Computer Science

Department Code
COM S
Interdepartmental Program
No
Our highly regarded academics, groundbreaking research, and supportive environment makes Iowa State’s Department of Computer Science an exceptional place to pursue an advanced degree with immediate career applications.
Coover lab

The Department of Computer Science offers a M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science as well as a M.S. in Artificial Intelligence.


Degrees Offered:

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
  • Master of Science (M.S.)

Area(s) of Specialization: 

  • Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
  • Human Computer Interaction
  • Robotics and Autonomous Systems
  • Software Engineering and Programming Languages
  • Systems and Networking
  • Theoretical Foundations

How long does it take to earn a degree?

  • Median time to earn the doctorate: 5.8 years (Methods)
  • Median time to earn the master’s: 2.3 years (Methods)
Program Degrees Offered

Learning Goals

  • Master core areas of Computer Science (MS, PhD)
  • Achieve in-depth knowledge in chosen subfield of Computer Science (PhD)
  • Obtain expertise to perform original research that advances Computer Science (PhD)
  • Demonstrate ability to communicate technical concepts and research results (MS, PhD)
515-294-5779

Department of Computer Science Graduate Admissions

csadmissions@iastate.edu
Program Homepage Program Handbook

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines:

See detailed deadlines for Spring 2025 applications at www.cs.iastate.edu/future-students. Fall 2025 applications will open September 1, 2024.

Application Details:

This program is open to domestic and international students.

Application Instructions

Admission Requirements

Graduate College Requirements:

  • 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
  • Academic Records/Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
  • Proof of English Proficiency.

Program Specific Requirements:

  • Current Resume/CV
  • Unofficial transcripts from ALL universities/colleges attended - Please include the original language and an English translation. Consolidated transcripts are allowed if they show all tests and exams, including retakes. Please include the grading scale for your university/college. World Education Services (WES) and Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) evaluations of international transcripts are accepted starting with Fall 2024 applications.
  • Unofficial degree statement(s) - this isn't required if your degree is still in progress.
  • (3) Letters of Recommendation (LOR) - the application system will automatically send a recommendation request to the email address you provide for each recommender. Please reach out to csadmissions@iastate.edu with any issues related to the letters of recommendation.
  • Statement of Purpose (SOP) - click here for guidance on writing the SOP.
  • GRE scores - click here for information about the GRE requirement, including applying for a GRE waiver
  • English Proficiency for International Applicants - click here for accept tests and minimum requirements
  • Passport/Immigration card - you can wait to upload this until you receive the admission decision.
  • Financial Support Documents - you can wait to upload this until you receive the admission decision. Please submit a bank statement and/or letter from an official sponsorship agency (including government) showing equivalent to one year's expenses. If you have any government or other scholarships, please include the letter. The amount you need to show can be found at https://isso.dso.iastate.edu/resources/students_scholars/expense-worksheet/graduate-expenses. The form at https://iastate.app.box.com/v/intl-finstatement may be helpful in planning your financial documents.
  • MS Application Deadlines
  • PhD Application Deadlines
  • Application Fee - we offer a delayed payment of the application fee. Admitted applicants who accept their offer of admission will pay the fee on their first university bill (u-bill) after enrolling in classes. All other applicants (those who are not admitted and those who do not accept their admission offer) are not required to pay an application fee.
  • Program Requires GRE: Yes
  • Program Requires GMAT: No
  • Program Will Review Without TOEFL or IELTS: No

International Requirements:

  • Financial Statement:  Application
  • English Proficiency Minimum:
    TOEFL Paper (PBT) 550
    TOEFL Internet (iBT) 79
    IELTS 6.5
    PTE 53
    Duolingo (approved through spring 2026) 115
Program Interest Area
Program Department
Does this Program Offer a Distance Option?
No
Program offers a Coursework Only?
No
Program Director
sbasu@iastate.edu
Program Staff
nlewis1@iastate.edu
janeller@iastate.edu
Postdoc Contact
pavan@iastate.edu
Interdepartmental Program
No
Explore the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning at Iowa State University's graduate program. Our comprehensive curriculum prepares students for careers in AI research, data science, robotics, and autonomous systems.
AI


The Department of Computer Science offers Master of Science (MS) degrees in the majors

  1. Computer Science
  2. Artificial Intelligence and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Computer Science.

The first MS degree in Computer Science at Iowa State University was awarded in 1959 and the first PhD in 1962.


Degrees Offered: 

  • Master of Science (M.S.)

 

Program Degrees Offered
515-294-5779

Department of Computer Science Graduate Admissions

aiadmissions@iastate.edu
Program Homepage Program Handbook

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines:

See detailed deadlines for Fall 2024 applications at cs.iastate.edu/computer-science-graduate-admissions. Fall 2024 applications will open September 1, 2023.

Application Details:

This program is open to domestic and international students.

Application Instructions

Admission Requirements

Graduate College Requirements:

  • 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
  • Academic Records/Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
  • Proof of English Proficiency.

Program Specific Requirements:

  • GRE Requirement and Waiver Application
  • SUPPLEMENTARY DOCUMENTS: This program does NOT require any supplementary material. Applicants have the option to upload supplemental documents, such as published research papers.
  • LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: Letters of recommendation should be sent electronically through the ISU application system. If this is not possible, completed LOR forms should be mailed directly to csadmissions@iastate.edu.
  • FINANCIAL STATEMENT: Only required for international students without an assistantship offer. It is not required for the application process but once you receive an admission offer. We cannot send you an I-20 until the financial statement is received.
  • APPLICATION FEE WAIVERS: The Computer Science Department does not offer waivers for the final application fee. Admitted PhD students will have their application fee deferred until they enroll.
  • TWO PHASE APPLICATIONS (For Spring 2024 and earlier): The pre-application is free and only requires CV/resume, unofficial transcripts and SOP. It is OPTIONAL to submit GRE and English proficiency test results. The Computer Science Graduate Admissions Committee will evaluate your pre-application and let you know if the GRE is required and if you are potentially admissible to Iowa State University. If approved, you will be invited to continue your application for the final admission decision. Additional documentation, such as LORs, GRE (unless waived), degree statement/certificate, and English proficiency test results (if applicable), will be required with the final application.
  • ONE PHASE APPLICATION (Fall 2024 and later): Applicants will submit their application documents in one phase. Applicants may request a GRE waiver if they meet the criteria on the Computer Science Department’s Graduate Admissions website.
  • MS Application Deadlines
  • Program Requires GRE: Yes
  • Program Requires GMAT: No
  • Program Will Review Without TOEFL or IELTS: No

International Requirements:

  • Financial Statement:  Application
  • English Proficiency Minimum:
    TOEFL Paper (PBT) 550
    TOEFL Internet (iBT) 79
    IELTS 6.5
    PTE 53
    Duolingo (approved through spring 2026) 115
Program Department
Does this Program Offer a Distance Option?
No
Program offers a Coursework Only?
No
Program Director
sbasu@iastate.edu
Program Staff
nlewis1@iastate.edu
janeller@iastate.edu
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