M.S. Computer Science

Upgrade your organizational impact with a master's in computer science

No ifs, ands or buts -- business depends on technology. Perhaps that explains the high demand for computer science leaders. With an 18 percent projected job growth rate, many organizations (from Fortune 500 companies to startups) need qualified computer science professionals to help them meet their software needs. These powerhouse organizations rely on prepared practitioners to deliver robust software solutions to help them increase efficiency, reduce turnaround time, maximize investment.

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20-Month Completion

Finish your master's in computer science faster.

Leading Architectural Tools

Get hands-on experience with industry-standard technologies.

Customizable Program

Tailor your master's degree program to your interests.

Real-World Practitioners

Learn from experienced technology leaders.

100% Online Classes

Earn your degree around your schedule.

Game-Changing Skills

Play an important role in communicating emerging technologies to stakeholders.

Program Overview

Architect the software futures of Fortune 500 companies

If there’s one certainty in business, it’s this: business depends on technology. Which explains why the demand for computer science jobs is at an all-time high. In fact, job growth in the field is projected to increase by an astounding 18% through 2025.*

Fortune 500 companies, in particular, need computer science graduates to help them meet their large-scale software needs. That’s because getting their systems solutions right is often the difference between success and failure. These powerhouse organizations rely on qualified practitioners to deliver robust software design, architecture and implementation that increases efficiency and reduces turnaround time, all while maximizing reuse and minimizing rework.

Deepen your skills in software design and development with hands-on coursework

Franklin University's transfer-friendly online M.S. in Computer Science (MSCS) program will teach you to interface with organizational stakeholders and translate an evolving set of needs into high-level systems requirements. You'll learn how to integrate new systems within the broader hardware and software environment, too, as well as implement the solution with the agile software engineering process.  

Through our practical, hands-on coursework you'll gain experience with leading implementation tools and cutting edge software analysis. And you'll be introduced to other critically needed skills, such as algorithm analysis, distributed systems, verification and testing, and database design.

Tailor your master's program around your areas of interest

Franklin lets you further increase the relevance to your job or career path with program electives in your area of interest. Enrich your studies with such electives as artificial intelligence, human computer interaction, and cybersecurity.

Our Computer Science master's degree program curriculum is regularly reviewed by an advisory board strongly represented by leading companies in industry, including Herb Berger, Director, Enterprise Architecture for Cardinal Health. That means what you learn at Franklin is relevant to the needs of the industry now and stays relevant over time.

Complete our award-winning program in as few as 20 months

With Franklin's M.S. in Computer Science program, you'll get the expertise you need to take on the technology challenges facing business. Whether you're looking to advance your career to a senior level or work with a larger organization with more sophisticated needs, Franklin's reputation will prepare you for your next move. Our online MSCS Program was top ranked in 2013 by GetEducated.com as a Best Value among regionally accredited online computer science programs.

With no GRE requirement if you meet certain requirements, you may qualify to start immediately. Finish faster, too, by taking just two classes over five, 12-week terms. Most students are able to complete Franklin's M.S. in Computer Science program in as few as 20 months.

Earn your degree from a university built for busy adults

Earn your degree on your terms by taking classes 100% online or pursue available coursework at one of our Midwest locations. Regionally accredited and nonprofit, Franklin was built from the ground-up to satisfy the needs of adult learners. Our seamless transfer process and team of academic advisors will help ease your transition to becoming a student, while our flexible course schedules help to balance your education with work, family, and life. Get started on your future today.

*Source information provided by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI)

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Curriculum & Course Descriptions

36 Semester Hours
Core Courses (24 hours)
COMP 620 - Analysis of Algorithms (4)
This course covers various algorithm design paradigms, mathematical analysis of algorithms, empirical analysis of algorithms and NP-completeness.
COMP 630 - Issues in Database Management (4)
This course focuses on the fundamental design considerations in designing a database. Specific topics include performance analysis of design alternatives, system configuration and the administration of a popular database system. The course also offers an in-depth analysis of the algorithms and machine organizations of database systems.
COMP 645 - Object-Oriented Design & Practice (4)
This course surveys current practices in software development and software design, especially in the area of object-oriented design. The course will examine and contrast current and leading edge methodologies and practices, including agile, extreme programming, test-driven design, patterns, aspect-oriented programming, model-driven architecture, Unified Modeling Language, and integrated development environments.
COMP 655 - Distributed Systems (4)
This course introduces the design of distributed computing systems and distributed application programming. Major concepts of distributed systems covered include: transparency, heterogeneity, process communication, consistency, fault tolerance, and security. Students will also learn to develop a real-world distributed application as a RESTful Web-service on an application server.
COMP 671 - Verification and Testing (4)
This course focuses on the issues of delivering high quality software, especially in large complex systems. Topics covered include testing strategies (black box, white box, regression, etc.), unit testing, system integration, system verification and support tools. It also will reinforce the need for requirements that are testable and traceable from the early design stages.
COMP 691 - Capstone (4)
This course, the final one in the Master of Science - Computer Science program, challenges students to research a current topic of interest in Computer Science and produce an original paper and presentation on the topic. In addition to the research paper, students are introduced to the economics of software development and the tools needed to estimate the cost of a software development project for management in a corporate environment. The last topic in the course is a discussion of ethics as it relates to Information Technology. Current topics in ethics will be discussed through the use of relevant case studies.
Electives (12 hours)

