In the fall of 2022, we began our doctoral program in Computer Science. Our program Computer Science Ph.D. program is designed as an innovative program that aligns with the applied research needs of the industry. This approach does not preclude graduates from entering tenure-track positions, but instead broadens and better prepares them for additional opportunities. The program is envisioned to take 4 years to complete for full-time students. It leverages our existing research clusters (and curriculum) in the areas of artificial intelligence, data engineering/science, computer and network security, information technology, software engineering, game design, cyber security, and quantum computing, which are in high demand in the region and beyond.
Abhishek Parakh, Director, Ph.D. in Computer Science
About the Doctoral Degree in Computer Science
The Computer Science Ph.D. program is an innovative program that blends the highest
level of theoretical foundations with the practice of Computer Science. By using state-of-the-art
computing technologies to meet current and projected market demands for Computer Science
experts in academia, industry, and government sectors, the program will produce cutting-edge
researchers and well-prepared educators.
The students will be involved in innovative research projects and gain expertise in
advanced computer science areas such as artificial intelligence, data engineering/science,
computer and network security, information technology, and software engineering, which
are in high demand in the region and beyond. This program is unique in that the students
can tailor their research focus to their professional goals by aligning towards academia
or the applied research needs of industry. The program provides students with opportunities
in computer science research, advanced project development, and industrial internships.
Information Sessions for Fall 2025 Admission
Please click the link of the date for the information session that you wish to attend
to complete your RSVP. If you have any questions, please contact PhDComputerscience@kennesaw.edu
Benefits of Computer Science Ph.D. @ Kennesaw State University
Customized Research – Conduct innovative research projects tailored to student’s specific professional goals, whether in academia or the applied research needs of industry.
Study Flexibility – Gain valuable expertise in advanced areas of study, including artificial intelligence, immersive technologies, computer and network security, quantum computing, information technology, software engineering, data engineering/science and project development.
Internships – You will have many opportunities to gain hands-on, real-world experience by participating in internships during your time in the program, preparing you to advance in your career.
Practical Skill Application – Develop practical Computer Science and research skills that can be applied to high-paying industry fields immediately upon graduation.
Graduate Research/Teaching Assistantships – Admitted full-time students, in good standing, are funded (contingent on availability of funds) through the duration of the program, receiving a competitive Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) or Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) salary and tuition waivers.
Admission to Computer Science Ph.D. Program
The program committee considers several factors when making admissions decisions, including academic performance at prior institutions, statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation. GRE scores are optional.
Following represents the minimum requirements for admissions into the CS Ph.D. program:
An undergraduate or graduate degree in Computer Science or a related field from an
accredited university. Other degrees are considered on a case-by-case basis for those
who show extraordinary background.
A cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 from an undergraduate degree or 3.5 from a graduate
degree (on a 4.0 grade scale). Lower GPA is considered on a case-by-case basis for
those who show extraordinary background.
GRE Score Report - (Optional). If you do wish to submit a GRE report, request that your scores be sent electronically to KSU (school code 5359). No department code is necessary.
Resume or CV
Statement of how this degree facilitates your career goals, recent accomplishments
and activities, and research interest.
Three Letters of Recommendation from academic or professional contacts.
Successful completion of Math courses through Calculus II and Discrete Math, and undergraduate
Data Structure Course.
General Admission requirements include:
Meet all KSU Graduate College Admission Requirements
Pay the online graduate application fee.
Computer Science Ph.D. Curriculum
The Computer Science Ph.D. Program is designed in a manner that works for the full-time students but also the flexibility of the part-time student. Students are required to complete 72 hours of core requirements, electives and dissertation research before the defense of their dissertation.
The Computer Science Ph.D. program at KSU is highly competitive, both for admission
as well as for funding. Admitted students who request funding may be eligible for
a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) or a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA).
Funded students receive support in the form of a Graduate Assistant appointment and a tuition waiver. Funding is available from multiple sources. Prospective Ph.D. students are encouraged to directly reach out to the Program Faculty of the Computer Science Ph.D. program to inquire about available research funding from external sources; and to reach out to the Program Director regarding institutional funding. In addition, scholarships may be available through federal agencies as well as industry that a prospective student may seek.
We currently have two admission cycles. Applications for the Fall semester are due: February 1st and for the Spring semester: August 1st.
How long will the program take?
The Computer Science Ph.D. program is a 4 year program for most full-time students.
Are the courses offered online?
NO. The CS Ph.D. Program is an in-person program.
Can I pursue the program part-time, while working a full-time job?
YES, KSU's computer Science Ph.D. is also designed for those who are eager to pursue
a degree yet need to be part-time because of work commitments.
