Ph.D. students.

Student Handbook

Visit our online student handbook for essential information and advice about being a Ph.D. student in the Allen School, from available fellowships and travel grants, to navigating the annual review of progress, to mentoring undergraduate researchers. This section also contains practical information such as allocation of office space and obtaining health insurance, as well as the forms students will need to complete at various points throughout the program.

The Allen School's graduate advising team is here to guide prospective and current students as they navigate the application and registration process and help tailor the Allen School experience to their education and career goals.

Computer Science Doctoral Degree Program

Objective and Description

The purpose of the graduate program in Computer Science is to facilitate the student's continued professional and scholarly development. The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program is designed to prepare the student to conduct research and development in an area of concentration.

Degree Overview

The purpose of the graduate program in computer science is to facilitate the student's continued professional and scholarly development. The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program is designed to prepare the student to conduct research and development in an area of concentration.

About the Program

A doctorate in computer science builds on prior knowledge, education, and experience in the field. The degree typically takes 4-5 years to complete, and involves independent study and research in a focused area of interest. Doctoral programs include coursework and research that culminate in a final dissertation.

Students may apply for the Ph.D. program after completing their M.S. degree in computer science or proceed directly to Ph.D. program after completing their B.S. degree in computer science. Students without an M.S. will typically spend an extra year learning the basic research skills prior to begin working on their dissertation.

Candidate selection for the doctorate program is a very a competitive process, considering GPA, performance in computer-related classes, TOEFL or IELTS (for non-English speaking candidates), GRE and reputation of the university where you did your undergraduate and graduate studies. Relevant recent work experience is considered in cases where educational credentials are dated or not in the computer science field.

Degree Options

Ph.D. candidates select one of the following 8 graduate tracks provided by the Computer Science and Engineering Department and complete five milestones to achieve their doctorate in Computer Science:

• Data analytics (database systems, data mining, cloud computing, big data, and others)
• Intelligent systems (knowledge representation, knowledge acquisition, machine learning, neural networks, parallel AI and others)
• Networking, telecommunications and mobile computing
• Software engineering (environments, formal verification, testing, and others)
• Multimedia systems (authoring, compression, collaboration and communication)
• Theory and algorithms
• Bioinformatics
• Information and cybersecurity

Five Ph.D. Milestones

After selecting one of the major tracks above, a PhD candidate must complete the following five milestones:

All PhD students’ progress toward the milestones are reviewed and monitored by a committee consisting of at least 4 members (supervisor plus three committee members.)

Admission & Degree Requirements   Inquire Now   Computer Science and Engineering Department

Requirements for Licensure or Certification

All discipline specific programs in the College of Engineering meet educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in all U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia.

Ph.D. IN ENGINEERING

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School of Science

Computer science, ph.d in computer science.

The PhD in Computer Science is the highest professional degree awarded by the Rensselaer Computer Science Department, demonstrating the ability to do in-depth, original, and independent problem-solving at the highest level. RPI CS Ph.D. graduates go on to positions with great potential for leadership and contribution in the private sector, public sector, and higher education. Rensselaer CS faculty advise and train Ph.D. students in innovative and high-impact research areas and attract funding from a spectrum of federal Research and Development agencies and non-profits including the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, National Institutes of Health, MacArthur Foundation and the U.S. Army. Faculty and students collaborate on cutting-edge research problems, contributing to the scholarly literature and the professional growth of RPI's Ph.D. students.

Program Details

Emphasizing independent research in an area of specialization and working closely with one or more faculty advisors, students are required to complete at least 72 credits of advanced study above and beyond their undergraduate degree. Students must complete at least 36 credits of course work and at least 24 credits of research work. It is possible to obtain a PhD with or without an MS degree. To achieve professional-level status, a typical PhD study takes four to five years to complete. 

Students complete the following major milestones in the Ph.D. program during their tenure at Rensselaer:

• Core Qualifying Exam (by the end of the third semester)
• Research Qualifying Exam (by the end of the second year)
• Candidacy Exam (by the end of the third year)
• Thesis Defense (upon completion of the thesis).

Detailed Requirements

Admissions & Financial Aid

Admission to the graduate program is highly competitive and admitted students have strong academic backgrounds in Computer Science and demonstrated research potential.

