Since being founded in 1891 as a comprehensive four-year private research institution by noted financier Anthony J. Drexel to provide cooperative education, Drexel University has evolved into a major educational hotspot for downtown Philadelphia with over 25,500 students. Drexel is best known for offering students in its over 170 undergraduate and graduate degree programs the opportunity to obtain 18 months of paid full-time work experience with more than 1,600 corporate partners. In addition to its fully wireless campuses in the “living laboratory” of America’s fifth largest city and satellite location in Sacramento, Drexel has become a leading pioneer in e-learning offering cutting-edge online programs for students around the world.

In addition to being ranked as the 95th best national university, 10th top up-and-coming school, and 18th best college for military veterans in America by the U.S. News and World Report, Drexel has been named among the top 200 universities world in the Times Higher Education. Drexel University has been honored for its technological expertise by winning the Sloan-C “Award for Excellence in Institute-Wide Online Education” and the “21st Century Distance Learning Award” from USDLA. As the country’s third largest engineering school, the Drexel College of Engineering also has been distinguished for hosting the 90th best computer science degrees and 29th best online graduate programs in the United States.

Drexel University Accreditation Details

As Philadelphia’s technological university, Drexel has been fully accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), one of the six regional accrediting bodies approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) for excellence in the Mid-Atlantic. In particular, the College of Engineering that houses all computer science programs has been accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Drexel’s computer science degrees have also been given the stamp of approval through the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) for ABET.

Drexel University Application Requirements

For students seeking admissions into Drexel’s Online Master of Science in Computer Science program, there are a set of strict guidelines that must be met first. All applicants must possess a four-year Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree with a major in computer science, engineering, or closely related physical sciences from a regionally accredited institution. Students must show prerequisite knowledge by having completed courses in computer programming, software design, data structures, discrete mathematics, linear algebra, calculus, algorithms, and artificial intelligence at the undergraduate level.

In order to qualify that applicants are well-equipped for succeeding in the program, Drexel requires that students have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the last two years of college work. Computer science students must have completed the General Aptitude Test for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and present a score in the 50th percentile or higher. International students will have to submit scores from the TOEFL or IELTS exams to display their proficiency of the English language too.

Along with the completed application form, eligible candidates should attach:

• Two signed, sealed professional letters of recommendation
• A current resume highlighting work and extra-curricular experiences
• Official university or college transcripts
• A 500-word personal essay discussing why they wish to pursue the degree

Tuition and Financial Aid

At Drexel University, the current tuition rate of the 2014-15 academic year is $1,123 per credit hour. Since the Master of Science in Computer Science program includes 45 credits, the total expected tuition expenses would be $50,535. On top of this cost, computer science majors should expect to spend about $670 each year on computer fees and at least $450 on textbooks every semester. While this may seem financially overwhelming, Drexel University’s Office of Financial Aid & Assistance offers numerous options to reduce these costs considerably.

Students are asked to submit a correctly completed FAFSA form and the Drexel University Institutional Financial Aid application before posted deadlines to qualify for funding. As an accredited institution, Drexel University is eligible for accepting Federal Perkins loans, Direct loans, Parents PLUS loans, Primary Care loans, and other private loan programs. Although Federal Work-Study is not available to students in online programs, those working at one of Drexel’s partnering companies could receive a healthy tuition reduction.

Both prospective and current students can also apply for a number of different merit or need-based scholarships offered through Drexel University. For instance, the Drexel Dean’s Award is offered to students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who are seeking full-time study at the master’s level. Students who earned their undergraduate degree at Drexel could also qualify for the Grad Grant program, which provides $100 for every credit hour enrolled in for a master’s program. Other financing options could include veteran’s educations benefits, 529 savings plans, and special online tuition plans.

Drexel’s Online Masters in Computer Science

Featuring an intensive career-oriented curriculum, the Online Master of Science in Computer Science program at Drexel University is designed to prepare graduate students for working in in-demand careers on the cutting edge of technology advancements. Through a blend of theory and applied practice, the program helps students develop an in-depth understanding of how to utilize the latest computer tools to solve real-world workforce problems. Many students use this program as a stepping stone into rewarding positions in business, industry, or government as computational scientists, computer specialists, software developers, computer engineers, and software engineers.

From human-computer interaction and cyber security to computer graphics and artificial intelligence systems, the online Masters in Computer Science offers rigorous study covering all of the essential topics needed for today’s practicing technology professionals. In a highly interactive virtual classroom, students are able to engage with colleagues and expert faculty members while maintaining a flexible course schedule. The program is broken down into shorter 10-week modules so that students can stay focused on one topic at a time and take terms off without losing their momentum towards graduation. Students can also choose to follow the Master’s thesis track to conduct research or the non-thesis track with additional electives.

Overall, this program is available conveniently online for students from scientific backgrounds who wish to unlock the highly valued credentials needed for leadership in computational settings. Thanks to the distinguished tradition of leadership and excellence at Drexel University, graduates of the Online Master of Science in Computer Science will enter the workforce well-equipped with the scholarly achievements necessary for advancing their careers.

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