university of washington cs phd admission

Graduate School

As you approach the end of your undergraduate degree program, you may face the tough decision between entering the work force and continuing on to graduate school. While you may already have a good idea about what employment entails, the prospect of pursuing graduate school can feel uncertain and even overwhelming.  The following information will provide a better understanding of how you prepare to apply, what the application process is like, and factors to consider in making your choice. 

Please note: UW CSE majors who are interested in applying to our Combined B.S/M.S. program should review information on that site; this site is geared toward students applying to graduate programs outside of our department.

CSE holds panels and workshops for students considering graduate school who are in the midst of the application process; stay tuned for details on these events each academic year.  If you have general grad school questions after reading these pages, contact our CSE Ph.D. program advisor, Elise Dorough , or our PMP advisor, Kate Gayle .

Preparing to Apply

• Common misconceptions about graduate school
• What happens in graduate school?
• General timeline for applications
• Participating in undergraduate research!
• Choosing schools
• Funding opportunities

The Application Process

• Organizing your application materials

Taking the GRE

• Writing your Statement of Purpose
• Obtaining letters of recommendation

Making Decisions

• Understanding the notification process

Visiting Schools

• Making THE decision

Helpful Links

Common misconceptions about ph.d. programs      .

Before describing what a Ph.D. program entails, let’s clear up three common misconceptions about graduate education.

• Graduate student means several more years of coursework in order to earn your degree. Not true.  At most schools, you take courses the first year or two, but the primary focus in a Ph.D. program is research. Some programs don't even have coursework as a requirement.
• You must earn a master's degree before applying to pursue a Ph.D.   Most often not the case. Many programs admit directly into the Ph.D. program, and students complete a master's along the way.
• Going to grad school will impose a big financial burden. Most often not the case. While many schools do not offer support to students in a master's-only program, most financially support their Ph.D. students.

What Happens in Graduate School?

This section provides a sense of what to expect in a Ph.D. program in the United States.  We offer some information about a master's-only program for comparison. 

Graduate programs outside the U.S. may have different requirements you should be aware of if you hope to study abroad. Further, be prepared to receive strong encouragement from UW faculty to pursue a graduate education at another institution. Graduate study is a time to enrich your learning in computer science and engineering, and each school offers a different approach to research in these fields. By attending different schools for undergrad and grad, you will best prepare yourself to become an independent researcher.

On average, a Ph.D. takes 5-6 years to complete and generally consists of three phases:  (1) getting a broader view of computer science, (2) obtaining an in-depth background in a specific area, and (3) conducting original research in order to write a dissertation. Departments have various ways of organizing this; we'll use the UW CSE program as an example.

• Phase 1:   One to two years; culminates in qualifying exams and master’s degree. You explore the broad scope of computer science by taking classes to show mastery in different areas. Simultaneously, you work on developing a guided research project with your faculty advisor. This is an opportunity for you to get your feet wet in research. When the project is complete, you must pass the “ Quals ” (qualifying evaluation) by:  (1) writing a paper (of about 10 pages), and (2) giving a short presentation (of about 30 minutes) about your work to your advisor, another faculty member, and interested others. Faculty then discusses whether you have passed Quals and earned your master's degree. Although the formats may differ, most Ph.D. programs have a qualifying evaluation that includes comprehensive coursework and exams.
• Phase 2:  Two to three years; culminates in General Exam that enables you to proceed to dissertation writing.   In this phase, you obtain additional background in your specific area of research through an in-depth study of a current problem as defined by you and your faculty advisor. This project prepares you to take the General Exam , which measures your ability to analyze and synthesize research. In the General exam, you submit a written report on the problem to your Ph.D. supervisory committee and make a public presentation on your work. Alternately, you may read several papers on an area and then pass an oral exam. At this point, you are ready to move on to an independent research project of your own. Most frequently, the General Exam incorporates a dissertation proposal.
• Phase 3: One or two years; culminates in dissertation defense and Ph.D. degree. The final hurdle is writing your dissertation. You will spend your final years on independent research and writing your dissertation.  To earn the Ph.D., your supervisory committee must accept your dissertation and you must then present and defend your dissertation in a public presentation as your final exam .

There are many types of master's programs (e.g., master's en route to a Ph.D. or a master’s only for pure professional development).  Investigate to determine which best fits your goals.

An example of a master's-only degree program is the CSE Professional Master's Program (PMP) .  A part-time, evening program, PMP targets professionals who want to pursue a master's degree while continuing full-time employment in the local software industry.

While CSE instructors teach courses for both Ph.D. and PMP students, the PMP emphasis is on teachers bringing their research into the classroom so students can apply it to their work projects and products. In contrast, the Ph.D. program seeks to provide enough breadth and depth to allow students to join faculty in research and ultimately follow in their footsteps if they so choose. It is assumed that PMP students, who are mostly Software Developers and Software Engineers, will continue on their technical paths.

PMP students fund their own education or receive tuition assistance from their employers.  You may find this program an ideal option after working in the field for at least two years after graduation.

