Select one of the options below:
Build the advanced knowledge and skills to pursue a career in fields like computer programming, software development, cyber security, and more by earning your degree online with CSU.
As the world becomes increasingly reliant on computers and software, opportunities for professionals with advanced knowledge are growing. The need for better programs and more effective computer systems spans nearly every industry and sector. Study online to earn your degree and meet the growing demand for professionals who can manage large amounts of data, improve computer software functionality, develop advanced applications, and consistently maintain stable security.
The practice of computer science can be broadly defined as using computational methods to achieve specific objectives or solve specific problems. One common computer science skill includes the ability to encode, store, track, and transform information. Creating, testing, and improving software programs are also fundamental skills. With the right knowledge, it is also possible to design software applications that can learn and adapt semi-autonomously (i.e. machine learning). While the study and development of computer hardware is primarily a computer engineering discipline, the study and development of software, algorithms, and theoretical computing frameworks are all primary disciplines of computer science.
In addition to several optional degree minors, CSU also offers the following computer science concentrations:
The online bachelor’s in computer science program provides the academic foundation and practical skills you need to pursue a new career or advance in your current career path. As a student in this program, you will have the opportunity to exchange ideas with fellow classmates in a flexible, online program that allows you to earn your degree from wherever you are, on a schedule that fits your life.
Learning at a distance doesn’t mean learning alone. Although this program is entirely online, you will still interact closely with both instructors and peers. CSU faculty make it a priority to facilitate productive and meaningful discussions via email, online forums, phone conversations, and other methods.
What kind of job can you get with a computer science degree? You might be surprised by the variety of choices out there. Today, there are numerous career opportunities, and many are quite lucrative. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a computer programmer was $84,280.
Median salaries for five other careers that may be of interest to graduates of this program:
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Earn your bachelor's degree from a respected, regionally accredited public research university in Colorado without traveling to a campus. Although the program is entirely online, you will still have opportunities to interact closely with both your instructors and peers. You will also have access to many of the same resources and services as CSU’s resident students.
Both faculty and students in CSU’s Department of Computer Science continue to push boundaries in research and innovation. As a student in this program, you will learn from instructors with extensive knowledge in subject areas that include:
Gain the in-depth knowledge you need to excel in a growing industry by learning from scholar-practitioners and collaborating with like-minded peers.
The general concentration option is a broad computer science program that prepares students for any introductory position in the field. This concentration also allows students to select a research area and focus on that topic in their 400-level coursework. Students can also take a breadth focus -- a little bit of everything -- for a broader perspective.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are about creating intelligent systems – systems that perceive and respond to the world around them. AI and ML systems are everywhere, in our cars and smartphones, and businesses of all sizes are investing in these areas.
This concentration combines a rigorous computer science degree with coursework in AI, ML, and big data. This concentration also provides students the necessary foundational coursework and skills in math, statistics, and data science.
Upon completing this program, students will be able to:
Career Opportunities
In addition to the opportunities open to all computer science graduates, the AI/ML concentration opens career paths that include:
Computing systems are integrated devices that input, output, process, and store data and information. Computing systems encompass a wide range, from simple sensors and hardware components to phones, laptops, desktops, and entire data centers. Computing systems specialists are challenged to provide ever increasing levels of performance from these systems.
This concentration provides students with the necessary tools to solve important and demanding systems problems at scale. Students will learn how to design and assess computer systems from a holistic perspective that encompasses distributed and parallel algorithms, big data, systems software, networking, compiler design, and artificial intelligence/machine learning.
Data is our most valuable resource. Large scale data are being generated by programs, sensors, and simulations. Drawing timely and effective insights from these data are at the heart of modern problems in computer science and society in general. The Computing Systems concentration includes courses that teach you how to accomplish this goal, from storing, transporting, organizing, and extracting insights from data to expressing programs that execute in parallel and distributed environments encompassing hundreds of thousands of cores.
Upon completing this program, students will be able to:
Career Opportunities
In addition to the opportunities open to all computer science graduates, the Computing Systems concentration opens career paths that include:
Human-centered computing (HCC) focuses on developing tools that improve the relationship between people and technology so that people can concentrate on the problem rather than the technology. The ultimate goal of HCC is to make the computer invisible.
