1. What are the prerequisites for admission? -Currently classified status is required. This means that the prerequisites for Conditionally Classified and Classified status must be satisifed. See Prerequisites.
2. Are there other requirements for admission to the Computer Science Master's Program?
-Currently the requirements include those of the Office of Graduate Programs and the following:
* classified status
* GPA must be 3.0 in the last 30 semester units attempted and 2.75 in the last 60 units attempted.
* for applicants whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English a TOEFL score of 550 is required. If the score is below 600 then CSCI 305 must be taken the first semester.
3. I do not satisfy classified status. What can I do?
-Courses to satisfy classified status can be taken
* through the Chico Computer Science Distance Program
* through a regionally accredited university
* through Community Colleges (for lower division requirements)
* through Open University in Regional and Continuing Education (if already at Chico and only a few are needed)
Any student taking prerequisite background preparation courses through Open University should check with the department graduate advisor prior to enrolling.
4. How am I sure that the course I take above will count? -If the course is from a Community College in California, you can use assist.org to help you articulate your course(s). Before taking a course from another accredited university, contact the graduate coordinator and ask. The coordinator will require the catalog copy and a syllabus of the course to see if it is equivalent to the required course. When you apply to the program, the coordinator uses your transcripts and this information to determine your status.
5. Once I am accepted, can I transfer credits from another institution?
-You can transfer up to 9 semester units as long as the credits are
* in computer science
* not used for the completion of another degree
* from regionally accredited universities and
* are graduate level work
-Within this 9 unit maximum, you can transfer up to 6 semester units from computer-related disciplines.
6. If I chose a project/thesis rather than the comprehensive exam option, how do I get a committee?
-Steps that faculty require are as follows:
a. pass the Graduate Writing Requirement
b. write a good proposal
c. present the proposal to the faculty you would like to serve on your committee
-Make sure that you give the faculty plenty of time to read the proposal and get back to you as to whether they agree to serve on your committee. Writing proposals and projects should not be "last minute", hurried endeavors. Often faculty require (1) that the proposal is very well written and the project outline is clear and (2) that you have taken some courses with them. If a faculty member sees a lot of editing in the proposal, they probably are not going to be easy to convince.
7. Who can serve on a Master's Committee? -The committee chair must be a tenured or tenure-track faculty member in the Department of Computer Science. The second committee member must also be a tenured or tenure-track faculty member in the Department of Computer Science. A third committee member may be from a related discipline, depending on the project content. In the later case, the third committee member must be approved by the graduate committee chair and the graduate coordinator. Two committee members are required (a chair and a member), but three are allowed (a chair and two members). For more specifics, see the Guide to Graduate Studies.
8. What is the Graduate Writing Requirement?
-The Department offers a Graduate Writing Exam at the beginning of each semester. A student can take this exam up to two times. If the Exam is passed, then they have met the Graduate Writing Requirement. If, after two attempts at the test both resulted in failure, then the student must take CSCI 305 and pass with a grade of C or better to pass the Graduate Writing Requirement. See the Important Dates page for dates when the test is offered.
9. How can I get help in passing this test?
-If you have not passed the Writing Exam on the first attempt it is highly suggested that you request help from the University Writing Center. It is located in Taylor Hall 203, 898-5042
10. Is there a time limit to the program?
-Yes. A student must finish all requirements of the entire program within 7 years. No extensions will be granted.
College of Engineering, Computer
Science, & Construction Management
California State University, Chico
Chico, CA 95929-0003
530-898-5963 webmaster@ecst.csuchico.edu
