Master of Computer and Information Technology

The Fall 2024 deadline is May 15. Apply today!

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Master of Computer and Information Technology

University of Pennsylvania

Accredited diploma

Offered by University of Pennsylvania

Taught in English

Engage in group discussions with professors and peers

16 – 60 months

10 courses total, six core courses and four electives

100% online

Earn an Ivy League degree on your own schedule.

$3,330 USD/course + $150 USD fee

Tuition and fees are posted as a guide and may be subject to change

The only online Ivy League master’s degree in computer science designed for students without a computer science background.

The online Master of Computer and Information Technology (MCIT) degree represents a pioneering graduate-level program in computer science designed specifically for individuals with non-computer science backgrounds. Developed by the University of Pennsylvania, this online program mirrors the well-established on-campus MCIT degree, enabling students to thrive in computing and technology domains even without prior computer science experience. The MCIT Online student community comprises a wide array of academic backgrounds, spanning disciplines such as business, history, chemistry, and medicine.

Computer science might not be in your past, but it will be in your future. Technology has an immense impact on our lives, and is creating fields and positions that didn’t exist five years ago. Equipped with a competitive computer science degree, MCIT Online graduates will be uniquely positioned to fill roles in finance, healthcare, education, and government, as well as in the core software development industry. Exposure to real-world projects throughout the program will prepare students to utilize skills that positively impact society.

This program fosters a rich and inclusive community for students, granting access to university services that support their well-being and future career goals. This support, combined with a strong alumni network and career services, prepares students to succeed, even if they are new to the tech industry. Upon completion of the degree, MCIT Online alumni have gone on to earn jobs with competitive salaries at leading technology companies such as Amazon, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Bloomberg.

What makes this degree unique?

Ivy League Quality
A first-of-its-kind program that offers an Ivy League master’s degree in computer science designed for non-CS majors.
Built Around Your Schedule
The coursework is 100 percent online. You’ll benefit from the same high-quality instruction as on-campus students and graduate with the same degree. The diploma does not indicate whether the degree was earned online or on-campus.
Accessible Pricing and Scholarships
The cost of the MCIT Online degree is significantly less than on-campus alternatives and most online master’s degrees in computer science. Students pay $3,330 per course unit. A course unit, CU, is a general measure of academic work over a period of time, typically a term, semester or summer, for a total of 10 courses units. In addition, Penn Engineering Online provides financial support to select students through the Dean's Master's Scholarship initiative.
All Backgrounds Welcome
Emphasizing impact and inclusion, the MCIT Online program strives to transform the field of computer science by infusing it with inclusion by every measure. MCIT Online students hail from 44 different countries and 44% of MCIT Online students are women.
Real-world, Project-based Learning
Core courses and electives taught by world-renowned instructors blend computer science theory and applied, project-based learning. You’ll have the chance to use real-world tools and environments such as TensorFlow and Amazon Cloud.

Upcoming Dates

Fall 2024

  • Fall 2024 applications open January 3

  • March 1, 2024 - Early admission deadline

  • May 15, 2024 - Regular admission deadline

  • August 2024 - Classes begin

Fall 2024 applications are open

Click "Email me info" to stay up to date with program information.


Accredited diploma

Offered by University of Pennsylvania

Taught in English

Engage in group discussions with professors and peers

16 – 60 months

10 courses total, six core courses and four electives

100% online

Earn an Ivy League degree on your own schedule.

$3,330 USD/course + $150 USD fee

Tuition and fees are posted as a guide and may be subject to change

Accredited diploma

Offered by University of Pennsylvania

Taught in English

Engage in group discussions with professors and peers

The only online Ivy League master’s degree in computer science designed for students without a computer science background.

The online Master of Computer and Information Technology (MCIT) degree represents a pioneering graduate-level program in computer science designed specifically for individuals with non-computer science backgrounds. Developed by the University of Pennsylvania, this online program mirrors the well-established on-campus MCIT degree, enabling students to thrive in computing and technology domains even without prior computer science experience. The MCIT Online student community comprises a wide array of academic backgrounds, spanning disciplines such as business, history, chemistry, and medicine.

Computer science might not be in your past, but it will be in your future. Technology has an immense impact on our lives, and is creating fields and positions that didn’t exist five years ago. Equipped with a competitive computer science degree, MCIT Online graduates will be uniquely positioned to fill roles in finance, healthcare, education, and government, as well as in the core software development industry. Exposure to real-world projects throughout the program will prepare students to utilize skills that positively impact society.

