Graduate Programs

The Department of Computer Science's master's program is suitable both for those who wish to improve their professional competence in computer science and for those who seek to prepare for further graduate study.

The Department of Computer Science's master's program is suitable both for those who wish to improve their professional competence in computer science and for those who seek to prepare for further graduate study.

The program offers two options (research project and coursework only) that enable individuals to customize their studies to match their particular ambitions and experiences. Computer-science classes at Brown are taught by the same professors who have earned our department's reputation for innovative education and research. The department has expertise in a variety of areas of computer science, including algorithms and data structures, artificial intelligence, automated reasoning and planning, computational biology, computer security, cryptography, database management systems, distributed systems, agents, graphics and visualization, human-computer interaction, natural language processing, networking, operating systems, constraint programming, programming languages, robotics and computer vision, and software engineering. Students may also choose the Professional Track and engage in a 2-4 month internship.

Additional Resources

The Department of Computer Science provides leading-edge computing technology to all its students. Each Sc.M. student has access to a shared CS department office equipped with desktop computers and docking stations. In addition, Sc.M. students have access to all our research labs.

Application Information

Application Requirements

GRE Subject:

Not required

GRE General:

Not required

TOEFL/IELTS:

Required for any non-native English speaker who does not have a degree from an institution where English is the sole language of instruction or from a University in the following countries: Australia, Bahamas, Botswana, Cameroon, Canada (except Quebec), Ethiopia, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, New Zealand, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tanzania, Gambia, Uganda, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales), West Indies, Zambia).

The TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and the IELTS Indicator exam are accepted.

Students from mainland China may submit the TOEFL ITP Plus exam

The minimum TOEFL score is 105 and the minimum IELTS score is 8.0.

Official Transcripts:

Required. All applicants may upload unofficial transcripts for application submission. Official transcripts are ONLY required for enrolling students before class start. An international transcript evaluation (WES, ECE, or SpanTran) is required for degrees from non-U.S. institutions before enrollment.

Letters of Recommendations:

Three (3) letters of recommendation required for external applications. Brown undergraduates considering the fifth-year master's degree option should submit two (2) letters of recommendation.

Personal Statement:

The personal statement will require you to answer six program-specific questions about your preparation, interests, experience, and goals.

Resume/CV:

Required

Additional Requirements:

If you have any questions regarding the application process for this program, please email masters_admissions@brown.edu.

Dates/Deadlines

Application Deadline

5th Year Deadline

Tuition and Funding

  • Graduate Tuition & Fees: Please visit the Bursar's Office for up-to-date tuition rates.
  • Scholarships: A small number of full-tuition scholarships that are merit-based and help the department achieve its diversity and inclusion goals. These scholarships are limited to US citizens and permanent residents. See https://cs.brown.edu/degrees/masters/applications/ 

Completion Requirements

B or better in eight courses in Computer Science or related areas. The student can either choose the research project track, in which case two of the courses represent work towards completion of the research project, or the coursework–only track, in which case two of the courses must comprise an approved specialization. There are also distribution requirements.

 

Alumni Careers

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Leadership

Department Chair
Roberto Tamassia
Director of Graduate Studies
Tom Doeppner
Associate Director of Graduate Studies
Alan Usas

Contact and Location

Department of Computer Science

Mailing Address

Brown University
Box 1910
Visit the Department of Computer Science

Resources