Human-centered computing involves designing, developing, and deploying human-centric computer systems. In this concentration students will learn techniques for human-computer interaction using gestures, mobile devices, large surfaces, and virtual environments. Students will also learn how to design and conduct human-subject experiments and understand the role of HCC in developing human-centric artificial intelligence systems. The concentration provides rich interdisciplinary training in computer vision, machine learning, design and psychology.
Upon completing this program, students will be able to:
Career Opportunities
In addition to the opportunities open to all computer science graduates, the HCC concentration opens career paths that include:
Networks connect computers and other devices so they can share information. The Networks and Security concentration involves designing, building, and maintaining networks and protecting them from cyberattacks.
Network and security technology is vitally important to almost every modern field of human endeavor including biology, physics, agriculture, medicine, defense, and more. There is explosive demand for professionals who can understand the underlying principles of networks and security, incorporate them into products and practices, and provide defensive capabilities against cyber threats.
This concentration provides students core and elective courses on computer networking, systems security (including the latest trends and technologies in cyber-security), ethical hacking, operating systems, databases, and software. Students will develop fundamental skills in security architecture and analysis, cryptography, system vulnerabilities and attack vectors, malware analysis and defense, intrusion detection and protection, network architecture, engineering and network software development. The CSU Cyber-Security Center of Excellence expands upon these course offerings with lab equipment, research topics, and certification opportunities.
Upon completing this program, students will be able to:
Career Opportunities
In addition to the opportunities open to all computer science graduates, the Networks and Security Concentration opens career paths that include:
Employers in a wide range of fields recognize the need for network and cyber-security architecture and implementations within their domains, which creates R&D and management opportunities across a wide job market.
Software engineering involves designing, implementing, and maintaining computer programs. Developing modern software systems requires more than programming skills and core computer science concepts. It requires software engineering skills, which are in high demand in the software industry. The Software Engineering concentration focuses on the concepts, techniques, and tools necessary for software analysis, design, testing, maintenance, and teamwork. Courses will include hands-on work with the software engineering tools used in industry. This concentration combines a rigorous computer science degree with courses in software design, software testing, project management, and system analysis and design.
Upon completing this program, students will be able to:
Career Opportunities
In addition to the opportunities open to all computer science graduates, the Software Engineering Concentration opens career paths that include:
The Computing for Creatives concentration is intended for students who seek to work at the interface of computer science and creative fields such as film, theater, art and design. The concentration combines the core computing curriculum with computationally-focused study in creative fields.
Upon completion of this degree students will: demonstrate proficiency in most core areas of computer science and have a thorough grounding in the key principles and practices of computing; utilize advanced computing skills to create artifacts such as art, film, games, and 3D simulations that interact with people visually and aurally; demonstrate design, narrative, and human factors skills required to create those artifacts; be able to communicate ideas effectively, both generally and with regard to computing and technology; and confidently pursue graduate studies or professional employment in both computer science and fields combining computing and the creative arts.
For a complete and current list, please visit the Department of Computer Science Faculty and Staff Directory.
(970) 491-7097
indrajit.ray@colostate.edu
(970) 492-4209
shrideep.pallickara@colostate.edu
(970) 491-7031
yashwant.malaiya@colostate.edu
(970) 491-2090
russ.wakefield@colostate.edu
(970) 491-7323
sanjay.rajopadhye@colostate.edu
(970) 491-4193
dave.matthews@colostate.edu
(970) 491-7491
chuck.anderson@colostate.edu
The accelerated master program (AMP) allows high achieving students in the computer science bachelor’s program (all concentrations) who are interested in graduate studies to pursue an advanced degree in less time. Students may apply for admission to the program and begin taking graduate courses during their undergraduate study. AMP offers flexibility in scheduling and completing upper-division undergraduate requirements while concurrently fulfilling graduate course requirements for the Master’s degree.
Students accepted to this program are allowed to apply up to 9 credits of 500-level regular CS coursework to both the undergraduate and graduate degrees, provided they earn at least a B grade in those courses. At the graduate level, students must satisfy all the requirements of the Master’s degree as outlined in the department Graduate Student Manual (GSM).
Applicants must plan early, meet with undergraduate and graduate advisors, and submit an application to be reviewed by the Graduate Recruitment Committee (GRC). Applicants will have the GRE requirement waived. Undergraduate and graduate units that partner to build an AMP will create a graduate admission policy for the undergraduate students that guarantees them contingent admission to the partnering graduate program at any point during the student’s undergraduate career. Final admission is conferred when the students meet the minimum AMP and Graduate School admissions criteria upon completion of their bachelor’s degrees. Students must complete the Graduate Admissions Application.
