With today’s ever-changing technology, there is no better time to begin your studies at one of the many accredited computer science degree programs in Texas.  Texas ranks among the nation’s top five states for the number of employed computer systems analysts, computer programmers, database administrators, and software developers, according to a 2013 report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Students who want to start their computer science careers in this prosperous setting can choose from one of six Texas colleges and universities currently offering baccalaureate and graduate degrees in the field. To see more accredited computer science degree programs in Texas, visit Computer Science Degree Programs in Texas (T) and Computer Science Degree Programs in Texas (U-Z).

Baylor University

School of Engineering and Computer Science

A nationally ranked research institution, Baylor is the state’s oldest continuously operating university. The school is a private Christian university located on a 1000-acre campus on the Brazos River in Waco. About 15,000 enrolled students can choose from 144 undergraduate degree programs, 74 master’s programs, and 34 doctoral programs.

Baylor has been honored with many national awards over the years. U.S. News and World Report ranked the school as a top-tier national university. The institution placed 54th in the nation on Kiplinger’s 2013-14 list of Best Values in Private Colleges.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Baylor’s computer science program is designed to give students an in-depth look at advanced computer science topics and a solid mathematical and scientific focus. Students can select a traditional computer science focus, or they can choose to pursue a concentration in gaming or software engineering.

Typical coursework includes classes in numerical methods, data structures, programming languages, and computer algorithms with engineering applications, or introduction to operating systems. Students focusing on gaming will take related classes like gaming platform frameworks. If you are interested in a software engineering career, you can choose classes like principles in software design.

As seniors, students can expect to take a semester-long capstone design course in which they apply what they have learned to produce a final project. Students are asked to design a computing system or a gaming system and to present oral and written technical presentations on their work.

Master of Science in Computer Science

A complete evaluation is made of every student applicant because only those who are expected to finish this program are enrolled with financial aid. Students should have an undergraduate background that includes preparation similar to Baylor’s program, with courses in linear algebra and calculus II. Students without the proper preparation must meet those requirements before beginning master’s level work.

Master’s candidates will take 15 semester hours in advanced level courses, covering such topics as advanced operating systems, data models, multimedia systems, analytic models, and data analysis. Students can choose to complete either a master’s thesis or a final project. A graduate advisory committee is appointed to monitor each student’s progress in the program.

Accreditation

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)

Contact

Baylor School of Engineering & Computer Science
One Bear Place #97356
Waco, TX 76798-7356
Phone: (254 710-3871
http://www.ecs.baylor.edu/computer_science/

Lamar University

College of Arts and Sciences

Founded as a junior college in 1923, Lamar has long been known for its emphasis on science, engineering, and technology. The institution is located on a 270-acre campus in Beaumont, not far from the Louisiana border. About 14,000 students from the United States and 52 other countries are enrolled there.

One of the state’s fastest growing schools, Lamar is part of the Texas State University System. The school offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university received national recognition for the quality of its core curriculum in a 2010 study by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

The goal of Lamar’s computer science program is to prepare graduates for professional careers as computer scientists or for graduate work in the field. The degree program is structured to blend classic computer science learning with the study of software design and programming skills. Students are required to complete broad-based requirements, including 48 hours in computer science, 12 hours in laboratory science, 20 hours in math, and four hours in electrical engineering.

A typical four-year program includes classes in computer networks, programming languages, linear algebra, software engineering, data mining and bioinformatics, and data structures and algorithm analysis. During the semester in which they plan to graduate, every student must take the ETS Computer Science Field Exam.

Master of Science in Computer Science

With a combination of classes, laboratory work, and research, the master’s program aims to produce graduates who can step into roles as professional computer scientists in areas such as networking, intelligent systems, and database design. The program has been structured to allow those without a computer science background to still be able to finish the program in two years.

