MS Complex Systems Science at Arizona State University

Programme overview

Most systems are complex. This means that through the interaction between their parts, these systems exhibit emergent properties and unintended consequences. The curriculum in the Master of Science program in complex systems science focuses on developing skills in theoretical foundations, modeling, problem-solving, critical thinking, and the importance of direct experience through research or related activities.

What you will study

30 credit hours including the required applied project course (CAS 593) Required Core (15 credit hours) CAS 501 Fundamentals of Complex Systems Science: Evolution (3) CAS 502 Fundamentals of Complex Systems Science: Computation (3) CAS 503 Fundamentals of Complex Systems Science: Collectives (3) Students choose two: CAS 520 Agent Based Modeling (3) CAS 521 Methods for Complex Systems Science: Network Analysis (3) CAS 522 Methods for Complex Systems Science: Dynamical Systems (3) CAS 523 Methods for Complex Systems Science: Statistics and Dimensionality Reduction (3) Electives (9 credit hours) Culminating Experience (6 credit hours) CAS 593 Applied Project (6) Additional Curriculum Information The applied project is a modeling and research project in any of the applied or foundational areas of complex systems science.

Career pathways

Complex adaptive system concepts and methods serve as bridges between disciplines, providing a common language that enables the interdisciplinary collaborations necessary to come to grips with today's intellectual and societal challenges.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Rob Walton College of Global Futures. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts three letters of recommendation written statement professional resume proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search; the application opens almost a year before the start term. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S. Apply with ASU's graduate application (Law applicants use the law college's site); GRE/GMAT requirements vary by programme.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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