M.S. in Informatik

The Computer Science program will introduce you to core areas of advanced computing architecture, advanced operating systems and theories, and algorithms used in computing. You will conduct advanced research in software engineering, systems or artificial intelligence as you learn high-demand skills sought by industry.

Program Highlights

• State-of-the-art computing facilities including the Integrated Engineering Science and Laboratory Facility (ISELF) Visualization Lab, Sunfire 280R running Solaris , several workstations running Windows and Linux and supercomputing facilities in the Twin Cities.
• Five to seven graduate assistantship positions offered each year.
• Research and project labs are equipped with Sun, Silicon Graphics and DEC Alpha workstations.
• The program is offered for part-time or full-time students .

Program Distinctions

• Graduates have gone on to work for Amazon, Google, Guidant, Medtronics, IBM, Beckman Coulter, and Thomson Reuters among others. They have also continued on to Ph.D. programs where they have been awarded assistantships.
• Taught by 13 internationally-recognized faculty members.

University Facts & Statistics

• 90 graduate programs leading to graduate certificates, master’s and doctoral degrees
• More than  300 graduate assistantships awarded per year
• Graduate assistants receive up to a $9,250 stipend per year and tuition reimbursement for up to eight graduate credits per semester.

Requirements and Details

The GRE is required.

• A strong showing (more than 75th percentile) in the quantitative GRE score is essential.
• A strong score in the verbal section is also important.

Admission is competitive.

Positive letters of recommendation are important, as is a solid undergraduate academic record.

Lack of a computer science background is usually not a major concern since prerequisite courses are prescribed. However, a background in the sciences and mathematics is essential.

Admission decisions are made at specific times associated with the application deadlines, usually in the week following the deadlines.

A final admission decision may take up to three weeks to receive from the application deadline and up to ten weeks for I-20s to be issued to international students.

Fully-qualified applicants will have taken courses that cover the following topics:

• Non-linear data structures: sorting and searching algorithms.
• Computer architecture: hardware organization, I/O interface, interrupt mechanisms and pipeline processor design.
• File systems; hashed indexed, ISAM files; B-trees; external sorting.
• Programming languages: design and implementation.
• Operating systems: process, memory and file system management, device handlers.
• Finite mathematics and modern algebra.

We're on a mission to unleash all that's within you.

Futures that begin here might seem unassuming at first, but like the mighty Mississippi River that flows alongside our campus, they quickly gather strength. Growing. Surging. Until they're seemingly unstoppable.

At St. Cloud State, an education is about far more than an education. It will be an opportunity to explore ideas, seek out unique perspectives and embrace new challenges – all of which will help you unlock your true potential.

If you're looking for choice, we've got that covered. We have more than 200 undergraduate programs of study and more than 60 graduate programs, holding nearly every available national accreditation.

Founded in 1869, St. Cloud State has evolved into a comprehensive university on our 100-acre campus along the scenic Mississippi RIver. We're on a mission to unleash ideas, imagination, promise, and purpose.

At a Glance

Quick facts by the numbers

• Founded in 1869
• More than 10,000 students
• 100-acre campus located along the banks of the Mississippi River
• Beaver Islands , a group of more than 30 islands are immediately downriver from campus
• 200 majors, minors and pre-professional programs
• More than 60 graduate programs and degrees
• Three  doctoral degree programs
• 24th on Forbes magazine's “Best Small Places for Businesses and Careers."
• Forbes magazine's " America's Top Colleges ."
• 200+ clubs and organizations
• Hundreds of courses offered online each semester
• 5-time Division II National Champions , Huskies Wrestling

St. Cloud Community

St. Cloud offers big-city culture and small-town charm on the banks of the Mississippi River in Central Minnesota.

Known as "The Granite City," St. Cloud is Central Minnesota's hub for arts, entertainment, health care, and education. The university campus is within walking distance of theater, live music and more.

