Graduate Application

Thank you for your interest in pursuing a graduate program in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering in the School of Computing and Informatics.

Application Deadlines:

All application materials must be submitted the deadline date. Our deadline dates are:

Admission for the Department of Computer Science and Engineering is very competitive. Please plan well in advance for the August 1 and December 1 deadlines in order to receive full consideration for financial assistance from the department.

 

Application Forms

For questions regarding computer science supplemental materials, such as letters of recommendation requirements or your statement of purpose, contact the of Computer Science at sci.advising@asu.edu. For questions regarding the on-line graduate application, please contact the Graduate College.

If a student wishes to be considered for both the M.S. and M.C.S. programs, or for both the master's and Ph.D. programs, the student is required to submit two separate applications and to pay two application fees. The application fee is $65 per application for U.S. citizens and $80 per application for international students. Applications will not be processed until the fee is received. This fee is nonrefundable and cannot be deferred.

In addition to completing the ASU Graduate Admissions application, the following materials must also be submitted to complete your application package. If you are applying for an Arts, Media and Engineering concentration, please submit additional material required by AME as well as the materials listed below. 

U.S. Residents:
Application for Admission (apply online) 

• One set of official transcripts from every college and university attended, including ASU, unless the student graduated from ASU. 
• Official GRE test scores (The Advanced Graduate Record Examination in Computer Science is highly recommended for the Ph.D. program, but not required). GRE scores not required for students who graduated with a B.S. or B.S.E. in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at ASU.
• Letters of Recommendation Form (3 letters of recommendation required)
• Statement of Purpose (Ph.D. program only)

International Applicants:
Admissions Application (apply online)

• Academic Credentials (in English or original language document with an official English translation). If you have attended a U.S. institution, one set of official transcripts from every college and university attended, except ASU.
• Official GRE test scores taken within the last five years (The Advanced Graduate Record Examination in Computer Science is highly recommended for the Ph.D. program, but not required). GRE scores are not required for international students who graduated with a B.S. or a B.S.E. in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at ASU.
• Official TOEFL score, taken within the last two years (only required for those who did not graduate with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution). The TOEFL score must be valid on the first day of class for the term the student is applying for.  Please see the Graduate College for TOEFL deadline dates.
• International students who also wish to apply for a position as a teaching assistant must submit a TSE (Test of Spoken English) score.
• Letters of recommendation form (3 letters of recommendation required)
• Statement of purpose (Ph.D. program only)

Mail application to:
Arizona State University
Graduate College
1120 S. Cady Mall, INTDSB-B256
Tempe, AZ 85287-1003

Please include your document reference number on all materials you send. No application will be evaluated until all documents have been received.

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Application Status Inquiries

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering CANNOT notify students over the phone or through email about the status of their application. Once a decision is reached by the Computer Science Graduate Admissions Committee, those decisions are forwarded to the Graduate College, and the Graduate College will communicate, in writing, to the student, the status of their application admission or denial. Students can also view this information on My ASU.

If you have questions regarding your admission file please contact the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at sci.advising@asu.edu or call 480.965.3199. All other inquiries on admissions status can be directed to the Graduate College.

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Financial Aid

Students may receive graduate, teaching or research assistantships to help fund their studies, including sponsored research support. Positions are highly competitive, and only exceptional new students are offered financial aid upon admission. Please note that financial aid is only awarded to students after they are officially admitted to the graduate program. Annual stipends (9 month contract) range from $12,500 (for beginning graduate students) and increase for progression through the program. Teaching assistants assist in undergraduate and graduate courses, while research assistants perform research applicable to their theses and dissertations. Out-of-state tuition normally is waived for all TAs and RAs in the department.

In order to obtain a research assistantship, please contact the individual faculty member in the areas of research that match your research interests. If you are interested in a teaching assistant position, please complete the Teaching Assistant Application and mail to the School of Computing and Informatics:

Arizona State University
School of Computing and Informatics
P.O. Box 878809
Tempe, AZ 85287-8809

Students should also check for on-campus job opportunities and Graduate Assistantships by reviewing ASU’s Jobs & Careers web page. The Graduate College also has resources available. If you are working in industry, you should also check your company’s tuition reimbursement benefits.

If you have additional financial aid questions, please contact the Student Financial Assistance office:

Student Financial Assistance
Arizona State University
PO Box 870412
2nd Floor Student Services Building
Tempe, AZ 85287-0412
480.965.3355 (General Questions)
480.965.4845 (Scholarships)

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Summary Checklist of the Admission Process

Use the Graduate Studies checklist when preparing your application.

The Graduate College admission department receives a number of inquires each day and as a result they have developed a comprehensive on-line Prospective Student Support Center. Your admission questions or concerns can be addressed in this center. If you can’t find the answer to your admission questions, you will be able to contact the admission staff directly by completing an on-line submission form or by calling 480.965.6113.

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Questions and Answers:

1. What is the status of my application?
The Department of Computer Science and Engineering cannot communicate over the phone or by email regarding the status of an application. We can only respond to a student whether or not ASU has received all of the required application materials. My ASU lists application materials required by the Graduate College; however, additional materials are required by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Applications will not be reviewed until those additional materials are received. Please check the email listed on your application for notice of missing application materials.

Once an admission decision is made by the Computer Science and Engineering Graduate Admissions Committee, the decision is forwarded to the Graduate College. The Graduate College notifies students of the admissions decision. Students can also view admissions decisions on My ASU.

