You've decided apply for a graduate program in Computer Science at Duke!
We want you to know you are making the best choice you can about your future, so if you haven't already, take a moment and read about the programs we offer.
Ph.D.
For the big picture, read: About the Ph.D.
For the statistics and the FAQs:
- on historical admissions to the CS Ph.D. program
- on careers by Duke CS Ph.D.s as compiled by The Graduate School
- about the application process, read the FAQs
MS CS
For the big picture, read: About the MS in Computer Science
For what you need to know before applying:
- The CS MS has averaged 510 applications per year over the last 3 years and admits relatively few.
- The department assumes admits are prepared to excel in rigorous computer science courses in the very first semester, and in fact, MS students take the same courses as PhD students.
- An undergraduate major or minor in Computer Science is not mandatory, but a strong background in CS is. For example, students with degrees in Math or ECE and a strong background in CS often do very well.
- Graduates of the CS MS program will have the skills to create software and take an industry job as a software developer, but the program emphasizes computer science rather than software engineering.
- To see statistics on admissions to the CS MS program, see The Graduate School's Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics.
- Learn more about applying for a CS MS; read the FAQs here.
- Learn more about the CS MS requirements here.
MSEC
For the big picture, read: About the MS in Economics & Computation
For what you need to know before applying:
- The MSEC program is designed to meet the needs of students with varied levels of exposure to either Economics or Computer Science, but a strong quantitative background is recommended.
- Applications to the MSEC program number relatively few, but the applicants are an intelligent and motivated group self-selected for their interdisciplinary interests. See The Graduate School's Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics for MSEC.
- Learn more about the MSEC requirements from the Duke Economics website.
- This degree program classifies as STEM (CIP Code 45.0603: Econometrics and Quantitative Economics), and students in this program can apply for a 24-month STEM extension of F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT).