The Catholic University of America

Master’s Degree Programs

• Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

  The Biomedical Engineering department offers a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in biomedical engineering.

  Masters Degree Requirements
  
  The minimum requirement for the master's degree are the successful completion of an approved program of study consisting of 30 graduate credits (10 courses) with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Two options are available for the M.S. study:
  
      Non-Thesis Option: A coursework (or non-thesis) masters is obtained whereby the minimum 30     credits are based upon approved graduate coursework only.
      Thesis Option: A thesis masters is obtained whereby the minimum 30 credits are based upon     completion of approved graduate coursework (8 courses) in combination with submission of a research     thesis (equivalent to 2 courses). A written thesis has to be approved by the major advisor (BE faculty     member) and a reader. The selection of courses and thesis topics are conducted with the approval of a     faculty advisor.
  
  The selection of courses and thesis topics are conducted with the approval of a faculty advisor.
  
  The standard coursework master's is comprised of 2 core engineering courses (ENGR 516, ENGR 518 or ENGR 520), 5 BE courses, and 3 other courses selected from engineering and/or biologically-related graduate level courses.
  
  A thesis masters is usually comprised of 2 core engineering courses, 4 BE courses, and 2 other course selected from engineering and/or biologically-related graduate level courses, in addition to 2 semesters of thesis research courses. Students may deviate from the standard requirements by written permission to the BE Graduate Committee or Chair. Students must receive written approval from the graduate committee prior to enrolling in substitute coursework.
  

• Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering

  The Civil Engineering department offers a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in civil engineering. Our goal is to produce graduates who are schooled in fundamentals and capable of doing advanced engineering work.
  
  Major areas of concentration for this program are: construction engineering and management, environmental engineering and water resource management, solid mechanics, structural engineering, transportation engineering, civil engineering materials, and systems engineering.
  
  The available courses include laboratory studies, applied mathematics, engineering analysis, engineering design, and a variety of introductory and advanced level courses in various areas of applied science and engineering management.
  

• Master of Science in Computer Science

  The M.S. program has two options, the thesis option and the non-thesis option. The non-thesis option contains a minimum of 30 SCH of approved graduate-level courses.  Students should work with their academic advisors to setup their study plans upon entering the program.  For the thesis option, students should meet with their master thesis advisor, and submit a master thesis request form to the Department for approval. Students who take the thesis option will require a minimum of 24 SCH.
  

• Master of Science in Data Analytics

  Flexible Online and On-Campus Learning Options
  
  The M.S. degree requires 30 credit hours, consisting of the 4 core courses, 5 elective courses providing a deeper understanding of specific methods, tools, and specific areas of application, and a 3-credit capstone practicum selected from an approved set of challenge areas developed in partnership with industry, government, and civic organizations.

  Core requirements
  
      Introduction to Data Science and Python
      Applied Statistics and Data Analysis
      Introduction to Machine Learning
      Applications of Data Analytics and Development
  
  Data Analysis Electives
  
      Artificial Intelligence
      Practices for Big Data
      High-Performance Parallel Computing
      Time Series Analysis
      Cloud Computing
      Pattern Recognition
      Predictive Modeling
      Visualization Tools
      Information Retrieval and Analysis
      Internet of Things
      Distributed Computing
      Data Mining
      Data Ethics
      Others
  
  Application Electives:
  
      Business Data Analytics
      Healthcare Data Analytics
      Data Analysis for Security
      Government Data and Analysis
      Transportation Informatics
      Climate and Ecosystem Monitoring
      Others
  
  Data Science and Analytics Practicum

  CUA and its industry partners are establishing focus areas that students will address in the practicum. The areas are selected to highlight the power of data and analysis in their solutions. In their final semester, students select one of the issue areas and a method of execution. Students currently working can choose issue areas related to the established set, but which are tailored to their work environment and use data sets supplied by their employer. Students will work throughout the semester in a professional project-like manner. They will submit project proposals, plan of action milestone charts, and time lines as part of the practicum. Students will have scheduled reviews at various points that will be held in conjunction with the industry partners. At the end of the semester, each student will give a 30-minute presentation on their project to a panel made up of CUA faculty and industry partners. Depending on the scope of the project, teams can be formed to address multiple aspects of the available data.
  

• Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

  The department offers a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in electrical engineering with two options. The non-thesis option requires a minimum of 30 semester credit hours (SCH) of approved course work. The thesis option requires a minimum of 24 SCH of approved course work plus a thesis comprising six SCH of research guidance. The approved course work must include at least 18 SCH of approved electrical engineering courses. The remaining courses must be in engineering and science disciplines and approved by the graduate coordinator of the Department.
  

• Master of Science in Engineering Management

  Educating military and civilian engineering management leaders for over 40 years
  Credibility, Flexibility, and Commitment:
  
      5 Alumni are Vice Admirals (3 stars), with many more Alumni serving in distinguished positions  
      3 of 14 Faculty are retired Admirals
      Match your schedule with online, face to face, and hybrid program
      40% of tuition is acknowledged for nuclear trained officers  
      Transfer up to 9 hours from Defense Acquisition University
      We are committed to excellence and student career success
  

• Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering

  The master's degree program in materials science and engineering is especially designed to serve the needs of the technical population in Washington, D.C. The program emphasizes advances in existing and emerging technologies in materials science which include:
  
      nanotechnology
      composite materials
      carbon nanotube-based materials and sensors
      biomaterials
      glasses, ceramics, and metallurgy
      magnetic and optical materials
      computational materials science
  
  The curriculum will lead to the awarding of the degree of Master of Science (M.S.) in Materials Science and Engineering.
  
  Candidates for the master’s degree in MSE must complete a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours of graduate work. Two curricular options are available for completion of the master’s degree in MSE, either through coursework or through thesis.
  
      Coursework (i.e. non-thesis) master’s degree: Students completing the MS in MSE through the     coursework option will be required to complete all 30 semester credit hours required for graduation     through coursework with approval from the advisor.
      Thesis master’s degree: Students completing the MS in MSE through the thesis option will be able to     count up to six credits of thesis research towards satisfaction of the 30 semester credit hours required     for graduation. Credit for thesis research will be granted upon submission of the written thesis. The     remaining courses will be selected in consultation with an academic advisor.
  

• Master of Social Work

  Become an agent for change

      Located in Washington, D.C.
      Flexible schedules on-campus and also available as a 100% Online learning option. Application fees are     waived for online learners.
      Links to over 450 agencies
      Ideal for working professionals
      Scholarships are available
  
  The Master of Social Work program at the National Catholic School of Social Service (NCSSS) seeks to prepare advanced practitioners who, consistent with their chosen concentrations, act as agents of change to promote individual and societal well-being. The goals of the MSW program, in keeping with the goals of the school and grounded in the liberal arts, ensure the education of social workers whose practice is rooted in traditional and contemporary theories but is also current with the demands of the changing practice environment. The curriculum is designed so that all students in the MSW program will develop competencies as social work practitioners.
  
  The MSW curriculum is comprised of foundation knowledge (30 credits) and advanced knowledge (30 credits). Its concentrations educate two types of advanced social work practitioners:
  
      clinical social workers who will be effective practitioners.
      social workers whose indirect practice reflects a depth and breadth of knowledge and skill for            advanced policy analysis, planning and management, and community, administration, and policy     practice.
  
  MSW students may complete the 60-credit MSW program within a minimum of two years and a maximum of five years. During the graduate program, students complete 12 credits of field internships (two internships over four semesters) and 48 credits of course work.
  
  Full-time students complete the 60-credit MSW program in two academic years. All part-time students must take at least six hours of academic credit per semester. All students must have completed or be concurrently registered for SSS 570, 571, 581 and 605 when registering for SSS 673; similarly, they must have completed or be concurrently registered for SSS 572, 582, 591 and 606 when registering for SSS 674.
  
  Part-time students may have to take course(s) during summer sessions, depending on the number of credit hours taken during fall and spring semesters. While we make every effort to offer many courses during late afternoon and evening hours, it is imperative that students understand that they will not be able to complete the entire MSW curriculum only during evening hours. Part-time students generally complete the MSW program within four to five years. Most students in the part-time online clinical program generally complete the program in three and half years.
  
  The National Catholic School of Social Service prepares social workers in the Catholic tradition of mercy, charity, justice and peace that is expressed in the teachings of Jesus Christ and Catholic Social Teaching.