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Admission Snapshot
Typical admitted student: Bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, or a closely related quantitative field required. Minimum GPA of 3.0 required. Prerequisites typically include undergraduate algorithms, data structures, calculus, and programming. GRE General Test: verify current policy with SDSU Graduate School; program has operated with flexible requirements. International applicants: TOEFL 71 iBT or IELTS 6.0 minimum. Application deadlines: verify at sdstate.edu/graduate.
About This Program
South Dakota State University's MS in Computer Science offers one of the most affordable routes to a STEM-designated master's in CS in the region. The program is housed at SDSU's Brookings campus, a Land Grant research university with strong interdisciplinary connections to agriculture technology, geospatial science, and biomedical research. Faculty research in AI, geospatial data science, and machine learning gives MSCS students access to applied projects with direct relevance to South Dakota's precision agriculture, healthcare, and banking industries.
Career Outcomes
Affordable 30-credit MSCS at South Dakota State University in Brookings with thesis and non-thesis options, faculty research in AI, geospatial data science, and bioinformatics, and one of the lowest total-cost public MSCS programs in the Great Plains region.
- 1. Software Engineer
- 2. Data Scientist
- 3. ML / AI Engineer
- 4. Geospatial Data Analyst
- 5. Systems Analyst
What You'll Learn
- Complete 30 credits of graduate CS coursework including algorithms, theory, and technical electives at the 500-level.
- Access applied AI projects in precision agriculture, geospatial data analysis, and biomedical data through faculty research labs.
- Complete original research (thesis) or a graduate project/seminar requirement (non-thesis).
- Leverage SDSU's Land Grant research mission for unique interdisciplinary AI applications in agriculture and health.
Curriculum Highlights
The MS in Computer Science at South Dakota State University is offered by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (or as separately organized, verify current department name at catalog.sdstate.edu) in the College of Engineering at Brookings, SD. The program requires 30 credit hours. The thesis option requires 24 course credits plus 6 thesis research credits (MATH/CS 898). The non-thesis option requires 30 course credits including a project or seminar requirement. Core coursework covers advanced algorithms, theory of computation, and approved CS electives at the 500-level and above. Elective areas include AI and machine learning, geospatial data science, database systems, software engineering, and biomedical data analysis. SDSU's strong agricultural research mission creates unique opportunities for AI applications in precision agriculture and remote sensing data analysis. Catalog: catalog.sdstate.edu.
Top Employers
Daktronics (Brookings), Sioux Falls technology and financial sector employers (Wells Fargo Technology, Sanford Health Systems), USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota state government technology agencies; verify through SDSU Career Development Center.
Admissions
Bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, or a closely related quantitative field required. Minimum GPA of 3.0 required. Prerequisites typically include undergraduate algorithms, data structures, calculus, and programming. GRE General Test: verify current policy with SDSU Graduate School; program has operated with flexible requirements. International applicants: TOEFL 71 iBT or IELTS 6.0 minimum. Application deadlines: verify at sdstate.edu/graduate.
Application Materials
- Official Transcripts: Required
- Statement of Purpose: Required
- Letters of Recommendation: Typically three required
- CV/Resume: Required
- GRE General: Verify current policy with program
- English Proficiency: TOEFL 71+ iBT or IELTS 6.0+ for international applicants
- Application: Via SDSU Graduate School portal
Academic Requirements
- Degree Required: Bachelor's in CS, math, or related field; minimum 3.0 GPA
- Prerequisites: Algorithms, data structures, calculus, programming
- GRE/GMAT: Verify current policy
- TOEFL/IELTS: Required for international applicants
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