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Why Rice for your MCS?
The Rice Master of Computer Science helps you build specialized expertise in the areas of computing that matter to your career.
More than a computer science department
Rice's interdisciplinary culture creates opportunities to connect computer science with engineering, medicine, business and the natural sciences, opening new ways to apply what you know.
Make Houston part of your experience
Rice puts you in the middle of one of the country's most dynamic and diverse economies, where computing intersects with energy, health care, aerospace, space exploration and a growing technology and startup community.
93%
MCS Internship
placement
rate
placement
rate
Our graduates launch impactful careers at some of the world's most innovative companies.
(Summer 2025 | Rice Career Services)
Recent employers include:
- Amazon
- Meta
- Microsoft
- IBM
- Oracle
- Cisco
- Schlumberger
- Tableau
- National Instruments
Program Overview
What can you specialize in with a Master of Computer Science at Rice? Choose from five tracks and tailor your coursework to your academic and career goals.
Artificial Intelligence
Study the algorithms, models and systems behind modern artificial intelligence and its applications.
Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
Apply computational methods and computer science to problems in biology, medicine and biomedical research.
Data Science & Machine Learning
Develop skills in data analysis, statistical modeling and machine learning for data-driven applications.
Management & Leadership
Combine technical expertise with the communication, management and leadership skills needed to guide technology teams and initiatives.
Systems & Security
Explore the design, operation and security of computing systems, networks and infrastructure.
The Rice Master of Computer Science is a 30-semester-hour, non-thesis degree that typically takes three semesters to complete.
The curriculum combines advanced computer science coursework with specialized study in your area of interest. Every specialization also includes COMP 608: Workplace Communications, which helps students develop the communication skills needed to work effectively on technical teams.
COMP 584
Natural Language Processing
Discover the intersection of computer science, artificial intelligence and linguistics that focuses on the interaction between computers and human language.
COMP 642
Machine Learning
Study foundational machine learning algorithms and their applications in areas such as robotics, medicine and autonomous systems.
COMP 608
Workplace Communications
Learn to communicate technical decisions to nontechnical audiences, present and defend architectural choices, and write clear documentation for technical teams.
Program Details
- Degree
- Master of Computer Science
- Format
- On campus in Houston
- Degree type
- Non-thesis
- Program length
- Typically three semesters
- Enrollment
- Full-time or part-time
- Residence
- At least one fall or spring semester of study in residence at Rice
What are the admission requirements for the Rice MCS?
Applicants should prepare:
- Undergraduate transcripts
- 3.0+ GPA
- CV or resume
- Statement of purpose
- Two letters of recommendation
- $85 application fee
- GRE recommended, but not required
Tuition and Financial Aid
No university or departmental financial aid is available for MCS students. Students may explore outside loans and other financial resources through the Rice Office of Student Financial Services.
Explore Tuition & Financial ResourcesThe Rice MCS is a non-thesis master's degree designed for students pursuing technical careers in the computer industry.
Students typically complete the MCS in three semesters. The program may be completed on a full-time or part-time basis, subject to residence requirements.
Yes. Students may complete the program on a full-time or part-time basis. At least one fall or spring semester must be completed in residence at Rice.
Yes. After two semesters of full-time study, international students may apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which makes them eligible for summer internships.
Rice offers five MCS specialization tracks: Artificial Intelligence; Bioinformatics and Computational Biology; Data Science and Machine Learning; Management and Leadership; and Systems and Security.
Up to six transfer credit hours may be approved by the department's graduate committee.
Both are Rice master's degrees in computer science with the same curriculum. The on-campus MCS is delivered in person at Rice's Houston campus, while the Online MCS is delivered entirely online.
The MCS requires 30 semester hours of approved coursework. COMP 608: Workplace Communications is required across all specialization tracks.
Review the application requirements and deadlines for the Rice MCS through the Rice graduate application process.
All required application materials must be submitted online by the following deadlines in order for an application to be considered.
Spring 2027
October 1, 2026: Early application deadline for scholarship consideration for On-Campus MCS, Online MCS and Online MDS
November 1, 2026: Final application deadline for On-Campus MCS, Online MCS and Online MDS.
Summer 2027
March 1, 2027: Application deadline for Online MCS and Online MDS
Fall 2027
January 1, 2027: Ph.D. Program
February 10, 2027: Early application deadline for scholarship consideration for On-Campus MCS and On-Campus MDS.
May 1, 2027: International deadline for On-Campus MCS and On-Campus MDS; early application deadline for scholarship consideration for Online MCS and Online MDS.
June 15, 2027: Final application deadline for Online MCS and Online MDS.
July 1, 2027: Domestic application deadline for On-Campus MCS and On-Campus MDS.
Ph.D. applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis after January 1, with preference to those who submit by January 1, 2027. Applications for the On-Campus MCS and On-Campus MDS programs will also continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Notification Dates
Online MCS and MDS Programs
Decisions are released on a rolling basis for the three annual intakes. You can expect to hear about an admission decision within 2–4 weeks of your intake's final application deadline.
Spring 2027
December: MCS and MDS programs
Fall 2027
Mid-March: Ph.D. and MCS programs
Late March / Early April: MDS Program
MCS and MDS decisions are released on a rolling basis starting in early February.
Ready to take the next step?
Start your application today, and discover how an advanced computer science education can prepare you for what's next.
Questions about the program? Contact us at mcs@rice.edu.