Admissions for M.S. in Computer Science and M.S. in Information Systems

Special Note:

Applications are now open for Spring 2024 admissions for both MSCS and MSIS programs, with an application deadline of November 1, 2023. Applications will open for Fall 2024 admissions, with an application deadline of March 1, 2024.

Unfortunately, the PAC Program is paused for the 2024-2025 Academic Year. We will not be accepting any non-degree applications for the PAC Program during this academic year. The PAC application will reopen for the 2024-2025 academic year with both PAC I and PAC II being offered online.

The non-degree PAC course sequence is currently on hiatus. We will not be accepting any non-degree applications for PAC during this academic year. We anticipate that the PAC application will reopen in the future with both PAC I and PAC II being offered online. This site will be updated accordingly.

For information on admission to the M.S. in Computing, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, please click here.

Submitting your application online

To apply, you must use our online application. When using the online application, you can submit all materials electronically.

The online procedure is user-friendly; however, if you have any questions regarding the application process, please view the Application Resource Center.

Note: You must arrange with the Educational Testing Services (ETS) to electronically submit GRE and TOEFL/IELTS scores (if necessary) to our Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS). Our institution code for the GRE and TOEFL is 2596. You do not need to use a special department code for the GRE. For IELTS, contact your test center directly and request that your test scores be sent electronically to New York University, Graduate School of Arts and Science, New York, NY. An institutional code is not required. The GMAT and LSAT will not be accepted as a substitute for the GRE.

If you are required to take the TOEFL, this examination requires you to list a department code that is most appropriate for your field of study or you can simply use code 99. However, do not use code 00 and do not leave this field blank. We will not receive your test scores if you report it this way.

To expedite the processing of your application, you may include the unofficial copies of your results on these tests. However, we must receive the official scores from ETS before the admissions deadline.

Applicants should note the following:

  1. Students with a BA/BS degree may apply directly to the PhD program.
  2. There is no NYU or departmental based financial support for master's students.
  3. GRE scores are recommended but not required for the MSCS/MSIS programs.

GSAS admissions deadlines

Program Spring Fall
MSCS November 1st March 1st
MSIS November 1st March 1st

The admissions evaluation process

All regulations governing admission to the Graduate School of Arts and Science must be met by all those seeking admission to graduate study in computer science. In particular, students must have an accredited baccalaureate degree or its equivalent.

The following items are required:

  • A completed application, including a Statement of Academic Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores for any student whose native language or medium of undergraduate or graduate instruction is not English
  • A resume or CV of your work experience

Successful applicants to the MS program in Computer Science will generally have the following minimum qualifications:

  • Positive, specific recommendations.
  • Strong grades in relevant courses.
  • TOEFL, if required, above 620 (paper) or 260 (computer), or 100 (TOEFLI)
  • IELTS, if required, minimum band score of 7.0

MSIS applicants generally need the following to be admitted:

  1. Exams:
    • TOEFL, if required, above 620 (paper) or 260 (computer), or 100 (TOEFLI)
    • IELTS, if required, minimum band score of 7.0
  2. Grades:
    • Some As and all Bs or better in business, engineering and science courses at most recent school; higher grades expected from less selective institutions
  3. Recommendations:
    • Strong recommendations from professor(s) and employer(s)
  4. Work experience:
    • At least one year full-time experience in a demanding position
    • Evidence of leadership and management potential
    • Evidence of ability to excel professionally in a corporation
  5. Computer science:
    • Evidence of ability to excel in graduate courses in computer science
  6. English:
    • Evidence of ability to communicate effectively in writing and speech in graduate school and American corporations

The minimum prerequisite background for admission to the MS program consists of:

  1. Languages: Deep working knowledge of C and familiarity with object-oriented concepts and work with some object-oriented language such as Java or C++.
  2. Data structures and mathematics: Understanding and working knowledge of pointers, lists, stacks, queues, trees, arrays and recursion; induction, order of magnitude growth, probability and elementary combinatorics, set notation.
  3. Working familiarity with windows and Unix.
  4. Knowledge of assembly language (e.g. Intel or Motorola) sufficient to understand self-modifying code.

Promising students who do not have this background should consider applying to the non-degree program and if accepted, enrolling in our one year Preparatory Accelerated Course (PAC). Please note successful completion of the PAC does not guarantee admission to the MS program. Students without adequate mathematical training should take Discrete Mathematics, which is offered in the summer only.

Where to Get Further Information

For general admissions inquiries for the PhD and MS programs, including troubleshooting the online application:

For admissions inquiries specific to the MS in Computer Science or Information Systems:

For information regarding open houses for prospective Master's students:

For information regarding the CAS/GSAS Tuition Program: