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The master of science in computer science online program consists of 30 credits that can be completed over the course of three to five terms. The program can be completed in approximately 12 months depending on students’ course schedules. Learn more about the courses you will take as a student in the program in the descriptions below.
The Accelerated Track can be completed in as little as 12 months over three terms. The Standard Track can be completed in as few as 20 months over five terms.
When choosing the Standard or Accelerated Track, you should also assess whether your course load will be considered full-time or part-time for financial aid purposes. More information can be found on the Financial Aid FAQs.
Computer Networks (CS 5283) (3 Units)
Web-Based System Architecture (CS 5288) (3 Units)
Distributed Systems Principles (CS 6381) (3 Units)
Advanced Software Engineering (CS 6385) (3 Units)
Model-Integrated Computing (CS 6388) (3 Units)
Principles of Cloud Computing (CS 5287) (3 Units)
Computer Networks (CS 5283) (3 Units)
Web-Based System Architecture (CS 5288) (3 Units)
Distributed Systems Principles (CS 6381) (3 Units)
Advanced Software Engineering (CS 6385) (3 Units)
Model-Integrated Computing (CS 6388) (3 Units)
Principles of Cloud Computing (CS 5287) (3 Units)
Teaches students how reusable parallel programs can be designed, implemented, optimized, validated, maintained, and enhanced by applying effective functional and object-oriented development practices, patterns, and frameworks.
Provides students with a deep understanding of conceptual and practical aspects of designing, implementing, and debugging concurrent software apps using patterns and frameworks related to Java and Android.
Principles and programming techniques of artificial intelligence. Strategies for searching, representation of knowledge and automatic deduction, learning, and adaptive systems. Survey of applications.
Machine learning, especially deep learning, is the key innovation in data science, computer science, and statistics. This class is a graduate course in machine learning, addressing both the practice of and the theories underlying machine learning. The class will briefly cover topics including the practice of machine learning, regression, classification, tree-based methods, feature engineering, mixture models, and introduce theoretical foundations of neural networks and deep learning.
The nature of software. The object-oriented paradigm. Software life-cycle models. Requirements, specification, design, implementation, documentation, and testing of software. Object-oriented analysis and design. Software maintenance.
Students work in teams to specify, design, implement, document, and test a nontrivial software project. The use of CASE (Computer Assisted Software Engineering) tools is stressed.
Computer communications. Network (Internet) architecture. Algorithms and protocol design at each layer of the network stack. Cross-layer interactions and performance analysis. Network simulation tools. Lab and programming assignments.
Principles of Cloud Computing. Fundamental concepts of cloud computing, different service models, techniques for resource virtualization, programming models, management, mobile cloud computing, recent advances, and hands-on experimentation.
Web-based System Architecture. Core concepts necessary to architect, build, test, and deploy complex web-based systems; analysis of key domain requirements in security, robustness, performance, and scalability.
Systems verification and validation, industrial case studies, propositional and predicate logic, syntax and semantics of computational tree and linear time logics, binary decision diagrams, timed automata model and real-time verification, hands-on experience with model checking using the SMV, SPIN and UPPAAL tools, and state reduction techniques.
Techniques and mechanisms in distributed system design, such as logical clocks, distributed consensus, distributed mutual exclusion, consistency models, fault tolerance and paradigms of communication. Contemporary distributed system case studies and open challenges.
An intensive study of selected areas of software engineering. Topics may include CASE tools, formal methods, generative techniques, aspect-oriented programming, metrics, modeling, reuse, and software architecture.
Topics may include empirical software engineering and open-source software engineering.
Model-Integrated Computing. Problems of designing, creating, and evolving information systems by providing rich, domain-specific modeling environments including model analysis and model-based program synthesis tools. Students are required to give a class presentation and prepare a project.
This course is a thorough exploration of the science of digital forensics. This course will include topics in OS forensics, mobile forensics, network forensics, forensic science theory, legal issues, etc. Standards and best practices in forensic science, such as NIST standards, will be covered. Numerous hands-on labs will be included that require application of theory, development of forensic arguments, and production of forensic papers.
