Known as the Centennial State, Colorado is one of the largest states in the Midwest and students will find a number of accredited computer science degree programs in Colorado. With a population of more than four million people, Colorado ranks as the 24th largest state in the country in terms of population, and the state is home to a number of both smaller towns and larger cities, including its capital city of Denver. Several of the top colleges in the state offer computer science programs that let students earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in this growing field. To see the second list for accredited computer science degrees in Colorado, visit Computer Science Degree Programs in Colorado (S-Z).

Colorado School of Mines

College of Engineering and Computational Sciences

Established in the early 1870s, Colorado School of Mines is one of the oldest colleges in the state. Ranked as one of the top 40 public schools in the country, it also ranks in the top 60 engineering graduate schools. Located in Golden, Colorado, the school focuses on programs in computer sciences and information technology.

The College of Engineering and Computational Sciences launched in 2011. Prior to the formation of that school, the college had no separate schools for various programs. That department is now home to more than 2,000 students and over 70 professors. This new program hopes to prepare students for working in computer fields after graduation.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Computer science is one of the fastest growing fields in the world, and the Colorado School of Mines wants to prepare those students with programs that will teach them the fundamentals that they need later. The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program is a four-year program offered by the school that combines computer science classes with general education programs.  During the first year of the program, students will take calculus, physics, design, programming and introduction classes. Students then take more complicated classes during their second year, including algorithms, elements of computing systems, statistics and software engineering. Classes available for third and fourth year students include advanced classes in programming and sciences. In addition to general education and computer science classes, students also take a number of elective courses to reach the credit hours necessary for graduation. Some of those courses include seminars and internships that let students work off campus.

Master of Science in Computer Science

The College of Engineering and Computational Sciences offers a graduate degree program that lets students earn a Master of Science in Computer Science. Specifically designed for students interested in solving real life problems with computers, the program is suitable for those currently working in the field and recent graduates from the Colorado School of Mines and other programs across the country.  Unlike the undergraduate program, the graduate program ensures that students understand the practical aspects of working with computers. They will take the skills they have and the skills they learn in the program to create a thesis project that shows their understanding of the topic. As with many of the accredited computer science degree programs in Colorado, the Colorado School of Mines program teaches students new skills through classes and seminars that include computer graphics, data compression, visualization, high performance computing, computational geometry and topology, multimedia systems and applied algorithms.

Minor in Computer Science

In addition to both graduate and undergraduate programs, the Colorado School of Mines also offers a minor in computer science. This is a good option for students interested in the field who do not want to devote their full studies to the topic. When enrolling in the college, students must declare a major and minor during their first year, but they do have the chance to change their listed studies at any point throughout their studies.  A minor in computer science gives a student the chance to study a field that interests them, including mechanical engineering, applied mathematics and statistics or civil and environmental engineering. While they focus on courses specifically related to their chosen field, they also take several courses in computer sciences. After declaring a minor in computer sciences, students can take many of the same classes as those with a major in computer sciences do, including programming and design.

PhD in Computer Science

The Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science is a program designed for students who completed an M.S. degree at the Colorado School of Mines or another college. The PhD program received wide acclaim from some of the leading publications in the world, and it ranks as one of the best programs of its type in the country. Unlike other programs that require students take a number of specific classes, this program focuses on teaching students how to learn on their own time.  Independent study is an important part of the PhD program. Students come up with a topic they want to study, write out a report on that topic and submit it to the school. The school will determine if the topic is suitable for a study, and the student will earn credit after completing that study. The Colorado School of Mines also offers several fellowship programs that let students make money teaching computer science courses and researching different topics.

Accreditations

  • Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
  • Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association (NCA)

Contact Information

1500 Illinois St.
Golden, CO 80401
303-273-3000
whereman@mines.edu

Website

Colorado State University

College of Natural Science

Colorado State University opened its doors in 1870, and the campus is now home to more than 31,000 students and 1,400 faculty members. Designed as a public research facility, the college trains students on the importance of researching various topics and using their research skills to form a better understanding of the topic at hand.

The College of Natural Sciences boasts one of the highest numbers of students of any department on campus. More than 3,600 students enroll in this department every year. Colorado State University ranks as one of the best colleges in the country, and it is home to one of the top computer science programs in the nation as well.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Designed to help students understand how computers work, the undergraduate computer science degree program at Colorado State University is a hands on and interactive program. All students must take a number of lower level courses during their first two years of studies, which include 100 level and 200 level computing courses. Students also take a number of mathematics classes and statistics courses, and every student enrolled in the program will also have the option to take a few electives.  In addition to courses on theory and practice, students will actually spend some time working with computers and learning how to make simple and more serious repairs to different operating systems. The undergraduate program also prepares students for working in the healthcare field and in other industries. Specifically designed for those who will one day use and work with computers on a daily basis, the program offers students a basic understanding of the field.

Master of Science in Computer Science

The Computer Science Department also offers a Master of Science in Computer Science. Though similar to an MOS degree, this program focuses on preparing students for repairing and working with computers after graduation. Students learn the theory behind how computers work, the basics of different operating systems and how different industries use those operating systems. New students will take some courses to ensure they’re prepared for their studies ahead, while second year students take more advanced courses.

Acceptance into the program depends on the student’s references, coursework, and scores on the GRE. The General Records Examination is an exam designed to test an individual’s skills in reading, deductive reasoning, and math. Prospective students must also have an undergraduate degree in computer science or a minor in computer science, and students must take at least 13 courses in statistics, mathematics, and computer science. CSU also requires a minimum grade point average of 3.2.

Master of Computer Science (MOS)

Computer science is a rapidly growing field, and Colorado State University offers several graduate degree programs designed for students who want to remain competitive in the job market. Prior to enrolling in the program, students must take at least 20 credit hours in computer science courses on campus. New graduate students who went to another campus must take those classes before beginning their graduate studies. The Master of Computer Science is a unique program that lets students focus on their studies without taking classes in unrelated fields. Students must complete a thesis project before graduating from the program.

CSU is also one of the only colleges in the country that offer an online graduate degree program in computer science. With this online program, students can complete their degrees from anywhere in the country and even while living in some foreign areas. They talk with other students and complete their coursework online.

PhD in Computer Science

While there are a number of computer science jobs available, competition for those jobs is fierce. Those who want to get ahead in the field need a more advanced degree, and CSU offers those students the chance to complete their PhD degrees. The Doctor of Philosophy program prepares students to work in research fields, including artificial intelligence, computer vision and graphics, data security and privacy, distributed software, and software engineering.

Prospective students must have an undergraduate degree in computer science, a graduate degree in the field and at least 32 credit hours of work done on one of the CSU campuses. Students take several courses on artificial intelligence, systems and software engineering, and information assistance. Students complete a minimum of 36 credit hours before graduating, and students must also take a research examination, which ensures that they learned enough to complete the program. A thesis proposal defense and thesis defense are also mandatory for graduation.

Accreditations

  • Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
  • ABET

Contact Information

279 Computer Science Building
1100 Center Avenue Mall
Fort Collins, CO 80523
970-491-5792
info@cs.colostate.edu
http://www.cs.colostate.edu/cstop/index

Colorado Technical University

Engineering & Computer Science

Colorado Technical University is one of the newer colleges in the state. Established in 1965, the school opened right at a time when researchers and companies discovered the benefits of working with computers. The College of Engineering & Computer Science is one of the more popular departments on campus.

More than 23,000 undergraduate and more than 2,700 graduate students attend classes on campus and off campus every year. The college has its own online program, which ranks as one of the top online masters in computer science degree programs in the country, and it also ranks as one of the best schools for military personnel.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is a 183 credit hour program. Students who successfully complete the program now work as systems and network engineers and in the development field. The program requires completion of core computer courses and general education courses to meet the minimum standards imposed by governing bodies. Those core computer classes include courses on computer architecture, software design, software testing, operating systems, algorithms, networking and fundamentals of database systems. Students take a minimum of 69 credit hours in computer science courses.

While working on their degrees, students will also have the chance to take general education classes and electives. They can choose to focus on electives relating to computers or other electives, including psychology and philosophy. Both on campus and off campus students can complete internships as well. These internships let them earn course credits for computer work that they do for organizations and businesses.

Master of Science in Computer Science

Students with a computer science degree or a degree in a related field can apply for acceptance into the Master of Science in Computer Science program. This program requires that students complete 48 credit hours over the course of several years. All students can decide on a concentration before enrolling in the program or after beginning classes. The general program includes courses on programming and networking that teach students some basic skills. The computer systems security is a unique program that focuses on preparing students for working with the government and private businesses that want to keep their data private and secure.

The database systems concentration includes courses on database administration, warehouses and design. Students can also concentrate on software engineering and take courses on software requirements and computer systems architecture. Before graduating from any of these programs, students must complete a capstone project, which is similar to a thesis.