The master’s program requires no less than 28 hours of computer science coursework with a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 in all computer science classes. Students can expect to take classes in subjects like artificial intelligence, graphics, simulation and modeling, software engineering, database, and architecture/algorithms. Students must either complete a thesis or a final project.

Before beginning master’s coursework, students must be able to show they are competent in undergraduate computer science learning. To be granted admission to the program, students should have a minimum combined score of more than 1000 on the quantitative and verbal sections of the GRE, with no less than 680 on the quantitative section.

Accreditation

  • Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET)

Contact

Lamar University Department of Computer Science
P.O. Box 10056
Beaumont, TX 77710
Phone: (409) 880-8775
Email: cs@lamar.edu
http://cs.lamar.edu

Prairie View A&M University

Roy G. Perry College of Engineering

Founded after the Civil War, Prairie View A&M University was the first state-supported Texas college for African Americans. It is the second-oldest public institution for higher education in the state and is part of the Texas A&M University system.

Prairie View offers 50 undergraduate majors, 37 master’s programs, and four doctorate degrees. Enrollment stands at about 8000 students, and more than 46,000 academic degrees have been conferred in the school’s long history. Thousands of successful African American educators, engineers, and nurses count the college as their alma mater.

The school was honored by Money Magazine in 2014 as one of the nation’s “best colleges for your money,” scoring in the top 25 percent of 1500 colleges ranked for their educational quality, alumni earnings, and affordability.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

The computer science program’s goals are to produce graduates who have successful computer science careers, who are prepared for advanced degree programs, who value the importance of lifelong learning, and who understand their professional and ethical responsibilities in the world.

Computer science students take core courses in subjects like history, technical writing, composition, and creative arts. Graduates also must successfully complete specialized classes in computer science, data structures, computer networks, and programming languages. A senior design project is included in the degree program. Many students also have opportunities for cooperative education programs and internships.

The computer science facilities include six research laboratories. Faculty and students currently conduct research in a variety of areas, including computer visualization, bioinformatics, database management, radio frequency identification, and smart device and smart systems.

Master of Science in Computer Science

The master’s program in computer science requires 36 credit hours of study and can be completed in two years. Students may choose either to complete a master’s thesis or to produce a master’s project.

Successful diploma candidates must have a grade of “B” or above in all core courses. Students choose from advanced-level classes in topics like fundamentals of programming languages, advanced computer architecture, design and analysis of algorithms, advanced operating systems, and advanced database management.

To be admitted to the master’s program, students must have a GPA of 3.0 or above as well as a minimum GRE combined verbal and quantitative test score of 900. Students may be granted provisional graduate degree status under certain other conditions. The school also requires students to have a computer science background that is equivalent in nature to its undergraduate program, with classes in topics like linear algebra, data structures, and calculus II.

Accreditation

  • Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology

Contact

Prairie View A&M University
100 University Dr,
Prairie View, TX 77446
Phone: (936) 261-3311
http://www.pvamu.edu/

Sam Houston State University

College of Sciences

The third oldest public university in the state, Sam Houston State University has more than 18,000 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. The university was founded in 1879 as a teacher training school. Today it offers more than 80 undergraduate degrees today, 54 master’s programs, and six doctorate degrees in a wide range of disciplines. The school also has undergraduate and graduate online degrees in 20 different areas.

Sam Houston State’s campus is located in the eastern Texas town of Huntsville, about an hour north of Houston. The institution has received a number of honors, including an “Innovative Technology” award by the Wall Street Journal for its funded research.

Bachelor of Science in Computing Science

When students enroll in the computer science program, they will find a school with hands-on learning, small class sizes, and knowledgeable faculty. The university provides students with access to a large number of laboratories as well as varied operating systems, programming languages, application packages, and network protocols.

Bachelor’s graduates must complete 44 credit hours of computing science classes, with individual requirements based on their area of focus. Students may decide to concentrate on computing science, information assurance, or information systems. Typical classes may include computer components, data structures, software engineering, and programming and algorithms. Depending on the area of focus, students also may choose courses like game design, visual programming, web technologies, or computer graphics.