Coverage of software techniques, methods, and tools used to develop large-scale mobile cloud computing systems and applications, including topics on API design, scalability, concurrency, parallelism, persistence, microservices, resilience, quality assurance, and deployment.
This course is an introduction to quantum computing. Fundamental concepts including quantum hardware, logical qubits, quantum algorithms, and quantum programming will be covered. While prior course work in linear algebra and physics would help a student, they are not required.
To qualify for the online master’s in computer science, you must hold a bachelor’s degree in computing or a computing-related field in engineering or natural science, or hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject, but have significant experience in computer science and programming.
Programming experience in at least one of the following computing languages is highly recommended: Java, JavaScript, Python, C++, Objective C, Swift, C#, Kotlin, Clojure, Ruby, Haskell, or Scala.
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Admissions Deadlines |
Summer 2024 |
Fall 2024 |
Spring 2025 |
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Final Submit Deadline |
3/8/2024 |
6/28/2024 |
11/8/2024 |
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Final Complete Deadline |
3/15/2024 |
7/5/2024 |
11/15/2024 |
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Faculty Review Deadline |
3/22/2024 |
7/12/2024 |
11/22/2024 |
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Final Decision Deadline/Deposit Deadline |
4/5/2024 |
7/26/2024 |
12/6/2024 |
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Registration Opens in YES |
3/25/2024 |
7/9/2024 |
10/28/2024 |
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First day of class |
5/6/2024 |
8/21/2024 |
1/6/2025 |
GRE test scores are not required to apply to the M.S. in computer science program.
Learn more and view a detailed list of application requirements on the Admissions page.
What is my Vanderbilt User Account?
Your user account is your VUNetID. This will allow access to student services, your VU email, and your YES (Your Enrollment Services) portal.
How do I set up my VUNetID and Password?
The University Registrar will begin the process by sending a message to your personal email account within two weeks following payment of your matriculation fee. The subject line of the email is “Invitation to Vanderbilt University”. Check your Spam or Junk email folder for missing emails from Vanderbilt University. Your VUNetID and Access Code should pre-populate. You may start the claim process by visiting the VU Information Technology page.
How do I set up my Vanderbilt email address?
Your Vanderbilt email address is the official address for communications from the Dean’s Office, the Department Chair, the Program Director, all course professors, Office of Student Account, Office of Student Financial Aid, and our Student Success team. You can forward your mail from this address to any email address you wish to use.
After you officially enroll at Vanderbilt University, you will receive an email to create your VUNetID. To begin the account claim process, click on the link in your “Invitation to Vanderbilt” email.
What is YES?
Your Enrollment Services – YES – account includes access to academic records, billing, financial aid, direct deposit set up, and more. You will need your VUNetID and Password to log into YES – yes.vanderbilt.edu.
How much does the Vanderbilt Engineering program cost?
Tuition is based on the number of credits for which you register. Current tuition rates can be found on the Tuition and Financial Aid sections of our website.
Are there additional fees?
A health insurance fee, online student services fee, and online student health fee are charged each semester. The full schedule of tuition and fees can be found on the Tuition and Financial Aid sections of our website.
Can any fees be waived for online students?
You may request the health insurance fee to be waived by contacting Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk organization. The waiver must be completed each semester in order to waive the fee.
How much is the enrollment deposit?
There is a $500 non-refundable enrollment deposit (which is applied to tuition)
Can I use financial aid to cover the deposit?
No, federal student aid cannot be used to pay the deposit.
When will I receive a tuition bill and when is payment due?
Vanderbilt Office of Student Accounts sends E-Bills notification the first of each month. The Graduate Professional Account Newsletter has relevant information.
How do I view my bill?
E-bills will be emailed to your Vanderbilt email address. You may access your online invoices from your YES landing page at http://yes.vanderbilt.edu. Once a student has signed in to YES, invoices may be viewed under the Billing Portal link.