PhD in Computer Science

The Doctor of Computer Science is available to students who complete an undergraduate and graduate program at Colorado Technical University or another school. Students can choose from one of six concentrations, but all students will still take some of the same courses. The general computer science concentration is a basic program that looks at how computers operate and the differences between operating systems, while the digital database systems concentration focuses on how to keep databases safe.

Information assurance deals with how minor and major problems can impact and entire network, and the program shows students how to look for problems and evaluate different situations. Students can also choose a concentration in big data analytics, emerging media or enterprise information systems. Each of the six concentrations require that students complete 96 hours of coursework and that they complete a large research project or capstone project in their last year of the program.

Accreditations

  • Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
  • ABET

Contact Information

4435 N Chestnut St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
mvogel@ctuonline.edu
855-230-0555
http://www.coloradotech.edu/degrees/studies/engineering-and-computer-science

Metropolitan State University of Denver

School of Letters, Arts, & Sciences

Located in the heart of Denver, the Metropolitan State University of Denver is one of the largest colleges in the state. With more than 500 faculty members working for the school and an undergraduate population of around 24,000 students, the school maintains a low ratio of professors to students. The college also has a campus in Auraria and extended campuses in two other areas of Denver.

The School of Letters, Arts and Sciences is one of the oldest departments on campus. It offers 36 different majors, and students can minor in one of 43 different topics. The Center for Individualized Learning lets students design and build their own degree program.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Metropolitan State University of Denver is home to the Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, which offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. The program has 21 full-time professors, three lecturers and more than 60 part-time professors teaching the students enrolled in the computer science program. Designed for both students planning to enroll in graduate school and those hoping to gain employment after graduation, this program gives students a basic understanding of the operating systems they might work with later and how to identify and find solutions to common problems. More than 300 students enroll in this program every year, and the school has a high graduation rate among its students.

In addition to the basic B.S. in Computer Science, the college also offers an Individualized Degree Program. Students can meet with faculty members and explain what they want to study. This lets students create an extended major that goes beyond a typical computer science degree.

Minor in Computer Science

As some students prefer studying another topic in addition to computers, Metropolitan State University of Denver offers a minor in computer science. Students must meet with their faculty advisors and declare their minor in advance. The computer science minor requires that students take Computer Science 1 and 2 courses and complete 12 semester hours in computer science electives for a total of 20 hours of computer science courses. Students must take the 100 level computer science course before enrolling in the 200 level course. The college also requires that all students receive a grade of C or higher in each class for that course to count towards the total needed. Those who receive a score below a C will need to retake that class. Minoring in computer science is a good option for students interested in pursuing a graduate degree later and those who want to know more about computers in general.

Accreditations

  • Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
  • ABET

Contact Information

890 Auraria Pkwy.
Denver, CO 80204
303-556-4453
fosterjl@msudenver.edu
http://www.msudenver.edu/las/

Regis University

School of Computer & Information Sciences

Established in 1877, Regis University is one of the largest and oldest private colleges located in Colorado. Situated on a gorgeous historic campus, the school is home to a number of organizations and activities for students. For 19 straight years, the college ranked as one of the top colleges in Colorado and as one of the top private institutions in the country.

The School of Computer & Information Sciences located on campus is one of the school’s biggest departments. It is in the top 10-percent of all computer science colleges in the country, according to the National Science Foundation.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

The B.S. in Computer Science degree program available through Regis University is one of the leading programs in the nation. Designed to teach students how to implement new programs, design software, evaluate problems and find solutions to computer troubles, many of its graduates work for some of the best companies in the state and other students work in states all across the country. The program grew from just over 300 students to nearing 500 students in just three years.

Completion of the program requires 45 credit hours in core classes, 35 credit hours in foundation courses and 30 credit hours of upper level courses. Students choosing to minor in mathematics will also need to take a minimum of 12 credit hours in math courses. Regis University also offers a combined undergraduate and graduate degree program that lets students finish a Bachelor and Master of Science in Computer Science at the same time.

Accreditations

  • North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools
  • ABET

Contact Information

3333 Regis Blvd
Denver, CO 80221
archer@regis.edu
800-944-7667
http://www.regis.edu/CPS/Schools/School-of-Computer-and-Information-Sciences.aspx

The top computer science degree programs in Colorado prepare students and teach them the skills they need in their future careers. Students can learn more about repairing computers, using computers in various ways and how the knowledge they have can help them find a job after graduation. The top accredited computer science degree programs in Colorado include a number of private and public schools.