Master's Degree Requirements

The computer science department confers two master’s degrees: 

  • Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)
  • Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)

All students apply and are admitted as MSE students, and can switch to the M.Eng. track in the first year. The MSE degree requires submission of an original thesis. 

General Requirements

  • 4 courses must be taken in the first year of study
  • Funding is normally granted in the form of teaching assistantships covering the four semesters of the program
  • Students wishing to continue on to the doctoral program should apply through the normal application process during the fall of their second year of study

Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)

Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)

Six courses required: three core courses and three elective courses

Eight courses required: three core courses and five elective courses

Thesis required

No thesis required

Candidates must maintain a B average, with no more than one C allowed

Candidates must maintain a B average, with no more than one C allowed

All courses must be taken for a letter grade

All courses must be taken for a letter grade

Course Requirements

Core Courses

  • Three COS courses from the following list:

    COS 475 (ELE 475), 510, 511, 513, 514, 516, 518, 521, 522, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 533, 534, 551 (MOL 551), 557 (MOL 557), 561, 563, 583, 584, 585

Elective Courses

Students must take three elective courses, each of which must satisfy one of the following criteria:

  • COS 318, 320, 324, 326, 343, 352, 375, 597, 598
  • Any 400-level COS course
  • A course that satisfies the Core Course criteria
  • A non-COS elective

A relevant non-COS may be added with the Director of Graduate Studies’ consent.

Thesis Requirement for MSE Candidates

MSE candidates are required to write an original research paper of scholarly quality to complete their degree. Candidates choose a research area of computer science on which to focus by taking appropriate courses and then write a thesis under the direction of an adviser in this subarea. 

In addition to writing a thesis, candidates must give a 30 minutes public presentation on the research in their second year. In order to be readmitted for the second year of the MSE program, candidates must have a confirmed thesis advisor and preliminary thesis proposal completed by the end of their first year. 

Acceleration of the M.Eng. (non-thesis track)

Students in excellent academic standing who intend to transition to the M.Eng. track may request the department accelerate their two-year program by either one semester or one year. 

Master’s course work policy for Princeton Undergraduates

Current Princeton students must apply to the master's program through the regular admission process, but if they are accepted they may count up to two courses taken as undergraduates towards the completion of the master’s degree.