Financial Aid

Most CS graduate students receive financial support as teaching or research assistants. These assistantships provide both tuition and a stipend, and guarantee funding for the duration of the PhD studies. In addition, there are a limited number of fellowships for outstanding applicants.

• Financial awards are made on the basis of ability rather than need.
• There is no separate application for financial aid (it is part of the Admissions Application).
• To receive full consideration for financial aid, all application materials must be received by January 1 for fall admission or August 15 for spring admission.
• The application review process will not start until all required documents are received.

Detailed Admissions & Financial Aid Information

Program Outcome

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to demonstrate:

• Demonstrate the ability to conduct novel, high quality, independent research in computer science with tangible contributions to computer science evidenced by publication of the research results in high quality venues
• Identify, investigate and articulate open research questions within their computer science sub-specialty.
• Demonstrate solid knowledge of computer systems, algorithms and theory, and the application of computer science.

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Computer Science Doctoral Program

Program details.

Prepare to make an enduring impact in fields like machine learning, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity with a Ph.D. in computer science from Stevens.

The Department of Computer Science offers dynamic opportunities to explore leading-edge research within a close community of faculty mentors. You'll be able to study under a faculty mentor in the area that you find most exciting:

AI and Machine Learning

Computer Vision

Big Data Analytics

Programming Languages

Computer Security and Cryptography

Software Systems

The Stevens Advantage: Widen Your Career Options

Learn more about what makes graduate education from Stevens a unique experience:

Graduate Cooperative Education Program : Available with two tracks, your co-op experience can serve as a starting point for a research project or augment your on-campus research with complimentary experience.

International Student Experience : Tap into our expanding worldwide network of research, academic and alumni partners and mentor with our expert faculty in a number of federally-designated STEM degree programs. Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is available to gain work experience in your major/field of study.

State-of-the-Art Research Labs and Facilities : Build, tinker and test your designs in Stevens' MakerCenter, Prototype and Object Fabrication Lab, or numerous other research facilities.

Research Opportunities : Renowned faculty, labs and research centers – as well as industry partnerships and funding from leading national agencies – support strategic and interdisciplinary research in engineering and science.

Assistantships and Fellowships: Stevens offers funding to select graduate students in the form of teaching assistantships, research assistantships and fellowships. Limited in number, these highly competitive opportunities are awarded to exceptional candidates based on merit.

Expanded Learning Options : The Schaefer School offers new opportunities for doctoral students to do coursework at universities in the New York City area – and around the world – through our growing list of academic partnerships with other prestigious universities. Learn more about our latest partnerships.

Computer Science Research

The computer science department at Stevens offers you a maximum amount of flexibility to pursue research opportunities in cutting-edge, competitive areas of exploration like secure systems, machine learning, cryptography and visual computing. You’ll work with recognized leaders in the field, gain exposure to top industry labs and learn sought-after principles that will help propel your career. Learn more about research in the Department of Computer Science.

Program Admission Requirements

We welcome applicants with a love of hacking and a drive to innovate.

Ideal candidates hold a master’s degree in computer science (up to 30 credits may transfer to Stevens’ Ph.D. program). Exceptionally well-qualified applicants with a bachelor’s degree in computer science may be considered for the Ph.D. program.

Bachelor’s degree, with a minimum GPA of 3.0, from an accredited institution

Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended

Two letters of recommendation (academic or professional only; Select Ph.D. programs require a third letter of recommendation)

Statement of Purpose

$60 non-refundable Application Fee

Proof of English language proficiency

A competitive GRE or GMAT score (required for both part-time and full-time applicants)

Writing sample(s). All applicants are encouraged to submit a lab report (preferable) or paper that they wrote, individually, for an engineering course. Applicants who have published a journal article are also encouraged to submit a copy of their article.

For more complete details, visit our General Admissions Requirements page .

Apply Online >

View objectives, outcomes, and other Ph.D. curriculum details in the most recent academic catalog.

View Academic Catalog >

Each Ph.D. curriculum must also adhere to the institute wide standards listed in the doctoral handbook.

View Doctoral Handbook >

If you have existing graduate credits or experience in this area of study, contact [email protected] to discuss opportunities to include it in the curriculum.

Information about assistantships and fellowships can be found here .

