Admission Requirements: Master of Science Degree in Computer Science

Table of Contents

1. Graduate Admissions and Scholarship Standards
1. Admissions Requirements
2. Admission Status
3. Conditional Admission
4. Acceptance With or Without Support
5. Health Insurance and Immunization

Admission to the Graduate School is open to qualified graduates of universities and colleges of recognized standing without regard to age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, or disability.

Admission to the Graduate School is a selective process. The following minimum qualifications must be met to gain "full standing" in one of our graduate programs, but satisfying the requirements does not guarantee admission.

Minimum qualifications:

1. The applicant must have a baccalaureate degree from an educational institution of recognized standing. For information on admittance prior to completion of a baccalaureate degree please e-mail gradinfo@web.cs.ndsu.nodak.edu.
2. The applicant must demonstrate the potential to succeed in advanced study and research in computer science. Completed course work and, if applicable, job experience will be considered. Minimum preparation usually includes the ability to program in one or more common high-level languages (preferably Java, C++, C#, or Python), experience using common data structures and algorithms, and an understanding of mathematical foundations, equivalent to the NDSU courses CSci 161, CSci 222, and CSci 372.
3. The applicant must have earned a cumulative grade point average in all courses of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 or equivalent at the baccalaureate level.
4. The applicant must have a score above the median (50th percentile) for the quantitative portion of the GRE.
5. International applicants whose native language is not English, and who have not previously received a degree from a US institution, must demonstrate English language proficiency as indicated at http://www.ndsu.edu/gradschool/prospective_students/international_applicants/english_language_score_requirements/. To receive a teaching assistantship, English proficiency must be above the thresholds given at http://www.ndsu.edu/gradschool/bulletin/graduate_school_policies/assistantships/language_proficiency_procedure_for_gtas/.

To apply, please follow the process described at http://www.ndsu.edu/gradschool/prospective_students.

Application deadlines for applicants who are not local to our region are as follows:

• March 1 for Fall admission
• October 1 for Spring admission

Applicants who are from our region (North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana) please e-mail gradinfo@web.cs.ndsu.nodak.edu if you would like to apply later than the deadline.

Note that the deadlines refer to the time that your application is sent to the department!

The application is only sent to the department once it is complete, including all transcripts, test scores, and letters. The entire process typically takes three to five weeks.

Under certain circumstances, applications from students who do not meet the minimum qualifications may result in conditional acceptance. If a student lacks relevant course work he/she may be required to take one or more undergraduate courses before being considered to be "full standing". If English language proficiency is insufficient a student may be required to participate in an intensive English program.

If you think that your situation is exceptional and may warrant conditional admission, please e-mail gradinfo@web.cs.ndsu.nodak.edu.

Applicants are automamtically considered for teaching and research assistantships at the time their application is reviewed by the department. Assistantships are distributed based on availability of funding and qualifications of applicants. Renewal of an assistantship depends on performance and availability of funds.

Tuition is waived for students who have an assistantship at a level of at least ten hours of work per week. (Waiver does not apply to student fees or Distance and Continuing Education (DCE) courses. See DCE website for tuition information: http://www.ndsu.edu/dce/)

International students who require a VISA, and who are accepted "without support" have to provide evidence of adequate financial resources for self-support (e.g., tuition, living costs, and transportation) during the entire graduate. Detailed information on estimated annual expenses for international students is available from the Office of International Programs. Students should not assume funds or work opportunities will be available at a later date.

International students are required provide proof for medical insurance coverage to the Office of International Programs before they are allowed to register.