Program Overview
| AP Coordinator | Kaitlin Hoffmann, 845-257-3533, hoffmank4@newpaltz.edu |
| Program ID | BS Computer Science AP (513A), MS Computer Science AP (270) |
| Credits | BS Computer Science AP (69 credits – inclusive of 9-12 GR credits), MS Computer Science (30 credits) |
| Program Length | The Accelerated Pathway program in Computer Science may be completed in 10 semesters, but students must complete the graduate degree within 7 years. |
| Modality | In-person |
| Full-time/Part-time | Full-time or Part-time |
| Transfer Credits | 9-12 graduate credits will be applied to both the BS and MS degree programs. |
| Graduate Capstone | Comprehensive Exam or Thesis |
Program Description
This accelerated plan of study provides a pathway to earning a master’s degree in computer science along with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Students enrolled in the BS/MS program complete 9-12 graduate-level credits during their senior year. These credits are offered at the reduced undergraduate tuition rate and fulfill both undergraduate and graduate program requirements.
The master’s degree in computer science is designed to help students from all backgrounds advance to new careers in technology fields. Our mission is to prepare the next generation of application developers, start-up entrepreneurs, and business analysts to thrive in a rapidly changing world. The program focuses on building a strong foundation in the theoretical concepts of computer science, while introducing applicable skills in areas like machine learning, web and database development, cybersecurity, and data science. Courses are taught by dedicated faculty who are experts in their fields with active research programs. Our network and security lab provides advanced computing facilities. The curriculum is constantly evolving in step with current trends in technology, emphasizing the skills that employers – especially in the Hudson Valley’s growing tech industries – need right now.
How does it work?
Get started by declaring the Computer Science AP major (513A) as an undergraduate:
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Meet with AP advisor, Kaitlin Hoffmann, to declare the Computer Science AP major.
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Work with your AP advisor to enroll in two graduate computer science courses during your senior year.
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Apply for the MS Computer Science program in your senior year.
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Transfer 6 credits of graduate electives taken as an undergraduate into your graduate program.
Graduate Admission Requirements
Graduate admission requires submission of:
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Graduate application - select major 270.
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One set of official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate course work, including a baccalaureate transcript from a regionally accredited institution, indicating at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
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Grades of B or higher in graduate computer science courses taken as a senior.
Admission Deadlines
| July 31 | Fall Admission |
| January 1 | Spring Admission |
Accepting on a rolling basis until the program is full. However, applications must at least be started by the deadline, or they will not be considered.
Curriculum Requirements
BS Computer Science AP (major 513A)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Computer Science Courses (40 Credits) | ||
| CPS210 | Computer Science I: Foundations | 4 |
| CPS310 | Computer Science II: Data Structures | 4 |
| CPS315 | Computer Science III | 4 |
| CPS330 | Assembly Language and Computer Architecture | 4 |
| CPS340 | Operating Systems | 4 |
| CPS352 | Object Oriented Programming | 3 |
| CPS353 | Software Engineering | 3 |
| CPS415 | Discrete and Continuous Computer Algorithms | 3 |
| CPS425 | Language Processing | 4 |
| AP capstone pairing: | ||
| CPS5xx Computer Science Elective + CPS485 Projects | 7 | |
| Required Mathematics Courses (11 Credits) | ||
| MAT251 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MAT252 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MAT320 | Discrete Mathematics for Computing | 3 |
| Required Science Courses -- select a grouping below (0 Credits) | 8 | |
CHE201 General Chemistry I & CHE211 General Chemistry I Lab and CHE202 General Chemistry II & CHE212 General Chemistry II Lab | ||
PHY201 General Physics I & PHY211 General Physics I lab and PHY202 General Physics II & PHY212 General Physics II Lab | ||
BIO201 General Biology I & BIO211 General Biology I Lab and BIO202 General Biology II & BIO212 General Biology II Lab | ||
GLG201 Physical Geology & GLG211 Physical Geology Lab and plus, one 4-credit Geology course with GLG201 prereq | ||
| Required Engineering Courses (4 Credits) | ||
| EGC220 | Digital Logic Fundamentals | 3 |
| EGC221 | Digital Logic Lab | 1 |
| Graduate Computer Science Electives (6 Credits) | ||
| Select two graduate computer science electives with advisement | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 69 | |
MS Computer Science (major 270)
Graduate study in Computer Science enables students to individualize their program of study by pursuing ten computer science courses (30 credits) and passing a comprehensive exam or completing eight courses (24 credits) and delving into a 6-credit thesis project. This flexibility allows students to explore conceptually based classes, enhance technical skills through applied learning courses, stay abreast of current trends in the field through a wide range of special topics courses, and engage in research by pursuing an optional six-credit thesis.