Take 12 credit hours from the following:

Data Analytics
MATH 601 - Introduction to Analytics (4)
This course provides an introductory overview of methods, concepts and current practices in the growing field of Data Analytics. Topics to be covered include data collection, analysis and visualization as well as statistical inference methods for informed decision-making. Students will explore these topics with current statistical software. Some emphasis will also be given to ethical principles of data analytics.
DATA 605 - Data Visualization & Reporting (4)
This course focuses on collecting, preparing, and analyzing data to create visualizations, dashboards, and stories that can be used to communicate critical business insights. Students will learn how to structure and streamline data analysis projects and highlight their implications efficiently using the most popular visualization tools used by businesses today.
DATA 611 - Applied Machine Learning (4)
This course explores two main areas of machine learning: supervised and unsupervised. Topics include linear and logistic regression, probabilistic inference, Support Vector Machines, Artificial Neural Networks, clustering, and dimensionality reduction, and programming.
Cybersecurity
ISEC 610 - Information Assurance (4)
This course covers the fundamentals of security in the enterprise environment. Included are coverage of risks and vulnerabilities, threat modeling, policy formation, controls and protection methods, encryption and authentication technologies, network security, cryptography, personnel and physical security issues, as well as ethical and legal issues. This foundational course serves as an introduction to many of the subsequent topics discussed in depth in later security courses.
ISEC 620 - Software and App Security (4)
Today, software is at the heart of nearly every business from finance to manufacturing. Software pervades everyday life in expected places like phones and computers but also in places that you may not consider such as toasters, thermostats, automobiles, and even light bulbs. Security flaws in software can have impacts ranging from inconvenient to damaging and even catastrophic when it involves life-critical systems. How can software be designed and built to minimize the presence of flaws or mitigate their impacts' This course focuses on software development processes that identify, model, and mitigate threats to all kinds of software. Topics include threat modeling frameworks, attack trees, attack libraries, defensive tactics, secure software development lifecycle, web, cloud, and human factors.
ISEC 640 - Cryptography (4)
The cryptographic primitives of enciphering/deciphering and hashing are the two main methods of preserving confidentiality and integrity of data at rest and in transit. As such, the study of cryptographic techniques is of primary interest to security practitioners. This course will cover the important principles in historical and modern cryptography including the underlying information theory, mathematics, and randomness. Important technologies such as stream and block ciphers, symmetric and asymmetric cryptography, public key infrastructure, and key exchange will be explored. Finally, hashing and message authentication codes will examined as a way of preserving data integrity.
Software Systems
COMP 650 - System Architecture & Engineering (4)
This course covers topics in software systems engineering. Its scope is the design of the overall architecture for software systems with emphasis on distributed architectures. The issues in an architecture centered software development cycle and project management are addressed.
ITEC 640 - Project Management (4)
This course examines various issues related to the management of information systems. Topics include: strategic planning, organizing the technology resources, means of prioritizing and selecting information technology, staffing, personnel management, and assessment.
COMP 670 - Application of Artificial Intelligence (4)
This course focuses on the use of artificial intelligence tools and techniques in industry. Topics include cognitive psychology topics, foundation material (e.g., search algorithms, knowledge representation and AI languages) and tools (e.g., expert systems, natural language interfaces and neural networks).
COMP 610 - Internship in Computer Science (1-4)
This course provides MSCS students the opportunity to further their education with relevant work experience in the field of Computer Science. This internship is an ongoing seminar between the student, faculty and the employment supervisor. It involves a Learning Contract (Curricular Practical Training [CPT] Information, or other), periodic meetings with the faculty representative, and professional experience at a level equivalent to other electives of the MSCS program. Specification of the materials to be submitted is established in the learning contract. Participation cannot be guaranteed for all applicants.
COMP 699 - Independent Studies in Graduate Computer Science (1-4)
Independent studies courses allow students in good academic standing to pursue learning in areas not covered by the regular curriculum or to extend study in areas presently taught. Study is under faculty supervision and graded on Pass/No Credit basis. For international students, curricular practiced training may be used as an independent study with approval of program chair. (See the "Independent Studies" section of the Academic Bulletin for more details.)

Program Details

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Employment Outlook

18%

From 2015-2025 jobs in Computer Science are expected to increase by 18%

All Occupations

2015
149,713 jobs
2025
176,661 jobs
Show Details >

Software Devlopers, Systems Software

2015
14,401 jobs
2025
17,275 jobs

Computer and Information Systems Managers

2015
11,651 jobs
2025
14,046 jobs

Software Developers, Applications

2015
30,127 jobs
2025
37,695 jobs

Computer and information Research Scientists

2015
836 jobs
2025
979 jobs

Computer Occupations, All Other

2015
5,084 jobs
2025
5,544 jobs


Source information provided by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI).

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