Computer Science Degrees Offered at Rice University
Rice University appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Master’s in Computer Science Degree Programs.
Rice University is one of the top-ranked research universities in the country, and the computer science department offers students several highly prestigious and rewarding degree programs. Students can take courses online or on the Rice campus. Bachelor’s students have a choice of pursuing a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science, and top-ranked students in the bachelor’s program can opt to take the fifth year master’s program. This one-year addendum to the bachelor’s program is research-based and reserved for undergraduate students who demonstrate a talent and strong interest in research.
Computer science graduates from Rice are prized by employers throughout the technology industry, including top companies such as Google, Apple, Facebook, Microsoft, and Twitter. Smaller companies such as Uber and LinkedIn are also always looking for top talent from the computer science department at Rice. The undergraduate CS degrees offered by Rice are focused on the core concepts of computer science. From data structures and algorithms to software design and computer architecture, undergraduate students of the CS program receive a thorough introduction to the techniques and methods used by programmers and engineers throughout the tech industry.
With a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science in computer science, Rice graduates can go on to work in government agencies or private institutions. A master’s degree can help job seekers find leadership positions at major tech firms or adjunct positions at universities across the country. The Ph.D. program in the CS department is the highest level of education attainable at Rice. A Ph.D. is a terminal degree that qualifies graduates to enter senior positions in academia, government, and industry. At Rice, the Ph.D. program is held on campus under the supervision of experienced professors and researchers in the computer science department. The program takes four to six years to complete, depending on the education level of the student. Master’s degree holders can enter directly into the research portion of the program while bachelor’s holders must begin the program with one to two years of classroom study.
The computer science department at Rice offers an online master’s program that combines the rigorous academic quality of its graduate school with the excellence of its distance education system. The online master’s program takes two years of full-time enrollment to complete. Class sizes are small for the distance education programs at Rice. The student-to-faculty ratio is 1:1, which ensures that graduate students receive the personalized support needed for academic success.
The Master of Science in Computer Science program at Rice has many choices of degree specialization. From machine learning and robotics to management information systems and software design, the graduate degree focuses are designed to be compelling, relevant and challenging. Master’s students at Rice divide their time between classroom learning and supervised research. The subject of research for each master’s student is based on the student’s degree focus and area of interest. With the small class sizes and state-of-the-art technology available at Rice, graduate students have the chance to conduct meaningful research with important consequences within academia and beyond.
Graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.25, and doctoral students must be enrolled in courses full-time for at least four semesters. Undergraduate computer science majors must maintain a GPA of 2.0 to remain enrolled in the program. Bachelor of science students can enroll in up to 12 hours of elective courses of their choice while bachelor of arts students can choose 18 hours of elective courses. Academic advisors are always available to help students create their course outlines and plan their degree programs.
About Rice University
Rice University was founded by William Marsh Rice in 1891 as a gift to the city of Houston, TX. William Marsh Rice was a successful businessman who made his fortune in Houston and wanted to show his gratitude with a gift that would last for years. He named his university Rice Institute and stipulated that it would be built after his death. Construction began on Rice Institute when William Marsh Rice was killed by his personal valet in 1900. Construction was completed around 1910, and classes began in 1912. In the beginning, Rice Institute had 77 students and 12 faculty members, and four years after its opening, the university awarded 35 bachelor’s degrees and one master’s degree. In 1960, Rice Institute was renamed Rice University, and it has continued to add academic departments and degree programs to its catalog ever since.
Rice University Accreditation Details
Rice University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC) to grant bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees to students of the residential and online schools. The SACSCC is responsible for ensuring that Rice offers every student a consistent quality of education and that students, faculty, and administrators have access to the support and resources they need. Accreditation must be renewed every 10 years, and Rice has maintained its institutional accreditation for over 80 years. The SACSCC is the regional accrediting commission for universities in the southern United States.
Rice University Application Requirements
Rice University is one of the top-ranked schools in the country, and admissions are competitive. Freshmen must include a high school transcript with a GPA score as well as SAT or ACT scores. Transcripts should also indicate class ranking, course schedules and class size. Undergraduate transfer students must include all of the aforementioned documents as well as an official college transcript. Graduate students must submit a college transcript that shows proof of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. Three letters of recommendation from professors are also required for master’s and doctoral students. Applications must be submitted by January 1, and a $75 non-refundable fee is required for each application.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The cost of tuition at Rice University is approximately $48,330 per year. The cost of books, room, board and personal expenses can add another $18,000 to $20,000 per year to the total, bringing the cost of education at Rice to about $68,000 per year. Financial aid can cover the entire cost of tuition, room, board and personal expenses for students who can demonstrate financial need. Students can apply for grants and low-cost loans on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website. Scholarships and work-study opportunities are available through the financial aid office at Rice University.
