As you explore advanced degree programs, you will likely encounter the term “tier-one research university.” Clearly the term communicates excellence, but what does it mean? What characteristics qualify an institution as tier one?
Tufts University is a tier-one research university and a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU) . This article explains what that means and explores the benefits of earning a degree, like the Tufts online Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS), from a tier-one institution.
What Is a Tier One Research University?
Tier-one research universities, designated by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, deliver cutting-edge research conducted by leading scholars and researchers in state-of-the-art facilities. They typically offer comprehensive graduate programs that develop industry leaders and drive future-facing research. Additionally, these universities often boast a strong alumni network of accomplished scholars and professionals. The university’s robust connections with industry, government and private institutions provide networking opportunities for graduates that can greatly enhance their careers.
Together, these factors build a university’s global reputation. Read on to learn more about the distinguishing characteristics of tier-one research universities and how students at these institutions benefit.
Study With Experts Driving Innovation in Tech
Gain Skills That Set You Apart in the Field
Cutting-Edge Research
A tier-one university immerses you in an environment in which groundbreaking research unfolds daily. You will interact with leading industry experts and innovative projects, exposing you to the latest developments in computer science impacting your community and the world. Your peers in the online MSCS program will be fellow computer scientists similarly motivated to learn from industry and research leaders. Learning in such an environment opens doors to interdisciplinary learning and potential partnerships that can drive your career forward.
Renowned Faculty
Tufts online MSCS students learn from renowned faculty members with expertise in their fields, providing high-quality instruction and mentorship. The Tufts online MSCS faculty includes:
- Marty Allen‘s research focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Allen’s recent research involves multiagent reinforcement learning, where teams of individuals try to learn how to find cooperative solutions to complex problems, and the application of simulation and machine learning to complex biological systems.
- Ming Chow, who has over a decade of experience as a web developer; he has spoken at numerous organizations and conferences. His expertise lies in cybersecurity and web engineering, with specialization in web and mobile security and web and mobile engineering.
- Lenore Cowen, who earned her PhD in mathematics from MIT; her focus areas include discrete mathematics, algorithms and computational molecular biology.
- Jeffrey Foster’s research focused on developing fundamental new ways to make it easier to build more reliable, secure software. He is an Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) fellow and chair of the ACM Special Interest Group on Programming Languages (SIGPLAN).
- Dr. Soha Hassoun, who combines expertise in computer science, electrical and computer engineering, and biological engineering in her research, which covers machine learning models custom-designed for biological data. Her work draws on her prior academic and industrial experience in circuit design and design automation for electronic systems, where she contributed seminal ideas for the design of FinFET devices and power grids for 3D integrated circuits.
Networking Opportunities
Tufts online students enjoy access to the university’s extensive alumni network of more than 100,000 graduates worldwide, many with strong ties to the computer science industry. The network facilitates job postings and opportunities to connect with professionals in the field to provide mentorship, share ideas and collaborate on research projects.
Global Recognition and Enhanced Career Prospects
A degree from a tier-one institution holds substantial weight in the global job market. A university’s reputation for excellence in academics and research—reinforced by the demonstrated success and effectiveness of its graduates—gives employers confidence that graduates from these institutions possess the skills and knowledge required for professional success.
Many tier-one institutions maintain close connections with leading companies and organizations, providing students with exclusive internships, workshops, and recruitment events. For instance, Tufts has strong ties to numerous tech firms and startups in the greater Boston area. An MSCS degree from Tufts positions you to pursue a career at top companies like Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Google. These companies (and many more) have previously employed Tufts MSCS graduates.
Why Earn Your MSCS Online at Tufts University?
Earning your MSCS from a tier-one research university and AAU member like Tufts can accelerate your career progress. As a Tufts online MSCS student, you will engage with cutting-edge research and have the opportunity to learn from leading industry experts. The Tufts online MSCS curriculum exposes you to industry-relevant challenges and research problems, pushing you to develop your problem-solving skills and design new computer software. Additionally, the Tufts online classroom environment helps build your professional network by facilitating meaningful interactions with peers and faculty.
Ready to take advantage of the unique benefits offered by a tier-one research institution? Contact an enrollment advisor to learn more about the Tufts online MSCS program and application process.