Two different on-campus Master’s degrees are available in the Computer Science Department - Master of Science in Computer Science Software Development (MSCS,) and Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS.) Information about each degree program can be found at the links below. To get more details and to choose the right program, please contact Graduate@Marist.edu.

• MS in Information Systems
• MS in Computer Science Software Development

Yes, you can apply for the MS in Information Systems with any undergraduate degree. You can also apply for the MS in Computer Systems Software Development, but you will need two prerequisite courses in addition to the standard curriculum.

Many three-year degrees with First Division graduation are accepted. Send copies of your transcript to graduate@marist.edu and we can tell you if your degree would be accepted.

MS in Information Systems Management

•   No prerequisites are required for this program.

MS in Computer Science Software Development

• Two prerequisite courses exist for this program. All students take placement exams in the first week of class. Exams focus on Java and Advanced Data Structures. Students who pass the exams will be exempted from the prerequisites and placed in different courses for the MSCS major. Students who need to take the two prerequisite courses should plan for eight additional credits in their Master’s program. You can still complete the degree in four semesters.

      MSCS 501 Object-Oriented Programming
      MSCS 502 Advance Data Structures

You can apply for either program at https://www.marist.edu/admission/graduate/cas-application.

Complete an online application at https://www.marist.edu/admission/graduate/cas-application
 

Upload scans of these documents to complete your application. If you have more documents to send than you can upload to the application, email the remaining documents to graduate@marist.edu.

• Transcript semester mark sheets plus your provisional certificate and consolidated mark sheet if available. Admission requires first class graduation or 60% or higher CGPA, or 7/10 CGPA. Minimal backlogs are accepted.
  • Transcript translations are not usually required.
  • Many three-year degrees are accepted from NAAC accredited colleges and universities when you have first division graduation.
• Statement of Purpose. Your essay should be at least 750 words discussing your education, work experience, why you want to pursue this degree, and why you want to attend Marist.
• Language exam scores - Minimum accepted scores are 115 Duolingo, 6.5 IELTS, 79 TOEFL, 58 PTE. 
  (Duolingo is online. IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE must be taken at a test center)
• Resume
• Passport

Financial documents are not required for an admission decision. If accepted, you will be asked to send scans of your bank statement and affidavit, plus official score reporting for your language exam before your I-20 will be issued.

You may be able to transfer credits. Request a course-by-course transcript translation converting your Master’s degree classes to United States grades. We can transfer up to two classes, six credit hours for MSIS students if the courses are close matches to Marist courses.

No courses may be transferred for MSCS majors. Students must earn at least 30 credits at Marist to have a Master’s degree conferred. The MSCS degree is only 32 credits. Transferring courses would not leave enough classes for the degree to be conferred.

Admission documents for Fall are preferred by June 15.*
Admission documents for Spring are preferred by November 1.*

*Applications received after the preferred deadline are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Once all of your admission documents are received, you will usually have an admission decision within two weeks. You can check the status of your application online at any time. You will receive log in information when you apply online.

Yes, Marist College is accredited by Middle States Accreditation. Information about accreditation can be found on our Accreditations page. 

I-20s are issued after your official language scores are received, plus scans of your affidavit and bank statement are received. Your financial documents need to be less than six months old.

Please see current financial information on our International Graduate Tuition page.
The amounts shown are for a nine-month school year. If you plan to live in the United States during the summer, you would need additional money.

Students with F-1 VISAs can work on campus up to 20 hours per week. Students cannot work off campus in their first year due to United States VISA regulations. Opportunities exist in the information technology department, food service, and other areas. Most students do not get employment in their first semester. Do not plan on campus employment when you create your budget.

You may participate in CPT (Curricular Practical Training) in your second year. CPT allows you to work up to 20 hours per week for any United States company. Your job must be related to your degree. You are still required to maintain full-time courses on campus.

Finishing your degree in 1.5 years is possible for MSCS students, but it is very rare. You would need to test out of all prerequisite courses, and take a heavy course load. Almost all students in MSCS are unable to test out of two prerequisite courses, MSCS 501 Object-Oriented Programming and MSCS 502 Advanced Data Structures.

MSIS students usually require two years to complete their program. You will be allowed to take three classes, nine credits, in your first semester. If you secure excellent grades you may ask for permission to take twelve credit hours in future semesters to complete in 1.5 years. 

Yes, both of these degree programs are STEM programs. They are both eligible for OPT. OPT is Optional Practical Training. If you are an F1 student in any Computer Science Master’s Degree program, you have the option of applying to work in the United States by engaging in practical training after you complete your degree. Practical training can provide valuable work experience by sharpening and adding to the skills you learned in school. Currently you may apply for 12 months of OPT after your degree completion. The job must be in your field of study. Students who complete the MSIS or MSCS programs may also be able to apply for an additional 17 months of OPT. Details can be found https://www.ice.gov/sevis/practical-training