Below are program information, application instructions, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Accelerated master’s programs (AMP) partner an undergraduate and a master’s degree graduate program within or between departments, in a streamlined path that reduces the time to earn a master’s degree. Undergraduate students are admitted internally by the participating programs and are guaranteed conditional admission to the partnering graduate program during their undergraduate career. Final admission to the graduate program and Graduate School is granted when students meet the minimum graduate program and Graduate School admissions criteria upon completion of the bachelor’s degrees.
The program will allow high achieving students in the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in computer science (all concentrations) interested in graduate studies to pursue an advanced degree in less time. Students with strong scholarly and/or research interests may apply for admission to a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program and begin taking graduate courses during their undergraduate study. This plan allows for flexibility in scheduling and completion of upper-division undergraduate requirements while concurrently fulfilling graduate course requirements for the M.S. degree.
AMP students may take any 500-level regular CS courses (most CS courses are 4 credits each) for which they have the background to support success (any required prerequisites, etc.) and which may also contribute to a graduate plan program of study. Specific courses are determined in consultation with a faculty advisor. These courses also fulfill the senior electives requirements for the undergraduate degree.
AMP students will be required to take CS 501 during the duration of concurrent enrollment.
A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.000 is required, and students apply by the end of the semester during which they complete core 300-level courses (for example CS 320, CS370 and CS 314). Late applications are accepted but may delay the student’s progression through the program. To be eligible for the AMP applicants must be enrolled in the computer science B.S. program and:
The CS Graduate Recruiting Committee (GRC) evaluates each individual application and responds before the start of the next semester.
First, check with your primary undergraduate advisor to see if the AMP would benefit you. If you are unsure who your advisor is, please review the FAQ page.
To apply, please send the following materials to Megan.Brice@colostate.edu:
Megan Brice
Graduate Student Advisor, Department of Computer Science
Megan.Brice@colostate.edu
(970) 491-7850
The CS graduate advisor will be the primary advisor for admission to CS AMP program. All interested applicants must meet with the CS graduate advisor prior to submitting application materials. As with all graduate students, the CS graduate advisor will then serve as the student’s primary point of contact as they complete the Master’s degree.
Students should also meet with their assigned undergraduate advisor to ensure that the 500-level courses that they select meet the requirements for their major’s technical electives as well as other implications for their B.S. degree.
A minimum of 120 credits are required to complete this degree.
The number of courses needed for completion of the program depends on:
For the general computer science concentration, choose two additional 300-level and four 400-level CS courses. Note: Four other computer science concentrations are also available. If you choose a different concentration, this will change the Computer Science courses you take. Please work with the Computer Science advisor on course options.
For the general computer science concentration, choose two additional technical elective courses. Note: Four other computer science concentrations are also available.
Students are strongly encouraged to select AUCC courses in consultation with their academic advisor. The following courses are required as part of the 31 required AUCC credits for the computer science degree:
Grow your knowledge and focus on a topic that interests you. A degree minor can help you discover new passions and talents, and further specialize your education so you become more marketable to employers. Relevant courses often apply to both major and minor requirements, so a minor can be added without greatly changing your degree plan.
Courses already taken can apply to a minor regardless of when the minor is added to your student record. All minor requirements must be completed prior to graduation.
Build knowledge of production management, financial management, marketing management, international development, and trade through an agricultural lens. To earn the minor, you must complete 21 credits from the following courses:
Get a cross-cultural view of humanity and the broadly conceived dimensions of human behavior. You have the option to focus your anthropology studies on one or more sub-disciplinary divisions, including physical anthropology, archaeology, ethnology, or applied anthropology. To earn the minor, you must complete 22 credits from the following courses:
Required Courses:
Total credits: 21
Add to your knowledge base and feel confident working with fields like computer programming, software development, cyber security, and more.
Program Total Credits: 24
Please note: Additional Math courses may be required depending on the 300/400 level courses that students choose.
Explore creative writing in one or more of the following genres: poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. In addition to broadening your writing repertoire, gain workshop experience at an advanced level. To earn this minor, you must complete a minimum of 21 credits in courses with E or CO subject codes, with at least 15 upper-division credits.
