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Online Master of Science in Computer Science at University of Louisville

The University of Louisville appears in our ranking of the Top 30 Best Online Master’s in Computer Science Degree Programs.

The award-winning faculty and innovative curriculum provide students at the University of Louisville with an educational experience they are unlikely to find anywhere else. The school’s online Master of Science in Computer Science degree is one of the top programs in the field, both nationwide and throughout the state of Kentucky. The school’s J.B Speed School of Engineering has been educating technical professionals since 1924, and students can expect state-of-the-art networking and computer laboratories as well as research and classes taught by internationally recognized faculty.

The online Master of Science in Computer Science program is available for interested students who have a solid technical background but do not necessarily have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering. Students can complete the online degree in as little as two years, and the 30-credit hour curriculum focuses on areas that include electives, analytics, software, foundations, and a project option. In addition, students may also transfer in a maximum of six credit hours of graduate coursework from an accredited academic institution.

Students are required to take online courses in the following subjects:

– Data Mining
– Simulations
– Digital Image Processing
– Experimental Design
– Performance Evaluation
– Numerical Analysis
– Modeling and Analysis
– Internet Applications
– Advanced Databases and Warehouses
– Distributed Systems
– Software Engineering
– Artificial Intelligence
– Introduction to Database
– Computer Networks
– Algorithms
– Automata Theory

Although the online Master of Science in Computer Science is designed for those who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or computer science, the program is also available for those who have other degrees under their belts. More than ever, career-focused individuals with non-computer science backgrounds are seeking to go back to school and earn computer credentials at the graduate level for advancement opportunities or career change.

However, to be admitted, students must have some technical degree or experience relevant to the field. In many cases, non-computer science candidates need to complete undergraduate prerequisites such as Discrete Structures, Program Design, or Survey of Computer Engineering and Computer Science prior to application to the online master’s program.

Located in Louisville, Kentucky, the University of Louisville was founded in 1798. It was the first city-owned public university in the country and one of the first academic institutions west of the Allegheny Mountains. The college’s School of Medicine is nationally known for being the location of the first successful hand transplantation as well as the first completely independent artificial heart transplant surgery. The hospital at the university also takes credit for one of the first blood banks in the U.S. as well as the first civilian ambulance. The university currently offers doctorate degrees in 22 fields of study, master’s degrees in 78 fields of study, and bachelor’s degrees in 70 fields of study. According to U.S. News & World Report’s 2013 edition, the University of Louisville’s undergraduate program is ranked 160th among all universities in the country.

Specifically, the J.B. Speed School of Engineering was founded in 1924 as part of the university using money provided by the James Breckenridge Speed Foundation. The J.B. Speed Scientific School officially changed its name to the J.B. Speed School of Engineering in 2004, and the school is known by locals and students as “Speed School” or simply “Speed.”

University of Louisville Accreditation Details

The University of Louisville is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the regional body responsible for the accreditation of degree-granting academic institution in the southern United States. Regardless of the mode of delivery, whether courses are delivered online or on-campus, the SACS Principles of Accreditation apply to each academic degree. Those who are seeking an online Master of Science in Computer Science from the University of Louisville will appreciate this fact as one of the requirements for continued accreditation is that the school must ensure that all distance education programs comply with these principles.

University of Louisville Application Requirements

Application requirements for the University of Louisville vary depending on the student’s individual situation. Admission requirements are different for graduate and undergraduate students as well as for specific programs. Students seeking an online Master of Science in Computer Science must provide the following:

– Official transcripts of all graduate and undergraduate work
– Evidence of a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
– $60 non-refundable application fee
– Completed application for admission
– Two recommendation forms
– Minimum test scores of 1000 on the old scale of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or 295 on the new, revised scale that combines Quantitative and Verbal scores

Application deadlines are December 1 for the spring semester, April 1 for the summer semester, and July 1 for the fall semester.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition rates for the online Master of Science in Computer Science at the University of Louisville is the same for both out-of-state and in-state online students: $714 per credit hour. However, active-duty service members or members of the National Reserve or Kentucky National Guard may be eligible for the school’s discounted tuition rate of $250 per credit hour. These tuition rates only apply to online courses and may be different than tuition costs for other on-campus courses that might be required of the student.

However, financial aid is available for qualified students, even individuals seeking an online degree. First-time financial aid applicants should assemble their asset and tax information and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to begin the procedure. Once the U.S. Department of Education processes the FAFSA, the student will receive a Student Aid Report. Carefully review the SAR for incorrect information and comments, and if the report is accurate, keep the document in a safe place.

From desktops at work and home to larger computer systems supporting industries and governments as well as networked processor grids that expand the frontiers of technology and science, computers are a core part of virtually every aspect of life today. Not surprisingly, those with a degree in computer science from the University of Louisville often find employment in a variety of environments, including government, academia, certain industries and businesses, and electronic and computer product manufacturing.