Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science

Advance Your Career with a Degree from Mississippi State

Ph.D. in Computer Science

The Ph.D. in Computer Science builds on a completed master's degree with advanced coursework and original, dissertation-level research. You'll work alongside faculty in one of seven approved research areas, from artificial intelligence to cybersecurity to systems, to produce scholarship that contributes to the field.

Application Deadlines:

Fall: June 1
Spring: November 1

Number of credit hours:
55 Hours

Number of Courses:
~13 Courses + Dissertation

Tuition per credit hour:
$602.50

Instructional Support Fee per credit hour:
$25.00

Tuition and fees listed are subject to change and do not include all possible charges. Additional fees may apply. Please refer to the master class schedule for individual course charges.

Program Highlights

Department Research: We are a highly interactive, highly ranked, research intensive department that cares deeply about its students and their future.
Relevant Experience: Students are provided extensive opportunities to make connections between research and practice and to experience interactive teaching and learning.
In-State Tuition for All: Students both in and out of state only pay In-State tuition rates.

Experienced Faculty: Our faculty are experts in their fields of study and many are nationally known for their contributions within the scientific community.
Respected Degree from an Accredited University: Earn your degree from Mississippi State University, a nationally recognized research institution and leader in online education.

Career Opportunities

Graduates will be capable of pursuing careers in a variety of fields, including advanced computer science research, academia, and industry. Examples of positions graduates may achieve are:

Research Scientist
University Professor
Machine Learning Engineer

Data Scientist
Software Architect
Research Engineer

Course Requirements

The Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science degree is a 55 credit hour program with 25 CSE course hours (12 expected to be transferred), 20 hours of dissertation, and 10 additional dissertation or course hours at the student's choosing.

7 hours (3 courses) in the CS Core (1 hour Seminar & 6 hours Theory)
12 hours (4 courses) in the Depth Requirement
6 hours (2 courses) in the Breadth Requirement
20 hours Dissertation Research (CSE 9000)
10 additional hours of graded coursework or Dissertation Research

The development and execution of a dissertation is the major milestone of Ph.D. study, and students should work with their dissertation director and guiding committee in tandem to forward their studies. These guidelines supplement, but do not supersede, those provided by the Graduate School; see the Office of the Graduate School guidelines for additional details such as the deadlines, exam process, submission steps, format for the dissertation, and so on.

The primary milestones for the dissertation are as follows:

The student must complete coursework and the Qualifying exam.
The semester before their anticipated Proposal Defense, students should review their Program of Study via DegreeWorks on Banner to ensure all coursework will be completed.
After coursework is completed, the student proposes their research. The student develops a dissertation proposal following the University's Standard for Preparing Theses and Dissertations, and the Department's format standard (The signature page will list only Committee members.) The proposal must contain:
- Introduction to the research being proposed.
- Review of the relevant research in the area.
- Hypothesis, research goals/questions, research relevancy, proposed research methodology/procedures, and publication plan.
The major professor schedules a research proposal session with the students Graduate Committee. The student will present an oral defense of their proposed research. At this time, the student and his/her Committee may negotiate specific changes in the proposed work. Another proposal session may be required as appropriate. When the proposal is passed, the signed written proposal signature page is kept with the CSE office.
Upon completion of the research, the student submits a draft copy of the dissertation document to each member of his/her Graduate Committee. This draft copy is must be distributed to the committee members at least one week prior to the planned date of the presentation. All suggestions and concerns should be resolved under the direction of the major professor.
When the student is ready to defend the dissertation and be examined, the major professor schedules the presentation and examination. The dissertation presentation is open to all students and faculty. The presentation is followed immediately by an oral examination of the student that is open only to the members of the student's Graduate Committee (and the research director).
Once the student has made all changes to the dissertation document requested by the committee members and the committee members and the Graduate Coordinator have signed the approval page, the student submits a signed copy of the approval page to the departmental office. Approval of the thesis proceeds from the committee, to the Graduate Coordinator of the Department, and thence to the Dean of Engineering. After all approvals are obtained, the student must submit an electronic copy of the dissertation to the Library for final approval. The Library provides guidelines for the format of theses.

Transfer Credit

The Bagley College of Engineering may accept transfer coursework completed at other institutions. Transfer credit and prerequisite coursework are reviewed AFTER a student has been granted full admission. Once admitted, students may work with an academic coordinator to review their transcripts and determine whether previous coursework may be applied toward program requirements

What Our People Say

"It's been an incredible journey. Juggling a career and being a full-time mom and student can sometimes feel overwhelming, but I’ve been fortunate to have amazing professors who are always available to offer support whenever I need it."

Tolanda Jones,
MS State Online Student

Admissions

Ready to advance your education with a flexible, fully online degree? Follow the steps below to apply for the Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science at Mississippi State University.

Additional Required Application Step

Complete Identity Verification: Applicants must complete identity verification through Stripe Identity as part of the required application process. This step helps confirm the applicant’s identity before the application can be completed.

Attention International Students

Applicants whose native language is not English must submit an approved English language proficiency test score. Mississippi State University accepts scores from the TOEFL, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET). Prospective students should consult the appropriate testing organization for information about test registration and administration.

The Graduate School maintains a list of countries exempt from English language requirements. Please consult the Graduate Catalog for specific English language test score requirements and additional information regarding English language proficiency.