The Minor in Design Thinking provides students with an opportunity to develop creative methods and processes for solving societal problems. This human-centered approach engages users and stakeholders in interdisciplinary co-design processes and applies elementary or emerging technologies to develop prototypes that improve spaces, objects, services, problems and ideas benefitting daily experiences and overall quality of life. Students will gain an awareness of the impact of design thinking and its application – to their major, discipline, or profession. Nancy Richardson Design Center course offerings are available in a mix of online, hybrid, or face-to-face. For a full list of learning opportunities offered by the RDC, please visit the courses page.
To earn the minor in Design Thinking online, you must complete 21 credits from the following courses:
Note: Some online courses are still in development.
Gain insight into current socioeconomic problems in the areas of resource allocation, inflation, unemployment, income distribution, environmental degradation, international trade, and monopoly power. This minor prepares you for careers in business management, teaching, government, banking, and public policy. To earn the minor, you must complete 21 credits from the following courses:
Prepare for a variety of careers in gerontology and develop an understanding of the biological, psychological, and social aspects of adult development and aging. This interdisciplinary minor prepares you to fill the need for well-trained professionals to support aging adults, and can be paired with any CSU major.
Prepare to meet today's pressing environmental challenges with this interdisciplinary minor offered by The School of Global Environmental Sustainability (SoGES). Explore innovative research to understand how to solve problems that arise between humans and the environment. To earn your minor, you must complete 21 credits (12 upper-division credits) from the following courses:
At least 3 credits must be upper-division (300-400 level). Courses may not satisfy two groups.
Upper-Division Elective – select 3 upper-division credits from categories A-D with a subject code not previously taken (3 cr.)
Expand the breadth of your knowledge by earning an undergraduate minor in history. Choose from a range of courses based on your interests. This minor may be particularly useful for students who plan to pursue careers in education, public service, government, museums and archives, law, and other professions that require skills in research, writing, and the analysis of information. To earn the history minor, you must complete 21 credits from the following courses. (Note: You must complete at least 12 upper-division credits and 9 lower-division credits).
Growing and managing plants requires you to understand the science and the business of cultivation, and this online bachelor's degree minor emphasizes both. To earn the horticulture minor, you must complete 21 credits from the following courses.
The Human Development and Family Studies minor provides students across all majors with an opportunity to select course work relevant to their career goals. Students will learn about human development at various stages of the lifespan, within the context of diverse families and social identities. This minor offers students the opportunity to expand their thinking about how relationships, family, culture, biological make-up, and environmental factors influence outcomes related to thinking skills, physical health, and social-emotional well-being across the life cycle. Students will gain an awareness of how to optimize their own and other's development in their careers and personal lives. The HDFS department is committed to promoting the success and well-being of students from heterogeneous backgrounds and experiences.
Students must satisfactorily complete the total credits required for the minor. Minors and interdisciplinary minors require 12 or more upper-division (300- & 400-level) credits. Additional courses may be required due to prerequisites.
Courses from this list may not double-count for the Gerontology Interdisciplinary Minor.
A minimum grade of C (2.000) is required in each course used to satisfy the requirements of the Minor in Human Development and Family Studies. Courses used as substitutions also require a minimum grade of C (2.000).
Select a minimum of 18 credits from the following (a minimum of 12 credits must be 300-level or higher)
Develop an understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures and peoples with courses in international and global history, politics, languages and cultures, economics, and environmental issues. To earn this minor, you must complete 21 credits from the following courses:
One course from each category, 12 credits total with at least 9 credits in upper-division (300-400) coursework.
This interdisciplinary minor is sponsored by departments in different colleges across CSU: Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, English and Journalism and Media Communication. The program is designed for students seeking a broad foundation in information technology, but not seeking to major in a specific information technology-related field. The program requires 21 credits and is open to students majoring in any field other than computer science, computer information systems, and electrical and computer engineering.
Select any 15 credits from the following
Program Total Credits: 21
Note: Nine credits must be from upper-division courses. A minimum of six credits must be completed from at least two subject codes.