General Timeline for Applications

The timeline below is a general calendar to identify the steps you must take before applying to a Ph.D. program. Each item on the timeline is described in further detail in the various sections on this page.

• Junior year:   become involved in research; start looking at schools that interest you; attend graduate school info events
• Summer/early autumn after junior year:   sign-up and take the GRE ; prepare fellowship applications
• Beginning of autumn senior year:   ask faculty to write letters of recommendation; prepare resume; fill out application forms; write statement of purpose
• End of autumn quarter senior year:  request transcripts to be sent to schools; submit fellowship applications
• December to early January:   application deadlines (will vary by school)
• February/March : visit schools
• April 15 th :  acceptance of offers with financial assistance due

Participating in Undergrad Research!

Participating in a research project as an undergraduate is critical for your graduate application. Not only does research help prepare you for graduate school and decide if it is right for you, it also provides the opportunity to develop relationships with faculty who you will later ask to write letters of recommendation.

Applications for graduate programs are typically due in December or January for the following autumn, so waiting until fall term of your senior year to start a research project is too late. Allow enough time to become an active participant in a project and work closely with a faculty member. The best time to start a project is during spring or summer of your junior year; you will then have a quarter or two of research completed by the time you apply for graduate school. Of course, you should get involved with research even earlier if you have the opportunity.

Undergraduates in CSE seek out research projects in various ways.

• Occasionally, faculty posts opportunities to the news blog, but you will need to be proactive.
• Check out the departmental research page .
• Talk with faculty and grad TAs who taught courses that you particularly enjoyed.
• Attend an ACM Research Night.
• Solicit advice from peers working in your area of interest who may know of ways for you to get involved.
• Review the undergraduate research site to understand the steps involved in registering for research credits.

Active participation in the classroom is another important way to establish connections with faculty. Since you will need at least three letters of recommendation (and you probably won't work with three different faculty members on research), your performance in the classroom and on assignments gives instructors a better sense of who you are and what you are capable of accomplishing. Utilize office hours--not only when you're having trouble in the class but when things are going well--to establish connections with faculty. Remember that professors will write even stronger letters if they have more to say about you than the grade you received in their class.

Choosing Schools

Choosing graduate schools can be a daunting process. Since application fees range from $50-$100, you'll want to make informed decisions on where to apply. Factors to consider are:

• Research in areas that interest you
• Size and reputation of school and, more importantly, the department
• Job prospects when you complete your course of study

Plan to spend a significant amount of time looking at different schools. Initially, you may wish to gather general information, using resources such as: Peterson's Education Center http://gradschools.com U.S. News & World Report

Talk to others who have been through this before, i.e., faculty and current grad students. This will help narrow your focus to a range of schools. Students often choose one or two ‘safety’ schools (likelihood of acceptance is strong), a few that are reasonable (you'll probably be admitted to one or more of these), and a few ‘reach’ schools (acceptance less likely, but you want to give it shot anyway). A faculty member familiar with the programs at other schools can give you a realistic perspective on your best chances for acceptance.

Funding Opportunities

Funding for graduate students typically covers tuition, a monthly stipend, and health benefits. Students in computer science Ph.D. programs are usually guaranteed funding for the first 1-3 years in the program. However, active graduate students making reasonable progress toward their degrees are almost always funded throughout their entire graduate education.

Financial support can come in the form of teaching or research assistantships, departmental fellowships, external fellowships, or some combination of these. The benefit of a fellowship is that you do not have to work as a TA or RA to receive this money. Fellowships give students the freedom to select any research project that interests them, rather than being limited to projects where funding is available.

External fellowship applications are usually due before graduate school applications, so it's important to start working on these early as well. This web page has a list of fellowships available to graduate students. Please note that while some awards are for current Ph.D. students only, there are awards, such as the NSF, for pursing graduate study.

Organizing your Application Materials

Most schools have online applications but know that some schools have specific requirements for the way materials are submitted.

In general, your application will include:

• Application form(s)
• Statement of Purpose
• GRE scores (General and possibly Subject test)
• Three (or more) letters of recommendation
• Transcripts
• Curriculum Vitae/Resume
• Additional materials for international students (scores for TOEFL, TSE, etc.)

Since most application deadlines are in mid-December, you will want to make sure you have any hardcopy materials ready to submit by the end of autumn quarter.

Most schools require scores for the general GRE exam; the CS Subject Test may only be recommended or not required at all. Information on test dates and test center locations for both the General and Subject GRE can be found on the GRE site . The computer-based GRE is offered year-round at various locations, and scheduling to take the exam is usually not difficult. However, the GRE Subject Test has very limited offerings, so be aware of the available times.

Writing the Statement of Purpose

Writing the statement of purpose can be a time-consuming process, and you may need to write several drafts before your statement is finished. Carefully review information about what the school is looking for and cover those topics in your statement. In general, admissions committees are interested in hearing why you want to attend their particular graduate school, what area(s) of research interest you, and what you have accomplished that demonstrates your  interest in research. If there are no guidelines on the length of the statement, make your document no longer than two pages of double-spaced text.

