The M.S. programs are appropriate for students who intend either to improve their professional skills or to prepare for doctoral studies in computer science. The requirements for an M.S. degree normally can be completed in two years or less, even without prior graduatelevel coursework in computer science. Students earning an M.S. from any of the department's master's programs can elect to continue for the Ph.D. in Computer Science, though students who are admitted to the Computational Operations Research program must reapply.