View a complete list of program courses, credit opportunities, and more.
This program requires a total of 120 credits.
The following required courses (7 credits) may be applied to general education requirements:
The following required courses (7 credits) may be applied to elective requirements:
Through an accelerated pathway, students who complete this program may be eligible to reduce their total coursework for a Master of Arts in Teaching by up to 12 credits.
Not ready to major in computer science? You can pair a 15-credit minor in computer science with another major at UMGC.
For some of the upper-level cybersecurity and IT courses in this program, you will need equipment that meets the following specifications. Courses in graphics- or computing-intensive disciplines may require a higher processing speed, more RAM, and/or better screen resolution.
Choose one of the following:
In the 21st century, most corporations and government organizations rely on computers to process their data, organize their workplaces, and conduct their business. An online degree in computer science will signal to employers that you have crucial skills in critical thinking, software engineering, structured programming, operating systems, and algorithmic analysis.
Our program directors refresh and update the curriculum regularly, with a focus on helping students achieve these learning goals:
This degree program is designed to help you prepare for computer science careers in many industries, including data processing, healthcare, information security, finance, and more. Potential job titles include computer scientist, software engineer, database administrator, and computer systems architect.
UMGC courses are taught by experienced faculty and address skills and competencies that are highly valued by today’s employers.
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Throughout the degree program, your instructors will assign hands-on coursework that will help you prioritize real-world skills and career-focused experience. In past courses, students have been able to complete the following projects:
Gain insight from our faculty and delve deeper into a range of topics.
Get answers to questions that current and prospective students are asking about program admission, credibility, student organizations, and more.
In the online computer science degree program, students can learn to plan, design, develop, and optimize computer software and systems for commercial and government environments. UMGC's online computer science degree is a 120-credit, state-of-the-art program designed with input from employers, industry experts, and scholars. The program provides students with opportunities for professional development and strong foundational skills in programming languages, software development, complex algorithms, database systems, data structures, and artificial intelligence.
In the 120-credit computer science program, courses are offered year-round. The time it will take you to complete your computer science degree will depend on several factors, including your goals, how many transfer credits you have, your course load each semester, and whether you are able to benefit from one or more of our fast paths to credit, including credit for prior learning and credit for military education and training.
Tuition rates for the computer science major are very competitive and appear at the top of this page. We offer a low in-state rate for Maryland residents and a reduced tuition rate for military service members and their spouses and dependent children. We also offer financial aid, scholarships for those who qualify, an interest-free monthly payment plan, and no-cost digital materials in place of most textbooks to help make your computer science degree even more affordable.
You do not need any background or experience in computer science to apply for and graduate with an online bachelor’s degree in computer science. As long as you meet our undergraduate admission requirements, you can enroll in this program.
You do not need any prior certifications to enroll in or complete this program.
The Computing Club provides a dynamic environment where members can work collaboratively, share innovative ideas, enhance their career-readiness, and gain marketable experience in their respective fields. It is available to graduate or undergraduate students, alumni, faculty, and staff members. Students and alumni can join the Computing Club group on CareerQuest.
Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the international honor society for the computing and IT disciplines, is designed to promote the computing and information sciences and to encourage the enhancement of knowledge in the field. Upsilon Pi Epsilon is open to both undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing a degree in the computing and information science disciplines. Membership is by invitation only.
Undergraduate membership is open to students majoring in one of the computing disciplines who have completed at least 45 credit hours towards their degree, including 30 or more credits at UMGC (in graded coursework) and at least 15 credits from information technology and computer science courses. Undergraduate students need to have a cumulative GPA of a 3.5 or higher and a GPA of 3.5 or higher in all coursework taken from the information technology and computer science courses.
Graduate student membership is open to students pursuing a master's degree in cloud computing systems, cyber operations, cybersecurity management and policy, cybersecurity technology, data analytics, or digital forensics and cyber investigation; a master's degree in information technology with a concentration in database systems technology, informatics, information assurance, software engineering, or systems engineering; or a legacy master's degree in cybersecurity. Graduate students must have completed at least 18 resident credits towards their degree at UMGC, with a cumulative GPA of a 3.5 or higher.
For more information, please email upe@umgc.edu.
The Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) Student Chapter at University of Maryland Global Campus aims to build a community within UMGC that promotes women’s education, participation, and leadership in the field of cybersecurity. It is available to graduate or undergraduate students, alumni, faculty, and staff members. Interested students and alumni are invited to join the Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) group on CareerQuest.
Britney B., North Augusta, SC BS in Computer Science
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