Computer Science Graduate Programs in America

The tech industry is a high-paying, rapidly-growing field. A master's in computer science can set you up for success in many roles. You'll develop foundational skills that qualify you to work in almost any industry. The pivot to digital-first, rise in remote work, and widespread adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) has created a massive demand for computer science professionals in all fields.

Computer Science Graduate Programs

A master's in computer science usually requires 30 to 45 credits and takes an average of two years to finish if you're a full-time student. Your course may or may not require a thesis and may include subjects such as:

• Data science
• Artificial intelligence
• Database and information systems
• Software engineering
• Human and computer interactions
• Scientific computing
• High-performance computing

Career Opportunities With a Master's in Computer Programming

Computer science grad schools can open up numerous opportunities for career advancement. Some of the careers you can choose from include:

Computer network architect

A computer network architect designs data communication systems ranging from small local area networks (LANs) to large networks for entire organizations. Computer network architects are among the highest-paid IT professionals and are in high demand.

Software engineer

Software engineers with a master's degree can work in leadership positions on development teams. As a software engineer, you'll design and develop software using programming languages, frameworks, and architecture. You may also test, improve, and maintain software built by others. You'll consult with stakeholders to understand their needs, write and test code, and optimize software for speed and scalability.

Computer and Information Research Scientists

If you're interested in innovative technology, you might enjoy being a computer and information research scientist. You'll create and design new approaches to computer technology. Computer research scientists analyze problems to develop solutions involving hardware and software. This is a good field for people who thrive in a multidisciplinary environment since you may work with specialists in different fields such as robotics, human-computer interaction, and artificial intelligence.

Information security analyst

Information security analysts work to prevent data breaches. Although all tech fields are growing rapidly, cybersecurity is growing faster than almost any other. The growing threat of cyberattacks and the shortage of tech talent make information security a lucrative field. As an information security analyst, you'll protect your organization's computers, systems, and networks safe from internal and external threats. The consequences of a data breach are wide-ranging and expensive, including legal, civil, monetary, and reputational penalties.

Data scientist

Data scientists solve problems using data. They develop programs and models to reveal patterns and trends in data and use these to increase operational efficiency. Data scientists are skilled in programming languages, data visualization, machine learning, using big data, and communication. If you like working with statistics and discovering patterns, you may enjoy working in data science. Data science is one of the fastest-growing fields in computer science, so you'll be in high demand.

A master's in computer science is a valuable degree with a high return on investment. If you'd like more information about finding a great computer science master's program, check out the rankings on Niche.