Computer Science
Computer science faculty members are world-class researchers and teachers who have attracted funding from federal agencies and industry for not only research, but also teaching, curriculum development and K-12 outreach. Research propels graduate students toward in-depth knowledge and valuable experience. It helps them to become even more effective problem solvers by applying software in a variety of disciplines.
We offer expertise in cybersecurity, health care, scientific computing, smart power grid and high-assurance computing. Points of pride include designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence for Research in Cyber-Security by NSA and DHS, multidisciplinary research and teaching, and excellent job placement after graduation.
Degrees
Doctor of Philosophy
The doctorate degree program is a research-oriented curriculum designed to prepare students for advanced research in industry and university-level academic positions in the computing field.
Master of Science
The Master of Science program is a broadly based curriculum designed to prepare students for advanced positions in the computing industry as well as for further academic studies. The M.S. degree requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate-level coursework.
Research areas
Cybersecurity
The Center for Information and Systems Assurance, or CISA, is an NSA/DHS National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research, or CAE-R, as designated by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency. The mission of CISA is to conduct research in information assurance and computer security, teach our students about information assurance and engage the professional community in collaborative efforts.
Learn more about K-State cybersecurity research.
High-assurance software engineering
The mission of the Laboratory for Static Analysis and Transformation of Software, or SAnToS, is to develop foundational techniques, robust tools and practical integrated methodologies for building safety- and security-critical software systems. Since its founding SAnToS has received more than $13 million in funding from national agencies such as NSF, DARPA, NASA and DOD, and industries such as Lockheed Martin, Rockwell Collins, Intel, IBM and Honeywell.
Learn more about K-State high-assurance software engineering research.
Cyber-physical systems
K-State cyber-physical systems, or CPS, research explores design, development, analysis, verification and validation of embedded control systems. Ongoing CPS projects span a variety of application domains such as automotive, aerospace, ground and aerial unmanned vehicles, Internet of Things (IoT), building control, agriculture, robotics systems and mobile applications. The particular focus of K-State CPS research in these application domains is high-performance, real-time performance, energy efficiency, security, dependability, formal verification and formal synthesis.
Learn more about K-State Cyber-Physical Systems Research.
Artificial intelligence and data science
K-State computer science is a recognized leader in applied machine learning, which places it at the intersection of relevant artificial intelligence and data science research areas such as multidisciplinary predictive analytics, business intelligence, data mining and visualization using heterogeneous large data. Core strengths include approaches to the analysis of natural language text; linked, spatial and temporal data; security data; and biological data.
Learn more about K-State artificial intelligence and data science research.
Application process
- The department admits primarily doctoral candidates.
- Information about the application process, including program guidelines, can be found at cis.ksu.edu/programs/grad/admissions.
- All application materials can be submitted online.
Admission requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, or closely related field, with a grade-point average of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 (or equivalent), from an accredited institution
- GRE scores — minimum scores: verbal – 146, quantitative – 151
International student requirements
| Test | Minimum score |
| TOEFL iBT (internet-based test) | 79 |
| TOEFL (PBT) | 550 |
| IELTS academic test | 6.5 |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) | 58 |
International applicant deadlines
- Jan. 8 for fall (August) enrollment
- Aug. 1 for spring (January) enrollment
- Dec. 1 for summer (June) enrollment
Financial assistance
Most graduate students in the department receive excellent financial support including teaching assistantships, research assistantships and fellowships, which cover all tuition and include stipends of $16,000 - $30,000. Preference is given to doctorate students for support.
English language program (ELP)
Kansas State University offers English language graduate support courses. ELP academic advisers help students admitted to study in a degree program make the transition from the ELP into their academic departments.