Oklahoma State University

How this program compares

Benchmark this program against our national recognition pages and use the key guides below to evaluate ROI, admissions difficulty, and outcomes.

Admission Snapshot

Typical admitted student: Bachelor's degree with 'B' average or better in last two years of undergraduate study required. Undergraduate major in CS or significant related coursework required. Completion of 8-hour calculus sequence required. Official GRE Verbal and Quantitative scores required. English language proficiency required for international students. Fall deadline: April 1; Spring deadline: September 1.

About This Program

Oklahoma State University's MSCS program is housed in the Department of Computer Science in Stillwater, OK. The program provides both thesis (research track) and non-thesis paths, with strong foundations in systems, algorithms, and formal methods supplemented by research-active faculty in AI, ML, data mining, and computer vision. OSU's location in Stillwater gives graduates access to energy-sector, aerospace, and regional tech employers.

Career Outcomes

Thesis or non-thesis MSCS at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater with core systems foundations (OS, algorithms, computer organization, formal languages) and elective depth in AI, ML, and data science.

• 1. Software Engineer
• 2. ML / AI Engineer
• 3. Data Scientist
• 4. Systems Engineer
• 5. Research Scientist

What You'll Learn

• Build deep foundations in computer organization, formal languages, operating systems, and algorithm analysis.
• Select electives in AI, machine learning, data mining, computer vision, bioinformatics, or network security.
• Complete thesis research with faculty mentorship (thesis track) or breadth-focused coursework (non-thesis).
• Develop skills for systems, research, and applied AI roles across industries.

Curriculum Highlights

The MS in Computer Science at Oklahoma State University is offered by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences. The program offers two options: Thesis (30 credit hours) and Non-Thesis (33 credit hours). Both require 12 hours of core courses: CS 5113 Computer Organization and Architecture, CS 5313 Formal Language Theory, CS 5323 Design and Implementation of Operating Systems II, and CS 5413 Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis II. The thesis option adds 12 elective hours (9 must be CS) plus 6 thesis hours. The non-thesis option requires 21 elective hours (15 must be CS). The department's research areas include artificial intelligence, machine learning, data mining, bioinformatics, computer vision, and network security, with elective courses available in these areas. Catalog: catalog.okstate.edu.

Top Employers

Oklahoma energy sector (ConocoPhillips, Devon Energy), aerospace and defense firms, regional banking and insurance technology; verify current employer engagement through OSU career resources.

Admissions

Bachelor's degree with 'B' average or better in last two years of undergraduate study required. Undergraduate major in CS or significant related coursework required. Completion of 8-hour calculus sequence required. Official GRE Verbal and Quantitative scores required. English language proficiency required for international students. Fall deadline: April 1; Spring deadline: September 1.

Application Materials

• GRE General: Required (Verbal and Quantitative)
• Official Transcripts: Required
• Letters of Recommendation: Standard requirement
• Statement of Purpose: Required
• English Proficiency: Required for international applicants
• Application: Via OSU Graduate College portal

Academic Requirements

• Degree Required: Bachelor's in CS or closely related; B average or better in last 2 years
• GRE/GMAT: Required
• Calculus: 8-hour calculus sequence required
• TOEFL/IELTS: Required for international applicants