Admission into the Program
The Department of Computer Science and Engineering will advance students to upper division Computer Science and Engineering classes based on application information provided by the student and on official records.
Advancement is granted to those applicants demonstrating the highest promise for professional success in Computer Science and Engineering. The determining factors include the cumulative GPA (Transfer + ASU GPA combined), as well as the overall GPA in Computer Science and Engineering skill-set courses. Completion of the specified courses does not guarantee admission to professional status.
Students must meet the minimum GPA of a 2.75 in their skill-set courses and a 2.5 cumulative to be eligible to take upper division Computer Science and Engineering classes. In addition, international students must satisfy the minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score requirement of 550.
advancement to upper division computer science and engineering classes
Students in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering within the School of Computing and Informatics must apply and be accepted for advancement to be eligible to take upper division Computer Science & Engineering classes (formerly called “Professional Program”).
A group of courses called the skill-set must first be completed before students can apply and be admitted to take upper division Computer Science & Engineering classes. Students must earn at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA in the skill-set courses and a 2.5 overall GPA (Transfer + ASU courses) to advance to upper division courses. It is recommended that the advice of an academic advisor be followed while completing this sequence in preparation for the application.
THE REQUIRED SKILL SET COURSES
- CSE 100 or 110 (3) Principles of Programming in C++ or Java
Computer Systems Engineering students should take CSE 100
Computer Science students should take CSE 110 - CSE 120 (3) Digital Design Fundamentals
- CSE 205 (3) Concepts of Computer Science/Data Structures
- If you have completed CSE 200 and 210 you may substitute the 210 grade for CSE 205
- CSE 230 (3) Computer Organization/Assembly Language
- MAT 243 (3) Discrete Mathematical Structures
- MAT 265 (3) Calculus for Engineers I
- MAT 266 (3) Calculus for Engineers II
- MAT 267 (3) Calculus for Engineers III
- CSE 101 (3) Intro to Engineering
(Only required for Computer Systems Engineering (CSE) Students)
HOW TO APPLY
- If you are not admitted to Arizona State University, you must first gain admission by applying through Undergraduate Admissions.
- If you have college credits from a Community College or another University it is imperative that you have all of your coursework transferred to ASU, and then evaluated by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. All English composition courses must be evaluated by the English department at Arizona State University. Courses do NOT automatically transfer just because you have sent your transcripts to ASU. Please provide course descriptions for each course. These documents must be in English. Transfer evaluations can take up to two months for completion and approval.
- Make sure that you have completed or are in the process of completing all the skill-set courses before requesting advancement to upper division courses. If you will not have ALL skill-set courses completed by the end of the the semester in which you apply, you must wait for a future advancement period.
- If you are currently enrolled in skill-set course outside at a community college or another university please submit proof of enrollment to the SCI Advising Center.
THE APPLICATION
- Complete and submit the application online during the application periods (September 1-15 in the Fall, and February 1-15 in the Spring)
- Print the application for your records.
- Submit any accompanying documentation needed to complete the application (such as an unofficial transcript showing enrollment in skill-set courses taken outside of ASU) by 5 p.m. on the deadline to the SCI Advising Center, Brickyard Engineering, Ste. 208.
- Please contact the advising office regarding the summer application periods.
- Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applications are considered incomplete when mandatory information is omitted from the application form and/or when supporting documentation is missing.
NEXT STEPS
Students will be notified by e-mail (at the ASU e-mail address submitted on their application) whether they have been admitted or denied for advancement to upper division courses.
Students who are still in the process of completing skill-set courses but have met the GPA requirements will be conditionally admitted and will be able to enroll in upper division courses for the following term. At the end of the semester admitted students should make an appointment with an advisor to complete their Declaration of Graduation (DOG). However, if they do not successfully complete the skill-set courses for which they are enrolled, they will be withdrawn from all upper-division CSE and Engineering courses for which they have registered.
If you are planning on pursuing concurrent degrees you will need to submit a Petition for Adjustment of Curriculum Requirements after being approved for advancement. Please see an advisor for assistance with this process.
DENIALS
Students who apply and are denied advancement to upper division classes may appeal the decision at the end of the semester in which they applied. Appeals must be submitted between May 15 - May 31 for Spring applications, and December 15 - December 31 for Fall applications. It is important that you attach a justification with your appeal. The following should be considered when composing your justification:
- Are there any extenuating circumstances as to why your GPA suffered?
- Despite not meeting the admission requirements why do you feel you can succeed in upper division Computer Science & Engineering classes?
- What strategies or changes will you make to ensure that you will succeed?
Please meet with an advisor if you have any questions about the appeal process.
Appeal Form (Word)