Computer Science and Engineering

Master's and Doctoral Degree Programs

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of North Texas offers coursework leading to a Master of Science degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Computer Science and Engineering.

Graduate opportunities

You’ll be able to work closely with distinguished faculty members to solve complex problems faced by businesses and consumers. The department has a working relationship with local and national companies, and its Industrial Advisory Board is composed of representatives from high-tech firms.

Faculty research

UNT is committed to excellence in teaching. We invest in leading faculty members who partner with students on many research projects.

Faculty research is supported through grants from federal and state institutions and private industry, including the:

  • National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Science Foundation
  • Texas Department of Transportation
  • Texas State Energy Conservation Office
  • U.S. Department of Education

Research centers and laboratories

Classes and research are conducted at Discovery Park, a 300-acre facility located five miles north of the main campus and serviced by a free shuttle. In addition to instructional facilities with cutting-edge equipment, the department supports numerous centers and research laboratories that offer unlimited possibilities for study and research.

The department offers comprehensive research that focuses on:

  • Algorithms and Computational Science
  • Computer Security
  • Computer Systems and Networks
  • Databases and Data Mining
  • Intelligent Systems
  • Software

Research centers housed in the department include the Center for Computational Epidemiology and Response Analysis, the Center for Information and Cyber Security and more.

Learn more about our research centers and laboratories.

Attending UNT

Admission requirements

Our deadlines are Jan. 15 for the fall semester and Sept. 15 for the spring semester. You must meet the general admission requirements for the Toulouse Graduate School® and a specific set of program requirements.

M.S. degree

  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • GRE scores (quantitative: 155, verbal: 148, writing: 3.5)
  • Minimum TOEFL score of 90 on the internet-based test or IELTS score of 7.0 for international applicants whose native language isn’t English and who don’t have a degree from an accredited U.S. institution

An undergraduate degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering is desired. You may take leveling courses to complete necessary requirements.

Ph.D. degree

  • Minimum 3.5 GPA
  • GRE scores (quantitative: 156, verbal: 151, writing: 4.5)
  • Minimum TOEFL score of 90 on the internet-based test or IELTS level of 7.0 for international applicants whose native language isn’t English and who don’t have a degree from an accredited U.S. institution.
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose

An overall evaluation of your credentials will be used as a basis for admission.

Degree requirements

M.S. degree

You have two options for earning a master’s degree. The thesis option requires 30 credit hours of coursework, including 6 credit hours of thesis.

The non-thesis option requires 36 credit hours of coursework. That may include 3 credit hours of project or 6 credit hours of problem in lieu of thesis.

You can select a specialization area in consultation with a major professor and the graduate coordinator.

Ph.D. degree

You will complete 42 credit hours beyond the master’s degree or 72 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. In addition to coursework, you need to find a research topic, pass an oral exam related to the topic and write and defend a dissertation to a committee.

Financial assistance

Many students receive financial support through teaching and research assistantships within the department. Applications and deadline information for assistantships are available online.

Other financial assistance programs are also available.