Complete a master’s degree at your own pace, at your own place! The Siebel School of Computing and Data Science has partnered with Coursera to offer our top-ranked, cutting-edge, coursework-only Master of Computer Science degree in our most flexible and affordable format. An optional data science (MCS-DS) track is available for students with a strong interest in data science.

The Siebel School of Computing and Data Science's Master of Computer Science (MCS) consists of 32 credit hours of coursework and no thesis. Students learn from world-class faculty and will master in-demand skills while leveraging the flexibility of online learning to balance their personal and career obligations. This 32-credit hour degree can be earned in as little as one year or in as many as five years, giving you full control.

Lectures are through the Coursera platform, but students are advised and assessed by Illinois Grainger Engineering faculty and teaching assistants on the more rigorous set of assignments, projects, and exams required for university degree credit.

The MCS online currently offers coursework in the core areas of artificial intelligence, databases, human-computer interaction, software engineering, scientific computing and high-performance computing. Students specifically interested in a data science focus should consider our data science track, which can be completed in conjunction with the MCS degree with no additional credit hours needed.

Not sure if our online MCS is for you? We also offer an MCS in Chicago and an MCS on the Urbana-Champaign campus.

Online Data Science Track

Students with a strong interest in data science may choose to complete the online data science track (MCS-DS). The MCS-DS requires coursework in machine learning, data mining, data visualization and cloud computing. These specialized courses fit into the standard MCS degree requirements, meaning that no additional coursework is required to complete the degree.

View the MCS-DS Curriculum

Thomas M. Siebel Center for Computer Science

201 N. Goodwin Avenue, MC-258

Urbana , IL 61801

Phone: 217-333-3426

Email: [email protected]

The Grainger College of Engineering

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