Information for Graduate Applicants

As a Computer Science student at the University of Memphis, you'll get the chance to work with top-notch faculty who are dedicated to both teaching and research. We are one of the most highly research-active departments on campus and offer both master's and doctoral degrees, giving us an advantage over other similar departments in the Mid-South. We offer numerous student opportunities, including a Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance and Graduate Certificate in Data Science, an internship program for academic credit, and a variety of student organizations.

For more information, please contact csgrad@memphis.edu.

Students

As of Fall 2025, we have 59 MS and 46 PhD students in our program.  Most of our doctoral students receive funding from the university.

Our alumni can be found working in industry and academia throughout the world.

Faculty

The Department has 23 full-time faculty, 18 of whom are tenured or tenure-track. Our faculty include 2 IEEE Fellows, an IEEE Distinguished Lecturer, the Lillian and Morrie Moss Chair of Excellence Professor in Computer Science, and the Sparks Family Chair of Excellence in Global Research Leadership.

Faculty have been recognized extensively for their accomplishments.  The awards conferred on individual faculty have included the Willard R. Sparks Eminent Faculty Award, Dunavant Professorship, Thomas W. Briggs Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award, College of Arts and Sciences Meritorious Faculty Award, and Early Career Research Award.

Research

Grant Funding

The Department is involved in three major national research initiatives: the Learner Data Institute with University of Colorado - Boulder, University of Wisconsin - Madison, University of North Carolina, University of Pittsburgh, 5 companies including Carnegie Learning, SoarTech, Aptima, WorkBay, and Gooru, and the Army's GIFT team; the MD2K Center of Excellence with Cornell, Georgia Tech, University of Michigan, Northwestern, Ohio State, University of Utah, UCLA, UCSD, UCSF, UMass Amherst, and West Virginia, along with Open mHealth; and Named Data Networking: Next-Phase with Colorado State, University of Arizona, UCLA, UCSD, UIUC, University of Michigan, and Washington University.

With millions in active grants, we have the highest per-capita research funding of any department on campus. We were recently ranked 55th among nationwide CS departments in federally funded research expenditures.

Interdisciplinary Institutes and Centers

• Center for Information Assurance
  We are designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education and Research (CAE-CDE, CAE-R) by the NSA/DHS.
• Institute for Intelligent Systems
• Systems Testing Excellence Program

MS and PhD Admission Requirements

1. GRE Scores: The following minimum scores are required. Applicants who hold a Computer Science degree from the University of Memphis may request to have the GRE requirement waived by sending an email request to csgrad@memphis.edu.
   • 143 on Verbal Reasoning
   • 153 on Quantitative Reasoning
   • 3.0 on Analytical Writing
2. Undergraduate GPA: An undergraduate degree in an appropriate discipline with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent preparation.
3. Prerequisites: At least one of the following two requirements must be met:
   • A 4-year Computer Science undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale).
   • Completion of at least six of the following seven prerequisite courses (or their equivalents) with a C+ grade or better. Students admitted with a missing prerequisite are required to complete the prerequisite course during their first semester in the program. Prerequisite courses cannot be counted toward graduate program requirements.
     
     • Calculus 1
     • Calculus 2
     • Linear Algebra
     • Computer Programming
     • Data Structures
     • Discrete Structures / Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science
     • Computer Organization / Architecture
4. English Test Scores: A score of at least 87 on TOEFL, 6.5 on IELTS, 59 on PTE, or 110 on Duolingo is required for students from countries where English is not the primary language. Students with a lower score may still be admitted if their application is strong in other aspects.
5. Personal Statement: A 500-1000 word document that discusses your computer science interests, your reasons for pursuing this degree, and your relevant prior educational and professional experiences.
6. Letters of Recommendation: Two (MS) or three (PhD) letters of recommendation, ideally from prior teachers or supervisors who can attest to your capabilities as a student and to your computer science related expertise.

We consider a variety of factors in making admission decisions. Meeting the minimum department standards does not entitle an applicant to admission. Meeting such standards only ensures consideration of the application.

You may apply online through the admissions portal by visiting: Apply for Graduate Admissions

Deadlines and Fees

The application deadlines in this table apply to both MS and PhD programs.  Note that there are no admissions for the Summer term.

	Spring	Fall
Domestic	December 1	July 1
International (currently in U.S.)	December 1	July 1
International (not currently in U.S., first-time F1 visa holders)	December 1	May 1

 

Please visit Cost of Attendance Estimator and the USBS office in order to learn more about tuition and fees.

Funding Your Degree

Information on graduate funding opportunities can be found on our Fellowships and Assistantships page and at the University's Financial Aid website.

Why Memphis?

Memphis offers the best of both worlds: a metropolitan city's convenience without the high cost of living. The city is home to many established organizations including AutoZone, FedEx, International Paper, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  Memphis has been ranked #4 on Glassdoor's 25 Best Cities for Jobs.

For personal life, Memphis is well known for music and barbecue. In addition, Memphis boasts many cultural festivals, professional sports events, live entertainment and performances, museums, and a world-class zoo. Memphis International Airport hosts all major and budget U.S. airlines, and it is the world's second busiest cargo airport due to the FedEx global hub.