Offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
8 courses total, 10-12 hours per week
Competitively priced with pay-as-you-go tuition
Hands-on learning from anywhere, no travel required
If you want to launch or advance a successful data science or computer science career, you can learn the most in-demand skills while earning your Master of Computer Science. As a graduate, you’ll be qualified to pursue a variety of roles: scientist, analyst, engineer, leader, and more. In 2024, Fortune ranked University of Illinois as having one of the Best Online Master’s in Data Science Program.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a global leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. The UIUC Siebel School of Computing and Data Science was named a top-5 computer science school in 2024 by U.S. News and World Report. MCS faculty are known for a pioneering legacy, as they have been at the forefront of new industries and technologies.
Applications are open three times per year, for cohorts starting in the fall, spring, and summer.
Summer 2025 Application Information:
Join our next event: University of Illinois' Master of Computer Science (MCS) and (MCS-DS) Program Webinar | January 15 at 11 a.m. CT | Register now!
Have questions? Please email the Illinois MCS team at online-mcs@siebelschool.illinois.edu .
Start your application or request more info.
Offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
8 courses total, 10-12 hours per week
Competitively priced with pay-as-you-go tuition
Hands-on learning from anywhere, no travel required
Offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
8 courses total, 10-12 hours per week
Competitively priced with pay-as-you-go tuition
Hands-on learning from anywhere, no travel required
If you want to launch or advance a successful data science or computer science career, you can learn the most in-demand skills while earning your Master of Computer Science. As a graduate, you’ll be qualified to pursue a variety of roles: scientist, analyst, engineer, leader, and more. In 2024, Fortune ranked University of Illinois as having one of the Best Online Master’s in Data Science Program.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a global leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. The UIUC Siebel School of Computing and Data Science was named a top-5 computer science school in 2024 by U.S. News and World Report. MCS faculty are known for a pioneering legacy, as they have been at the forefront of new industries and technologies.
Applications are open three times per year, for cohorts starting in the fall, spring, and summer.
Summer 2025 Application Information:
Join our next event: University of Illinois' Master of Computer Science (MCS) and (MCS-DS) Program Webinar | January 15 at 11 a.m. CT | Register now!
Have questions? Please email the Illinois MCS team at online-mcs@siebelschool.illinois.edu .
Master of Computer Science (MCS): The MCS degree is for computing professionals who want to build skills in advanced topics in computer science, such as artificial intelligence, database & information systems, parallel computing, graphics, systems & networking, scientific computing, and more. This degree will accelerate your career and help you move into leading a team of engineers.
Master of Computer Science in Data Science (MCS-DS): The MCS-DS degree gives its graduates full programmable control of the instrumentation of big data as well as the full-stack understanding of how to process the data to discover new insights and optimize organizational decision-making. Students in this track earn the same MCS degree, but their curriculum concentrates on data science courses.
Build expertise and career skills in the most important computer science and data science topics. This degree program includes advanced coursework in artificial intelligence, databases, interactive computing, software engineering, scientific computing, high-performance computing, and more.
If you would like to get an idea of how the courses are structured in the degree program, or, if you want to get a head start on learning the material for when you start the degree, you can take a Specialization or an Open Content course. Although they do not convey course credit, you will be able to familiarize yourself with the course material before starting the class.
These courses may provide you with a preview of the topics, materials and instructors in a related degree program which can help you decide if the topic or university is right for you.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Intermediate · Specialization
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Intermediate · Specialization
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Intermediate · Specialization
Yes. Whether you study online or on campus, students who complete all degree requirements receive the same Master of Computer Science degree and diploma from the University of Illinois. There will be no mention of “online” or Coursera on your diploma or transcripts.
Yes. Master’s-level CS students should be able to learn new languages so they can develop a rich skill set, which lets them problem-solve using the most appropriate tools. The CS department has some flexibility with language proficiency when possible, to allow students to program in languages they are most comfortable using. Students should already be proficient in at least one compiled object-oriented programming language.
Coursera financial aid is available for the Specializations component of the program.
Domestic students may qualify for Federal Student Aid, since the Master of Computer Science, like all Illinois degrees, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
To earn credit from the University of Illinois, you must be admitted as a degree-seeking student and registered for credit-bearing course(s).
Sign up here to request more information. Additional details about applying to the Master of Computer Science are available here.
If after reviewing all the information on our website and you have questions, you can email the Illinois MCS team at online-mcs@cs.illinois.edu.
An advisor is available online every Friday (other than campus holidays), 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM U.S. Central Time, to answer your questions. Several options are available to join these sessions:
Yes, admission can be deferred up to three consecutive semesters (i.e. Fall, Spring, Summer). Beginning with Fall 2023 admissions, a one-time non-refundable deferral deposit of $750.00 is required to defer. The deferral deposit will be applied to tuition charges when a student enrolls. Students who select to defer but do not submit payment of the deferral deposit by the deadline forfeit their admission and the student enrollment decision will be updated to "I decline my offer of admission".