Computer Science (Big Data Systems), MS
Gain a competitive advantage in the job market with this big data concentration. You'll be well positioned to meet the growing need for data scientists and engineers who can architect, implement and manage large data systems.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
The on-campus Master of Science program in computer science with a concentration in big data systems provides rigorous, research-focused training in scalable data platforms, preparing you to advance innovation in data science and engineering.
This concentration within the MS program provides you with advanced training and research opportunities in large-scale data management and analysis. Unlike the industry-focused Master of Computer Science program, the MS in computer science emphasizes fundamental and applied research, enabling you to contribute new knowledge and technologies in data-intensive computing.
You may choose either a thesis or nonthesis portfolio option as your culminating experience. You develop expertise in designing scalable systems --- parallel, distributed and real-time --- for acquiring, storing, processing and accessing massive heterogeneous datasets. You also learn to apply advanced analytical methods to mine knowledge from data and to evaluate and select the most appropriate data management, processing and analysis frameworks for both structured and unstructured data.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
30 credit hours - course-based master's, or
30 credit hours and a thesis, or
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (CSE 593)
COURSE-BASED OPTION Required Core Areas (9 credit hours) Concentration (9 credit hours) Restricted Electives (6 credit hours) Electives (6 credit hours) OPTIONS WITH CULMINATING EXPERIENCE Required Core Areas (9 credit hours) Concentration (9 credit hours) Restricted Electives (6 credit hours) Electives (0 or 3 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information Students should see the academic unit for the list of courses approved for each core area in applications, foundations and systems. Courses that are used to satisfy the concentration requirement on the plan of study cannot be used to satisfy the core requirement. Additionally, courses selected as part of the core or concentration may not be used as other elective coursework on the same plan of study. Students may complete a thesis or an applied project as an optional culminating experience. All students must complete six credit hours from the restricted electives list. Students in the course-based option must also take six credit hours of electives. Students who enjoy solving real-world problems and applying practical skills in professional settings may be drawn to the applied project option. Applied project students must also take three credit hours of electives. Students with a strong interest in research and a desire to contribute original knowledge to their field may be well-suited for the thesis option. Students who select the applied project as their culminating experience must complete their project at the direction of an approved computer science graduate faculty member and complete the project course with a grade of "B" (3.00) or higher. Students complete a minimum of 30 credit hours for the program. At least 24 of these credit hours must be 500-level CSE courses at ASU. Up to six credit hours of 400-level courses may be applied to the plan of study for the nonthesis options.
Applications (3)
Foundations (3)
Systems (3)
CSE 510 Database Management System Implementation (3)
CSE 512 Distributed Database Systems (3)
CSE 572 Data Mining (3) or IEE 520 Statistical Learning for Data Mining (3)
CSE 515 Multimedia and Web Databases (3)
CSE 546 Cloud Computing (3)
CSE 573 Semantic Web Mining (3)
CSE 575 Statistical Machine Learning (3)
CSE 578 Data Visualization (3)
Applications (3)
Foundations (3)
Systems (3)
CSE 510 Database Management System Implementation (3)
CSE 512 Distributed Database Systems (3)
CSE 572 Data Mining (3) or IEE 520 Statistical Learning for Data Mining (3)
CSE 515 Multimedia and Web Databases (3)
CSE 546 Cloud Computing (3)
CSE 573 Semantic Web Mining (3)
CSE 575 Statistical Machine Learning (3)
CSE 578 Data Visualization (3)
CSE 593 Applied Project (3) or
CSE 599 Thesis (6)
The master's degree offers a course-based option.
Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information All international records must be submitted in the original language, accompanied by an official English translation. If the student has attended a U.S. institution, they must submit one set of official transcripts from every college and university attended, except ASU. Before applying to the program, students are required to have completed two semesters or six credit hours of calculus, equivalent to Calculus I and II, with a grade of "C" (scale is 4.00 = "A") or higher. It is also recommended that students complete a discrete math course before admission. Students who are assigned additional admission requirements courses upon admission must complete them with a grade of "C" or higher (scale is 4.00 = "A") within two semesters of admission. Additional admission requirements courses include: CSE 230 Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming The applicant's undergraduate GPA and depth of preparation in computer science and engineering are the primary factors affecting admission.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. An applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language with a TOEFL iBT® score of 4.5, or 90 (taken at a testing center) if taken before January 21, 2026; 7 on the IELTS; or 115 on the Duolingo English test, regardless of current residency.
CSE 310 Data Structures and Algorithms
CSE 330 Operating Systems
CSE 340 Principles of Programming Languages or CSE 355 Introduction to Theoretical Computer Science
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Priority* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 08/01 | Priority* |
*A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space-available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Admission Services.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Graduates are prepared for research and development roles in industry and academia, with the skills to innovate in data science, data engineering and large-scale computing systems.
Career examples include:
- computer network architect
- computer system analyst
- computer systems engineer
- data scientist or engineer
- machine learning, artificial intelligence computer vision engineer
- software developer
- software engineer
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Computer Science and Engineering Program
|
CTRPT 105
SCAI.Grad.Admission@asu.edu
480-965-3199
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