What are the accepted forms of payment?
There are multiple payment methods available.
How does my employer go about paying the school?
Third party invoicing and payments might include employers, corporations, outside organizations or State Prepaid Tuition Plans.
How do I make tuition and fee payments to Vanderbilt?
Vanderbilt offers several payment options.
When are tuition and fees due?
Payment deadlines are included on the E-bill. Please view the bill upon email notification.
What is the process for a refund, if I’m eligible?
The refund process is automated. Students are encouraged to sign up for Direct Deposit. This may be done through the student’s YES portal.
What is the Title IV Authorization?
By completing the Title IV Authorization, found in YES, Vanderbilt can apply your federal aid to all your charges, such as medical insurance, parking fines and other miscellaneous charges.
Who can I contact at Vanderbilt for billing and payment questions?
For billing and payment questions, contact Student accounts by email at
student.accounts@vanderbilt.edu or by phone at 615-322-6693.
Are scholarships offered for the engineering management M.Eng. program?
All students admitted to the online M.Eng. in engineering management program in Fall 2023 will be automatically considered for a $20,000 scholarship. This scholarship is not renewable since it is applied to credits taken each term. Students are limited to using the $20,000 scholarship for only 5-6 terms. (If you take longer in the program, additional money will not be awarded.). Students are also encouraged to seek outside assistance. Visit the resource page on the Office of Student Financial Aid website.
Are scholarships offered for the computer science M.S. program?
All students admitted to the online M.S. in computer science program in Fall 2023 will be automatically considered for a $25,000 scholarship. This scholarship is not renewable since it is applied to credits taken each term. Students are limited to using the $25,000 scholarship for only 5-6 terms. (If you take longer in the program, additional money will not be awarded.). Students are also encouraged to seek outside assistance.Visit the resource page on the Office of Student Financial Aid website.
Is financial aid available for Vanderbilt Engineering Online programs?
Yes, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and the Direct Graduate PLUS Loans are available to eligible students.
How do I apply for Federal Direct loans?
Step 1: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Step 2: Complete Entrance Counseling.
Step 3: Submit the Loan Agreement Master Promissory Note (MPN) in order for your loans to disburse.
Step 4: Evaluate your need for additional funding such as the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, which is a credit-based loan. You can apply for the Graduate PLUS loan on the Federal Student Loans page and complete the separate MPN and credit request for that loan.
How will I receive my financial aid award letter?
Students who are admitted to the program and have completed the FAFSA will receive an award notification letter by mail. This may take up to 5 – 7 business days from the time you submitted your FAFSA.
Students who pay their enrollment deposit and set up their Vanderbilt VUNetID will view their financial aid offers and/or award revisions through YES. The Financial Aid link in YES contains your aid offer, cost of attendance (COA), financial aid checklist(s), and anticipated aid disbursement information.
Below are step-by-step instructions to view your Financial Aid Awards in the YES portal:
1. Once logged into the YES portal, students will see the below image and should click on “Financial Aid”.
2. Next, the student should select the correct academic year to view.
3. Then click “Awards”, which will provide a breakdown of the student’s financial aid package by the year and then by term.
When my financial aid award letter is added to YES, will I receive an email to my Vanderbilt email address notifying me?
Yes students will receive an award notification via email when their award is available to view in the YES student portal. This email is sent to their Vanderbilt email address.
When should I complete the FAFSA?
The FAFSA is available every October 1st for the upcoming academic year which begins with the August (fall) semester. New students planning to use federal student aid should complete a FAFSA while applying for admission. Continuing students will need to submit a FAFSA each year they plan to receive federal student aid. For additional information on which FAFSA to complete visit the VU Financial Aid Website for How to Apply.
If you wish to start classes in May 2023, please complete the 2022-2023 FAFSA. If you wish to start classes in August 2023, January 2024 or May 2024, please complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA.
Do I need to complete the FAFSA each year?
Yes. Because eligibility for federal student aid does not carry over from one award year to the next, you will need to complete the FAFSA for each award year for which you are or plan to be a student.
Will I be able to view my financial aid award package before submitting the deposit?
It depends on timing. Financial aid processing can take around five to seven business days after you have been admitted and completed the FAFSA. If you are admitted days prior to your start date, you may not have access to your award letter.
Are there academic requirements I must meet to receive financial aid?
Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to continue receiving financial aid.
How do I determine if the Master of Science in Computer Science at the Graduate School is full-time?
Fall and Spring Semesters: Students must be enrolled for at least 9 hours. This constitutes full-time enrollment.
Summer Session: Students must be enrolled for at least 6 hours. This constitutes half-time enrollment. Full-time enrollment is 9 hours.
How do I determine if a professional program at the School of Engineering (e.g. Master of Engineering in Engineering Management) is full-time?
Fall Spring and Summer Semesters: Students must be enrolled for at least 9 hours. This constitutes full-time enrollment.
What is the minimum number of credits required to receive federal student aid?
Students must be registered for a minimum of 6 credits for Fall and Spring terms and 3 credits for Summer in order to be eligible for federal student aid. Engineering Management students are also eligible for federal student aid in terms they are enrolled in Capstone experience courses.
How do I accept my financial aid award?
Once the appropriate loan applications are completed the Office of Student Financial Aid will process the loan at the amount indicated on the award package. Students need to actively decline or request a reduction in loans by emailing loans@vanderbilt.edu.
Am I required to accept the full amount that I am offered on my award letter?
No, students are encouraged to borrow as little as possible. Students may email student.loans@vanderbilt.edu to reduce or decline their loans.
Does my Direct Loan eligibility cover the entire cost of the program?
Assuming the student is eligible for both the Direct Unsubsidized loan and the Direct Graduate PLUS loan, the student may borrow for tuition and fees in full for the current academic year.
How soon will loans disburse to my student account?
Loans are disbursed a week after classes start, after it has been verified the student has attended class.
Will students receive a loan disbursement each term?
Students may receive loans for each term they are enrolled at least half time
Can I use loans to cover additional expenses (housing, books, supplies, etc.,)?
The total cost of attendance (COA) for the academic year includes tuition, fees, living expenses. If the student has eligibility for additional loan funds based on the COA, the student is able to use those resources to cover expenses such as books, supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.
Who can I contact at Vanderbilt for financial aid questions?
For questions regarding financial aid at Vanderbilt, please contact finaid@vanderbilt.edu.
If I have sent an email, when should I expect to receive a response from the Financial Aid Office?
During peak times, students should allow at least 3-4 business days for a response. During normal time periods, allow at least 2 business days.
Are private loans offered at Vanderbilt?
Lenders offer private alternative student loan programs with different rates, fees, repayment terms, and approval requirements. Vanderbilt provides a search tool, FASTChoice, which is a historical list of private lenders other VU students have used.
Is there a federal aggregate loan limit?
The aggregate loan limit for all federal loans, including undergraduate and graduate study, is $138,500. In addition to borrowing limitations based on the cost of attendance for the program, students are also limited in terms of lifetime borrowing.
If the total loan amount you receive over the course of your education reaches the aggregate loan limit, you are not eligible to receive additional loans. However, if you repay some of your loans to bring your outstanding loan debt below the aggregate loan limit, you could then borrow again, up to the amount of your remaining eligibility under the aggregate loan limit. You can learn more about graduate annual loan limits on the Federal Student Aid website.
How do I find out if I am near my aggregate loan limit or have defaulted on a federal student loan?
Log in on the StudentAid.gov homepage to view your federal student loan borrowing history and loan servicer details. Please note that private education loans are not listed on this site. Students in default are not eligible for additional federal loans. Contact your lender for default resolution options.
What is the difference between a Direct Unsubsidized Loan and a Direct Subsidized loan?