Accreditation

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology

Contact

Sam Houston State University
Undergraduate Admissions Office
Sam Houston State University
Box 2418
Huntsville TX 77341-2418
Phone: (936) 294-1111 or (866) BEARKAT
http://www.shsu.edu/

Southern Methodist University

Lyle School of Engineering

Southern Methodist University is a private research institution founded in 1911 by what is now the United Methodist Church. The university’s main campus, located north of Dallas in University Park, has 101 buildings on 237 acres. The school also has branch locations in Plano, Texas, and Taos, New Mexico.

About 11,000 students are enrolled at Southern Methodist, including 6300 undergraduates. The university has seven degree-granting schools offering degrees in areas such as business, law, the arts, theology, and engineering. The institution is known for its distinguished academics, ranking 60th among national universities by U.S. News & World Report in 2014.

Master of Science in Computer Science

Southern Methodist’s engineering programs aim to educate graduates not only about traditional engineering studies, but also about leadership, technology, management and entrepreneurship.

In the master’s program, students are required either to complete a thesis or to take extra credit hours in an area of concentration. With a thesis, a supervisory committee judges the final thesis on its technical merit, presentation, and originality. If students instead choose an area of concentration, they will take additional classes focusing on software, computer architecture or algorithms. Every student can expect to take classes in file organization and database management, algorithm engineering, operating systems and systems software.

Program applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field where they earned at least a 3.0 GPA in their junior and senior years. Students should be knowledgeable about bachelor’s level topics including data structures, programming languages, algorithm fundamentals, and digital computer design.

Ph.D. in Computer Science

The computer science doctorate program requires students to demonstrate a mastery of computer science topics and to conduct original research efforts in the field. New students are assigned a faculty academic adviser who can recommend appropriate courses needed to conduct research.

In addition to advanced coursework, doctoral students must pass both a written qualifying exam and an oral examination conducted by staff members. Computer science doctoral candidates also must develop a dissertation based on original research, focusing on basic scientific research, creative design, or engineering research. A successful oral dissertation defense is the final step in the process before a doctorate degree is conferred.

Accreditation

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology

Contact

Southern Methodist University
Lyle School of Engineering
3101 Dyer Street
Dallas, TX 75205
Phone: (214) 768-2000
Email: dean@lyle.smu.edu
http://www.smu.edu/

Stephen F. Austin State University

College of Sciences and Mathematics

Founded as a teachers’ college in 1923, Stephen F. Austin State University is an independent, public institution located in the eastern Texas town of Nacogdoches. Named for Texas founding father Stephen Austin, the school is located on part of the homestead of state founding father Thomas Jefferson Rusk.

About 12,800 students are enrolled at the university. In addition to its 430-acre campus, the institution has an equine center, an observatory, and an agricultural research center for beef, poultry, and swine production. The university offers more than 80 undergraduate degrees, 60 graduate programs, and three doctorate degrees.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

The goal of Stephen F. Austin’s computer science program is to combine a broad-based education with the kind of in-depth training that is an essential foundation in the professional workplace. The program accomplishes this by providing all students with academic preparation in mathematics, natural science and computer science.

Students are asked to select from such class topics as computer programming principles, data structures, software engineering, algorithm analysis, network administration, and computer graphics. General core courses in English, history, and art also are among the degree requirements. Credit hours also may be granted for supervised internship experiences.

Accreditation

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)

Contact

Stephen F. Austin State University
College of Sciences and Mathematics
P.O. Box 13061 SFA Station
Nacogdoches, TX 75962-3061
Phone: (936) 468-3902
cosmadvising@sfasu.edu
http://cosm.sfasu.edu/home

The job forecast is sunny for today’s Texas computer science students. With so many fine accredited computer science degree programs in Texas, new graduates should be able to get the training needed to compete in the industry’s marketplace.