The four fields comprising STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – offer a wide variety of professions that are classified as some of the highest-growing and highest-paying jobs right now and in the future. And for international students, the demand for STEM-related professionals in the United States can open the door for an extended stay. An ever-growing list of eligible programs across all levels is available here .

A Tech Forward Education

I like that Stevens puts effort into developing social activities each semester for Ph.D. students, helping peers connect to each other and providing workshops for technical writing, teaching training, career guidance, and even visa advising for international students, helping us develop soft skills. I think these are very important for our success, and I'm glad to see these invites each semester.

Yuandong Cyrus Liu

Ph.D. in Computer Science

My future career objective is to secure a tenure track professorship. At Stevens, I am fortunate to have access to numerous teaching opportunities that will enhance my pedagogical skills. Additionally, the institution is dedicated to cultivating my abilities as an independent researcher, thereby equipping me with the necessary tools to excel in academia.

Yuchen Zhang

Computer Science Graduate

Stevens had a great location and I enjoyed living there for my Ph.D. I liked the research opportunities that it offered and the academic atmosphere. I had many great resources for studying and gained a lot of experience in presentation skills, which facilitated my career development.

Songgaojun Deng

Computer Science Ph.D. Graduate

Related Programs

Data science doctoral program.

Gain in-demand skills in emerging areas like artificial intelligence, machine learning and language processing in a Ph.D. program designed with input from industry leaders.

Computer Engineering Doctoral Program

Gain the in-demand computer engineering skills you need to lead in rapidly evolving fields like cybersecurity, the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI).

2024 Best Part Time PhD in Computer Science Programs

Editorial Listing ShortCode:

If you’re interested in working with computers at an advanced level and solving complex technical problems in relation to operating systems, programming, and algorithms, then earning a part time PhD in Computer Science may be a beneficial path for you to consider.

With an on campus or online PhD in Computer Science, you may have access to a variety of career paths that offer higher than average salaries and positive job growth.

A terminal degree in computer science may allow you to use your expertise to teach others, contribute to growing research and knowledge in the field, or execute tasks for an organization.

Universities Offering Part Time PhD in Computer Science Degree Programs

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

DePaul University

DePaul University allows part-time enrollment in its rigorous PhD in Computer and Information Sciences program. This research-based program lets students demonstrate a heightened awareness of their field and prepares them to write and defend an academic dissertation. Small classes make support from faculty highly accessible at DU.

DePaul University  is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

Drexel University

Drexel University has an award-winning Doctorate in Computer Science program that helps students develop expertise in computing and informatics.

Students enrolled in this part-time program conduct extensive research in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, data analytics, and much more. Students have access to research facilities and labs to assist in their learning journeys.

Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Georgia State University

Georgia State University’s PhD in Computer Science blends academic coursework, rigorous research, and dissertation studies.

The program gives students a well-rounded educational opportunity, helping them advance in the information technology field. Graduates from this program can be teachers, researchers, or leaders in the business world. Part-time students are welcome to apply.

Georgia State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Stevens Institute of Technology

Students enrolled in the Doctor of Computer Science program at the Stevens Institute of Technology are connected with experts from around the world. They learn valuable information to help them excel in this ever-growing industry. Research dissertations begin immediately at SIT, so students have the opportunity to focus on this rigorous endeavor.

Stevens Institute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

University of Notre Dame

The PhD in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Notre Dame focuses on the areas of artificial intelligence, algorithms and theory, nanotechnology, and much more. Students in this program have the opportunity to complete academic research related to their area of interest and become experts in the area they choose.

Notre Dame is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

Part Time PhD in Computer Science

Part time doctoral programs in computer science may be offered in an online or on-campus format, but program offerings vary widely from school to school.

Doctoral programs are intended to help prepare you for advanced positions in computer science by building on existing skills and knowledge developed in bachelors- or masters-level programs. As an example, you may have earned a part time masters in computer science and are now ready to take your skills to the doctoral level in a part time program.

You may increase your understanding of operating systems, computer engineering, programming languages, and information networks, among other topics. Due to the part-time attendance structure, these programs are often ideal for working professionals who are looking to advance their education while maintaining regular employment.

Many students feel that CS is hard , so the part-time structure may also be a good fit if you need to balance other life or family responsibilities. Pursuing a part-time PhD program in computer science may require you to complete a variety of courses.

