MS in Computer Science Entry Requirements

Areas of Requirements:

1. Academic and undergraduate degree
2. English proficiency for internationals

Please read all requirement details carefully.

Academic Requirements

1. You must possess an undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degree in Computer Science or a related field from an accredited college, university, or institute. A 4-year degree is the standard minimum requirement. Candidates with a 3-year degree will be considered for acceptance only if they have a minimum of 3 years of verifiable paid professional IT experience, and a high grade average in prerequisite computer science courses.
2. Your degree should include courses in the main areas of study typical to a computer science degree, including:
3. Computer Programming and Software Design, including Object Oriented Programming, and Fundamentals of programming: variables, loops, conditionals, blocks, functions, arrays, pointers/references.
4. Data Structures (Stacks & queues, linked lists, trees & graphs, hash tables)
5. Math courses: (Calculus 1 & 2, Discrete Math)
6. GPA: Generally, we require a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.7 out of 4.0 as one of the requirements for acceptance (To convert from a different GPA system see http://www.wes.org/gradeconversionguide/index.asp). GPA alone, however, is not sufficient for acceptance, since significant work experience (internationals only), good English skills, technical test scores, GRE scores (when provided), strong recommendations, interview results, and an appropriate 4-year bachelors degree are also factored into the decision. International applicants may also be asked to take the GRE if the GPA is below 3.0 and/or there is no OOP professional work experience.
7. Other computer science courses that are helpful for both acceptance and success in your studies for the Master’s degree.
8. Programming Languages or Compilers (basic concepts and definitions of programming languages, binding, scope, lifetime, argument passing and pointers, references, values, expressions, declarations)
9. Computer System Architecture and Organization
10. Systems Programming or Operating Systems

In some cases, professional experience may be substituted for academic courses if the applicant has gained sufficient knowledge of the subject.
Applicants who fulfill all other entry requirements, but are lacking current knowledge of programming and ObjectOriented (OO) software methods may enter the Preparatory Track. This track is NOT a substitute for the full coverage of these topics which the students are expected to have completed during undergraduate courses.

English Proficiency

1. All international applicants are interviewed (by telephone or in person) to assess their English fluency. Here are the criteria used in the assessment:
   • You need to speak English well enough to be understood by the listener without difficulty. An accent is acceptable if it does not prevent the listener from easily understanding you. A few minor errors in speech are permissible.
   • You need to understand English when it is spoken to you in a normal conversational speed.
   • You need to read and write English with little or no difficulty.
   • IELTS and TOEFL are not required.
2. If international students do not yet have the level of English proficiency described above, you are encouraged to obtain intensive English training from Americans (or other native English-speaking instructors) in your home country before applying. It is important that you select a school or teacher with a very good reputation for improving spoken English skills.
3. For those who need some English improvement, we have additional help available after classes several days a week, with additional charges.

TOEFL and GRE Tests

Applicants are not generally required to take GRE for admission to our program, but we strongly encourage them to take it. A high GRE score may decrease the initial amount international students are asked to pay upon enrollment. Also, taking the GRE increases the likelihood of internationals obtaining a student visa for our program. A GRE score is a good way to indicate your overall strength, and even if it is not required, it will be an asset to your application. Note: Students with a cumulative grade point average below 2.7 out of 4.0 (equivalent to a B-) are required to take the general GRE test, and score at least 70% on the quantitative section for consideration for admission.

It is not necessary to take the TOEFL, because our Admissions Representatives will conduct an English language interview with international applicants to assess English skills. We do not accept IELTS for English language evaluation.

Information on GRE is available at http://www.gre.org.