University of Colorado Denver

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 in computer science or closely related field required. Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better (last 60 credits) required for regular admission. Prerequisites typically include programming in a high-level language, data structures and algorithms, calculus (at least through Calculus II), and discrete mathematics. GRE General Test: policy varies—check CU Denver CS department admissions page for current requirements. International applicants: TOEFL 75 iBT or IELTS 6.5 minimum. Fall application deadline: April 1; Spring: November 1 (verify current dates at ucdenver.edu/grad).

About This Program

The University of Colorado Denver's MSCS is housed in the College of Engineering, Design and Computing on the downtown Auraria Campus—one mile from Denver's financial district and central business technology cluster. The program is well-positioned for students seeking access to Denver's energy, healthcare IT, fintech, and startup ecosystem while earning a degree from the CU system. Both thesis (research) and non-thesis (professional) tracks are available, and the department's faculty maintain active research programs in AI, machine learning, database systems, and high-performance computing.

Career Outcomes

Flexible 30-credit MSCS at University of Colorado Denver on the downtown Auraria campus, with specialization areas in AI/ML, data science, software engineering, and cybersecurity—steps from Denver's financial, healthcare, and energy tech employers.

• 1. Software Engineer
• 2. Data Scientist
• 3. ML / AI Engineer
• 4. Cybersecurity Analyst
• 5. Full-Stack Developer

What You'll Learn

• Complete 30 credits with a required algorithms core, then specialize through AI/ML, data science, or systems electives.
• Apply knowledge to Denver's employer ecosystem in energy technology, healthcare IT, financial services, and software.
• Pursue thesis research with faculty mentorship or complete the non-thesis track with a comprehensive exam or capstone project.
• Build a technical portfolio leveraging downtown Denver's proximity to industry partners and internship opportunities.

Curriculum Highlights

The MS in Computer Science at the University of Colorado Denver is administered by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering in the College of Engineering, Design and Computing, located on the Auraria Campus in Denver, CO. The program requires 30 credit hours. Students choose one of two tracks: thesis track (24 course credits + 6 thesis credits, CSCI 6950) or non-thesis track (30 course credits + comprehensive examination). Core required courses typically include graduate algorithms (CSCI 5654 or equivalent) and graduate-level systems or theory coverage. Elective areas span artificial intelligence, machine learning, data mining, natural language processing, database systems, distributed systems, cybersecurity, and software engineering. Students in the non-thesis track often complete a graduate project as a capstone substitute. Catalog: catalog.ucdenver.edu.

Top Employers

Lockheed Martin Space, DaVita, Dish Network / EchoStar, Centura Health, Antero Resources, Denver fintech and healthtech startups; verify current employer engagement through CU Denver Career Services.

Admissions

Bachelor's degree in computer science or closely related field required. Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better (last 60 credits) required for regular admission. Prerequisites typically include programming in a high-level language, data structures and algorithms, calculus (at least through Calculus II), and discrete mathematics. GRE General Test: policy varies—check CU Denver CS department admissions page for current requirements. International applicants: TOEFL 75 iBT or IELTS 6.5 minimum. Fall application deadline: April 1; Spring: November 1 (verify current dates at ucdenver.edu/grad).

Application Materials

• Official Transcripts: Required from all institutions
• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Letters of Recommendation: Three required
• CV/Resume: Required
• GRE General Test: Verify current requirement with department
• English Proficiency: TOEFL 75+ iBT or IELTS 6.5+ for international applicants
• Application: Via CU Denver Graduate School portal

Academic Requirements

• Degree Required: Bachelor's in CS or related; 3.0 GPA (last 60 credits)
• Prerequisites: Programming, data structures, calculus, discrete math
• GRE/GMAT: Verify current policy
• TOEFL/IELTS: Required for international applicants