Some of these courses may include theoretical foundations of computer science, algorithm design, software engineering, computer programming, programming languages, and data structures. Additional coursework may include calculus, software modeling, network security, machine learning, and data visualization.

Common career options with a Ph.D. in Computer Science include teaching positions at universities along with professional research roles within academic institutions, the government, or think tank organizations.

You may also find rewarding employment in positions such as computer and information systems manager, computer hardware engineer, computer network architect, software quality assurance analyst, or information security analyst.

Part-Time vs. Full-Time PhD in Computer Science

Choosing whether to attend a PhD in Computer Science part-time or full-time may depend on a variety of factors, including which format best fits into your life, how long it will take for you to complete the program, and the manner in which you will attend your classes.

You may want the flexibility of earning a CS degree online , or you may prefer the structure that accompanies in-person learning.

Earning a doctorate in computer science generally requires the completion of 72 to 90 credits. The number of required credits may vary from school to school.

Whether you choose to study online or on-campus, you may be able to attend courses on evenings or weekends. Notably, as with the best online computer science masters degree programs, online PhD programs may offer a more flexible course structure so that you can attend online lectures whenever it fits into your schedule. With this option, you wouldn’t have to attend at a specific time on a certain date.

On the other hand, you may prefer to attend courses in-person to benefit from networking with other students or from a more structured learning environment.

Time to Completion

While part-time and full-time attendance will require you to complete the same number of credits, the two options may take varying amounts of time to complete. Studying on a part-time basis may extend the length of time required to obtain your degree.

The amount of time it takes may depend on the number of courses you are able to complete each semester. It may also depend on how long it takes for you to complete any dissertation requirements that may be needed in order to graduate.

Pros and Cons

Careers and Salaries in Computer Science

Expertise in the field of computer science is a skillset that can be leveraged across virtually all sectors of the economy.

You may pursue work in local and national government bodies, computer system firms, research facilities, banks and insurance companies, and nonprofit organizations. Terminal degrees in the field may also prepare you for positions in education and academia.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , positions in the field of computer and information technology earn an average of $91,250 per year and have a positive job growth rate of 11%.

A number of positions available to you with a PhD in Computer Science are expected to experience growth over the coming years.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these positions include computer network architects (5%), computer systems analysts (7%), computer and information research scientists (15%), and information security analysts (31%).

Computer Science Doctoral Courses

Coursework in a part time doctoral program in computer science may cover a wide range of topics in order to provide you with the expertise required to graduate from the terminal degree program.

• Software Engineering : This course looks at methods used in the development of software, including system design, testing, and validation.
• Computational Intelligence : This course is a review of computer intelligence foundational practices and techniques, including granular computing, data mining, and distribution.
• Operating Systems : This course is an overview of topics related to operating systems, resource management, and system implementation.
• Advanced Image Processing : You’ll take a look at image digitalization, processing, and enhancement practices as well as restoration, filtering, and segmentation.
• Network Security : This course is an advanced exploration of various areas of network security, including security standards-SSL and TLS and SET, authentication, and digital certificates.
• Modeling and Simulation : You’ll review modeling and simulation theories and applications in the field of computer science.
• Data Mining : This course is an overview of graph mining practices and algorithms, including R-MAT graph generators, PageRank, and SimRank.
• Programming Language Concepts : You’ll review programming language fundamentals, including syntax and binding times.
• Logic Programming : This course is an overview of deductive databases in applications and logic programming in computer science.
• Human-Computer Interactions : You’ll explore current and emerging trends and topics in the area of advanced computer and human interactions.

In addition to finishing all required coursework, you may need to complete a dissertation to graduate with your degree.

While admission requirements for a PhD in Computer Science part-time program may vary from school to school, some common criteria include:

• Completion of a bachelor’s or master’s degree . Some schools may allow you to apply for admission with a bachelor-level education while others may require you to hold a master’s degree.
• GRE or GMAT scores . While this requirement is becoming less common, some schools may still request your test scores in order to apply for their programs.
• Letter of reference . You may be required to submit reference letters from previous academic supervisors or employers speaking to your fit and qualifications for the program.

In addition to the above requirements, some schools may require you to complete an online application, provide a copy of your resume or CV, and write a letter of intent.