The St. Cloud metropolitan area is 20th on Forbes magazine's 2019 “Best Small Places for Businesses and Careers." The City of St. Cloud has earned multiple awards for livability, city services, and amenities.

Local mass transit is free for St. Cloud State students on the Metro Bus system. The Metro Bus station near campus makes it easy to get to and from local stores and attractions. Through much of the year, there is a weekly farmers' market where you can buy locally-grown food.

Located an hour northwest of the world-class arts, entertainment, and shopping of Minneapolis-St. Paul, the University is also just a short drive from the best of what Mother Nature has to offer - including lakes, forests, and rivers.

Accreditations and Memberships

St. Cloud State University is a member of many academic and professional associations, including the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and Council of Graduate Schools in the United States.

It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, 800-621-7440). It is also accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

College of Liberal Arts

• The mass communications department is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC).
• The Applied Sociology concentration in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology is accredited by The Commission on Applied and Clinical Sociology (CACS).
• All College of Liberal Arts teaching licensure programs (Communication Arts and Literature, English, French, German, Spanish, History, Art and Music Education) are accredited by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB).

School of the Arts

• St. Cloud State University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
• The music department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

College of Science and Engineering

• All College of Science and Engineering teaching licensure programs (Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Technology Education) are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Minnesota Board of Teaching.
• The chemistry program is approved by the American Chemical Society.
• The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program is provisionally accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

School of Computing, Engineering and Environment

• The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program offered by the Computer Science Department is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of ABET. The program also follows the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) guidelines on the curriculum.
• The Atmospheric and Hydrologic Sciences department provides a meteorology program which meets the standards set forth by the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Service.
• The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, and the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, offered by the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET.
• The Technology Education degree is accredited by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) and the Council of Technology Teacher Education (CTTE).
• The Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Department offers bachelor of science degrees in Manufacturing Engineering and Mechanical Engineering that are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET.
• The Master of Engineering Management (MEM) program in the Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Department is certified by the American Society of Engineering Management (ASEM).

Herberger Business School

• The Herberger Business School is accredited by the AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business at both the bachelor's and master's degree levels.
• The Bachelor of Science in Information Systems, offered by the Herberger Business School Information Systems Department, is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of  ABET . The Bachelor of Science in Information Systems program also follows the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) guidelines on curriculum.

College of Education and Learning Design

• The College of Education and Learning Design is a member of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).
• The Teacher Education Unit and all teaching licensure programs are approved by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB).
• The Educational Administration programs are approved by the Minnesota Board of School Administrators (BoSA).

College of Health and Wellness Professions

• The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at St. Cloud State University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
• The Applied Behavior Analysis program in the Department of Community Psychology, Counseling and Family Therapy is accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis (ABA).
• The master's program in Rehabilitation Counselor Education in the Department of Community Psychology, Counseling and Family Therapy is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education.
• The School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
• The baccalaureate degree in the nursing program at St. Cloud State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, D.C. 20001. 202-887-6791.
• Athletic Training Education Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). St. Cloud State University Bachelor of Athletic Training is currently on probation by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 6850 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 100, Austin, TX 78731-3101. The program has chosen to Voluntarily Withdraw its Accreditation effective August 12, 2022. The program will remain on probation until the Withdraw is effective and the program is closed.
• The Department of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• The Medical Laboratory Science program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
• The clinical part of the Nuclear Medicine Technology program is accredited at our partner hospitals by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT). The clinical part of the Radiologic Technology program is accredited at our partner hospitals by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).

School of Public Affairs

• The School of Public Affairs teaching licensure program (Social Science Teaching) is accredited by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB).

Academic and Student Services

• Counseling and Psychological Services is accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services, Inc.
• Medical Clinic and Pharmacy Laboratory is accredited by the Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation (COLA).
• Lindgren Child Care Center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
• Medical Clinic and Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).
• The Senior to Sophomore Program has been awarded the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) Accreditation.