Does the CS PhD Program accept transfer credits
Graduate work taken at other regionally accredited institutions must be evaluated and approved by the program director and/or graduate committee in order to satisfy degree requirements. Such transfer credit cannot exceed 25% of the total semester hours required for the degree and cannot reduce residency requirements.
How much does the program cost?
This is a traditional, Ph.D. Program. Therefore, most qualified students full-time
students will receive a tuition waiver and a research stipend.
Part-time students are self funded.
What qualifies you as a full or part-time student?
Full-time students take 9 credit hours per semester (fall/spring). 4 years in program
Part-time students can take 3-6 credit hours per semester.
All students must complete the program within 10 years of starting the program.
Can I live on campus?
Yes. The university provides on-campus housing at both our Kennesaw and Marietta campuses.
There is also off campus housing options within a mile of the campus - most of which
is on the bus line for the university.
KSU does not pay for housing. All housing must be secured by and paid for by student.
What degree is needed for admission to the PhD Program
Students can enter the Computer Science Ph.D. program after successfully completing the bachelor's degree.
Many of our students enter after completing their master's degree.
Is the GRE needed for admissions?
No. Kennesaw no longer requires the GRE for Graduate Admission.
But if you do wish to submit your scores, you must request for them to be sent directly
to KSU (school code 5359).
How do you choose a Ph.D. advisor?
Students are encouraged to look through our faculty listing in our departments:
and to speak with professors whose area of research aligns yours.
Ph.D. in Computer Science Cohorts
Introducing the bright minds in the realm of Computer Science at Kennesaw State! Our
PhD student highlights celebrates excellence, innovation and dedication within the
world of academia. Meet the future leaders who are pushing the boundaries of technology,
conducting groundbreaking research and shaping the digital landscape of tomorrow.
Explore their stories, achievements and contributions to the ever-evolving field of
Computer Science, as we showcase the passion and brilliance of our exceptional doctoral
students.
Fall 2022 Cohort
Emin Mary Abraham
Hometown: India
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering
Master of Technology in Computer Cognition Technology
Shapna Akter
Hometown: Bangladesh
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Biggest Accomplishment: Being accepted in a jornal paper as a first author.
Syed Md Shamsul Alam
Hometown: Dhaka,Bangladesh
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering
Biggest Accomplishment: My first paper was published in the IEEE conference.
Abm. Adnan Azmee
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering
Biggest Accomplishment: I stood 5th from Bangladesh in Information-Technology Engineers Examination.
Jobair Hossain Faruk
Hometown: Barishal, Bangladesh
Degrees: Bachelor of Technology in Software Engineering
Master of Technology in Software Engineering
Biggest Accomplishment: Best paper award for one of my research papers at IEEE International Conference on
Health Informatics (ICHI) 2022.
Thinh Lee
Hometown: Vietnam
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Biggest Accomplishment: I am just starting out in the field of Quantum Computing. I'm also interested in
the application of Data Science particularly anomaly detection to smart homes.
Manh Nguyen
Hometown: Nghe, Vietnam
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Biggest Accomplishments: After my Freshmen year ended, I decided to take on the challenge of learning the English language. I am from Vietnam, and it is a very big deal to learn the English language. I received my IELTS test results in July 2017 and received an amazing score. I am very proud of these accomplishments because I became accountable for my own decisions and furthering myself from many different angles.
Pablo Ordonez
Hometown: Brookhaven, Georgia
Degrees: Master of Science in Computer Science
Doctor of Medicine, General Surgeon
Biggest Accomplishments: I have three big accomplishments that I deeply care about. They are becoming a father,
having a patent and being able to save people's lives.
David Stabler
Hometown: Marietta, Georgia
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Master of Science in Computer Science
Biggest Accomplishment: I received an outstanding part time teaching award in the college of Computing and Software Engineering at Kennesaw State University.
Navneet Verma
Degrees: Master of Business Administration in Management Science
Master of Science in Computer Science & Mathematics
Biggest Accomplishment: I enjoy solving business problems using artificial intelligence and applied mathematics.
Fall 2023 Cohort
Umme Afifa
Hometown: Chattogram, Bangladesh
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Information and Communication Engineering
Master of Science in Information and Communication Engineering
Biggest Accomplishment: I participated in and successfully completed all the requirements of the 10th Summer School on Laser and Laer Applications (SSOLLA), organized by the Advanced Photonics Research Institute (APRI), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), South Korea.
El Arbi Belfarsi
Hometown: Safi, Morocco
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Biggest Accomplishment: Throughout the last four years, I have offered academic tutoring
and mentorship to hundreds of university students to make progress towards their STEM
degrees.