Accreditation

When a school is regionally accredited, it means that the programs offered are of high academic quality and have met a predetermined set of quality standards.

The accreditation status of a program can not only impact your ability to transfer credits to other programs but may also influence your ability to qualify for financial aid. An accredited degree may also be perceived as better quality by potential employers, and they may place higher regard on your qualifications and expertise.

You may find out if the school you’re interested in attending offers an accredited computer science PhD program by searching the U.S. Department of Education’s website .

Financial Aid

There are a number of resources available that you may be eligible for that can help cover the costs related to part time doctorate programs.

Financial aid opportunities for your PhD education may include federal or state grant and loan programs, scholarships offered by private or public organizations, or even a training program through your employer.

In some cases, the school where you obtain your PhD may also offer financial support. Depending on the school’s specific offerings, you may be able to obtain funding for the cost of tuition as well as a stipend for living expenses. This is the case even at the best computer science universities.

For more information on financial aid, you can visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website .

Should I Get a PhD in Computer Science?

Obtaining a PhD in Computer Science may require you to invest time in courses such as theoretical foundations of computer science, algorithm design, software engineering, data structures, software modeling, network security, machine learning, and data visualization.

You may also undertake a great deal of research in order to complete your dissertation. If you enjoy solving complex issues and working with technology at an advanced level, then a terminal degree in computer science might be a beneficial path for you to consider.

What Can You Do with a PhD in Computer Science?

There are a variety of careers that you may pursue with a PhD in Computer Science. These include computer and information systems manager, computer and information research scientist, computer hardware engineer, computer network architect, and software quality assurance analyst.

Other career options may include software developer and programmer, information security analyst, computer systems analyst, postsecondary teacher, or network and computer system administrator. After obtaining your degree, you may be prepared to even open your own business offering consulting services.

Are There Any Part Time PhD Programs?

Yes, there are PhD programs in computer science that can be attended on a part-time basis. The specific number of credits required to graduate may vary from school to school, but PhD programs in computer science generally require you to complete between 72 to 90 credits.

The number of credits required remains the same regardless of whether you enroll on a part-time or full-time basis. Attending part-time, though, will often take you longer to complete your degree than a full-time study schedule.

Depending on the program you choose to enroll in, you may have the opportunity to attend courses online or on-campus on a part-time basis.

Does a Part Time PhD Have Value?

The educational value of a part-time PhD program should be similar to that of a full-time program. The primary difference is that a part-time PhD program will often take you longer to complete since your course load will be less per semester than the full-time option.

Other factors that may influence the value of a part-time PhD also impact the value of the full-time counterpart. One such factor may include the accreditation status of the program or school you’re attending.

How Long Does a Part Time PhD in Computer Science Take?

Traditional PhD computer science programs may require you to complete between 72 to 90 course credits. With full-time attendance, this may be completed within 3 to 5 years.

Part-time studies inevitably extend the length of time it may take for you to graduate from a program, but the specific amount of time will vary depending on the course load you have each semester. For example, if you have half of the regular course load each semester, then you can expect the program to take you twice as long to complete.

There may be other factors, though, that can influence the length of time required to complete your degree part-time. These factors may include maintaining enrollment continuously throughout the calendar year or transferring previously earned credits into your program.

Is a PhD in Computer Science Worth It?

Yes, a PhD in Computer Science is worth it for many students. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer and information technology jobs are set to grow at 11% over the next 10 years, faster than the average for all occupations.

Common computer science careers in this field include postsecondary computer science teacher, computer and information systems manager, computer and information research scientist, computer hardware engineer, and computer network architect.

In these positions, you may find employment within government institutions, private sector businesses, nonprofits, educational facilities, or within your own business as a self-employed consultant.

Getting Your PhD Part Time

Earning a PhD in Computer Science may offer you the opportunity for a challenging and rewarding career. You may have the ability to teach aspiring computer scientists, contribute to research in the field, or apply your knowledge in a hands-on manner for various organizations.

Part-time PhD programs in computer science may prepare you to leverage your expertise in the theoretical foundations of computer science, algorithm design, network security, and data structures, among other areas.

If you’re interested in advancing your career in this rewarding field, then you may want to research various accredited, part-time PhD computer science programs to find the one that best suits your schedule and your professional goals.

