Master of Science in Computer Science

All graduate degrees

With a master’s degree in computer science from Southern Adventist University, you are positioned for success in a cutting-edge field.

  • Career advancement:  Graduates are prepared for expanded job responsibility and administrative roles.
  • Earn more:  Graduates can expect to earn up to an additional $12,000 to $20,000 annually, since most finish the program with the equivalent of five years of work experience.
  • Southern advantages:  With the fastest internet service in the country, Chattanooga is a magnet for tech startups and innovative companies. Many computer science students land well-paying internships before graduation.
  • Excellent faculty:  Our highly qualified faculty members have expertise in computer engineering, computer science, and computer information systems.

Eligibility

  • Bachelor's degree:  Bachelor’s degree in computer science from an ABET-accredited program (or by permission of the School of Computing)
  • GPA requirement:  Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0

Admission process

  1. Graduate application:  Submit a graduate application (with non-refundable fee of $40). Apply now
  2. Transcripts:  Submit official college and university transcripts. Many institutions subscribe to the convenient transcript-request service at National Student Clearinghouse, or you may also contact your institution directly. Have your transcripts sent to Melodie Lopez in the Graduate Studies office (malopez@southern.edu). If you earned your prerequisite degree at Southern, you do not need to complete this step. 
  3. Recommendations:  Submit two recommendation forms (completed by work supervisors or professors). This should be done as part of the online application process, or Download form
  4. Resumé:  Submit your current resumé through your Application Status Page.

Application deadlines

Term U.S. Residents International
Fall July 1 May 1
Winter November 1 September 1
Summer April 1 February 1

International students

Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States are considered international students and must meet additional requirements for admission.

  • View international-student admission requirements »

    1. Applicants from non-English institutions must submit certified English translations and evaluations of official university records, including demonstration of the equivalency of a bachelor's degree.
      Transcript evaluations must be submitted directly to Southern from one of the following agencies:
    2. Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must demonstrate English proficiency.
      Unless an applicant is a native English speaker or received the college/university degree from an English-medium institution, s/he must have a minimum TOEFL score of 100. TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test date. Learn more at ets.org/toefl »

    3. Submit Declaration of Finances.
      International students must have financial resources sufficient to support themselves for the calendar year, in addition to an international-student deposit of $3,000 (USD). Download Form
      • To be issued an I-20 Form, students must also provide a letter from financial sponsors (including their name and address), as well as copies of bank statements for the last three months showing the balance history for the student's account or the financial sponsor's account.

International students who will be coming to Southern's campus need some additional information about travel documents and living on campus.

More Information

Course guide

Select an emphasis:

Computer Science Emphasis

Computer Science

Embedded Systems

core courses Credits
  CPHE 533 Advanced Computer Architecture  3
  CPTR 511 Testing and Quality Assurance 3
  CPTR 531 Algorithms 3
  CPTR 542 Advanced Network Security 3
  CPTR 571 System Software and Architecture 3
  CPHE 575 Issues in Computer Science and Religion 3
Core Total   18
EMPHASIS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE Credits
  CPTR Electives—may include CPHE 3 hours (see Elective Courses below) 9
  CPTR 598 Project (may be taken in increments of 1-6 hours) 6
or CPTR 599 Thesis (may be taken in increments of 1-6 hours) 6
Computer Science Emphasis Total   15
  Total   33
ELECTIVE courses Credits
  CPHE 505 Transition Course  3
  CPHE 546 Embedded Systems in Robotics and Automation 3
  CPHE 554 Advanced Digital Signal Processing 3
  CPHE 564 Real-time Embedded Systems 3
  CPHE 593 Topics 3
  CPHE 595 Independent Study 3
  CPTR 505 Transition Course 3
  CPTR 521 Advanced Database Systems 3
  CPTR 551 Parallel and Distributed Systems 3
  CPTR 553 Advanced Software Engineering 3
  CPTR 593 Topics 3
  CPTR 595 Independent Study 3
core courses Credits
  CPHE 533 Advanced Computer Architecture  3
  CPTR 511 Testing and Quality Assurance 3
  CPTR 531 Algorithms 3
  CPTR 542 Advanced Network Security 3
  CPTR 571 System Software and Architecture 3
  CPHE 575 Issues in Computer Science and Religion 3
Core Total   18
EMPHASIS IN EMBEDDED SYSTEMS Credits
  CPHE 564 Real-time Embedded Systems 3
  CPHE Electives—may include CPTR 3 hours (see Elective Courses below) 6
  CPHE 598 Project (may be taken in increments of 1-6 hours) 6
or CPHE 599 Thesis (may be taken in increments of 1-6 hours) 6
Embedded Systems Emphasis Total   15
  Total   33
Elective Courses Credits
  CPHE 505 Transition Course  3
  CPHE 546 Embedded Systems in Robotics and Automation 3
  CPHE 554 Advanced Digital Signal Processing 3
  CPHE 593 Topics 3
  CPHE 595 Independent Study 3
  CPTR 505 Transition Course 3
  CPTR 521 Advanced Database Systems 3
  CPTR 551 Parallel and Distributed Systems 3
  CPTR 553 Advanced Software Engineering 3
  CPTR 593 Topics 3
  CPTR 595 Independent Study 3

Faculty

Rick Halterman
Rick Halterman

Dean
halterman@southern.edu
423.236.2871

Scot Anderson
Scot Anderson

Professor
scot@southern.edu
423.236.2938

Tyson Hall
Tyson Hall

Professor
tyson@southern.edu
423.236.2916

Get started

I welcome your email or call if you have any questions about a graduate degree in computer science at Southern. It would be a pleasure to help you, and I look forward to working with you.

Tyson Hall

Program Coordinator
tyson@southern.edu
423.236.2916

Graduate calendar

View entire Academic Calendar  

FEBRUARY
 10 MSW Information Session
 15 Campus Research Day Registration
 15 International Student Event, 2p Wright Hall
 28 Mid-Term Ends

 

MARCH
 1-8 Spring Break
 8 University Offices Closed
 10 MSW Information Session
 25 S19 Online Registration Opens
 25 F19 Registration Opens for Current Students

 

APRIL
 1 May Graduates Deadline for Incompletes
 7 MSW Information Session
 8 F19 Registration Opens for New Students
 20 SonRise Resurrection Pageant
 21 McKee Library Closed
 29 Semester Exams Begin

 

MAY
 3-5 Graduation Weekend

 

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