FAQs for CS MS Applicants

A complete application to the Laney Graduate School must include these elements:

1. Application
2. Transcripts
3. Standardized Tests
   
   1. GRE General Test is required for all applicants.
   2. International applicants must also include their TOEFL, TOEFL iBT "Special Home Edition," or IELTS test scores unless they obtained their undergraduate degree at an institute where English was the primary medium of instruction.
4. Statement of Purpose
5. Resume/CV
6. Three Letters of Recommendation
7. $75 Application Fee. If this poses a barrier to application, please see here for a fee waiver.

To help you complete your application, you might want to review these web pages:

• Our Application Requirements page explains what is required from the Laney Graduate School and provides links to program pages that explain program-specific requirements.
• Our Admissions FAQ page contains answers to a number of common questions.

If you run into problems, there are a couple of places you might turn to:

• For technical issues with the application, contact Slate Support.
• For questions about program requirements, contact Computer Science & Informatics directly: CS-MS-ADMINS@listserv.cc.emory.edu

For the academic year 2024-2025, tuition for full-time registration for 9 or more credit hours is $23,900 per semester. Students registered for less than 9 credit hours per semester are classified as part-time and are charged $2,656 per credit hour. Students may be liable for other fees. Please see here for details.

*Students admitted to the MS Computer Science program are automatically considered for  tuition scholarships

No. For the CS MS program, students with an undergraduate degree in most disciplines will be considered, provided they have familiarity with at least one programming language, and are proficient in sophomore level data structures and algorithms

Unfortunately, the Emory Laney Graduate School does not offer conditional admission.

The application cycle is only for the Fall semesters. We do not currently offer Spring admissions.

Yes

Preferably, yes. If you are unable to have your recommender to submit your recommendation letters before the deadline, please have them directly send their recommendation letters to: CS-MS-ADMINS@listserv.cc.emory.edu

• The Emory Computer Science department offers a Master of Science (MS)
  in Computer Science suited to individuals with an undergraduate
  degree in many disciplines, as long as they have some computational
  experience.
• The minimum requirements include knowledge of at least one
  programming language and proficiency in undergraduate-level  data
  structures and algorithms (equivalent to Emory course CS253)
• The MS in Computer Science program allows students to focus
  on data mining and machine learning (Data Science), natural language
  processing and intelligent systems (AI), visualization and human
  computer interaction (HCI), theory, systems, and high performance computing.
• Depending on individual student backgrounds, these specializations
  may be achieved by taking appropriate courses. For example, students
  with strong quantitative skills such as a EE, Math, or Statistics
  undergraduate degree can complete a Data Science focused MS in CS.
• The MS in CS also offers a concentration in Biomedical Informatics
  (across Computer Science, Biomedical Informatics, and Biostatistics
  Departments). Students still apply to the MS in Computer Science. After
  joining the program, students may declare and pursue the Biomedical
  Informatics concentration

While we do not keep GRE statistics for our admitted students, the Emory Laney Graduate School Master's Dashboard site may provide insights regarding our admitted students.

We do not have a minimum GRE score requirement nor do we require any prior research experience though experiences that demonstrate the applicant’s likelihood of being successful researcher are very helpful.

We evaluate each application and consider it in its entirety as we try to evaluate how well-suited our program is for the applicant, their qualifications and aspirations.

In short, while we do require GRE scores to be submitted for MS admissions, other aspects of the application, including the academic transcript, reference letters and personal statement are at least as important.

Most students complete the CS MS program within 2 years. For highly qualified and motivated students, it is sometimes possible to complete the CS MS in 1.5 years or 3 semesters.

If applicants graduate from an accredited institution in the United States, or from an institution where the primary medium of instruction is English, then they will be exempt from taking the TOEFL exam.

Admission decisions can be made based on unofficial scores but if admitted, students are required to submit official scores via ETS. Emory's code is: 5187

Unofficial transcripts issued by the Registrar to you (the student) are acceptable.

You are required to submit one transcript from each post-secondary institution attended, present school included. International transcripts must be translated and notarized. If accepted to our institution, you will be required to submit your official final transcript.

As part of the online application, upload a scanned transcript from each post-secondary institution you have attended, present school included. The transcripts must be issued by the registrar’s office. Unofficial copies issued to the student are fine.

We will not accept printed web pages from the University’s student information system. If you submit this, the processing of your application may be delayed. If you want to upload an electronic transcript issued by your registrar's office, make sure we can open that document without passwords or other security information. Later on, if you are admitted and accept, then you will need to submit official copies (sealed or sent to us directly from a university registrar).

Transcripts that are not in English must be translated and notarized. Please scan both the original and the translated versions, and submit them together as one file using the online application.

Yes, Emory University does offer international students F1 STEM-OPT extensions. Our advisors in International Student & Scholar Services offer workshops throughout the semester to help students understand the guidelines.

Please contact the program at CS-MS-ADMINS@listserv.cc.emory.edu if you wish to meet with program faculty, staff, and students. If you wish to simply visit the Emory campus, you are welcome to do so at any time.

There are teaching assistant jobs as well as other types of opportunities available on campus. You will be able to view the positions on the Emory Handshake website (a career builder website for Emory students).