Our Graduate Degrees & Programs

Traditional MS/PhD

The Department of Computer Sciences offers the Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Sciences. Research specialty areas include artificial intelligence, computational biology, computer architecture, computer graphics, computer networks, computer security, database systems, human–computer interaction, numerical analysis, optimization, performance analysis, programming languages and compilers, systems research, and theoretical computer sciences.

• Admissions
  • Admissions questions: admissions@cs.wisc.edu
• Program Details
  • PhD program questions: thorp@cs.wisc.edu
  • MS program questions: stolbov@wisc.edu

Professional Master’s CS

The program is designed for professionals who want to pursue an MS degree for more specific CS education, to obtain cutting edge knowledge in the fast-moving field of IT, apply what they’ve learned in their jobs, and who seek career advancement. Students in the program earn an MS degree within two years and can take coursework in many areas: artificial intelligence, computational biology, computer architecture, computer graphics, computer networks, computer security, database systems, human–computer interaction, numerical analysis, optimization, performance analysis, programming languages and compilers, systems research, and theoretical computer sciences.

• Admissions
• Program Details
• Admissions & program questions: pmp-admissions@cs.wisc.edu

Professional Capstone Certificate

If you have obtained a bachelor’s degree in a field other than computer science but now want to learn the fundamentals of computer science so that you can apply for software developer jobs, the Professional Capstone Certificate Program is for you. Students generally use this program to gain introductory computational skills to transfer into a more technical position, use for promotion, or as a way to prepare for a graduate program like the Professional Master’s Program.

• Admissions
• Program Details
• Admission & program questions: pcp-admissions@cs.wisc.edu

MS – Data Engineering

The MS in Data Engineering program focuses on the principles and practices of managing data at scale. It emphasizes the valid and efficient collection, storage, management, and processing of datasets to support computation and data driven systems important to data science and data analytics functions. Given the increasing amounts of data being generated and processed daily, almost all industries need data engineers to build and maintain robust data-handling systems. There is a strong workforce demand for data engineering expertise.

• Admissions
• Program Details
• Admissions & program questions: csdataeng@cs.wisc.edu

MS – Data Science (MDS)

The MS Data Science is a joint professional program between the Statistics and Computer Sciences Departments and is administered by the Statistics Department.  The program provides students with abilities in computational and statistical thinking and skills, which may be combined with domain knowledge to address data-rich problems from diverse fields and various industries. Graduates will acquire data science competencies to think critically about data, and to manage, process, model and analyze data to obtain meaning and knowledge, and further to use data in responsible, ethical ways. The curriculum addresses emerging, and rapidly growing areas of applied statistical and computing research and practice. Graduates seek employment as data analysts and data scientists or pursue further education in data science, statistics, computer science, or related quantitative and computational fields.

• Admissions
• Program Details
• Admissions & program questions: msdatascience@stat.wisc.edu

Mad UX (User Experience Design Capstone Certificate)

This is a joint program between the Computer Sciences Department and the Information School and is administered by the Information School. Students gain introductory through intermediate user experience skills to plan, design, and assess innovative digital user experiences via digital applications and media. You can complete the certificate entirely online, within one calendar year allowing for balance of your education, work and life.

• Admissions
• Current Students
• Admissions & program questions: userexperience@ischool.wisc.edu

Graduate PhD Minor

Graduate students in other PhD programs at UW–Madison who plan to minor in computer sciences should consult with a member of the Computer Sciences Graduate Advising Committee early in their graduate program to ensure acceptance of the minor program. To obtain a doctoral minor, students must earn at least 9 credit hours in computer sciences courses, as well as fulfill other requirements of the minor.

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