Direct Subsidized Loans are available to undergraduate students with financial need. The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on subsidized loans while students are enrolled in their undergraduate program. The Direct Unsubsidized Loan is available to undergraduate and graduate students and does not require demonstration of financial need. The Unsubsidized Loan begins accruing interest as soon as funds are disbursed. Learn more about the difference between unsubsidized and subsidized loans.
What is the current Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan interest rate?
The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan interest rate is determined on an annual basis. Learn more about interest rates on the Federal Student Aid website.
Are there any additional loan fees for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan?
There is a loan origination fee that is a percentage of the total loan amount. The loan origination fee is deducted proportionately from each loan disbursement you receive. Information on Unsubsidized loan origination fees can be found on the Interest Rates and Fees page of the Federal Student Aid website.
What is the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan?
The Direct Graduate PLUS loan is a federal loan that graduate or professional degree students can use to help pay education expenses in addition to the Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Learn about Direct PLUS Loans.
Do Federal Direct PLUS Loans affect my aggregate loan limit?
Only Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans and prior Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program count toward your aggregate loan limit.
What are the eligibility criteria to apply for the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan?
A credit check will be conducted when applying for the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. In addition to the federal student aid eligibility criteria, applicants cannot have an adverse credit history.
What are my options if I’m denied the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan?
If you are denied the Graduate PLUS loan, you may reapply with an endorser or follow instructions on the Department of Education’s website to appeal the denial.
How much can I borrow from the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan?
If approved for the Grad PLUS Loan, you can borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid received. The cost of attendance includes tuition and fees, and allowances for indirect expenses like books, supplies, and living expenses.
What is the Graduate PLUS Loan current interest rate?
The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan interest rate is determined at the beginning of each academic year, and is available on the Federal Student Aid website’s Interest Rates and Fees page.
Are there any additional loan fees for the Graduate PLUS Loan?
There is a loan origination fee that is a percentage of the total loan amount. The loan origination fee is deducted proportionately from each loan disbursement you receive. Information on Graduate PLUS Loan origination fees can be found on the Interest Rates and Fees page of the Federal Student Aid website.
Do I have to repay my student loans while I’m in school?
You are not required to pay your student loans while you are in school as long as you are enrolled at least half-time. Your unsubsidized loan will go into repayment six months after you graduate, fall below half-time status, take a leave of absence or withdraw from the program.
When do I have to repay my loan?
After you graduate, leave school or drop below half-time enrollment, you will have a six-month grace period before you are required to begin repayment. During this period, you’ll receive repayment information from your loan servicer, and you will be notified of your first payment due date. Payments are usually due monthly. You are not required to pay while in school, however if you choose to, there is no penalty to prepay. Learn more about repayment timelines.
What are the repayment plan options and how do I select one?
The Department of Education (DOE) offers multiple options for repayment. You may visit the DOE website for more information on loan repayment plans.
Is there a repayment calculator or estimator that I can use?
Yes, visit the DOE website for repayment calculators.
Can I consolidate my graduate loans and my undergraduate loans?
A Direct Consolidation Loan allows you to consolidate (combine) multiple federal education loans into one loan including both graduate and undergraduate loans. The result is a single monthly payment instead of multiple payments. Learn more about loan consolidation.
Are there any loan forgiveness options available?
Please review the Department of Education website for more information on federal loan forgiveness programs.
How do I apply for VA educational benefits?
Prospective students should request a certificate of eligibility (COE) from the VA at (888) 442-4551 or Apply for Benefits Online. If approved, the COE will list the remaining entitlement of the eligible individual and the ending date of the individual’s eligibility.
NOTE: Applicants for the Master of Engineering degree in Engineering Management should reach out to the VA School Certifying Officials at VASCO@vanderbilt.edu for further information.
What are current rates of benefits?
