Khoury College of Computer Sciences

Computer Science-Align

Master's: Online
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Align Online allows motivated students and professionals holding a bachelor’s degree in any discipline to earn an online computer science master's. Technology thrives on diverse ideas and perspectives—add yours. Break into tech to make an impact.

Online
Location
Full-Time
Part-Time
Commitment
2.5-3 Years
Duration of Program
Fall
Entry Terms
No
Meets F1 Visa Requirements
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Overview

Full-time students complete the CS master's for non-CS majors in 2.5–3 years. This includes a two-semester bridge of graduate-level courses to prepare students without a computer science background to study alongside those with an undergraduate degree in the field. This format offers online courses and meaningful connections. You’ll enjoy three campus visits and an optional 4–8 months of paid computer science work experience.

An online program that keeps you connected in the real world

To land a top job in tech, you need advanced computer science skills and industry connections. To ensure you build both in this CS master's for non-CS majors, the Align Online computer science master's builds three short in-person retreats into the bridge portion of your program. You'll build community, learn new tools from faculty, and put your knowledge into practice with industry projects. Travel and room and board are included in your tuition. 

There’s no telling where your next great idea will take you

The Align Online computer science master's empowers you to apply computer science in your areas of expertise—or build a new career. This CS master's for non-CS majors gives you skills in the core areas of computer science and then allows you explore the junctions of CS and law, music, biology, business, physics, education, biomedical science, language, or whatever interests you via projects and work opportunities. You can take all courses online, or complete the bridge online and transfer to campus to finish your degree.

Research at Northeastern

From political science to computer science—Margarita’s path

“Because I don’t have any technical background, I wasn’t sure that I could handle the pressure and the technical side of computer science. [But] everything is just aligned and adjusted to people who don’t really have a background in technical specialties.”

Margarita
-BA in political science
-Align MSCS ’20
-Senior software engineer at DraftKings

Build professional connections via Northeastern’s powerful network

The Align Online computer science master's connects you to peers, faculty, and industry professionals across the Northeastern University Global Network. With campuses in Seattle, San Jose, Oakland, Miami, Portland (ME), Arlington (VA), Vancouver, and Boston, Northeastern offers a wide range of industry partnerships and alumni connections. 

For example, the renowned Boston campus, established in 1898, gives you access to cutting-edge research and projects in collaboration with top universities, businesses, governmental agencies, laboratories, and more in Boston, the #4 Best Startup Ecosystem in the World (Startup Genome 2022). 

Learn About Campuses

Learn from thoughtful faculty with impressive industry experience

The Align Online computer science master's faculty are pioneering new developments in CS, working in close collaboration with industry, and advocating to teach graduate-level computer science to beginners. They build engaging online courses and provide opportunities for connection. Some faculty are former Align students themselves, and all of them have impressive industry experience. 

More Details

Unique Features

  • Designed for students without a background in tech
  • Unique learning environment supporting diversity of thought and creating a close-knit group of peers from different industries 
  • Accessible and flexible online courses combined with short-term in-person retreats that create opportunities for in-person relationship building
  • Faculty with connections to diverse employers in Boston and on more than seven campuses across North America
  • Opportunities for paid, full-time co-op or internship with industry partner or current company to help you break into the tech industry—with online or in-person options

Career Outlook

Job growth in computer science outpaces the average job growth of 7–8% by two or three times across a variety of positions:

  • 22%+ expected growth for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers (2020–2030, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • 682,000+ new jobs in computer and information tech occupations projected over the decade (2021–2031, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Align Graduates

Align graduates hold positions such as product manager at Oracle, software engineer at Snowflake, mobile app developer at Bose, and more.

  • 40%+ of Align MSCS graduates are employed by top global tech companies.
  • 70%+ hold software engineering titles.
  • 35%+ of alumni have been promoted to senior roles within three or more years of graduation.
  • Top 10 employers are Amazon, Amazon Web Services, Meta, Google, Microsoft, Oracle, LinkedIn, Salesforce, Stripe, and Apple.

Note: Data is based on 1,000 alumni LinkedIn profiles in 2022.

Curriculum

After completing the graduate-level bridge courses designed for students with nontechnical backgrounds, you’ll be prepared for standard coursework in computer science. Make the program your own by choosing from a range of electives in important breadth areas of computer science.

