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Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science

Kickstart your computing career with Tufts. The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science equips you with the technical skills to pursue better job opportunities or continue your education with our online MS in Computer Science.

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Computer Science Online Certificate Program

As a student in the Post-Baccalaureate Computer Science Certificate program you will:

Boost your computing career by building key competencies.

Choose between the Computer Science certificate or master’s track based on your professional goals.

Build meaningful relationships with your faculty and peers through live, computer science online courses.

Learn comprehensive, foundational computer science knowledge and skills.

Start with Foundational Computing. Finish with a Master’s Degree.

Complete the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate and Boost Your Credentials in Computer Science Online.
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Computer Science Certificate Program Overview

The 100 percent online Post-Baccalaureate Computer Science Certificate program offers two tracks that provide you with foundational knowledge and skills in data structures, algorithms, hardware, and systems. Our two track options enable you to gain the expertise needed to pursue better career opportunities or acquire the credentials to earn our online MS in Computer Science. To help you choose the right track, you will work with an advisor to develop an individualized plan of study in computer science online courses based on your academic history and professional goals.

Certificate Track: The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science (17-23 credits), is designed for students who are new to the field of computer science and are looking to gain a solid foundation in the field to pursue new career opportunities.

Master’s Track: The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science to MS in Computer Science (7 credits prior to beginning the MS), is designed for students who are new to the field of computer science who aim to pursue a Master of Science in Computer Science.

Computer Science Online Post-Baccalaureate Program By the Numbers

1

Students can complete the master’s track in as little as one semester, and then transition to the online MS in Computer Science program.*

2

The online certificate program offers two tracks. Track 1 includes five to six classes for a total of 17-23 credits. Track 2 includes two classes for a total of seven credits.

21%

U.S. employment in the field of computer science is expected to grow 21 percent from 2021 to 2031.**

*Subject to taking the required number of credits.
** U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023.

Is the Tufts Online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science Right for You?

The online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science program is designed to provide you with the foundational computer science online courses to start a new career in technology or continue on to graduate study in computer science. You’ll focus on developing core knowledge and skills in programming and mathematical proofs through programming projects and problem sets. Whether you are new to the field or interested in boosting your computing expertise, the Tufts Computer Science Certificate can help you develop technical and problem-solving skills that will help you succeed.

Tufts' campus in autumn.

Post-Baccalaureate Computer Science Certificate Program Curriculum

As a student in the Tufts computer science certificate program, you will complete a concentrated, rigorous curriculum delivered 100 percent online. We offer two pathways: the certificate track (17-23 credits) and the master’s track (seven credits). Depending on the track you choose, you may complete the program in one semester or one year.

You will be required to take computer science online courses such as Data Structures and Discrete Mathematics before choosing three electives. Once you complete the required courses, earning a B- or higher, you will be eligible to enroll in our online MS in Computer Science program.

Explore the Curriculum

Computer Science Online Program Faculty

Professional headshot of Tufts faculty member Martin Allen

Martin Allen

ASSOCIATE TEACHING PROFESSOR, DIRECTOR OF ONLINE PROGRAMS, COMPUTER SCIENCE
Professional headshot of Tufts University faculty member Ming Chow

Ming Chow

ASSOCIATE TEACHING PROFESSOR, CYBER SECURITY, WEB ENGINEERING
Professional headshot of Tufts faculty member Karen Edwards

Karen Edwards

ASSISTANT TEACHING PROFESSOR, COMPUTER SCIENCE
Professional headshot of Tufts faculty member Mark Sheldon

Mark Sheldon

ASSOCIATE TEACHING PROFESSOR, COMPUTER SCIENCE
Professional headshot of Tufts faculty member Richard Townsend

Richard Townsend

ASSISTANT TEACHING PROFESSOR, COMPUTER SCIENCE

Post-Baccalaureate Computer Science Certificate Learning Outcomes

Computer science has become an integral component of a complex and rapidly evolving world. As a student in the online post-baccalaureate certificate program, you will dig deeper into key computer science concepts and, upon completion, be prepared to:

Write reliable and efficient programs in high-level language

Employ a range of proof techniques and mathematical formalisms to analyze computational problems

Provide reasoning about the semantics and structure of programming languages

Analyze the complexity of computational problems

Prove important properties of fundamental algorithms and data structures

Find and fix security flaws in programs and systems

Employ machine learning models to find complex patterns in data sets

Develop complex software, following best practices and industry standards

Key Dates & Deadlines

Spring, summer, and fall cohorts are available.

Fall 2024
Priority Submit Deadline
May 13, 2024
Early Action Deadline
June 3, 2024
Early Decision Deadline
June 24, 2024
Final Submit Deadline
July 15, 2024

Computer Science Job Outlook

We live in an increasingly digital world, and organizations continue to prioritize their technical needs. As a result, the computer science job outlook is positive, with employment in this field expected to increase by 21 percent by 2031.* The online Post-Baccalaureate in Computer Science program helps students earn the credentials needed to pursue entry-level computer science jobs or continue their education with a master’s degree in computer science.

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023.

Computer Science Job Titles

Prospective roles for candidates who transition into and complete our online MS in Computer Science program include:

Job Title
Average Salary
Job Title Vice president (VP), information technology
Average Salary $168,000
Job Title Director of engineering
Average Salary $166,000
Job Title Principal software engineer
Average Salary $149,000
Job Title Senior product manager
Average Salary $144,000
Job Title Information security officer
Average Salary $134,000
Job Title Senior software engineer
Average Salary $129,000
Job Title Software development manager
Average Salary $129,000
Job Title Solutions architect
Average Salary $128,000
Job Title Machine learning engineer
Average Salary $116,000
Job Title Senior systems engineer
Average Salary $112,000
Job Title Data scientist
Average Salary $100,000
Job Title Test/quality assurance engineer
Average Salary $90,000
Job Title Software developer
Average Salary $86,000

Source: Payscale, February 2022

Why Choose Tufts University For Your Computer Science Certificate?

As a world-class research institution, Tufts University is committed to developing leaders who are prepared to make an impact. Our community embraces individuality while fostering collaboration and inclusion to empower students to innovate on a global scale. 

The School of Engineering connects you to science, the arts, and humanities through transformative, hands-on educational experiences. We bridge the gap between ideas and real-world impact so you will graduate equipped with a forward-thinking mindset and technical skills to pursue better career options.

A woman wearing glasses works at a laptop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Computer science jobs are expanding across industries as more organizations prioritize their technical needs. As a graduate of the Tufts computer science master’s program, you will have the tools and expertise to pursue the highest-earning computer science roles in areas such as software development, solutions architecture, cybersecurity, and data science, among others.

Upon completion of the online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science, you will be ready to pursue a technical career and meet the qualifications to enroll in our online MS in Computer Science program.

Tufts University Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science Accreditation

Tufts University has been continually accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), one of seven regional higher education accrediting bodies in the United States, since 1929. Tufts is evaluated by and achieves accreditation from NECHE once every ten years. The next year for evaluation is 2023.