Emory University

What you'll study

The programme builds a solid base in essential computer science topics and lets students tailor their studies with electives reflecting current industry and research themes. Typical modules and subject areas include:

• Algorithms and Data Structures — efficient algorithms, complexity analysis and advanced data structures for problem solving.
• Software Engineering and Systems — software development methodologies, design patterns, testing, distributed systems and operating systems concepts.
• Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence — supervised and unsupervised learning, deep learning foundations, probabilistic models and practical ML pipelines.
• Databases and Data Management — relational and NoSQL databases, data modelling, query optimisation and data engineering topics.
• Cybersecurity and Privacy — secure system design, network security fundamentals, cryptography basics and practical defensive techniques.
• Human–Computer Interaction and Software UX — user-centred design, interface evaluation and accessibility considerations.
• Electives and Special Topics — courses in areas such as computer vision, natural language processing, computational biology, cloud computing and high-performance computing.

Students generally complete a combination of required core courses and electives. The programme commonly offers both a practicum/project option for those focused on applied work and a thesis route for students interested in research or preparation for doctoral study.

Entry requirements

Admission is aimed at applicants with an undergraduate degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related discipline. Typical expectations include:

• A strong undergraduate academic record demonstrating quantitative and computing competence.
• Prior coursework or demonstrable experience in programming, data structures and algorithms; additional undergraduate preparation may be recommended for applicants from non-computing backgrounds.
• Supporting materials: academic transcripts, a statement of purpose describing objectives and relevant experience, and professional or academic letters of recommendation.
• A current CV or résumé outlining technical projects, internships and relevant work experience.
• Standardised tests (such as the GRE) and English language tests may be requested depending on an applicant's background and the programme's admissions policies; applicants should consult the department for current requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates of the applied MS in Computer Science go on to a wide range of technology roles in industry and research. Common career paths include:

• Software engineer or developer roles across startups and established technology companies.
• Machine learning engineer, data scientist or AI specialist positions focusing on model development and deployment.
• Systems engineer, cloud or infrastructure specialist working on scalable services and distributed systems.
• Cybersecurity analyst or security engineer roles protecting networks and applications.
• Technical roles in sectors such as healthcare, finance, consulting and biotechnology where computational expertise is in demand.
• Continued academic study for students pursuing a PhD or research-oriented career.

Why study at Emory University

Emory combines a strong liberal arts tradition with focused technical training, giving students access to interdisciplinary collaboration across departments such as biomedical informatics, business and public health. The university's location in Atlanta places students in a dynamic regional technology ecosystem with internship and employment opportunities across established firms and startups. Small cohort sizes and accessible faculty mean personalised mentorship, while research centres and industry partnerships create opportunities for applied projects that connect academic learning to real-world problems.