Current rates of benefits are available on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website. Because Vanderbilt University is a private university, students who receive Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits are subject to a maximum tuition and fee reimbursement per academic year (August 1 through July 31). The amount of the national cap changes each year on August 1. The amount of funds that are available on August 1 can be used from August 1 to July 31 of the following year. When VA benefits are calculated, the amount of this national cap must be expended before Yellow Ribbon Program benefits can be awarded. Because VA federal regulations are always evolving, it is not possible for a VA school certifying official to estimate the exact amount of VA educational benefits that a student will receive.
How does the Yellow Ribbon Program work at the Graduate School and the School of Engineering?
Vanderbilt University does not limit the number of students in the Yellow Ribbon Program in each school. The Graduate School and the School of Engineering award yellow ribbon funds up to $6,000 based on unmet need.
How are Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits calculated at Vanderbilt?
Please see examples available at this link.
How do I determine if the Master of Science in Computer Science at the Graduate School is full-time?
Fall and Spring Semesters:Students must be enrolled for at least 9 hours.
Summer Session:Students must be enrolled for at least 6 hours.
How do I determine if a professional program at the School of Engineering (e.g. Master of Engineering in Engineering Management) is full-time?
Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters: Students must be enrolled for at least 9 hours.
Are the Vanderbilt Engineering Online programs considered to be a distance program?
Yes, these online classes are certified as distance classes.
How is my Post-9/11 GI Bill® monthly housing allowance calculated?
If you have specific questions about your monthly housing allowance, we recommend using the Submit a Question feature at https://benefits.va.gov/gibill. Because the VA pays the monthly housing allowance directly to students receiving Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits, the VA has informed our office that, due to federal privacy laws, they are unable to share specific information about a student’s monthly housing allowance with the school certifying official.
Are the Online Student Services and Student Health Fees and health insurance fees covered by VA educational benefits?
The Online Student Services and Student Health Fees and health insurance fees are not covered by VA educational benefits. However, these fees would be included in veterans’ financial aid packages. Veterans who are employed and can provide proof of health insurance coverage may request the health insurance fee to be waived by contacting Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk organization.
What documents are required for the VA file?
What is the deadline to apply for VA education benefits?
In order to expedite the processing of VA education benefits, it is recommended that students who wish to use VA education benefits adhere to the following deadlines.
Students who cannot provide all documents by these deadlines should consult with a VA School Certifying Official in the Office of the University Registrar prior to the deadline.
Due to the extended processing time of the VA, it is not recommended that students rely on VA payments to arrive prior to Vanderbilt’s payment deadline. We suggest that all students have a plan to cover their expenses until VA education benefits are paid. The VA can take as long as 6-8 weeks to process certifications for VA education benefits.
Who can I contact?
Questions regarding the certification of VA educational benefits should be directed to one of the VA School Certifying Officials in the Office of the University Registrar at VASCO@vanderbilt.edu. This will enable the first person who is available to respond.
Questions regarding remaining eligibility should be directed to the VA at (888) 442-4551.
How do I qualify for a tuition tax credit?
For detail on tax benefits for education, see IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Higher Education, which provides detailed information. Vanderbilt University is unable to provide tax advice. We urge you to contact your tax advisor or the IRS at 800-829-1040 or www.irs.gov if you have any questions regarding the HOPE or Lifetime Learning Tax Credits.
What is the 1098-T Form?
It is an informational form filed with the Internal Revenue Service to report the amounts paid by you for qualified tuition, related expenses, and other related information. The primary purpose of the IRS Form 1098‐T is to inform you that we have provided this required information to the IRS.
What information is included in the 1098-T Form?
Form 1098-T reports amounts paid for qualified tuition, scholarship and grants processed during the calendar year to students enrolled in courses at Vanderbilt University for which they receive academic credit. The information reported on the 1098-T form helps students evaluate whether he or she is eligible for an educational tax credit.
How do I obtain my 1098-T Form?
Instructions for obtaining your 1098-T form can be found here.
Will my diploma or transcript indicate I completed the program online?
Vanderbilt Engineering Online students receive the same degree as students in the campus program. Transcripts and diplomas do not indicate the method by which the degree was earned.
