Computer Science Major in Pennsylvania
If thinking creatively and critically to solve complex problems excites you, and you enjoy working with technology, then Messiah's bachelor's degree in computer science might be right for you.
Study Computer Science at a Christian University
The demand for quantitative, technical thinkers who have a computer science degree is strong and will continue to grow. While pursuing your Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree, you will learn computer programming, databasedesign, and the impact of information technology, culminating in team-led, real-world application development.
You might also wish to become a computer science teacher at the secondary level. Messiah offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in computer science with secondary teaching certification. In addition to preparing you to teach computer courses in middle and high schools, this program also prepares you for a wide range of jobs in the CIS field. Because few institutions currently offer this program, and due to the rising growth of computer science options and computer-related job opportunities, educators in this field will be in high demand.
As a computer science major at Messiah University, you'll be able to:
- Study in a program that has been named a "Best Undergraduate Computer Science Program in the U.S." by U.S. News and World Report.
- Complete a strong common core of courses in foundational information sciences.
- Choose a concentration in business information systems, computer science, software development, or web development.
- Add a secondary teaching certification to earn a B.A. In this option, you'll participate in multiple field experiences in a range of schools and grade levels. You may also choose to complete half of your student teaching experience in an international school.
- Focus on service-oriented projects for real clients in upper-level courses such as the capstone course.
- Have access to a dedicated software studio where you can work on special projects, experiment with different operating systems, software and hardware and networking devices.
- Compete to participate in a National Science Foundation summer research program.
- Have the opportunity to join a student programming team. In the past, our student programming teams have qualified for and competed in International Collegiate Programming Contests in Warsaw, Poland in 2012, and in Marrakesh, Morroco in 2015.
As a graduate of the computer science program, you will be equipped to secure positions in areas such as:
- Industry
- Business
- Education
- Government
- Graduate school
For more information on career planning for the computer science program, visit the Messiah University Career and Professional Development Center.
Messiah’s nationally recognized Internship Center helps place students in a variety of computer science internships. Some examples include:
- National Security Agency
- IBM Corporation
- ADT Data Systems, Inc.
- PNC Bank
- Naval Supply Information Systems Activity
- HERCO
- Rite Aid Corporation
- Scientific Applications International Corporation
Teaching certificate
You may wish to become a computer science teacher at the secondary level. Messiah also offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in computer science with secondary teaching certification program. You will complete a robust set of computer science coursework that will prepare you for a range of jobs in the field of CS, but will be specifically prepared for teaching computer courses in middle and high schools. Because few institutions currently offer this program, and due to the rising growth of computer science options and computer-related job opportunities, educators in this field will be in high demand.
In the Computer Science program, you will take a selection of courses that successfully prepare you for a career in a related field. Hands-on experiences and classroom learning within the framework of Christian faith will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve your goals. Our programs offer a wide variety of courses that will not only help you excel in your future career, but challenge you to develop a deeper understanding of your field of study.
Course options for Computer Science:
Computer Science (B.S.)
Computer Science (B.A.) with Secondary Teaching Certification
Careers and outcomes
Where our grads work
Graduates of this program work in positions of leadership in their places of employment, using the tools and knowledge a Messiah University education prepared them with. Each year, eager employers and some of the nation's best graduate schools welcome Messiah graduates into their organizations.
Where they work
- AAI Corporation
- Brightcove
- Clipper Magazine
- Compnet
- Inc.
- Deloitte
- Digital Grapes
- DiversiLabs
- Eastern Mennonite Missions
- EchoData Group
- Esh Computer Center
- Fiserv SourceOne
- Highmark Blue Shield
- IBM
- INetU
- Inc.
- LEAD Technologies
- Lockheed Martin
- Mindteck
- Modern Glass
- Mzinga
- NewCity
- Oracle Corporation
- Inc.
- Puridom
- SC Research
- Schweb Design
- LLC
- Select Medical Corporation
- Senate Republican Computer Serv. Dept.
- SunGuard
- Sycamore.US
- Inc.
- The Cobalt Group
- Inc.
- The Information Systems Manager
- Inc.
- Total Resource Management
- Tyco Electronics
- Under Armour
- Versatile Systems
- Inc.
- Veyance Technologies
- Inc.
- Vormittag Associates
- Inc.
- VSE Corporation
- Armstrong World Industries
- Katapult Engineering
What they do
- Analyst
- Associate Applications Developer
- Associate Systems Programmer
- Building Coordinator
- Computing Services Specialist
- Consultant
- Custom Script Programmer
- Developer Technical Support Rep.
- Developer/Database Administrator
- Engineer
- Global HR Systems Analyst
- Grad Student - Computer Science
- Graphic Designer
- GUI Developer
- Help Desk Administrator
- Implementation Specialist
- Information Analyst
- IT Specialist
- IT Support Technician
- Java Web Developer
- Jr. Software Engineer
- Junior Web Developer
- Lead Systems Engineer
- Network Engineer
- Programmer Analyst
- Quality Assurance Engineer
- Software Developer
- Software Engineer
- Store System Integrator
- Support Analyst
- Support/ Developer
- System Administrator
- Vice President of Strategic Planning
- Web Designer / Developer
- Web Application Developer
- Cloud Engineer
Graduate school
- Shippensburg University
- Stanford University
95% of the Class of 2024 respondents were employed or in graduate school within 6-9 months of graduation.
Our Alumni
Regional and national employers seek out Messiah graduates for their academic preparation, work ethic and personal character. The transformation you experience at Messiah readies you to transform the lives of others through your chosen career path.
MEET ALUMNI FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTING, MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICS
Messiah's unique approach to hands-on learning
Learning in the classroom is important but actually applying that knowledge in a hands-on way can make all the difference. At Messiah University, the Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) allows Messiah to take this hands-on learning to a new level by giving students the opportunity to apply what they have learned to various real world contexts--such as an internship/practica, service learning, off-campus program, holding a student leadership position, or participating in undergraduate research.
Why Messiah
Discover how your Christian faith and interest in computing will work hand-in-hand in your future career in computer and information science. And at Messiah, a top-ranked Christian university, your professors and our state-of-the art facilities will also encourage and support the technology research, experimentation, and creative problem solving you’ll need to compete for a successful career as a software developer, systems analyst, programmer, network administrator, database manager, financial analyst, web developer, computer security specialist and more.