Lingtao Chen
Hometown: Fuzhou, China
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computational Science & Pure Math
Biggest Accomplishment: I published a paper while I was completing an internship at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Nobel Dhar
Hometown: Sylhet, Bangladesh
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science & Engineering
Biggest Accomplishment: First-authored publication on Bengali Text Summarization at an IEEE conference.
Ethan Hunt
Hometown: Woodstock, Georgia
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a minor in Pure Mathematics.
Biggest Accomplishment: My current research is what I am most proud of. The paper I am currently working
on deals with finding a new algorithm to find Hamiltonian Paths.
Md Majedul Islam
Hometown: Chandpur, Bangladesh
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering
Biggest Accomplishment: Having my research work published at several reputed conferences. Also, my name is
included in the Firefox browser's "about:credits" page for my contributions.
Md Romyull Islam
Hometown: Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering
Master of Science in Computer Science and Quantitative Methods
Biggest Accomplishments: Achieved the honor of being the top student of the year in the entire department while
pursuing my master's degree.
Ilia Jahanshahi
Hometown: Mashhad, Iran
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
Biggest Accomplishment: Receiving a direct Ph.D. admission in my chosen area of expertise.
Nitin Jha
Hometown: Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Physics
Biggest Accomplishment: I am the second person in my whole family to get accepted into a Ph.D. program. I
also am the first to get a Ph.D. admission from my high school (DAV NIT) in my hometown.
Mourya Teja Kunuku
Hometown: Rajahmundry, Andhra pradesh India
Degrees: Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science & Engineering
Master of Science in Computer Science
Biggest Achievement: For years, I had dreamt of delving deep into research, contributing to the pool of knowledge in my field, and making a lasting impact on society. The decision to take a leap of faith and start my Ph.D. became a defining moment. Each day is a new opportunity to expand my horizons, engage with brilliant minds, and uncover the mysteries of my chosen field. Surrounded by like-minded individuals who share my thirst for knowledge, I have found encouragement, support, and mentorship. As I immerse myself in the pursuit of my Ph.D., I feel a profound sense of purpose. The decision to pursue a Ph.D. has taught me that sometimes the greatest rewards lie on the other side of fear. It is a testament to my belief that following one's passion is the key to a truly fulfilling life. I am filled with gratitude and excitement for the journey ahead.
Jui Mhatre
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Master of Science in Computer Science
Biggest Achievement: My paper was published in ACM /SIGAPP Symposium conference.
Viraaji Mothukuri
Hometown: Hyderabad, India
Degrees: Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science
Master of Science in Software Engineering
Biggest Accomplishment: In my enriching career journey, two significant milestones stand out. One, earning
the Best Paper Award from FGCS in 2022, which is a nod to the impact of my research.
Two, while at JP Morgan & Chase, I made pivotal contributions leading to a pending
patents and industry awards, underscoring my knack for innovation on Data Science
projects.
Kiran Mai Narnavaram
Hometown: Madanapalle, India
Degrees: Master of Science in Computer Science
Bachelor of Technology in Electronics and Communication Engineering
Biggest Accomplishment: I worked as Software Developer at Eureka IT solutions Pvt Ltd.
Kazi Fahim Ahmad Nasif
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering
Master of Science in Applied Statistics and Data Science
Biggest Accomplishment: Forecasting Humidity of Dhaka City for "Bangladesh Meteorological Department".
Francis Nweke
Hometown: Enugu, Nigeria
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Biggest Accomplishment: My proudest accomplishment was completing my bachelor's degree with First-Class Honors.
P.S. Since I am now a proud Owl, This is also a major achievement, right? I mean, “Hoo” wouldn't be impressed by my nocturnal prowess and ability to hoot on key?
Christopher Regan
Hometown: Newnan Georgia (but I was born in Cincinnati OH)
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Computer Game Design and Development
Master of Science in Computer Science
Biggest Accomplishment: I developed solutions using Federated Learning, a machine learning approach, and
applied these techniques to real-world datasets. This work led to the publication
of a paper in an Elsevier ScienceDirect journal, Machine Learning with Applications,
on the use of Federated Learning for IoT botnet attack detection. Beyond research,
I've also applied my skills in a practical context. I've maintained and managed a
public-facing personal blog site, regularly updating content to engage with the audience
and continue my growth as a writer.
Nishat Tasnim
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering
Master of Science in Computer Science and Quantitative Methods
Biggest Accomplishment: I was recognized as a top performer in the AI Professional Training Program conducted
by the ICT Division of Bangladesh.
