Computer Science

Contact: Dr. Victor Clincy, MSACS Director
Office: CL 3033
Phone: (770) 420-4440
Fax: (770) 423-6731
Email: vclincy@kennesaw.edu
Web address: http://msacs.kennesaw.edu

The Master of Science with major in Applied Computer Science for Experienced Professionals (MSACS) is a thirty-six hour graduate degree program with coursework in the following areas:

Software Architecture and Engineering
Embedded Systems
Software Project Engineering
Bio-Informatics
Software Engineering
Digital Game Design
TCP/IP and the Internet
Computing Systems
Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
Data Mining
Database Administration
Network Security
Linux & Python
Simulation and Modeling
Active Web Server Pages

Additionally, students may choose electives from multiple areas.

The MSACS is perfect for working professionals with industry experience in computing and information technology interested in obtaining a graduate degree in computer science, concurrent with work commitments. Courses are offered in a cohort/learning-community allowing students to complete the program in 22 months (five semesters including a summer semester). The program is approachable for students with modest technical backgrounds, and does not require an undergraduate degree in computer science.

A thesis option is available to students with undergraduate degrees in computer science and computer engineering.

Web-Based Instruction Delivery

Instruction is delivered both on campus and at a distance, using web-based technologies, allowing students to attend lectures on campus, or remote and live from work or home. All lectures are also recorded, allowing students to view the archived lectures at their convenience. Real-time interaction between the students and professor will be supported using Voice-over-IP and online “chat” and application sharing.

Individual Lab Equipment

The non-traditional technology-based instruction delivery component of the MSACS program requires that students have off-campus access to laboratory components. Courses with hardware-specific lab experiments (i.e. embedded systems, robotics) will be conducted using hardware and equipment issued to each student for home and off-campus use.

Master of Science in Applied Computer Science

The MSACS admits students into two categories: The non-CS undergraduate category is available to students with undergraduate majors other than computer science. These students are required to take 1 to 3 foundation courses before enrolling in 8000-level courses. The CS undergraduate category requires an undergraduate degree in computer science. Admission is based on an overall evaluation of all of the candidate’s qualifications.

MSACS Admission Requirements

An undergraduate degree from an accredited institution is required.
Minimum cumulative undergraduate adjusted GPA of 2.85 on a 4.0 scale.
Acceptable scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Other criteria will be considered by the MSACS Admissions Committee:
- Undergraduate major and coursework;
- Professional certifications in computing areas;
- Work experience in the IT field;
- Other professional activities.
College-level coursework in the following foundation areas is required:
- mathematics and statistics;
- physical science;
- two course computer programming sequence (Java or C++ preferred);
- computer architecture;
- operating systems;
- simple data structures.
International applicants must submit a TOEFL score. International transcripts must be formally evaluated as per KSU requirements.

Additional CS-Undergraduate Category Admission Requirements

The CS-undergraduate category admissions requires an undergraduate degree in a computing field from an accredited institution. In general, an undergraduate degree in computer science or computer engineering is sufficient for admission into the Applied Research Cohort. Majors in related disciplines will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Grades in Graduate Courses

Expectations for satisfactory graduate level student performance are detailed in Academic Policies section of this catalog.

Petition to Graduate

Each MSACS candidate must complete a petition to graduate at least one semester prior to completion of program requirements. The petition will be reviewed by the MSACS director to ensure that all graduation requirements are being met, prior to submission to the KSU registrar’s office.

Financial Information for MSACS Program

A. Premium Pricing

The MSACS Premium Program includes premium features that enrich the student’s education with a variety of resources and experiences. The cost of the program entails a $1500 acceptance fee and $5200 per semester over five semesters for a total of $27,500. This tuition includes fees, books and class materials, access to lectures using distance learning technology, recorded lectures, and other premium features currently including: a laptop, PDA, digital logic lab kit including microprocessor and components, membership in the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and optional certification.

B. Financial Aid

All MSACS applicants are encouraged to apply for financial aid in the event of an emergency that could prevent them from fulfilling their commitment to the program.

C. Fee Schedule and Deadlines

A $1500 acceptance fee is due before starting the program. Tuition is prorated over the length of the program, with a payment of $5200 due on or before the first day of class for each of the five semesters.

D. Payment of Fees

Methods of Payment

Payment of the $1500 acceptance fee can be made online with a credit card via link on the MSACS website.

Payment of this fee and the $5200 semester tuition fee can be made by check or cash.

Checks are sent to the Kennesaw State University, Bursar’s Office, 1000 Chastain Road, MB #0503, Kennesaw, GA 30144-5591.
Cash payments must be made at the Cashier’s Window in the Student Center.

If Tuition is Paid by Company
(Third Party Payment)

In most instances, a company will not pay tuition until after grades are assigned. To set up this method of payment, the student must request the company to send a Letter of Authorization the Bursar’s Office, Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw, GA 30144-5591, at the beginning of the semester. The letter must include the following information:

Student’s name and social security number for whom tuition will be paid;
Semester for which tuition will be paid;
Amount of tuition that the company will pay;
Copy of page(s) from Human Resource Manual stating the tuition payment or reimbursement policy of that company.

At the end of the semester, the student is responsible for requesting from the registrar a verification request letter confirming the semester and the grade received for the courses. Payment from the company is due no later than 15 days after the beginning of the following semester. The student is responsible for any amount not covered by the company. Unpaid balances should be paid at the beginning of the semester. If the student cannot cover the cost at the beginning of the semester, a Promissory Note must be signed by the student indicating a specific date before the end of the current semester when the balance will be paid in full.

Any questions regarding payment of tuition should be directed to the Program Coordinator in the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems, located in the Ann & John Clendenin Computer Science building, or telephone 770-423-6005.

E. Refund Policy for Withdrawing from Classes

The following refund policy is in effect:

Students withdrawing within the first two weeks during which classes are held each semester, will receive a 70% refund less expenses already incurred.
Students withdrawing from classes after the first two weeks but prior to or on the “last day to withdraw from classes” of a semester of classes will receive a 40% refund less expenses already incurred.
Students withdrawing from classes after the “official last day to withdraw from classes” will receive no refund.

MSACS students are responsible for notifying the Director when they plan to withdraw from the program. A withdrawal Form must be filled out, signed by the student and delivered to the Registrar’s Office before a student is officially withdrawn from the class. A copy of this form and accompanying letter are sent to Student Accounts.

Foundation Courses

Students lacking formal preparation in selected areas may be required to complete one or more of the following computing foundation courses, based on admissions evaluation. These courses will be delivered in an online self-study format and will be priced at the regular tuition rate (versus the premium tuition rate).. The prerequisites for these courses are program admission.

CS 6500 - Fundamentals of Programming with Data Structures
CS 6501 - Fundamentals of Computer and Network Architecture
CS 6502 - Fundamentals of Operating Systems