Master of Science in Computing and Information Sciences
The Master of Science in Computing and Information Sciences (M.S. CIS) is an advanced graduate program designed for computing professionals ready to deepen their technical expertise and move into higher-impact roles. Whether you're looking to advance in your current field or expand into areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity or data science, the program builds on your undergraduate foundation with a focus on applied learning and real-world problem solving.
Unlike purely theoretical programs, the M.S. CIS emphasizes hands-on experience — equipping students with the skills to design, develop and implement solutions across a range of technical environments. With evening courses designed for working professionals and five distinct concentrations to choose from, you can tailor the degree to your goals and pursue it without stepping away from your career.
Program At-a-Glance
- Degree: Master of Science
- Length: 30 credit hours (Thesis or Non-Thesis); 1.5 yrs
- Delivery: In-person, evening courses for working professionals
- STEM Designation: F-1 STEM eligible (1-year OPT + 2-year extension)
- Application Deadline: Fall Term: Aug. 1; Spring Term: Dec. 1
Tailor Your Experience
Choose from five concentrations and select from approved electives to deepen your expertise, broaden your knowledge across related disciplines, or explore emerging topics aligned with your career goals.
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Artificial Intelligence Concentration
Prepare to build intelligent systems that learn, reason, and adapt. This concentration covers machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision and big data — giving you the skills to design and deploy AI-driven solutions at scale.
Example high-demand AI roles:
- AI Engineer
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Deep Learning Engineer
- NLP Engineer
- AI Solutions Architect
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Computer Science Concentration
Develop advanced expertise in software engineering, systems design and computing infrastructure. This concentration prepares you to lead technical teams and architect robust, scalable solutions across industries.
Example high-demand Computer Science roles:
- Software Engineer
- DevOps Engineer
- Cloud Engineer
- Full-Stack Developer
- Database Developer
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Cybersecurity Concentration
Address one of the most critical challenges in modern computing. This concentration covers network security, ethical hacking, risk assessment and security architecture, preparing you to protect systems and data across sectors including banking, government and cloud providers.
Example high-demand Cybersecurity roles:
- Cybersecurity Analyst
- Security Engineer
- Cloud Security Engineer
- Security Architect
- Database Security Specialist
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Data Science Concentration
Turn complex data into strategic advantage. This concentration combines statistical modeling, data engineering, and machine learning to prepare you for roles driving data-informed decisions in business, healthcare, finance and beyond.
Flexible delivery option: Several required Data Science courses are offered online, allowing students to complete a significant portion of the program in a fully online format.
Example high-demand Data Science roles:
- Data Scientist
- Data Engineer
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Business Intelligence Developer
- Big Data Engineer
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Information Systems Concentration
Bridge the gap between technology and business strategy. This concentration focuses on systems analysis, enterprise architecture and IT management, preparing you to lead digital transformation and align technical solutions with organizational goals.
Example high-demand Information Systems roles:
- Business Systems Analyst
- Solutions Architect
- IT Project Manager
- Database Administrator
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Thesis Track
The M.S.-CIS (Thesis) requires a total of 30 graduate credit hours, of which 24 credit hours must be earned through coursework. The student must enroll in the graduate Thesis course for at least two semesters, which requires conducting an in-depth study of a research problem leading to the composition of a Master's Thesis that summarizes the student’s findings. The student must defend the thesis in a presentation that is open to the general public and evaluated by a faculty committee.
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Non-Thesis Track
The MS-CIS (Non-Thesis) requires a total of 30 graduate credit hours, of which 24 credit hours must be earned through coursework. The student must enroll in the graduate Research Experience I and II courses. During the Research Experience, the student is required to submit a manuscript to a journal or conference proceeding or submit a grant proposal to an external funding agency.
Where Our Graduates Work
UNF M.S. CIS alumni have gone on to build careers at leading organizations including:
- AT&T
- Availity
- Bank of America
- Citi
- CSX
- Deloitte
- FIS
- Florida Blue
- Intercontinental Exchange
- NLP Logix
- RF-Smart
Career Outlook
As technology evolves across every industry, demand for professionals with advanced computing expertise continues to grow. Graduates of the M.S. CIS are prepared with the technical depth, applied experience, and problem-solving skills to contribute in high-impact roles — and to adapt as the field changes.
This degree prepares you for roles across industries including technology, finance, healthcare, and government: Software Engineer, Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, Cybersecurity Analyst, Systems Architect, AI Engineer or IT Project Manager.
The numbers speak for themselves:
- M.S. CIS graduates earn an average of $29,000 more per year than those with a computer science bachelor's degree alone.
- 4 out of 5 M.S. CIS graduates are working in Florida within one year of graduation.
Considering a Ph.D. Path?
The M.S. CIS can serve as a strong foundation for doctoral study, helping you build the technical depth and research experience needed to pursue advanced work in computing. Through applied coursework, project-based learning and faculty mentorship, students develop the skills required to explore complex problems and contribute to innovation in the field. For those interested in continuing their academic journey, UNF’s Ph.D. in Computing offers opportunities to engage in applied research, collaborate with faculty and contribute to advancements across industry and academia.
Program Contacts
