PhD Computer Science at Arizona State University

Programme overview

Students in the Doctor of Philosophy program in computer science conduct original research that advances the theories, algorithms and systems that define the future of computing. This research-intensive program prepares students of exceptional ability to advance the frontiers of computing through original, independent scholarship.

What you will study

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation Required Core Areas (9 credit hours) applications (3) foundations (3) systems (3) Depth (3 credit hours) three additional credit hours in one core area (3) Research (18 credit hours) CSE 792 Research (18) Electives and Additional Research (42 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) CSE 799 Dissertation (12) Additional Curriculum Information Courses that are used to satisfy the core area requirement cannot be used to satisfy electives or other requirements.

Career pathways

Graduates are prepared to lead cutting-edge research in academia, industry or government, and to contribute transformative innovations that shape the future of computing. Career examples: computer science professor or researcher, data scientist or engineer, machine learning, AI or computer vision scientist or engineer.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, computer engineering or a closely related area. Most applicants should have earned a master's degree, but exceptional undergraduate applicants may be admitted directly into the doctoral program. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

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

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