Contact Us

Tyranni Outlaw

Online Enrollment Services Coordinator

General Program Questions

Assistance with Admissions Process & Requirements

to283@msstate.edu

662-325-8545

Anusha Rijal

Retention & Engagement Coach

Current Student Inquires

Academic & Support Services Assistance

a.rijal@msstate.edu

662-325-8876

Dr. T.J. Jankun-Kelly

Computer Science and Engineering

Graduate Coordinator

tjk@cse.msstate.edu

662-325-7504

Olivia Lane

Engineering

Online Education Coordinator

olane@bagley.msstate.edu

662-325-3786

Department of Computer Science and Engineering

See department page

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I am an unclassified student?

Only NINE (9) hours of course work taken as an "Unclassified Student" can be applied toward a degree program. All Unclassified students should submit a classified application once they have reached the maximum of nine hours. Full admission into the Computer Science online program will be based upon successful completion of all classified admissions requirements.

Will the diploma say it was earned online?

No, diplomas from Mississippi State University do not show whether the requirements were met through online or in-person courses

Is Mississippi State Online accredited?

Mississippi State Online programs are offered by Mississippi State University, which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor's, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees. Individual programs may also hold specialized accreditation. Learn more on the Mississippi State University accreditation page.

Will my Mississippi State University diploma say "online"?

No. When you earn a degree through Mississippi State Online, your diploma identifies Mississippi State University and does not indicate that you studied online. Online programs meet the same university standards for academic quality and rigor as on-campus programs.

How much does Mississippi State cost?

Mississippi State helps make your education more affordable by offering the applicable in-state tuition rate to online students regardless of where they live. Tuition and required fees are charged per credit hour, and your total cost depends on your program, credit hours, and applicable fees. Textbooks and course materials are additional expenses, and rates are subject to change.

Do out-of-state students pay in-state tuition at Mississippi State Online?

Yes. Mississippi State Online students pay the applicable in-state tuition rate whether they live in Mississippi or elsewhere. You do not need to be a Mississippi resident to receive this rate for your online program. Required fees and other course expenses still apply.

Can Mississippi State Online students receive financial aid or scholarships?

Eligible online students may receive financial aid, and scholarship opportunities are available. Eligibility and award amounts vary; funding is not guaranteed for every student or program. Complete the FAFSA to be considered for federal student aid, and review scholarship requirements and deadlines.

How do I apply to Mississippi State Online?

Start with the Apply Now page and choose the application that matches your undergraduate or graduate program and applicant status. Select "Online Education" as your campus. Review your program's admission requirements and deadlines, then submit the application, required documents, and any applicable application fee. Requirements vary by program and may differ for new, transfer, returning, and international students.

Do Mississippi State Online programs require campus visits or in-person experiences?

Requirements depend on the program and concentration. Some programs can be completed entirely online, while others include internships, field experiences, or coursework that requires in-person participation. Review your program's curriculum and contact its program representative before applying to confirm attendance requirements. Explore programs and their requirements in the Academic Programs directory.

Can I transfer previous college credits to a Mississippi State Online program?

Transfer-credit policies vary by degree level and program. Some programs consider eligible coursework from other institutions, while others do not accept prior credit toward program requirements. Review your program's transfer-credit policy and contact its academic advisor or program coordinator before planning your coursework.

What support is available to Mississippi State Online students?

Mississippi State Online students have access to academic advising, library resources, writing support, technical assistance, and career services. Program coordinators and advisors can help you navigate your studies and connect with university resources.

Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science

Tuition & Fees

Apply Now!

myState

Class Schedule

Request Info

Advance Your Career with a Degree from Mississippi State

Ph.D. in Computer Science

Application Deadlines:

Program Highlights

Career Opportunities

Course Requirements

Transfer Credit

What Our People Say

"It's been an incredible journey. Juggling a career and being a full-time mom and student can sometimes feel overwhelming, but I’ve been fortunate to have amazing professors who are always available to offer support whenever I need it."

Tolanda Jones,
MS State Online Student

Admissions

Additional Required Application Step

Attention International Students

Contact Us

Tyranni Outlaw

Online Enrollment Services Coordinator

Anusha Rijal

Retention & Engagement Coach

Dr. T.J. Jankun-Kelly

Computer Science and Engineering

Olivia Lane

Engineering

Department of Computer Science and Engineering

See department page

Frequently Asked Questions

Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science

Tuition & Fees

Apply Now!

myState

Class Schedule

Request Info

Advance Your Career with a Degree from Mississippi State

Ph.D. in Computer Science

Application Deadlines:

Program Highlights

Career Opportunities

Course Requirements

Research Area

Examinations

Dissertation & Defense

Transfer Credit

What Our People Say

"It's been an incredible journey. Juggling a career and being a full-time mom and student can sometimes feel overwhelming, but I’ve been fortunate to have amazing professors who are always available to offer support whenever I need it."

Tolanda Jones, MS State Online Student

Admissions

Admissions Requirements

How to Apply

Complete the Online Application

Submit the Application Fee

Submit Official Information

Readmission

Provisional Admissions

Additional Required Application Step

Attention International Students

Contact Us

Tyranni Outlaw

Online Enrollment Services Coordinator

Anusha Rijal

Retention & Engagement Coach

Dr. T.J. Jankun-Kelly

Computer Science and Engineering

Olivia Lane

Engineering

Department of Computer Science and Engineering

See department page

Frequently Asked Questions

Tolanda Jones,
MS State Online Student