Admission Requirements
The following courses or equivalent competencies (completion of the Masters Preparation Sequence) are expected of all applicants to the Masters Program.
- Fundamental and Intermediate Object-Oriented Programming (equivalent to CSS 161, CSS 162 & CSS 342)
- Data Structures & Algorithms (equivalent to CSS 343)
- Discrete Mathematics (equivalent to CSS 342)
- Software Engineering (equivalent to CSS 360)
- Analysis and Design (equivalent to CSS 370)
- Calculus 1 (Math 124)
- A bachelors degree (or equivalent) with a GPA of 3.0 in the last 90 quarter credits or 60 semester credits.
Please contact the Computing & Software Systems Graduate Advising Office to establish equivalent competencies. Curriculum in the MSCSS program will build upon these competencies in core and elective classes. Applicants seeking establishment of competencies should be ready to submit course syllabi or detailed course descriptions of equivalent coursework. The Graduate Advising office can be reached at (425) 352-5279 or cssinfo@u.washington.edu.
Application Deadline for Masters in CSS
Autumn Quarter 2010
July 1, 2010
Completed applications need to be submitted by July 1st, 2010. Applications recieved after the deadline will be considered on a space available basis. Admission is for Autumn quarter only.
How to Apply
The application to the Masters in Computing & Software Systems is submitted electronically via the Graduate School Application.
The complete set of materials that you will be required to submit is as follows:
1. Application & Paid Fee
Fill out the application to the Graduate School and pay the application fee. Applicants must be completed online.
2. Official Transcripts
All official transcripts from prior academic work (including community and technical college, college, and university) should be uploaded to the Graduate School website (obtain a PDF file of the transcript from the university, or scan the transcript and then submit it via the electronic application as a PDF).
At the time of application, International applicants and applicants who have earned degrees outside the US will need to submit official transcripts to the University of Washington Graduate School (Office of Graduate Admissions, Box 84808, Room #301 Loew Hall, Seattle WA USA 98124-6108) as well as upload a copy of their transcripts as part of the online application. If admitted to the MSCSS program, international applicants will be required to submit one copy of official transcripts to the CSS Program.
Domestic students with degrees from the U.S. will need to submit one set of official transcripts to the Computing & Software Systems Graduate Office (uploaded via the electronic application). If these applicants are then offered admission, they will need to send two sets of official transcripts (showing the awarding of any prior bachelor's or higher degrees); one copy goes to the UW Graduate Admissions Office (Office of Graduate Admissions, Box 84808, Room #301 Loew Hall, Seattle WA USA 98124-6108) and one copy goes to the Computing & Software Systems Graduate Advising Office.
3. A Personal Statement
Summarize your background and goals in pursuing a Masters in Computing & Software Systems.
4. A Current Resume
Showing relavent work experience
5. Letters of Recommendation
Applicants should have2 - 3 letters of recommendation sent electronically, which requires the submission of the email address of the recommender as part of the application process. The recommender will automatically receive an email with instructions on how to submit their letter of recommendation.
6. Scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Applicants need to submit scores on the GRE General Exam. No subject test is required. Applicants need to have ETS send scores electronically to Institution code 4854 (UW Seattle campus). Scores are valid five years from test date. We reccommend scheduling the GRE early in the year in order to have your scores arrive prior to the July 1st deadline.
7. Scores on the TOEFL
TOEFL scores are required for all students who are not US Citizens at the time of applying to the Graduate school. (See International Applicant information below).
8. Additional Documentation
Any additional documentation relevant for consideration by the CSS Admissions Committee (optional)
Notes:
- The institutional code for the UW is 4854.
- Report all post-secondary schools you have attended, even if you did not earn a degree.
- Professional references may be substituted for academic ones if academic recommenders are unavailable to write on your behalf.
- At the time of application, International applicants and applicants who have earned degrees outside the US will need to submit official transcripts to the University of Washington Graduate School (Office of Graduate Admissions, Box 84808, Room #301 Loew Hall, Seattle WA USA 98124-6108) as well as upload a copy of their transcripts as part of the online application. If admitted to the MSCSS program, all applicants will be required to submit a copy of official transcripts to the Computing & Software Systems Graduate Advising Office.
- Domestic students with degrees from the U.S. will need to submit one set of transcripts to the Computing & Software Systems Graduate Office (uploaded via the electronic application). If these applicants are then offered admission, they will need to send two sets of official transcripts 1)to the UW Graduate Admissions Office (Office of Graduate Admissions, Box 84808, Room #301 Loew Hall, Seattle WA USA 98124-6108) and 2)to the Computing & Software Systems Graduate Advising Office.
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International Applicants
Due to enrollment requirements, students seeking visa status are not eligible for admission to the MSCSS program at this time. International applicants are those who currently hold or expect temporary U.S. visas, including holders of H1-B, J-1 exchange visitors or any other non-immigrant classifications. U.S. permanent residents (Green Card holders or immigrants) are NOT considered international applicants.
Official English Proficiency Scores (TOEFL, MLT or IELTS)
All applicants who are not US citizens (and DO NOT hold a bachelors degree or higher from an accredited institution within the US, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, UK or Canada) must also take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Michigan Language Test (MLT) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Applicants taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) must submit a photocopy of the score report in their application packet. Official scores will be sent to the University of Washington when you provide Educational Testing Service (ETS) with our school code: 4854. TOEFL scores usually take about three weeks to transfer to the University of Washington.
The Michigan Language Test (MLT) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are alternatives to the TOEFL.
Scores are valid for two years from the test date. We will not accept scores that are no longer valid on the date the application is submitted. For futher information on this requirement please view Graduate School Memo #8.
Official Transcripts
International applicants and applicants who have earned degrees outside the US will need to submit one set of official transcripts at the time of application to: University of Washington, Office of Graduate Admissions, Box 84808, Room #301 Loew Hall, Seattle WA USA 98124-6108. Applicants who can obtain only one official copy transcripts should contact the CSS Graduate Advising Office for further information
Additional Information
International applicants are required to submit additional information. After submitting your application and paying your fee online, there will be a check list of additional requirements including the University of Washington Statement of Financial Ability form. All completed materials are sent to the Graduate School. For questions on these materials, please contact the International Admission Advisor at the Graduate School.
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