This program fosters a rich and inclusive community for students, granting access to university services that support their well-being and future career goals. This support, combined with a strong alumni network and career services, prepares students to succeed, even if they are new to the tech industry. Upon completion of the degree, MCIT Online alumni have gone on to earn jobs with competitive salaries at leading technology companies such as Amazon, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Bloomberg.

What makes this degree unique?

Ivy League Quality
A first-of-its-kind program that offers an Ivy League master’s degree in computer science designed for non-CS majors.
Built Around Your Schedule
The coursework is 100 percent online. You’ll benefit from the same high-quality instruction as on-campus students and graduate with the same degree. The diploma does not indicate whether the degree was earned online or on-campus.
Accessible Pricing and Scholarships
The cost of the MCIT Online degree is significantly less than on-campus alternatives and most online master’s degrees in computer science. Students pay $3,330 per course unit. A course unit, CU, is a general measure of academic work over a period of time, typically a term, semester or summer, for a total of 10 courses units. In addition, Penn Engineering Online provides financial support to select students through the Dean's Master's Scholarship initiative.
All Backgrounds Welcome
Emphasizing impact and inclusion, the MCIT Online program strives to transform the field of computer science by infusing it with inclusion by every measure. MCIT Online students hail from 44 different countries and 44% of MCIT Online students are women.
Real-world, Project-based Learning
Core courses and electives taught by world-renowned instructors blend computer science theory and applied, project-based learning. You’ll have the chance to use real-world tools and environments such as TensorFlow and Amazon Cloud.

Upcoming Dates

Fall 2024

  • Fall 2024 applications open January 3

  • March 1, 2024 - Early admission deadline

  • May 15, 2024 - Regular admission deadline

  • August 2024 - Classes begin

Let us help you find the right program

When you submit a request for more information, you’ll have the opportunity to speak directly with one of our enrollment counselors to get guidance and support.

A photo of Marcos Irizary, a Coursera Enrollment Counselor. Pictured: A smiling man with a goatee in a dress shirt

Marcos Irizary

Enrollment Counselor

A photo of Diana Fellner, a Coursera Enrollment Counselor. Pictured: A smiling woman with glasses and russet hair

Diana Fellner

Enrollment Counselor

Accessible Ivy League Degree

  • $3,330 USD per course unit Tuition and fees for MCIT Online are based upon course units with students completing a total of 10 course units during the program. There is a $150 online service fee per course unit. Tuition will vary depending upon how many course units a student enrolls in each semester.
  • Pay-as-you-go Students will be billed only for the course units they take each semester. If a student needs to take a term off, they won’t be charged during that term. The core courses must be taken in sequential order. Students may not waive or replace more than two core courses.
  • Financial aid & scholarships Online students who are enrolled at least half-time will be eligible to apply for federal student loans. The University of Pennsylvania also offers the Dean's Master's Scholarship for online students.

Prepare for this degree

These courses may provide you with a preview of the topics, materials and instructors in a related degree program which can help you decide if the topic or university is right for you.

Frequently asked questions

MCIT Online welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, but admittance is competitive. However, no background in computer science is required, the only qualification to apply is a bachelor’s degree in any field. While cohort sizes are limited, if you have a strong interest in computing and have an aptitude for quantitative subjects (particularly in math!), then you are qualified to apply to MCIT Online!

Format: Letters of recommendation should be written according to the following guidelines:

Must be written in English on official letterhead of the writer’s organization or institution whenever possible include the writer’s signature/name and organization range from 500 to 1,500 words.

Content:

Letters should reference the MCIT Online program and cannot be reused from a different program.

Letters should be written by individuals who have evaluated the applicant and can write objectively about their aptitudes and capabilities in an academic or work setting. Please note- recommenders should not be friends or family members.

The Questionnaire:

You can answer the questionnaire by interpreting the questions through an industry lens. For example, instead of “How many students do you supervise?”, you can answer as if the question was, “How many employees do you supervise?”, etc. You can also leave the questionnaire section blank.

Due Date:

All letters of recommendation are due by the application deadline. Late letters of recommendation will not be considered and may disqualify the applicant from the admissions process. Please be mindful of the application deadlines.

Tuition and fees are based on the number of courses you are taking per semester. For details about costs, see our Tuition & Financing page.