Select one course from the following:
Select one course from the following:
Select one course from the following:
Please note: Additional Math courses may be required depending on the 300/400 level courses that students choose
Understand the role and influence of mass media in American society and other cultures by studying media and film history, criticism, law, ethics, social effects, cultural consequences, and multicultural and international media issues. To earn the minor, you must complete 21 credits from the following courses:
Gain a foundation in political theory and prepare for careers in law, teaching in the social sciences, journalism, and public service. To earn the minor, you must complete 21 credits from the following courses:
The minor in Science Communication is designed to educate highly qualified communicators who have interests in specialized academic disciplines and career fields. Because science often involves complicated research and processes, communicating the results of that work requires special skills. This program is designed to prepare students for a wide range of niche career opportunities in media, corporate communication, science-related industries, and scientific environments.
Develop technical skills and knowledge to study human societies. To earn this minor, complete 21 credits from the following courses:
Please connect with your assigned advisor to request to add a minor. Note that you must apply and be admitted to the University for a bachelor's degree program before you can add a minor to your student record. Once you are admitted, one or more minors may be added to your student record.
Open to all undergraduate students, the Certificate in Design Thinking will improve not only the way students learn and find solutions to problems in their current coursework, but will also help make students more employable with sought-after marketable skills. Students will gain an awareness of the impact of design thinking and its application – regardless of discipline, profession, or major. Nancy Richardson Design Center course offerings are available in a mix of online, hybrid, or face-to-face. For a full list of learning opportunities offered by the RDC, please visit the courses page.
To earn the certificate in Design Thinking online, you must complete 12 credits from the following courses:
Note: Some online courses are still in development.
The undergraduate Certificate in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) will equip students with in-depth knowledge of principles of integrated management of pest insects, weeds, and diseases associated with managed and natural landscapes. The students will learn about principles underlying integrated pest management, become familiar with key pests, and learn how to apply IPM in managed landscapes with a goal of minimizing environmental and economic impacts of pest control. This certificate is an excellent choice for students interested in entering the workforce immediately after graduation, as well as professionals that require certification in IPM. The certificate will prepare the students for careers in crop protection, pest management education and policy, among others.
The Certificate in Macroeconomics will educate students in the key ideas, tools, and policies of macroeconomics. Major ideas include the causes and consequences of economic growth, unemployment, inflation, and the changing distribution of income, both in the U.S. and internationally. Students will develop both theoretical and analytical skills that are highly valued by employers.
Required Courses
Select a minimum of 6 credits from the following:
Program Total Credits: 9
For students interested in working in animal science, veterinary medicine, or related fields, this certificate program teaches intermediate-level Spanish for use in agricultural and animal care settings. Learn to communicate in Spanish about livestock, equine, and small animal breeds, give directions for animal care and handling, issue instructions for safety and drug administration, and more.
Courses
Prepare for a career as a seed analyst with online courses in seed technology. These courses, led by Colorado State University and supported by three other major universities (Iowa State University, Virginia Tech, and the University of Kentucky) and the Crop Science Society of America, offer a comprehensive overview of seed analysis, a technical skill requiring patience, attention to detail, and a scientific understanding of seed biology. After completion, you will be prepared to complete the examinations to become a Registered Seed Technologist.
Courses
Note: Additional study and testing is required to become a Certified Seed Analyst or Registered Seed Technologist.
Fall semester | August 1 |
Spring semester | January 1 |
Summer semester | May 1 |
Start your application online and upload materials directly into the online system. You can save your progress and return any time.
Apply NowPlanning to transfer credits from another college or university? Please review our FAQ page, then complete a Tentative Transfer Evaluation Form to see how your prior credits may transfer.
First Year Student Pathways:
Transfer and Second Bachelor Student Pathways:
Refer to admissions.colostate.edu/apply/ for details about who we look for in our individual review process.
Call or email our student success team to find out if the program is a good fit for your goals. Our coaches are available Monday-Friday to help you find the right program and navigate the application process.
Student Success Coach: Terrance Dickens
Phone: (970) 698-7337
Email: terrance.dickens@colostate.edu
Complete Colorado State University's online undergraduate application and pay any associated nonrefundable application processing fee (payable online) or waiver (if eligible).
Online applications must be submitted before 5 p.m. (Mountain Time) on the deadline date. If you miss the application deadline, you may still register for courses to begin your program of study as a non-degree student. Students seeking Federal financial aid must be admitted prior to enrolling.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Use FAFSA code 001350. Additional financial aid information is also available.
View your application status at any time to ensure your application checklist is complete or to check on updates.
Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis and may take up to six weeks during high volume application periods.
Questions? Call (970) 698-7337 or email terrance.dickens@colostate.edu.