Graduate Certificate in Computer Science Foundations

Drexel's College of Computing & Informatics' Post-Baccalaureate/Graduate Certificate in Computer Science Foundations is designed for recent graduates and professionals seeking to learn the theoretical and technical foundations necessary to tackle the latest challenges in computer science and related areas. The aim is to provide an efficient and systematic education on the basics of computer science without any prerequisite education.

This program is suitable for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in areas other than computer science and offers them opportunities to learn the fundamentals of programming and theory in computer science.

This certificate can be combined with other certificates and courses to create the following Master of Science degrees:

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

Computer Science

Data Science

Human-Computer Interaction/User Experience

Information Systems

Software Engineering

Note: Certificates can only be used in pursuit of a master’s degree; they are not a stand-alone credential. To take advantage of a certificate program, you must apply and be admitted to a specific master’s degree program. No official credential will be issued by the University for a completed certificate alone.

Curriculum

IMPORTANT NOTE: Drexel operates on the quarter, not semester, system, offering classes during four 10-week terms throughout the year.

Please visit Drexel’s Course Catalog for a full description of each required and elective course for this program. You can also find a sample Plan of Study for the certificate.

Admissions

Please note: Students entering the program should possess basic programming knowledge and solid analytic skills (e.g., obtained through undergraduate math courses).

Please visit our Graduate Admissions section for admissions requirements and application deadlines for our master's degrees.

Request More Information

Be in touch with us to get answers to all your questions! We can connect you with a Recruitment Specialist, one of our Graduate Dean’s Ambassadors, or a faculty member to help. Contact our graduate recruitment team at cciinfo@drexel.edu and we’ll get back to you soon.

Schedule a Visit or Register for an Online Information Session

Learn more about the College of Computing & Informatics experience through an online information session or an in-person visit. Contact our recruitment team to schedule your visit today by contacting us at cciinfo@drexel.edu!

Apply Now!

Interested in a Drexel CCI certificate? Get started by applying to the corresponding Master's program today (those programs for this certificate are listed at the start of this page). Please refer to the application deadlines below:

For Winter 2026:

Winter classes start on Monday, January 5, 2026.

  • International Applicants: October 15, 2025
  • U.S. Applicants (On-campus and Online): December 1, 2025

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