Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Program Overview

The post-baccalaureate certificate program in computer science (PBCS) is designed for qualified students who have an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than computer science. It lets students take foundational courses in programming, data structures, algorithms, hardware, and systems. The program prepares students for further advancement in their current field, for entry-level positions in industry and in government, or for advanced study in computer science at the graduate level.

Applying

  • We are accepting applications for admission in Summer and Fall 2025.
  • We are relaunching our program as a part time program. Therefore, for this academic year, we are not giving full-time admissions. Students can choose to take between one and four classes each semester until they complete the certificate program. 

Application Deadlines

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged. Applications should be received no later than June 1 for admission in the summer (session 2) and no later than August 1 for admission in the fall semester. Applications received after these deadlines will be considered if the program seats are not filled.

  • Summer 2025 (session 2, July 7 – August 8) (Deadline: June 1)
  • Fall 2025 (August 27 – December 20) (Deadline: August 1)
  • Spring 2026 (Deadline: December 1)

Contact

cs-admin-support@georgetown.edu

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the post-bacc program must have a four-year degree or equivalent from an accredited academic institution. They must have a 3.0 grade-point average in previous undergraduate study. Applicants to the post-bacc program must assemble and submit the following documents:

  • application form
  • application fee of $65.00
  • one-page personal statement
  • official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions
  • one letter of recommendation, preferably with at least one from a person familiar with the applicant’s academic work
  • Official TOEFL scores for applicants whose language of instruction was not English
  • SAT or ACT scores may be submitted, but are not required

Program Requirements and Sequence

Our primary program assumes that the incoming student has completed one course in computer programming or has an equivalent background. If the student has a limited computer science or programming background, the student should take one additional course – Computer Science I (COSC-1020). 

For students with a minor in computer science or extensive industry computer science experience, the Program Director has the option of giving advanced standing and waiving up to half of the requirements. 

The curriculum for the post-baccalaureate program consists of eight courses or twenty-four credits:

  • Computer Science II (COSC-1030)
  • Math Methods for Computer Science (COSC-1110)
  • Advanced Programming (COSC-2020)
  • Data Structures (COSC-2010)
  • Computational Structures (COSC-2310) or Operating Systems (COSC-3020)
  • Introduction to Algorithms (COSC-3200)
  • Two COSC 400-level electives of your choice 

For those who complete this program and wish to pursue a Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, we encourage you to consider our graduate programs. The 400-level classes completed as part of this certificate program can count towards our Master’s program, so the student will only need to take eight classes.

For those who obtain an A- in every class taken for this certificate program and obtain an overall GPA of 3.7, the student is guaranteed admission into our MS program. Any other students who apply will go through the full admission process. 

One path toward completing this program in a calendar year is the following:

Summer session 1 or 2:

  • Computer Science II (COSC-1030)
  • Math Methods for Computer Science (COSC-1110)

Fall Session:

  • Advanced Programming (COSC-2020)
  • Data Structures (COSC-2010)
  • Computational Structures (COSC-2310)

Spring Session:

  • Introduction to Algorithms (COSC-3200)
  • Two COSC 400-level electives of your choice 

Additional Notes: 

  • For this year, Computer Science I (COSC-1020) and Computer Science II (COSC-1030) are offered in the first and second session of the summer.
  • Math Methods for Computer Science (COSC-1110) is only offered in the first session this summer (2025), but will be offered in the second session beginning next summer (2026).

Cost

Students in the program pay per credit hour at the undergraduate tuition rate. See Georgetown’s Tuition and Fees for current rates.