Graduate Programs of Study

Graduate Students

The ETSU Department of Computing offers three graduate-level programs of study. Two of these, one in Computer Science and a second in Information Systems, are 33-credit-hour programs that award M.S. degrees. The third, a 12-hour program, awards a graduate certificate in Data Analytics. The M.S. in Information Systems and the Data Analytics programs are open to anyone who meets the ETSU graduate school's criteria for admission.

Our programs are designed to serve recent graduates and working professionals alike. All courses are offered after 5 pm. Some courses, including those required for the M.S.I.S. and certificate in Data Analytics, are offered online.

Scholarships and assistantships are available for full-time students.

M.S. In Computer Science

For a full description of this program's requirements and content, please see the M.S.C.S. program home page. Briefly,

The M.S.C.S. is a technical degree for people interested in the theory and practice of computing and software engineering.
The M.S.C.S. requires 33 credit-hours of coursework, including 3 elective courses and a 4-course concentration in either applied computer science; artificial intelligence and machine learning; or software engineering.
Admission requirements include the equivalent of a major in a field of computing. Related professional experience may be substituted at the department's discretion for some required coursework.
Applicants who lack up to two of the required foundation courses may be granted provisional admission. This requires the completion of the missing courses within a year of admission with a minimum grade of B-.

M.S. In Information Systems

For a full description of this program's requirements and content, please see the M.S.I.S. program home page. Briefly,

The M.S.I.S. is a technically oriented degree for people interested in applications of information technology to business, including IT management.
The M.S.I.S. requires 33 credit-hours of coursework, including 2 elective courses and a 4-course concentration in either cybersecurity management and analytics; data analytics; information management; or user experience engineering.
Anyone who is eligible to enroll in graduate studies at East State Tennessee University may apply. Academic and professional preparation in information systems or a computing field is helpful but not required.
Students without previous coursework in information systems or information technology may be granted provisional admission and required to complete (e.g.) a basic course in programming.

Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics

For a full description of this program's requirements and content, please see the M.S.I.S. program home page. Briefly,

The Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics is designed to enable participants to manage data: i.e., inspect and prepare data for analysis; to use software to analyze and visualize data; and to use the results of analyses to make meaningful decisions.
The program requires 12 credit-hours of coursework. With department approval, this coursework may subsequently be counted towards the M.S.I.S. degree program.
Anyone who is eligible to enroll in graduate studies at East State Tennessee University may apply. A previous background in computing is not required to complete these courses.

Time to complete

M.S. Degree Programs

For full-time students who start in fall, the expected time to complete the M.S. degree is four semesters. Most full-time students who start in Fall 2021, for example, will complete by Spring 2023.
Additional semesters may be needed by students who either start the program in spring semester, enter with less than the full set of foundation courses, attend part-time, or thesis students requiring additional time to complete their research.

Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics

The graduate certificate in data analytics may be completed in three, if the first two courses in the sequence are taken concurrently; otherwise, four.

Advisement, Inquiries, Applications

Advisement for graduate students, while not required, is highly recommended. More information about the graduate program, including the latest changes to our offerings, can be obtained from our graduate coordinator, Dr. Jeff Roach.