Computer Science Accelerated Master's

Fast-track your graduate studies while obtaining your master’s degree at a lower cost.

With a computerÌýscienceÌýaccelerated masters degree,Ìýstudents working towards a bachelor's degree in computer science throughÌýaÌýBS, BAÌýor a Post BaccÌýcanÌýreceive both a bachelor’s and master's degree in computer science.

For undergraduates this means you can graduate with a bachelor's degree and master's degree in 5 years.

You will receive your bachelor’s degree first but begin taking graduate coursework while pursuingÌýyour bachelor's degree.ÌýThis enables you to fast-track your graduate studies while obtaining your master’s degree at a lower cost. Pursuing a accelerated master'sÌýdegree at Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ allows students to continue working with their established faculty mentors during further graduate studies.

Why computerÌýscience?

A graduate degree in computer science gives you a competitive advantage and prepares you for a wide range of careers in academia and industry. Situated in the high-tech Denver-Boulder corridor, our graduate students partner with established companies as well as start-ups, academia and four national labs found within 30 minutes of campus.

With research focus areas including artificial intelligence, data science and engineering, and human-centered computing, the possibilities are endless.

How do you apply?Ìý

  1. Check your eligibility, including the necessary prerequite courses below. If you have questions on eligibility, please contact your academicÌýadvisor.
  2. ReadÌýinformation on variousÌýMS degree options very carefully before submitting the application.Ìý
  3. Complete the .
  4. Complete the correct departmental application:
    • If you are interested in the research-based option, make sure to collect a letter of support from the faculty that you are planning on doing research with and uplaod that with the Department application form.​
    • If you are a Computer Science BA/BS student submit the .
    • If you are a Post Bacc student submit theÌý.

Contact yourÌýacademic advisor to learn more about BAM andÌýPBAM programs. You are also welcome to contact the graduate program advisor to learn more about the master’s program and to verify your eligibility.

More information about BAM and PBAM programs, policies and forms may be found on theÌýRegistrar’s Office site.

Computer Science BAM curriculum

You may take up to 12 credit hours of graduate-level courses during your undergraduate studies — six of which can be simultaneously applied toward your undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

Any CSCI 5000-level courses open to MS in CS students can be used to double count; the specific classes used to double count are identified by the undergraduate academic advisors in coordination with the curriculum committee and graduate committee.

Eligibility Requirements for all applicants

In order to gain admission to any BAM program housed in Computer Science, all students must meet the following criteria:

  1. Complete all prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of B

If you do not meet these criteria, you must have one letter of reference from a faculty member or your academic advisor outlining why you should be considered. Your letter-writer should send their letter directly to @cs.colorado.edu.

Ìý You must have at least junior class standing.

​Ìý You must have at least a 3.5Ìýcumulative GPA. If you doÌýnot have at least a 3.5Ìýcumulative GPA,Ìýyou must have one letter of reference from a faculty member or your academic advisor outlining why you should be considered. Your letter-writer should send their letter directly toÌýgradadms@colorado.edu.

​Ìý If you are interested in applying to the Research Based MS option, you need a letter of support from the faculty you wish to do your research with. You need to upload that letter with your department application.

Computer Science BS/BAÌýprerequisite classes for Computer Science BAM:

  • CSCI 1300 Computer Science 1: Starting Computing
  • CSCI 2270 Computer Science 2: Data Structures
  • CSCI 2400ÌýComputer Systems
  • CSCI 3104ÌýAlgorithmsÌýor CSCI 3434ÌýTheory of Computation
  • CSCI 3155ÌýPrinciples of Programming LanguagesÌýor CSCI 3753ÌýDesign and Analysis of Operating Systems

Application DeadlinesÌý

  • Oct. 15Ìý- Deadline to apply for spring semester
  • Feb. 28Ìý- Deadline to apply for fall semester

​BAM Continuation

Once admitted to the Bachelor’s-Accelerated Master’s program, complete these items early in the final semester of your bachelor’s degree:Ìý

  • Ìýwith your bachelor's degree.
  • .
  • Ìýto confirm which courses will double-count and which you will use toward the master's degree.

Complete theseÌýstepsÌýby the following deadlines:

  • Feb.Ìý1Ìý- Students graduating in May
  • March 1Ìý-ÌýSudents graduating in August
  • Oct. 1Ìý-ÌýStudents graduating in December

Continuation Requirements

  • Maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA at all times in the BAM program.
  • Apply to graduate at the beginning of the semester in which you will complete the requirements for the BS/BA in CS degree program.
  • Apply to continue with the master’s degree program specified in your BAM application. YouÌýwill be matriculated into that program without further program review.
  • Maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA in the master’s program, including in courses being used towardÌýcompletion of the MS degree.
  • Follow all master’s degree requirements once admitted to the master’s program.

​Ìý You must have at least a 3.5Ìýcumulative GPA. If you doÌýnot have at least a 3.5Ìýcumulative GPA,Ìýyou must have one letter of reference from a faculty member or your academic advisor outlining why you should be considered. Your letter-writer should send their letter directly toÌýgradadms@colorado.edu.

​Ìý If you are interested in applying to the Research Based MS option, you need a letter of support from the faculty you wish to do your research with. You need to upload that letter with your department application.

Computer Science Post BaccÌýprerequisite classes for Computer Science PBAM:

  • CSPBÌý1300 Computer Science 1: Starting Computing
  • CSPBÌý2270 Computer Science 2: Data Structures
  • CSPBÌý2400ÌýComputer Systems
  • CSPBÌý3104ÌýAlgorithms
  • CSPBÌý3155ÌýPrinciples of Programming LanguagesÌýor CSPBÌý3753ÌýDesign and Analysis of Operating Systems

Application DeadlinesÌý

  • Oct. 15Ìý- Deadline to apply for spring semester
  • Feb. 28Ìý- Deadline to apply for fall semester

PBAM Continuation

Once admitted to the PostÌýBacc Accelerated Master’s program, complete these items early in the final semester of yourÌýdegree:Ìý

  • Ìýwith your bachelor's degree.
  • .
  • Ìýto confirm which courses will double-count and which you will use toward the master's degree.

Complete theseÌýstepsÌýby the following deadlines:

  • Feb.Ìý1Ìý- Students graduating in May
  • March 1Ìý-ÌýSudents graduating in August
  • Oct. 1Ìý-ÌýStudents graduating in December

Continuation Requirements

  • Maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA at all times in the PBAM program.
  • Apply to graduate at the beginning of the semester in which you will complete the requirements for the PBAMÌýprogram.
  • Apply to continue with the master’s degree program specified in your PBAM application. YouÌýwill be matriculated into that program without further program review.
  • Maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA in the master’s program, including in courses being used towardÌýcompletion of the MS degree.
  • Follow all master’s degree requirements once admitted to the master’s program.