Program Overview

Computer Science PhD Program

The University of Southern Mississippi's online PhD in Computer Science is designed to help students launch into the future of technology. This program provides students with real-world experience through groundbreaking research, immersing them in the theory and practice of computer science.

Program Overview

• The program requires a minimum of 54 graduate semester hours beyond the master's degree.
• The cost per credit hour is $578.12.
• Completion time is typically 3-5 years, pending hours enrolled and dissertation completion.
• There are no special requirements such as the GRE for admission.

Research Areas

The program offers research opportunities in various cutting-edge fields, including:

• Cybersecurity
• Data Science
• Machine Learning
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Vision
• Robotics

Course Requirements

The program includes the following courses:

• Seminar in Computer Science (1 hour)
• Dissertation (12 hours)
• Select 4 courses from:
  • Advanced Computer Architecture (3 hours)
  • Advanced Parallel Computing (3 hours)
  • Advanced Distribution Database Systems (3 hours)
  • Advanced Algorithms (3 hours)
  • Machine Learning (3 hours)
• Electives: Choose from CSC or COS courses, 500 level and above (29 hours)

Admission Requirements

Applicants who do not already hold an M.S. degree in Computer Science but have demonstrated proficiency in the areas of computer architecture, data structures and algorithms, and software design may be admitted but will need to take an additional 30 hours of coursework, earning an M.S. degree en route to the Ph.D. Successful applicants will possess a grade point average of at least 3.5 on all graduate work attempted. A student applying for admission will need:

• Resumè
• Statement of Purpose
• Three Letters of Recommendation

Program Requirements and Academic Policies

• A minimum of eighty-four (84) graduate semester hours beyond the bachelor's degree or a minimum of fifty-four (54) graduate semester hours beyond the master's is required for this degree.
• A student must form a doctoral committee consisting of five members.
• Students must also pass a comprehensive examination consisting of two sections from the four corresponding areas of the core curriculum.

What Can You Do with a PhD in Computer Science?

A PhD in Computer Science prepares you for high-level research careers in academia and industry. The program is designed to be completed entirely online, with no requirement to travel to the university. The degree is held to the same high level of rigor as on-campus programs, with no label on online students' degrees.