Neither the Graduate College nor the Department of Computer Science and Engineering can provide any information to an applicant's family members. This information is confidential and protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

2. What are the requirements to be admitted to the master's or Ph.D. program?
Students must submit an official ASU Graduate Admissions application, GRE scores, official transcripts and TOEFL scores (if applicable) and three letters of recommendation. Ph.D. applicants are also required to submit a atatement of purpose. Admissions is competitive and is based on many factors, including your undergraduate or graduate preparation and your application materials.

3. What are the requirements for letters of recommendation?
Applicants can submit Letters of Recommendation using the letters of recommendation form, which is to be completed by your reference and submitted directly to the Graduate College. Your references can also submit a letter on your behalf on company or university letterhead directly to the Graduate College. References could be from current or former professors or employers who know your background and skills.

4. What should I include in my statement of purpose?
The statement of purpose is required for Ph.D. applicants. Your statement of purpose should include the reason why you would like to pursue a Ph.D. in computer science at ASU, your research area of interest and your desire for further study in the field, and what you can contribute to the program. Explain your undergraduate and any graduate preparation for your studies. It is recommended that your statement be concise, clear and informative.

5. Is the GRE mandatory?
The GRE is mandatory for all students, except for those who have graduated from ASU's undergraduate B.S. in computer science or the B.S.E. in computer systems engineering degree programs.

6. What is the minimum score you will accept for the GRE and TOEFL?
Successful applications will distinguish themselves by having a very high quantitative GRE score. Guidelines for the GRE scores are 400 verbal, 700 quantitative and 4.5 analytical writing; however, the entire application file is considered when making admissions decisions. 

ASU requires that TOEFL scores must be above 550 (paper), 213 (computer), or 80 (iBT), minimum IELTS is an overall band scores of 6.5 with no individual band below a 6.0.

7. Do I still have to complete the English proficiency if I have a Bachelors degree from an accredited U.S. institution?
You do not need to take the TOEFL or IELTS if you graduated from an accredited U.S. institution. See the Graduate College website for details.

8. Can I apply after the deadline date?
While students who meet the specified deadline date will be given top priority in our highly competitive programs, students can submit applications after the deadline date, but take the chance on their applications not being reviewed or the application may be deferred to the next semester.  The School of Computing and Informatics does not accept applications for the summer term. International students should review Graduate College deadlines for english proficiency validity.

9. Can I get an assistantship?
The chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering evaluates each applicant and determines the awards for teaching assistantships (TA). TA positions are awarded primarily to Ph.D. students. RA positions are offered to the highest caliber of students. RA offers are made to admitted students by an interested faculty member. Some faculty members do not offer RA positions to newly admitted students. Occasionally faculty post positions online. Students can contact a specific faculty member or members in their research area of interest regarding open positions. Students will be contacted by the faculty member if they are interested in hiring you as an RA, as there is no formal application for an RA position. You are encouraged to submit a CV or resume with your application for review by the faculty in your research area of interest.

10. Can I send unofficial documentation or does it have to be official documentation?
The Graduate College will only accept OFFICIAL documents. Please do not send anything unofficial to the Graduate College, as the processing of your application will be delayed. Applications will be released to the Department of Computer Science and Engineering once all official documents are received. Please send all materials directly to the Graduate College.

11. Will you evaluate my resume and tell me if I am qualified for admission?
We do not pre-evaluate student credentials. Students are encouraged to talk with our faculty to discuss their research interests and education/professional background and then apply for admission. The Computer Science and Engineering Graduate Admissions committee will evaluate each application file and determine if they are eligible for the program or not. The Graduate College makes the final determination on acceptance.

12. How long will it take me to graduate?
The master's degree programs typically take two years to complete. The Ph.D. program typically takes between 4-6 years to complete.

13. If I take classes from another university, how many of them can I transfer to ASU?
A master’s student can transfer a maximum of six hours (6) from another accredited institution. Ph.D. students with a master’s degree from an accredited institution can transfer in 30 semester hours into the Ph.D. program, plus an additional 12 semester hours of graduate coursework not used in any other degree program. A Ph.D. student without a master’s degree can transfer in 12 semester hours of graduate coursework. All coursework must be approved by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and have a grade of “A” or “B”. No grades of “Pass” or “Satisfactory” can be transferred.

14. Is there an option for conditional admission?
The School of Computing and Informatics does not admit students on a conditional basis. Students may be admitted with graduate deficiencies, which need to be completed within the first year of the degree program (CSE 230, CSE 310, CSE 340, CSE 355, CSE 360 and CSE 430).

15. How much will the degree cost?
Review ASU’s Student Business Services website for information about tuition costs.

16. Is there a way to waive the application fee?
The Graduate College requires an application fee for all students. The fee cannot be waived.

17. Can I apply to a graduate program with a 3 year Bachelor’s degree from an international institution?
You must have the equivalent to a 4 year bachelor’s degree to be eligible to apply for a graduate program. Students can take one year of a master’s program in their home country to be equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. Any questions should be directed to the Graduate College.

18. Can I be accepted into the M.S. program if I don’t have a computer science background?
The School of Computing and Informatics admits students from a variety of backgrounds in addition to computer science. Students may gain admissions with undergraduate deficiencies, but are also encouraged to apply as a non-degree seeking graduate student to complete any needed deficiencies before applying to the degree program. Students are required to complete deficiency courses by the end of their first year in the program (including CSE 230, CSE 310, CSE 340, CSE 355, CSE 360 and CSE 430), if not already completed at another institution.

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