The University of Massachusetts Amherst offers a Master of Science in Computer Science with an optional Artificial Intelligence concentration through the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences.
The 30-credit, non-thesis degree is available on the Amherst campus, online, and in a hybrid format. Every student must pass at least one course from the Artificial Intelligence core area, but no single machine learning course is required. Students who want more can add the Artificial Intelligence or Data Science concentration inside the 30 credits.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Facts
| Degree | MS in Computer Science |
| Concentrations | Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Security, or Field Experience (all optional) |
| School | Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences |
| Location | Amherst, Massachusetts or Online |
| Format | Campus, online, or hybrid |
| Credits | 30 |
| Culminating Experience | Coursework, with an optional 6-credit master’s project and no thesis |
| Minimum GPA | 2.75 (Graduate School minimum) |
| GRE | Optional |
| Campus Deadlines | December 15 (fall), October 1 (spring) |
| Online Deadlines | June 1 priority and July 15 final (fall); October 1 priority and November 15 final (spring) |
| Typical Length | Two to four years; usually four semesters on campus |
| STEM Designated | Yes |
Official MS in Computer Science page
Curriculum
UMass Amherst does not offer a standalone master’s degree in machine learning or artificial intelligence through the Manning College. Students earn the MS in Computer Science and can add one of four concentrations. A student cannot hold two concentrations.
Students complete 30 graduate credits under these rules:
- Four core requirements, one each from Theory, Systems, and Artificial Intelligence, plus one more from any of the three areas
- At least 12 credits at the 600 level or higher, not counting independent studies
- No more than 18 credits at the 500 level
- No more than 9 credits from outside computer science
Core requirements are usually met by earning a B or better in the course. Students need a 3.0 GPA across the 30 credits, and courses with a grade below C do not count.
Artificial Intelligence Core Courses
Each student takes at least one course from the Artificial Intelligence core list, which includes:
- COMPSCI 589 – Machine Learning
- COMPSCI 646 – Information Retrieval
- COMPSCI 670 – Computer Vision
- COMPSCI 682 – Neural Networks: A Modern Introduction
- COMPSCI 683 – Artificial Intelligence
- COMPSCI 684 – Trustworthy and Responsible AI
- COMPSCI 685 – Advanced Natural Language Processing
- COMPSCI 687 – Reinforcement Learning
- COMPSCI 688 – Probabilistic Graphical Models
- COMPSCI 689 – Machine Learning
- COMPSCI 690AB – Systems for Deep Learning
- COMPSCI 690L – Advanced Topics in Generative AI
- COMPSCI 690S – AI Alignment
The same list also holds courses in data visualization, robotics, game programming, and computational biology, so the Artificial Intelligence core can be met without a course titled machine learning. Students may count COMPSCI 589 or COMPSCI 689, but not both.
Theory and Systems Core Courses
Every student also passes at least one Theory core and one Systems core. Options include:
- COMPSCI 514 – Algorithms for Data Science
- COMPSCI 611 – Advanced Algorithms
- COMPSCI 651 – Optimization for Computer Science
- COMPSCI 532 – Systems for Data Science
- COMPSCI 560 – Introduction to Computer and Network Security
- COMPSCI 645 – Database Design and Implementation
- COMPSCI 677 – Distributed and Operating Systems
Artificial Intelligence Concentration
The college describes this concentration for on-campus MS students, who apply for it by form. It requires all MS requirements plus two fundamental courses and three electives.
Students complete two of these fundamental courses, which can also count as MS core courses:
- COMPSCI 589 – Machine Learning
- COMPSCI 651 – Optimization for Computer Science
- COMPSCI 682 – Neural Networks: A Modern Introduction
- COMPSCI 683 – Artificial Intelligence
- COMPSCI 687 – Reinforcement Learning
- COMPSCI 689 – Machine Learning
Students then complete three electives with a B or better in each. The elective list includes:
- COMPSCI 546 – Applied Information Retrieval
- COMPSCI 574 – Intelligent Visual Computing
- COMPSCI 585 – Introduction to Natural Language Processing
- COMPSCI 603 – Robotics
- COMPSCI 646 – Information Retrieval
- COMPSCI 650 – Applied Information Theory
- COMPSCI 670 – Computer Vision
- COMPSCI 685 – Advanced Natural Language Processing
- COMPSCI 688 – Probabilistic Graphical Models
- COMPSCI 690AB – Systems for Deep Learning
- COMPSCI 690S – AI Alignment
Data Science Concentration
The Data Science concentration requires four data science core courses, two data science electives, and one statistics course, all within the 30 credits.
- Theory: COMPSCI 514, COMPSCI 611, or COMPSCI 651
- Systems: COMPSCI 532, COMPSCI 645, or COMPSCI 677
- AI and data analysis: COMPSCI 571 – Data Visualization and Exploration, COMPSCI 589, COMPSCI 670, COMPSCI 682, COMPSCI 683, COMPSCI 685, COMPSCI 687, or COMPSCI 689
- Statistics: one approved course, such as COMPSCI 688, STAT 525, or MATH 605
Master’s Project
The MS is a non-thesis degree. Students interested in research can take the optional master’s project, COMPSCI 701Y, which is worth 6 credits across two semesters with one or two professors.