Sample comprehensive exam option
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer Credit (6 Credits) | ||
| Graduate courses taken as an undergraduate. | 6 | |
| Individualized Comprehensive Exam Track (24 Credits) | ||
| Select 8 courses by advisement | 24 | |
| Discrete Structures | ||
| Advanced Data Structures | ||
| Computer Networks | ||
| Foundations of Computer Science | ||
| Machine Learning | ||
| Artificial Intelligence | ||
| Programming and Data Structures | ||
| Web and Database Programming | ||
| User Interface Programming | ||
| Functional Programming | ||
| Computer Science Selected topic * | ||
| Fieldwork Comp Science | ||
| Comprehensive Exam | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- *
Recently offered special topics courses include Cybersecurity and Database Management.
Sample thesis option
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer Credit (6 Credits) | ||
| Graduate courses taken as an undergraduate. | 6 | |
| Individualized Thesis Track (24 Credits) | ||
| Students select six graduate courses by advisement and complete a 6-credit thesis. | 18 | |
| Discrete Structures | ||
| Advanced Data Structures | ||
| Computer Networks | ||
| Foundations of Computer Science | ||
| Machine Learning | ||
| Artificial Intelligence | ||
| Programming and Data Structures | ||
| Web and Database Programming | ||
| User Interface Programming | ||
| Functional Programming | ||
| Computer Science Selected topic * | ||
| Fieldwork Comp Science | ||
| CPS590 | Thesis in Computer Science | 6 |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- *
Recently offered special topics courses include Cybersecurity and Database Management.
Academic Standing Requirements for Accelerated Pathway Students
A cumulative GPA of less than 3.0 in graduate-level courses taken in the undergraduate portion of an accelerated pathway program precludes the student’s good standing. Students with a cumulative GPA between 2.75 to 2.99 are strongly advised to reconsider continuing into the graduate program.
Graduation Checklist
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Apply for graduation via my.newpaltz.edu under “Graduation” tab according to the schedule in the academic calendar.
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Resolve any pending admission conditions (outlined in your acceptance letter) and/or missing documents if applicable.
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Review your progress report via my.newpaltz.edu to ensure that you have completed all program requirements.
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Remember that only two grades below a B- may be applied to your plan of study
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Contact your advisor if you need to amend your plan or process transfer credit.
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Ensure that you are in good academic standing with a GPA (Grade Point Average) of 3.0 or higher.
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Pass your capstone or culminating assessment.
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Complete your degree within the specified time limit outlined in the Program Overview.
BS Computer Science Program Learning Outcomes
Candidates who successfully complete all required components of the BS in Computer Science at SUNY New Paltz will:
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Develop skills in programming in several high-level languages, assembly language, machine language, and microcode.
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Develop the ability to learn new programming languages without formal instruction.
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Design and analyze algorithms.
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Design a new programming language and write a compiler or interpreter for it.
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Apply object-oriented programming and software engineering principles.
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Design and implement digital circuits.
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Understand the structure and operation of a modern operating system.
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Understand theoretical computer science concepts, such as the Turing machines and automata and computability theory.
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Understand the fundamentals of at least one of these laboratory sciences: physics, chemistry, biology, or geology.
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Understand continuous and discrete mathematical structures relevant to computing.
MS Computer Science Program Learning Outcomes
Candidates who successfully complete all required components of the MS in Computer Science program at SUNY New Paltz will:
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Develop skills in programming in several high-level languages, assembly language, machine language, and microcode.
-
Develop the ability to learn new programming languages without formal instruction.
-
Design and analyze algorithms.
-
Design a new programming language and write a compiler or interpreter for it.
-
Apply object-oriented programming and software engineering principles.
-
Design and implement digital circuits.
-
Understand the structure and operation of a modern operating system.
-
Understand theoretical computer science concepts, such as the Turing machines and automata and computability theory.
-
Understand continuous and discrete mathematical structures relevant to computing.
