Fully Funded PhD Program in Computer Science at Cornell University
The Cornell Ph.D. program in computer science is consistently ranked among the top six departments in the country, with world-class research covering all of computer science.
Our computer science program is distinguished by the excellence of the faculty, by a long tradition of pioneering research, and by the breadth of its Ph.D. program. Faculty and Ph.D. students are located both in Ithaca and in New York City at the Cornell Tech campus.
The Field of Computer Science also includes faculty members from other departments (Electrical Engineering, Information Science, Applied Math, Mathematics, Operations Research and Industrial Engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Computational Biology, and Architecture) who can supervise a student’s Ph.D. thesis research in computer science.
PhD in Computer Science Program Requirements
The Field believes that knowledge of Computer Science at the undergraduate level is an indispensible foundation for doctoral study in CS. Ph.D. candidates are expected to demonstrate competency at the high undergraduate level in four areas of computer science: Artificial Intelligence, Programming Languages, Systems, and Theory.
This requirement can be discharged in one of three ways: by demonstrating competency through one’s prior coursework; by taking a course for grade credit (acceptable courses are listed below, subject to change); by taking the final exam in one of these courses, if permitted by the instructor.
Students who have earned a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science are automatically deemed to have satisfied the competency requirement in all four areas. Students with no prior degree in CS may still be exempted from one or more of the four competency requirements based on their prior coursework.
PhD Funding Coverage
There are three types of funding available that are awarded to our best applicants. Each of them include a full tuition waiver, an academic year stipend and a Student Health Insurance package provided through the University.
1. Fellowships: Generally, our fellowship offers will be made to our very best applicants and for the most part last only one (1) year. Stipends for fellowships tend to be slightly higher for the first year only. Applicants who are awarded fellowships enter the program without any formal obligations such as teaching or research for a specific group.
2. Diversity Fellowships: Computer Science offers several Diversity Fellowships and encourages our applicants to apply for them, if they qualify (US Citizens or Permanent Residents only). Included are the Colman Fellowship and a Diversity Fellowship.
3. Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA): A RA is given to a student whose research interests coincide with a sponsored research project. Typically, the work of a Research Assistant is an integral part of his/her dissertation research. The faculty member in charge of the project grants a RA. RAs are generally given to continuing, rather than incoming, students
4. Teaching Assistantship (TA): TA offers come directly from the CS department. Each TA is assigned to a course with an average time commitment of 15 hours per week helping the course instructor. TA assignments typically involve grading homework, holding office hours, preparing assignments, or teaching recitations.
Application Requirement
A successful application will include the following:
- Transcripts of all previous college and university work
- Academic Statement of purpose
- Diversity statement
- Letters of recommendation
- Cornell Computer Science no longer considers the GRE in any aspect of our admissions process.
- Proof of competence in English (TOEFL or IELTS)
- Fee. Cornell has an application fee, but you can petition to waive it if the cost represents a financial hardship to you.
Application Deadline
December 01, 2024
Application Fee
$105