Cost and Tuition
Cost differs sharply by format. Campus students pay tuition per semester on a schedule that rises with credit load, with separate rates for Massachusetts residents and nonresidents. The online program lists a single per-credit rate.
For the 2026–27 academic year, the Bursar lists these campus graduate tuition rates per semester:
| Credits per Semester | Massachusetts Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| 6 credits | $5,388.50 | $11,870.50 |
| 9 credits (full time) | $8,083.00 | $17,806.50 |
| 12 or more credits | $8,524.50 | $19,532.50 |
Campus students taking 9 or more credits also pay $1,191 per semester in mandatory fees, made up of a $635 graduate service fee, a $470 graduate health fee, and an $86 graduate senate tax. New students pay a one-time $507 graduate entering fee. Student health insurance of $2,444 per semester is charged at 5 or more credits and can be waived with comparable coverage.
The college separately lists total tuition and mandatory fees for the campus program of $29,435 for residents and $60,750 for nonresident and international students. That page does not state the academic year.
The college lists the online program at $825 per credit, with a stated total cost of $25,557 for 30 credits. UMass Amherst alumni receive a 10 percent discount on computer science graduate courses. The college does not offer graduate assistantships to MS students. Rates can change each year, so students should confirm current costs with the Bursar.
View UMass Amherst graduate tuition and fees
Admission Requirements
Applicants need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, completed before the start date. An undergraduate degree in computer science is described as ideal but is not required.
The college does not publish its own minimum GPA. The Graduate School states that applicants should have at least a 2.75 undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Incoming students are expected to have completed coursework equivalent to:
- programming and data structures
- computer science principles and introduction to computation (CICS 110, 160, 210, 220, 230, and 250 at UMass Amherst)
- MATH 131, MATH 132, and MATH 235
- either MATH 233 or STAT 515
Minor gaps can be made up during the first year. Applicants with little computer science preparation are generally advised to take non-degree courses first.
Application Materials
Applicants submit:
- Graduate School online application and $90 application fee
- unofficial transcripts, with official transcripts required after admission
- personal statement
- resume or CV
- two letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency when required
The GRE is optional, and the college states that not submitting scores does not hurt an applicant’s chances. The Graduate School’s minimum English scores are 80 on the TOEFL iBT, 6.5 on the IELTS Academic, and 115 on the Duolingo English Test.
Application Deadlines
| Program | Entry Term | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Amherst campus | Fall | December 15 |
| Amherst campus | Spring | October 1 |
| Online and hybrid | Fall | June 1 priority, July 15 final |
| Online and hybrid | Spring | October 1 priority, November 15 final |
The online program aims to send decisions within six weeks of each deadline.
Program Format
The campus program is taught in person in Amherst. The college says it usually takes two years, or four semesters, and recommends no more than three graduate courses per semester. International students on a visa must enroll in 9 credits each semester until their last.
The online program is fully online, with courses split about evenly between synchronous and asynchronous delivery. It follows the same requirements as the campus program, but not all courses are offered online yet. Online students do not qualify for a student visa.
The hybrid option lets students begin online and move to campus after four online courses, with a B or better in at least two core courses. The college states that the Data Science and Security concentrations can be completed fully online. Its Artificial Intelligence concentration page refers to on-campus students only.
The university lists the MS in Computer Science as a STEM program, which allows eligible international students on campus to apply for the STEM OPT extension.
Who Is This Program Best For?
The UMass Amherst MS in Computer Science is a strong option for students with a computer science background who want a wide choice of graduate machine learning courses inside a computer science degree.
It may be especially appealing to students interested in:
- machine learning and neural networks
- reinforcement learning and probabilistic graphical models
- natural language processing and information retrieval
- computer vision
- generative AI, AI alignment, and trustworthy AI
- a part-time online degree with an optional GRE
The degree is a computer science master’s first. Only one Artificial Intelligence core course is required, every student also completes theory and systems courses, and there is no thesis. The online course list is narrower than the campus list, and nonresident campus tuition is much higher than the online rate. Students who want a degree built entirely around machine learning, who lack computer science and math prerequisites, or who want a thesis may want to compare other Massachusetts schools.
Official University of Massachusetts Amherst Program Links
- MS in Computer Science on campus
- MS in Computer Science online
- MS in Computer Science hybrid
- MS degree requirements
- MS core requirements
- Artificial Intelligence concentration requirements
- Data Science concentration requirements
- How to apply
- Online program tuition
- Graduate tuition and fees
Related Machine Learning Programs in Massachusetts
Students can also compare University of Massachusetts Amherst with other master’s programs in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related fields offered in Massachusetts.
- Boston College – Chestnut Hill
- Boston University – Boston
- Brandeis University – Waltham
- Clark University – Worcester
- Fitchburg State University – Fitchburg
- Harvard University – Cambridge
- Northeastern University – Boston
- Tufts University – Medford
- University of Massachusetts Lowell – Lowell
- Wentworth Institute of Technology – Boston
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Worcester