Students are expected to have a Master’s degree in computer science, engineering, or a related discipline awarded by a recognized institution. Applicants with different backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Students are expected to be proficient in programming and to have taken calculus 2 and a statistics course, as well as being knowledgeable in the topics of data structures, algorithm design and analysis, operating systems, and computer architecture. The admission committee will evaluate the application holistically to determine applicant suitability using several factors such as academic performance, GPA, background, and experience. The admission committee may assign remedial courses on a case-by-case basis.
Conditional admission may be available under extraordinary circumstances to applicants who show high promise to successfully complete the program and have received a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution, but who fall short of the GPA equirement. In these cases, the Professional PhD in Computer Science admissions committee will carefully review the application and account for aspects including but not limited to: grade trends, mature work experience, work accomplishment and promotion, type and rigor of undergraduate and master’s degree programs, references and letters of recommendation.
Submit official transcripts from previous institutions attended. The desirable minimum GPA in previous graduate work is 3.3 (of a 4.0 maximum).
The applicant must provide two reference letters that address the student's research potential, motivation, relative academic achievement, and personality.
International students from non-English-speaking countries must be proficient in written and spoken English as evidenced by a score of at least 500 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test) or 79 (Internet-based test) on the TOEFL or a score of at least 6.0 on the IELTS.