Why Pursue a Computer Science PhD
The Department of Computer Science offers comprehensive programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels, with approximately 1,761 undergraduates, 135+ master’s students and 65+ doctoral students. The Computer Science doctoral program offers opportunities for students to do advanced research in many fields. The research activities and experimental facilities have been well-supported by various federal research and infrastructure grants.
Research Opportunities
The research in the Department of Computer Science is supported by more than $10M in active research grants and contracts from various external funding agencies. PhD students conduct innovative research in cooperation with and under the supervision of department faculty. Activities of research assistants include implementing prototype systems, developing and proving new theories, conducting experiments, attending international conferences, and publishing their results in scientific journals.
The department’s 28 faculty members conduct research in a variety of areas including algorithms, bioinformatics, computer and information security, computer architecture, computer networks, databases, high performance computing, parallel and distributed systems, programming languages and compilers, and software engineering among others.
College of AI, Cyber and Computing
This program is part of the UT San Antonio College of AI, Cyber and Computing, which advances expertise in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, computing and data science to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving technology landscape. The college fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, applied research and engagement with industry partners to drive innovation and address real-world challenges.
Admission & Application Requirements
Applications are submitted through the UT San Antonio Graduate Application. Please upload all required documents (listed below) on your UT San Antonio Graduate Application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure completion and submission of the application, a nonrefundable application fee, and all required supporting documents are on file with UT San Antonio by the appropriate application deadline.
| Computer Science (PhD) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Required Degree | Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or have proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution. | |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) Departments may consider GPA of last 60 semester credit hours | |
| Coursework | Completed adequate credit hours or foreign institution equivalent coursework as preparation for the program. | |
| Transcripts* | Required from all institutions attended; international transcripts must be recorded/translated to English | |
| Credential Evaluation | Required if you have earned university-level credit from foreign institutions. Submit an evaluation of your transcripts from FCSA or any NACES-approved credential evaluation agency. | |
| English Language Proficiency | 550 TOEFL Paper / 79 TOEFL Internet / 6.5 IELTS / Duolingo 100 | |
| Purpose Statement | Required | |
| Resume | Required | |
| Letters of Recommendation | 3 academic or professional reference(s) demonstrating your attributes for successful completion of this program (you will request these through the Graduate Admissions Application; let your recommenders know of your deadline to ensure submissions are on time) | |
| *Unofficial transcripts will be taken into consideration for admissions; however, if admitted into the program, you must submit official transcripts to the University. | ||
Application Deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to have their admission file completed as early as possible. All applications, required documents and letters of recommendation, if applicable, must be submitted by 5:00 PM U.S. Central Time on the day of the deadline. Deadlines are subject to change.
| Computer Science (PhD) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Timing on Admission Decision: Students can expect to hear back on an admission decision within 4 to 6 weeks after the application deadline. | |||
| Application Deadlines for: | Priority | International | Domestic |
| Spring 2026 | October 1 | October 1 | |
| Summer 2026 | Not Available | Not Available | |
| Fall 2026 | February 1 | February 1 | |
| Spring 2027 | October 1 | October 1 | |
| Summer 2027 | Not Available | Not Available | |
Funding Opportunities
All full-time, admitted PhD students are welcomed with an appointment as either a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) or Graduate Research Assistant (GRA). This is comprehensive support that comes with a tuition waiver, stipend, and health insurance. The stipend starts from $24,000 per year, and the total value of the financial support package is more than $42,000 yearly. The Computer Science PhD program is designed so that students who are admitted as GTAs find a doctoral advisor during their first year of study.
Learn MoreCareer Options
UT San Antonio prepares you for future careers that are in demand. The possible careers below are based on data pulled by a third-party tool called Emsi, which pulls information from sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, other government databases and more to give you regional and national career outlook related to this academic program.
While in a doctoral program, a student may earn a master’s degree provided the following conditions are satisfied:
- A student must be admitted to candidacy.
- A student is eligible to receive a master’s degree upon completion of University-wide requirements and any additional degree requirements specific to the program.
- The Doctoral Studies Committee, Department Chair, and the Graduate Associate Dean of the College must recommend students for the degree.
- The student must apply for graduation by the published deadline the semester prior to awarding the doctoral degree.
- All required coursework in the doctoral program at the time of admission to candidacy must have been taken within the previous six years.
- If the master’s degree requires a thesis, the degree cannot be awarded on the basis of the doctoral qualifying examination.
- Students will not be approved for an additional master’s degree in the same field in which an individual has previously received a master’s degree.
Faculty offices and research labs for Computer Science are located both on the Main Campus and Downtown Campus (San Pedro I building). Graduate courses are held in San Pedro I. Courses are scheduled in late afternoons and evenings, accommodating part-time student schedules very well.
