Computer Science (Doctoral)
This program is the first in Texas to offer doctoral-level studies in computer science with formalized business training. The emphasis on collaboration with industry and preparation for careers in academia, business, nonprofit organizations, and government laboratories is a powerful driver for original research and innovative product development.
The Ph.D. program in computer science integrates cutting-edge research, innovation, and entrepreneurship to prepare students for multiple career paths.
Contact The Graduate College for general questions about getting started with your application, funding your degree, and more.
If you have program-specific questions after reviewing the program details, we encourage you to contact the following:
Doctoral Program Director
Dr. Anne Hee-Hiong Ngu
cs_phd_advisor@txstate.edu
512.245.3409
Comal (CMAL), Room 311C
Advisor Support
Karen Hollensbe
kh48@txstate.edu
512.245.3409
Comal (CMAL), Room 211B
“I started at Texas State while working full-time because of the flexibility of taking graduate-level evening courses on the Round Rock Campus. I focused on my thesis while working in a research lab on the San Marcos Campus under the guidance of very supportive faculty members.ˮ
— Lee B. Hinkle, M.S. ’16, Computer Science, current student
Course Work
The program can be taken both full-time and part-time. A total of 54 semester credit hours is required for a student entering with a master’s degree and 78 with a bachelor’s degree. Course work consists of breadth courses, including 7000-level courses from both concentrations (information management and software systems), commercialization courses, and an introduction to computer science research course. The remainder of the degree consists of the depth electives (7000-level courses from the student’s concentration) and dissertation hours. Additional requirements include two one-week boot camps, a qualifying exam, a comprehensive exam, and programming competency skills.
| Degree | Concentration | Course Work | Dissertation | Total Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. | Information Management | 54 hours (for applicants with a bachelor's degree only) | 24 hours | 78 hours |
| Ph.D. | Software Systems | 54 hours (for applicants with a bachelor's degree only) | 24 hours | 78 hours |
| Ph.D. | Information Management | 30 hours | 24 hours | 54 hours |
| Ph.D. | Software Systems | 30 hours | 24 hours | 54 hours |
Graduate students consistently win national, regional and industry awards, including National Science Foundation Graduate Research Program Fellowships, Council of Southern Graduate Schools Outstanding Thesis awards, and IBM’s Master the Mainframe contests.
Program Mission
The mission of the Department of Computer Science is to advance the knowledge of computer science and technology through education, research, and service for the betterment of society. The program focuses on key areas of applied computing of national priority:
- computer security and networking
- data analytics and management
- high-performance computing
- human-computer interaction
- informatics
- software engineering
The curriculum emphasizes building complementary and interdisciplinary technical skills in applied computing and equipping students with non-technical skills that are essential to navigating multiple career paths.
Program Faculty
The department has six main research areas: computer security and networking, data analytics and management, high- performance computing, human-computer interaction, informatics, and software engineering. With expenditures of $1.5 million in recent years, research activities have increased several-fold, leading to numerous faculty accolades, including a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), several NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Awards, and a Distinguished Member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) designation.
Career Options
- assistant professor
- data scientist
- entrepreneur
- lecturer
- postdoctoral fellow
- program manager
- research associate
- research engineer
- research scientist
- research staff member
- senior researcher
- senior software engineer
- software architect
- software consultant
- software specialist
Application Process
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Application Deadline This program has a firm deadline. |
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Funding Information Applications must be complete by the priority deadline to be considered for certain types of funding. |
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Decision Timeline This program reviews applications on a rolling basis. |
Application Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
Application Fee
- $55 nonrefundable application fee
OR - $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
Transcripts & GPA
Applicants with a bachelor's and a master's degree
- baccalaureate degree in computer science or related field from a regionally accredited university
- master's degree in computer science or related field from a regionally accredited university
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- minimum 3.3 GPA in all completed graduate course work
Applicants with a bachelor's degree only
- baccalaureate degree in computer science or related field from a regionally accredited university
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- minimum 3.0 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
GRE Scores
- official GRE (general test only) required with competitive scores in the verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning sections
Review important information about official test scores.
Documents & Other Requirements
- interview (top-ranking applicants only. Read additional information.)
- resume/CV
- three letters of recommendation submitted directly from professionals who are qualified to assess your academic abilities
- written statement of research interests and goals
Review important information about documents.
TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS Scores
Applicants are required to submit TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS scores that meet the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 85 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 57 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
- minimum individual module scores of 6.0
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores.
Interview and Admissions Review Process
Applicants are independently reviewed and ranked by each member of the admissions committee based on a defined set of criteria. Those that are top-rated will be contacted for an interview via Skype or phone and asked a pre-determined set of questions. Based on the results of the interviews, the committee will rank the applicants again to determine the final list for admission.