Mills offers unique graduate programs for people with bachelor's degrees in other fields who wish to transition into computer science or interdisciplinary work. We believe that knowledge of another discipline and computer science is a powerful combination that allows our graduates to enrich themselves and the world. Students can enter this degree program either after earning their bachelor's degree or through a five-year joint BA/MA program.

Our Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Computer Science (ICS) Program provides students of liberal arts backgrounds with knowledge of computer science and how computers interact with other disciplines, gives students perspective on the strengths and limitations of computers, and suggests what advances are needed in computer science to solve theoretical problems in a variety of fields. The innovative aspect of the program that distinguishes it from other master's programs in computer science is its focus on relating computers to other disciplines where the combination has potential for great impact, including art, biology, business, education, health, music, and psychology. Graduates of this program have found employment with companies, nonprofits, and educational institutions such as Apple Computer, Google, Hewlett-Packard, Sun Microsystems, and Chabot Space and Science Center.

Mills also offers post-baccalaureate certificate programs focusing exclusively on computer science. There are two tracks: one for students planning to directly enter industry, and a "reentry program" for students who wish to go on to earn doctorates in computer science. Students from our certificate program have been admitted to top graduate schools, including MIT, University of Washington, University of Virginia, and University of California, San Diego.

Special Admission Requirements
In addition to the regular graduate admission requirements, applicants to the Interdisciplinary Computer Science Master’s Program and the advanced-degree track of the post-baccalaureate program must have the equivalent of:

• One year of introductory computer science using Java or C++; and
• One year of discrete mathematics. (Students with only one semester of discrete mathematics may arrange to complete their second semester at Mills, but this credit will not count toward their degree.)

Provisions may be made to complete these requirements through the Mills post-baccalaureate certificate program.

Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree in a major other than computer science.

Because our students and programs are so unique, we encourage prospective students to contact us to discuss their educational goals and whether Mills would be a good match.

More about us:

• Nurturing the Drive: Two Computer Science Programs at Mills College Aim to Build Second-Career Confidence, San Francisco Bay Guardian, January 10, 2007.
• From Art to Science, Wall Street Journal, February 5, 2004.
• Transforming non-geeks into computer whizzes, Silicon Valley Biz Ink, December 5, 2003.
• Leveraging an Alternative Source of Computer Scientists: Reentry Programs by Sheila Humphreys and Ellen Spertus. Inroads—SIGCSE Bulletin (Special Issue on Women and Computing), Vol. 4, No. 2 (June 2002).
• Our students' winning papers in the Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility student essay context:
• • Viruses, Worms and Biodiversity in Computer Systems, Amy Palke, 2003.
  • High-Bandwidth Internet Access: Monopolies or Markets, Stephanie Rotter, 2003.
  • Technology and the Very Young: Lapware, Smart Toys, and Beyond, Leah S. Roderman, 2002.
  • Computer Forensics and Your Rights (Grand Prize Winner), Tu Tran, 2002.