Long Thang Vu
Hometown: Haiduong, Vietnam
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Information Systems
Degrees: Master of Science in Software Engineering
Master of Education in Learning, Design, and Technology
Master of Engineering in Technology of Computer Application
Bachelor of Education in Educational Technology
Biggest Accomplishment: I am proud of my academic achievements. I am also a proud mother to my three beautiful
children.
Fall 2024 Cohort
Suman Bharti
Hometown: Patna, India
Bachelor's Degree: Electronics Engineering from Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Engineering, Pune India
Master's Degree: Computer Science, Kennesaw State University, Georgia, US
Biggest Accomplishment: My biggest achievement is being the first in my family to go abroad for higher studies,
starting with a master's degree and eventually being admitted to a PhD program in
Computer Science. I remained dedicated to my passion persevering through both the
highs and lows.
Pritom Dutta
Madeline Frank
Hometown: Roswell, Georgia
Degrees: BS Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Meteorology Concentration from Georgia Tech MS Computer Science from KSU
Career Goal: Professor of Computer Science
Biggest Achievement: Deciding to go back to school after working for several years to pursue an MS degree
in computer science. After completing my MSCS, I decided to continue with my PhD in
CS to (hopefully) make a meaningful impact through research and teaching.
Nursat Jahan
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Degrees: BSc in Computer Science and Engineering
Biggest Accomplishments: I secured admission to the top university in Bangladesh for my undergraduate studies.
I later worked as a Data Engineer at the country's leading telecom company. After
11 years of working as a software engineer in several multinational companies, I began
my PhD to pursue my dream and embark on my journey of higher studies. Moreover, I
am a proud mother to an amazing daughter, whose presence inspires me to pursue my
passions and distinguish myself in a crowd.
Cameron Redovian
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Degrees: B.S. Mechatronics Engineering from Kennesaw State University M.S. Computer Science with a specialization in Computational Perception from Georgia
Institute of Technology
Work History: CTO at R-DEX Systems, Inc. (5+ years)
Biggest Accomplishment: Won 2nd place out of 700+ competitors in the Army's 2024 xTechScalable AI 2 Project
Linchpin competition for my work on real-time out-of-distribution detection at the
edge.
A Ridwan
Hometown: Feni, Bangladesh.
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) with a minor in Mathematics.
I have published papers in several conferences and reached the Top 9 in the robotics reality show "Esho Robot Banai," which was an exciting and rewarding experience.
Umme Salma
Nazmus Shakib
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Degrees: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Computer Science and Engineering
Biggest Accomplishments: During my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to contribute to research through the publication of 7 articles, including 5 conference papers, 1 journal article, and a book chapter. This experience fostered my interest in collaborative problem-solving and academic research. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I joined IQVIA as a Software Development Engineer-I, where I’ve continued to grow both technically and professionally.
Sait Suer
Hometown: Adana, Turkey
Degrees: BS in Electronic Engineering at Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
MS in Applied Computing at University of Central, Arkansas, USA
Biggest Accomplishment: During my Master's studies, I had the opportunity to publish three research papers
in the fields of bioinformatics and medical imaging. One of my papers was published
in BMC Bioinformatics, one of the top conferences in the bioinformatics domain. Additionally,
I authored a journal article in the prestigious Color Medical Image Analysis journal.
Jalal Uddin
Hometown: Bangladesh
Degrees: Bachelor's in Mechatronics Engineering
Biggest Accomplishments: Academic Excellence Award 2018, Dept. of Mechatronics Engineering, RUET
Youngshuai Wu
Hometown: China
Degrees: B.Eng. in Microelectronics Science and Engineering, at University of Electronic Science and Technology of China M.S. in Information Technology, at Kennesaw State University
Biggest Accomplishments: Best Paper Award on 2022 IEEE GLOBECOM conference.
Spring 2025 Cohort
Nasim Ahmed
Kingsley Amponsah
Hometown: Kumasi , Ghana
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
Biggest Accomplishment: I am a first-generation student and the first person in my
family to be admitted to a Ph.D. program.
Aaron Cummings
Hometown: Cumming, GA
Degrees: Master of Science in Computer Science from KSU, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
from KSU
Biggest Accomplishments: Fall 2024 Outstanding Student Award MS in Computer Science, co-author of IEEE publication
Md Jahirul Islam
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Degrees: BSc. in Computer Science & Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology,
Bangladesh
MS in Computer Science, Kennesaw State University, Georgia, USA
Biggest Accomplishment: Publications in IEEE VR 2024 at Florida, USA, and in IEEE VR 2025 at France.
Ehsan Salehi
Contact Us!
We would love to hear from you or answer any questions that you might have!
Abhishek Parakh
Director of the Computer Science Ph.D. Program and Professor of Computer Science
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