BS/MS in Computer Science

Admission Requirements

Interested and qualified undergraduate students will generally apply for the accelerated program at the beginning of the second semester of their junior year (sixth semester of the BS program). The program is competitive, and admission is based on overall academic performance, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. Those interested are also welcome to consult with the Computer Science Graduate Program Director or the Chairperson about their eligibility.

Eligibility and admission criteria

• have completed 60 credits towards the BS degree;
• To benefit from the program, the student should not have taken and are not currently enrolled in more than one senior-level (400-level) or any graduate (500-level or above) course;
• have completed courses CIS 180, 181, 190, 272, 273, and 280 (or equivalents for transfer students);
• have a GPA of at least 3.000 in all CIS courses taken at the time of application;
• have completed MTH 181, MTH 182, MTH 151/153, MTH 152/154 (or the equivalents for transfer students) with a GPA of at least 2.800.

Students who have declared a concentration: Students combining a declared concentration and the accelerated BS/MS program follow a pathway that differs from the standard nine-credit double counting structure. Pathway options include focusing on the accelerated program by dropping the concentration, keeping the concentration and considering the regular CS MS program, or keeping the concentration and excluding graduate level courses taken while an undergraduate. The Computer Science Graduate Program co-Directors and Chairperson are available to help you explore the best approach for your goals.

Application Process

Students apply for admission to the BS/MS program through the Office of Graduate Studies, submitting the regular graduate application with clear indication on the form that the applicant will be a BS/MS student and select the time of admission as when the applicant would normally begin a master’s degree, after meeting all BS graduation conditions. Applicants to the BS/MS program are required to submit two letters of recommendation, but do not need to submit GRE and TOEFL scores. Application decisions are reviewed by the CIS Graduate Committee. Presently, application fees are waived if students meet eligibility requirements.

Degree Requirements

Progression to MS Study

The BS degree is conferred when all undergraduate requirements have been successfully completed, including the three graduate courses as senior electives. At this time, the BS/MS student’s status changes to graduate level. BS/MS students will pay undergraduate rates until changed to graduate status; in graduate status, they may be considered for graduate assistantships.

Maintaining MS Status

The department has determined a specific policy to monitor BS/MS students’ performance and progression towards their BS and then MS degrees. Any student accepted to the BS/MS program but later dismissed from the program will be transferred back to the BS level program.

Obtaining MS Degree

BS/MS students follow the same requirements to obtain the MS degree as regular MS students in the thesis track. Students electing the BS/MS program are required to complete a Master’s thesis. Students can double count up to nine (9) credit hours (three 500‐level or higher CIS graduate courses) for their CIS BS-degree technical electives. A grade of ‘B’ or better is required in any graduate course to be double-counted toward both degrees.