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2. Master of Science in CSS >
3. Admission >
4. Applying for Admission

Admission Requirements

The following courses or equivalent competencies (completion of the Graduate Certificate in Software Design & Development) 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@uwb.edu.

Application Deadline for Masters in CSS

The MSCSS admits new students for Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters*. Applicants MUST submit all application materials by the following deadlines.

Note: GCSDD admits for Autumn Quarter only. GCSDD students are not eligible for F-1 Visa status.

* Applicants expecting an I-20 Student Visa application for F-1 Student Visa should apply for Autumn Quarter only; the application deadline is April 1. There is no Financial Aid or assistantships for International Students.

How to Apply

The application to the Masters in Computing & Software Systems is submitted electronically via the Graduate School Application. We encourage applicants to submit all application materials electronically; however, those who prefer to mail application materials can send them to: Computing & Software Systems Program, Graduate Advising Office, University of Washington Bothell, Box 358534, 18115 Campus Way NE, Bothell, WA  98011. All application materials are due by the application deadline.

Please note: GRE scores must be received electronically by the University of Washington. Mailed GRE scores will not be viewed as official.

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 UW Graduate School and  pay the application fee.  Applications must be completed online.

2. Official Transcripts

All official transcripts from prior academic work (including community and technical college, colleges and universities) should be uploaded to the Graduate School website as part of the application (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). Applicants with degrees from outside the United States must upload a complete set of mark sheets and official documents showing degree earned. All documents must be in English, and be the official translation from the institution in which the degree(s) was earned. 

If admitted to the MSCSS program, new students will be required to submit one offical copy to the UW Graduate Admissions Office in Seattle:

Applicants with degrees from the University of Washington should upload a PDF copy of their UW transcript, available on MyUW. No official paper copies are needed if admitted.

All Applicants should make every effort to upload official transcripts electronically via the graduate school application. Paper transcripts are strongly discouraged, and may slow down the review process, especially for anyone applying with International transcripts. Transcripts that have been retyped or are not official will not be accepted.

The mailing address for the CSS Program is:

International applicants who are mailing in official transcripts should make arrangements to have them arrive two weeks prior to the application deadline to allow for processing time.

3. A Personal Statement

All applicants should answer the following question. Please limit your statement to a maximum of 1000 words:

Describe why the Computing & Software Systems Graduate Program is of interest to you and how it will support your scholarly and career goals.

4. A Current Resume 

Showing relevant work experience in detail, including any and all information relevant to admission prerequisites.

5. Letters of Recommendation

Applicants should have 2 - 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.  Those who desire to submit paper letters of reccomendation may mail to the CSS Program (address above).  Professional references may be substituted for academic ones if academic recommenders are unavailable to write on your behalf.

6. Scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

All applicants wiill be required 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 (University of Washington).  Mailed copies of score reports are not considered official.  Scores are valid five years from test date; applicants with scores older than five years are encouraged to contact the CSS Graduate Advisor: mjewell@uw.edu   We reccommend scheduling the GRE early in the year in order to have your scores arrive prior to application deadline. 

7. Official English Proficiency Scores

English Proficiency scores are required for all students whose native language is not English, and who have not earned a bachelors degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or from the following countries: Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, or the United Kingdom. 

Official scores should be sent to the University of Washington by Educational Testing Service (ETS). Mailed copies of score reports are not considered official. The school code for the University of Washington is: 4854. Scores usually take about three weeks to transfer to the University of Washington. Scores should be received by the application deadline.

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 (including exceptions) for this requirement please view Graduate School Memo #8.

8. Additional Documentation

Any additional documentation relevant for consideration by the CSS Admissions Committee (optional)

Notes:

• The institutional code for the University of Washington is 4854.
• Report all post-secondary schools you have attended, even if you did not earn a degree.
• University of Washington Office of Graduate Admissions: Box 84808, Room #301 Loew Hall, Seattle WA USA 98124-6108
•  Computing & Software Systems Program, Graduate Advising Office, Box 358534, 18115 Campus Way NE, Bothell, WA  98011

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International Applicants

Students seaking F-1 Visa status should apply for Autumn Quarter only. The application deadline for International Students for Autumn Quarter is April 1. Students who are currently in the country on any type of Visa should contact the UW Bothell International Student Services Office at iss@uwb.edu for information on how to change their Visa status.

International applicants are those who currently hold or expect temporary U.S. Visas, including holders of H1-B, H-4 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)

English Proficiency scores are required for all students whose native language is not English, and who do not have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or from the following countries: Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, or the United Kingdom.

English Proficiency scores MUST be submitted electronically by ETS to the University of Washington using institution code: 4854. Mailed copies of score reports will not be accepted.

For further information for this requirement please view Graduate School Memo #8.

Official Transcripts

Please see above for directions on submitting official transcripts. Official transcripts should be scanned into a pdf and uploaded to the graduate school application. Transcripts that have been retyped or are not official will not be accepted. Applicants who can obtain only one official copy transcripts should contact the CSS Graduate Advising Office for further information: mjewell@uw.edu

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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