Graduate Programs

Our graduate program aims to produce well-educated researchers, teachers, and future leaders in Computer Science.
Students walking in front of Rice Hall

Our Graduate Programs

  • Ph.D. in Computer Science

    The Ph.D. degree culminates with the student writing and defending a dissertation based on the result of independent, original research that makes a significant scholarly contribution to the student's field of study.

  • M.S. in Computer Science

    The M.S. degree requires course work plus a formal thesis.

  • Master of Computer Science

    The M.C.S. degree is based on courses, but students have the option and indeed are encouraged to conduct a substantial project.

Computer Engineering Graduate Programs

We also offer graduate degrees in computer engineering in collaboration with the Department of Computer Science.

Graduate Certificate in Cyber-Physical Systems

The graduate certificate in cyber-physical systems (CPS) is designed to recognize the acquisition of CPS knowledge and skills through the completion of targeted courses. The graduate certificate in CPS is available to current graduate students in UVA's School of Engineering and Applied Science and will be awarded at the time of degree conferral. 

Resources for Current Students

  • UVA Engineering Graduate Student Resources

    Explore our resources for graduate students, including professional development support and ways to get involved at UVA Engineering.

  • Academic Planning

    Find timelines, forms and guidance for completing your degree on schedule.

  • Current CS Graduate Students

    Find information for new graduate students, program requirements and the graduate student handbook.

Our Research & Faculty 

The computer science department at the University of Virginia attracts federal research support in excess of $6 million annually, with total external research funding of more than $7 million each year. In addition to excelling in traditional research areas within computer science, we believe that many important research challenges lie at the boundary of computer science and other disciplines. With exceptional strength in experimental systems and applied research, our researchers are blazing new trails. d

UVAccelerate

Current UVA undergraduate students can apply to a Master of Engineering (M.E.), Master of Computer Science (M.C.S.), or Master of Materials Science and Engineering (M.M.S.E.) degree program in the third year of their undergraduate studies.

Graduate Program Contacts

Matthew B. Dwyer

Robert Thomson Distinguished Professor Computer Science

Matthew B. Dwyer is the Robert Thomson Distinguished Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Virginia.

Jack W. Davidson

Professor, Computer Science Director, Cyber Defense Program of Study

Jack W. Davidson is a Professor of Computer Science at UVA. He joined in 1981 after receiving his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Arizona. His research interests include compilers, computer security, programming languages, computer architecture, and embedded systems. He is the principal investigator on several ongoing grants.

Felix Xiaozhu Lin

William Wulf Faculty Fellow Associate Professor, Computer Science

Felix Xiaozhu Lin joined the Department of Computer Science as an associate professor in August 2020. Prior to his appointment at UVA Engineering, Lin was a tenured associate professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue University.