Find the program that matches your career dreams—just click “Find My Program.”

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Department of Computer Science

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Computer Science

• Postgraduate study
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PhD in Computer Science

You will be based in the Department of Computer Science overlooking the lake on Campus East .

You will benefit from modern offices and collaboration spaces, and well-equipped research labs with a specialist in-department team to support your requirements throughout your studies. 

We will provide you with a laptop connected to the University network, and you will have 24/7 access to your desk and workspace. Distance learning students are allocated a work desk for the duration of their stay while they are in York.

For on-campus researchers, most of your training and supervision meetings will take place on campus at the University of York, though your research may take you further afield.

PhD by distance learning

We offer the opportunity to study for a PhD by distance learning. This is available to students based in the UK and abroad, studying full-time or part-time. Our PhD by distance learning offers the same high quality of supervisory support (primarily online), and demands the same level of academic rigour as a campus-based PhD.

You will undertake your research and thesis production remotely, joining us on campus only occasionally. You will be expected to visit York at your own expense at the following stages of your study:

• Two weeks at the start of enrolment for induction, to meet your supervisor and your research group, and to meet other PhD students;
• Two one-week visits each year at important stages ('milestones') of your study (the number of visits is reduced accordingly if you are a part-time student);
• You will normally attend your PhD viva in person.

When you are not in York, you will continue to benefit from regular supervision meetings using online communication platforms, such as Zoom. Read more about how we support distance learners .

Are you an international applicant? It is important for you to note that it is your responsibility to meet any requirements for legal entry into the UK at the time of each of your visits. While the University and Department can provide supporting letters, the University cannot make any guarantees regarding entry visas or legal residence.  Read more about applying for a visa.

Entry requirements

Undergraduate and masters degrees.

The PhD in Computer Science is intended for students who already have a good first degree in Computer Science or a related field.

For entry to the PhD programme, we require at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree, or a qualification equivalent to a UK Masters degree with a minimum average grade of 60%.

We are willing to consider your application if you do not fit this profile, providing you are able to demonstrate that you have the required amount of Computer Science knowledge and experience to succeed on the programme.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must provide evidence of your ability.

Find out more about English Language requirements for research degrees

How to apply

Find a potential supervisor.

You should find a potential supervisor in our Department whose area of research overlaps with yours. We encourage you to contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply. Please identify the name of your potential supervisor in your application.

On our Research web pages, you can explore our research groups which reflect the core research strengths and expertise within the Department of Computer Science. On the web page for each research group, you'll find more information about the aims and objectives of the group and the names of group members. You can use this information to identify the groups where research interests match your own.

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact [email protected] .

Submit your application

We require you to submit the following documents:

• Research proposal
• Academic transcript(s )
• Your curriculum vitae (CV)
• Personal statement
• Details of two academic referees

Your research proposal needs to outline the nature of your proposed study and give some indication of how you will conduct your research. The purpose of this exercise is to ensure that you and your potential supervisor(s) have matching research interests.

Your proposal can build on your chosen supervisor's area of work and may be prepared with the help of your chosen supervisor. It should be about 500 to 1,000 words in length, in English and in your own words. Read more about writing a research proposal .

You can apply and send all your documentation electronically through our online system. You don’t need to complete your application all at once: you can start it, save it and finish it later.

After you have applied, you can track the status of your application and view any official correspondence online. If you have applied for an advertised scholarship, decisions on funded places may take a little longer.

Applicant interviews

If we are impressed by your full application, personal statement and references, we will invite you to interview.

The interview panel will be made up of your potential supervisor(s) and another independent academic. During your interview, it is important that you demonstrate an understanding of your chosen topic and its supporting theories.

For students based outside the UK, interviews are held online via Zoom. Applicants based in the UK are offered the opportunity to attend their interview in York. If you choose to attend in person, your visit will include a tour of the Department and its facilities.

Related links Explore our PhD opportunities Research groups in the Department of Computer Science About our research degrees Applying for a research degree Funding for research degrees Information for International students Accommodation Life at York

Department of Computer Science Deramore Lane , University of York , Heslington , York , YO10 5GH , UK Tel: work 01904 325501

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Course type

Qualification, university name, part time phd computer science and information technology.

144 degrees at 62 universities in the UK.

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Computer Science PhD, MPhil

University of leicester.

Computing at Leicester offers supervision for the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - full-time and part-time Master of Philosophy Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

Science, Information Technology and Engineering PhD

Canterbury christ church university.

Our academics in the fields of science, information technology and engineering are engaged in research across a diverse range of areas from Read more...

• 5 years Part time degree: £2,872 per year (UK)

Computer Science and Information Systems MPhil/PhD

Birkbeck, university of london.

An PhD is an advanced postgraduate research degree that requires original research and the submission of a substantial dissertation of Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 7 years Part time degree: £2,500 per year (UK)

PhD Postgraduate Research in Computing Sciences

University of east anglia uea.

The School provides a vibrant research environment that allows you to carry out cutting edge research projects supervised by some of the Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

Health Informatics MPhil/PhD

Ucl (university college london).

We offer a range of research areas related to health data, information and technology. Research activities are diverse and reflect the Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £6,035 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £3,015 per year (UK)

Computing and Information Science PhD

Anglia ruskin university.

PhD candidates to take an active role in our School's research community, in areas currently ranging from Artificial Intelligence, Read more...

• 2 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 2.5 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 3 years Part time degree: £2,392 per year (UK)
• 3.5 years Part time degree: £2,392 per year (UK)

PhD Robotics

Sheffield hallam university.

Course summary Undertake extensive, supervised studies in the Centre for Automation and Robotics Research Specialise in pertinent Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 7 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

Game Technologies PhD

University of gloucestershire.

What is Game Technologies Undertake postgraduate research while drawing on university expertise. Our specialisms include VR, AR and MR, Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £5,100 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £3,400 per year (UK)

PhD Business Analytics

University of hertfordshire.

A PhD in Business Analytics offers an internationally recognised degree signifying high levels of achievement in research. It develops Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £5,925 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,960 per year (UK)

Computer Science PhD

Royal holloway, university of london.

About us Computer Science at Royal Holloway is one of the world's leading centres of research in advanced areas of theoretical and applied Read more...

• 5 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

MPhil PhD Architecture, Computing and Engineering

University of east london.

Studying for an PhD with UEL’s School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering (ACE) will push you to the limit - and you’ll be Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £5,740 per year (UK)
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PhD Computational Finance

University of essex.

We offer research supervision for our PhD Computational Finance in the following fields agent-based modelling of financial markets; Read more...

Geospatial Data Science PhD

University of glasgow.

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PhD Computer Science

University of hull.

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Digital Media PhD

Newcastle university.

Our digital media research is committed to transdisciplinarity, creative digital practice, the intersection of art and sciences, social Read more...

• 36 months Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
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University of Nottingham

Join our research team to work on projects that have an impact in the real world. From optimisation for airports to machine learning for Read more...

• 8 years Part time degree

PhD Computing

University of plymouth.

The Doctoral College works with staff and students in all areas of the University’s research to ensure that our diverse community of Read more...

• 4 years Part time degree: £3,180 per year (UK)

University of Surrey

Why choose this programme Our PhD research programme provides you with the opportunity to study a wide range of computer science topics. Read more...

• 8 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

Computer Science - PhD

University of kent.

The School of Computing welcomes applications for our Computer Science research programmes. Your research should produce an original Read more...

Electronic and Computer Engineering PhD

Brunel university london.

Research profile The Electronic and Electrical Engineering degrees offer a wide range of research disciplines, related to Electronic, Read more...

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The PhD is the primary research degree that can be taken in the Department of Computer Science and Technology. The PhD is a three to four-year full-time (five to seven-year part-time) programme of individual research on a topic agreed upon by the student and the department, under the guidance of a staff member as the student's Supervisor. 

All research students are admitted to read for the PhD degree on a probationary basis and will be registered for the Certificate of Postgraduate Study (CPGS) in the first instance. During this year, students may do some additional coursework and will write a research report that is likely to form the foundation of the eventual PhD thesis. The CPGS will involve four components:

• research skills training
• practical work
• research report of no more than 10,000 words
• attendance at research workshops and research seminars

At the end of the third term and on completion of the CPGS, students whose performance indicates that they would be able to complete a PhD in a reasonable time will be upgraded to PhD status. A student who is not upgraded to PhD status and who has completed three terms of study will normally be awarded the CPGS alone. They will not submit a thesis for the PhD degree.