Bridge courses

  • Fundamentals of Computer Science
  • Discrete Structures
  • Computer Systems/Algorithms
  • Object-Oriented Design

Master’s core courses

  • Algorithms

Electives in a range of areas

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Computer-Human Interface
  • Data Science
  • Graphics
  • Information Security
  • Networks
  • Programming Languages
  • Software Engineering
  • Systems
  • Theory

View Full Curriculum

 

 

Testimonials

"I didn’t know any female data scientists or computer scientists. Growing up, it wasn’t a field I saw anyone going into. What helped me was looking for mentorship in the women in tech space or the Filipino American in tech space. Hearing those stories built my confidence in seeing that people made it in the field I want to be in, and that motivates me to continue."

LeAnn, Align MSCS ’23, BA in bioengineering bioinformatics

Looking for something different?

View more Computing and IT programs
Admissions

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-ranked university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Program Costs

$78.5K *
Tuition

Financial Support Can include full-time co-op/internship, TA/tutor position, Federal Student Aid, scholarships

Check Costs per Credit Align MSCS is a total of 44 credits.

Requirements

  • Online application and fee waiver
  • PDF or scanned copies of unofficial undergraduate transcripts; you can submit official transcripts from colleges/universities attended at the time of admission
  • Two out of three essay prompts
  • Statement of purpose that should include career goals and expected outcomes and benefits from the program
  • Recent professional resumé listing detailed position responsibilities
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • GPA minimums: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, 8.0 on a 10.0 scale, or 80 on a 100 scale
  • Official TOEFL (100 minimum) or IELTS (7.5 minimum) examination scores (international students only)
  • GRE Optional

 

Are You an International Student? Find out what additional documents are required to apply.

Global Engagement Learn how our teaching and research benefit from a worldwide network of students, faculty, and industry partners.

Admissions Dates

Fall Term
Domestic students: August 1
Curriculum

Industry-aligned courses for in-demand careers.


For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.

 

Experiential Learning

You’ll apply what you’re learning in the classroom through project work involving real industry scenarios. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to build work experience through a paid, full-time computer science co-op (four–eight months) or internship with one of Khoury College’s 700+ industry partners—or within your own company. Options are available both online and in person. Northeastern is known for this high-impact work experience.

Example co-op and internship partners in an industry-preferred program

Align Online helps prepare you to meet the preferred qualifications for job postings with top companies. Many companies offer co-op students full-time employment upon completion of their degree.

[Insert graphic of Amazon posting for Seattle, with caption.]

Example co-op partners

Amazon/AWS, Quickbase, Google, Fidelity, Apple, Car Gurus, EforAll, Boston Children’s Hospital, Vor Biophamra, and many more

Strong support and online collaboration to kick-start your next career move

Your work experience opportunities are closely integrated with both your course curriculum and the advising system. Northeastern’s career staff, academic advisors, and peer mentors will support you in preparing for and succeeding during your work experience. 

This comprehensive support system adds depth to your classroom studies, gives you exposure to different career paths and opportunities, and helps you develop a deeper understanding of computer science and its many intersections—highly valuable to your future employers. Additionally, as an Align Online student, you’ll build strong collaborative skills working in diverse online teams. Online collaboration is increasingly more important than location to top employers. 

Faculty

Our Faculty

Northeastern University faculty represents a broad cross-section of professional practices and fields, including finance, education, biomedical science, management, and the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside you to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

Students

By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll be connected to students at our 13 campuses, as well as 300,000-plus alumni and more than 3,500 employer partners around the world. Our global university system provides you with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally and serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

Khoury College’s Align Master of Science in Computer Science program is home to a diverse community of creative thinkers. All students come from noncomputer science backgrounds, with disciplines as varied as history, business, biology, political science, and more represented.

  • 150+ disciplines represented
  • 53% identify as female (fall 2022)
  • 15% of domestic students identify as a race or ethnicity historically underrepresented in technology (average, 2018–2022)
  • Full range of experiences represented, including students with families, full-time jobs, and first-generation students
  • 1,000+ accomplished Align Master of Science in Computer Science alumni 

Ask a Student About Align

Career results for Align Master of Science in Computer Science graduates

Khoury College’s Align Master of Science in Computer Science program has 10+ years of strong career results. Graduates hold a wide range of positions within and beyond the tech industry:

  • Systems and infrastructure engineer at LinkedIn
  • Full-stack engineer at Fidelity
  • Mobile app developer at Bose
  • Software engineer at Meta
  • Software developer at Amazon
  • Software engineer at Snowflake
  • Agile developer at SAP
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