Computer Science (Big Data Systems), MS
Cybersecurity, Data Analysis, Data Mining, Data clouds, Data integration and fusion, Data models and semantics, Data streaming, Data visualization, Heterogeneous data management and processing, Massively parallel and distributed data management, Optimization of data processing, Scalable data managment and processing, Spatio-temporal, multimedia, and social data, Transactional vs. NoSQL systems, approved for STEM-OPT extension, structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data
Gain a competitive advantage in the job market with this big data concentration. You'll be well positioned to meet the growing need for data scientists and engineers who can architect, implement and manage large data systems.
The on-campus Master of Science program in computer science with a concentration in big data systems provides rigorous, research-focused training in scalable data platforms, preparing you to advance innovation in data science and engineering.
This concentration within the MS program provides you with advanced training and research opportunities in large-scale data management and analysis. Unlike the industry-focused Master of Computer Science program, the MS in computer science emphasizes fundamental and applied research, enabling you to contribute new knowledge and technologies in data-intensive computing.
You may choose either a thesis or nonthesis portfolio option as your culminating experience. You develop expertise in designing scalable systems --- parallel, distributed and real-time --- for acquiring, storing, processing and accessing massive heterogeneous datasets. You also learn to apply advanced analytical methods to mine knowledge from data and to evaluate and select the most appropriate data management, processing and analysis frameworks for both structured and unstructured data.
This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months. This OPT work authorization period may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.
The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing a degree through ASU Online.
- College/school:
Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
- Location: Tempe
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
30 credit hours - course-based master's, or
30 credit hours and a thesis, or
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (CSE 593)
COURSE-BASED OPTION Required Core Areas (9 credit hours) Concentration (9 credit hours) Restricted Electives (6 credit hours) Electives (6 credit hours) OPTIONS WITH CULMINATING EXPERIENCE Required Core Areas (9 credit hours) Concentration (9 credit hours) Restricted Electives (6 credit hours) Electives (0 or 3 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information Students should see the academic unit for the list of courses approved for each core area in applications, foundations and systems. Courses that are used to satisfy the concentration requirement on the plan of study cannot be used to satisfy the core requirement. Additionally, courses selected as part of the core or concentration may not be used as other elective coursework on the same plan of study. Students may complete a thesis or an applied project as an optional culminating experience. All students must complete six credit hours from the restricted electives list. Students in the course-based option must also take six credit hours of electives. Students who enjoy solving real-world problems and applying practical skills in professional settings may be drawn to the applied project option. Applied project students must also take three credit hours of electives. Students with a strong interest in research and a desire to contribute original knowledge to their field may be well-suited for the thesis option. Students who select the applied project as their culminating experience must complete their project at the direction of an approved computer science graduate faculty member and complete the project course with a grade of "B" (3.00) or higher. Students complete a minimum of 30 credit hours for the program. At least 24 of these credit hours must be 500-level CSE courses at ASU. Up to six credit hours of 400-level courses may be applied to the plan of study for the nonthesis options.
Applications (3)
Foundations (3)
Systems (3)
CSE 510 Database Management System Implementation (3)
CSE 512 Distributed Database Systems (3)
CSE 572 Data Mining (3) or IEE 520 Statistical Learning for Data Mining (3)
CSE 515 Multimedia and Web Databases (3)
CSE 546 Cloud Computing (3)
CSE 573 Semantic Web Mining (3)
CSE 575 Statistical Machine Learning (3)
CSE 578 Data Visualization (3)
Applications (3)
Foundations (3)
Systems (3)
CSE 510 Database Management System Implementation (3)
CSE 512 Distributed Database Systems (3)
CSE 572 Data Mining (3) or IEE 520 Statistical Learning for Data Mining (3)
CSE 515 Multimedia and Web Databases (3)
CSE 546 Cloud Computing (3)
CSE 573 Semantic Web Mining (3)
CSE 575 Statistical Machine Learning (3)
CSE 578 Data Visualization (3)
CSE 593 Applied Project (3) or
CSE 599 Thesis (6)
The master's degree offers a course-based option.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S.
applicants | International
applicants | English
proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- statement of purpose
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. An applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language with a TOEFL iBT® score of 4.5, or 90 (taken at a testing center) if taken before January 21, 2026; 7 on the IELTS; or 115 on the Duolingo English test, regardless of current residency.
All international records must be submitted in the original language, accompanied by an official English translation. If the student has attended a U.S. institution, they must submit one set of official transcripts from every college and university attended, except ASU.
Before applying to the program, students are required to have completed two semesters or six credit hours of calculus, equivalent to Calculus I and II, with a grade of "C" (scale is 4.00 = "A") or higher. It is also recommended that students complete a discrete math course before admission.
Students who are assigned additional admission requirements courses upon admission must complete them with a grade of "C" or higher (scale is 4.00 = "A") within two semesters of admission. Additional admission requirements courses include:
CSE 230 Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming
CSE 310 Data Structures and Algorithms
CSE 330 Operating Systems
CSE 340 Principles of Programming Languages or CSE 355 Introduction to Theoretical Computer Science
The applicant's undergraduate GPA and depth of preparation in computer science and engineering are the primary factors affecting admission.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Priority |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 08/01 | Priority |
Graduates are prepared for research and development roles in industry and academia, with the skills to innovate in data science, data engineering and large-scale computing systems.
Career examples include:
- computer network architect
- computer system analyst
- computer systems engineer
- data scientist or engineer
- machine learning, artificial intelligence computer vision engineer
- software developer
- software engineer
Computer Science and Engineering Program
|
CTRPT 105
SCAI.Grad.Admission@asu.edu
480-965-3199
Program term definitions
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