All research students are strongly encouraged to contribute to teaching in the department, for which some training will be provided. Research students will submit a log of teaching activities annually at the end of June. 

Students are expected to complete the substance of their research by the end of their third year, submitting their thesis then or within a few months.

Applicants wishing to apply to undertake a PhD on a part-time basis should refer to the department's admissions advice for potential part-time students.

The University hosts and attends fairs and events throughout the year, in the UK and across the world. We also offer online events to help you explore your options:

Discover Cambridge: Master’s and PhD study webinars - these Spring events provide practical information about applying for postgraduate study.

Postgraduate Virtual Open Days - taking place in November each year, the Open Days focus on subject and course information.

For more information about upcoming events visit our events pages .

Key Information

3-4 years full-time, 4-7 years part-time, study mode : research, doctor of philosophy, department of computer science and technology, course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:.

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Michaelmas 2025

Funding deadlines.

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2025, Lent 2026 and Easter 2026.

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Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science

Doctoral programs.

In any of the Ph.D. programs across our seven departments, you'll be matched with an advisor based primarily on mutual research interests and begin a research project on day one. All our Ph.D. students receive full financial support while in good academic standing, which helps ensure freedom to explore regardless of funding hurdles. We also believe that it's vital for advisors and students to work as peers, and the inherent flexibility of our programs means students often work with more than one faculty member and many other students during their time in SCS.

Together, our research environment and interdisciplinary mindset produce graduates who emerge into the world ready to tackle its biggest problems.

• Doctoral Programs Home

Interested in Applying?

• Graduate Admissions Overview
• Frequently Asked Questions

Program Contacts

Robert Frederking Associate Dean for Doctoral Programs

Jenn Landefeld Doctoral Programs Manager

Explore Our Ph.D. Programs

Computational biology department, computer science department, human-computer interaction institute.

Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction

Language Technologies Institute

Ph.D. in Language and Information Technologies

Machine Learning Department

Robotics institute.

Ph.D. in Robotics

Software and Societal Systems Department

Ph.D. in Societal Computing (SC) Ph.D. in Software Engineering (SE)

Dual Degree Ph.D. Programs

The carnegie mellon portugal program (cmu portugal), ph.d. in computer science/dual degree portugal, ph.d. in human-computer interaction/dual degree portugal, ph.d. in language and information technologies/dual degree portugal, ph.d. in robotics/dual degree portugal, ph.d. in software engineering/dual degree portugal.

HELP MAUI • JOB OPENINGS

Information and Computer Sciences

University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

Prospective Ph.D. Students

• January 15th : Application deadline for Fall semester admissions.
• September 1st : Application deadline for Spring semester admissions
• Late Applications: Full consideration will be given to applications received by the deadline. Late applications are considered depending on availability of resources.

Application

Submit your application online through Graduate Division. The CS program requires the following Supplemental Documents to be uploaded with your application:

• Statement of Objectives/Purpose . This document explains why you wish to pursue a graduate degree and your career objectives.
• Three letters of reference . Enter the names and e-mail addresses of reference letter writers via the Graduate Division’s Supplemental Documents upload site. Your letter writers will submit their confidential letters directly to the Graduate Division.

When Graduate Division determines that your application is complete, your application will be forwarded to the ICS Department. Note: ICS does not collect the application fee, and thus cannot waive it. You may request a waiver from Graduate Division at [email protected], but they routinely deny such requests.

Minimum Requirements

An applicant may be admitted with a Bachelor’s degree or with an M.S. degree. Applicants with Bachelor’s degrees must satisfy the admission requirements of the ICS master’s program .

The GRE General Test is suggested but not required due to the logistical and financial challenges they pose to some students. If you send them, GRE scores should be sent to us directly from ETS (Institution code: 4867; Department code: 0402) .

International Students

Graduate Division requires that international applicants whose native language is not English take either the TOEFL or the IELTS . More information on the requirements is available on the English Proficiency page of the Graduate Division website . See also additional information for international applicants .

See the prospective FAQ . Questions about submitting an application should be directed to Graduate Division . Questions about the program should be emailed to ICS Graduate Chair .