It's important to have people read your essay and provide feedback. While faculty and current graduate students are excellent resources, so are other seniors.  Read and provide feedback on each other’s statements.

Obtaining Letters of Recommendation

Since your primary focus in a Ph.D. program is research, your strongest letters will be from faculty you have worked with on research within computer science. Letters from well-known faculty will be especially effective.  Do not wait until the last minute to ask faculty to write you a letter. Most schools have an online submission request for letters, so you'll want to make sure your recommenders are ready and expecting this.

You can help your recommenders prepare by providing them with your:

• Updated transcript
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• List of work done with the professor (courses, projects, etc.)

Take the extra time to make it easy for professors to write you a recommendation.  That way, they can spend their time saying good things about you!

Understanding the Notification Process

Schools will typically notify students of their acceptance by a faculty telephone call, email, and/or postal mail. How and when you will receive notification will vary depending on the school.  Expect to hear anytime between early February and mid-March .

Many, if not all, of the schools you are admitted to will invite you to visit the department. Visit days are a recruitment opportunity for the schools and an opportunity for you to get a taste of what graduate school will be like at different institutions. In most cases, a school will pay all or part of the costs for you to visit for a day or two. Planned activities include research presentations and demos, meetings with faculty, activities with graduate students, and time for you to hang out and explore the area. This is your chance to assess the best place for graduate study and for your lifestyle.

Making Your Decision

The deadline to accept offers of admission with financial assistance is April 15th . If you wait to accept an offer after that date, it's possible that you will lose your funding. However, do not feel pressured to make a decision before April 15th! Take as much time as you need before the deadline to consider your options. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions of faculty, staff, or graduate students to help you in this process. Since more than one school may meet your research and academic interests, other factors to consider are the community and environment within a department and the city/area where you'll be living (remember, you'll be there for 5-6 years). Keep in mind that there is probably more than one school that will be a good fit for you, so try not to think of the decision in terms of right or wrong.

Helpful Links & Resources

CRA website resource - lots of helpful information here!

"Why Choose a Ph.D. in CS?" (slide show) Graduate School Information Guide [PDF] Justine Sherry's Advice on Applying to Computer Science Grad School (for UWCSE students) [PDF]  Books (CSE undergraduate advisors have a limited number of copies for loan)

• The Ph.D. Process: A Student's Guide to Graduate School in the Sciences by Dale F. Bloom
• A Ph.D. Is Not Enough: A Guide to Survival in Science by Peter J. Feibelman
• Tomorrow's Professor: Preparing for Careers in Science and Engineering by Richard M. Reis
• Getting What You Came For: The Smart Student's Guide to Earning an M.A. or a Ph.D. by Robert Peters
• Applying to Ph.D. Program in Computer Science by Mor Harchol-Balter

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Ph.D. in Computer Science & Systems

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Advance computing knowledge through inquiry, critical thinking and abstraction

Main content.

Ph.D. in Computer Science and Systems (Ph.D. CSS) students focus on computing principles to become experts in one of many interdisciplinary areas in science and society characterized by substantial engineering and technology challenges.

Ph.D. CSS graduates are scholars and contributors to local growth and use-inspired innovation. They possess advanced computing knowledge, critical thinking skills. Through inquiry, questioning and abstraction towards tool development, they contribute to theoretical advances in chosen areas interest.

All students admitted to the Ph.D. program are expected to have competency in the following areas:

•  Object-Oriented Programming (equivalent to TCSS 142, TCSS 143 and TCSS 305)
•  Discrete Mathematics (equivalent to TCSS 321)
•  Data Structures (equivalent to TCSS 342)
•  Algorithms (equivalent to TCSS 343)
•  Program Management/Software Engineering (equivalent to TCSS 360)
•  Computer Organization (equivalent to TCSS 371)
•  Computer Architecture (equivalent to TCSS 372)
•  Calculus
•  Science (Physics preferred)

Effective Autumn 2024, students must have a secured faculty advisor before they can be admitted into the program. Students interested in applying should refer to the faculty roster to find faculty contact information. 

The Ph.D. in CSS curriculum includes courses in traditional areas of computer science, such as advanced algorithms and distributed computing, as well as courses and a doctoral thesis in high demand fields where SET’s faculty have strong expertise, such as machine learning, cryptography, cloud computing, and bioinformatics.

To earn the Ph.D. in CSS, students must complete 90 credits as follows:

• TCSS 543 Advanced Algorithms or TCSS 540 Theory of Computing (5 credits)
• TCSS 558 Applied Distributed Computing (5 credits)
• TCSS 598 Master Seminar in CSS (5 credits)
• 15 credits of 500-level TCSS elective courses (510 or above;  see course catalog )
• TCSS 700 Master’s Thesis (10 credits)
• 20 credits of 500-level TCSS elective courses, choses from at least 3 different concentration tracks
• 30 credits of doctoral dissertation TCSS 800

In addition, Ph.D. candidates need to successfully pass:

• General examination
• Final examination

Learning Goals

The Ph.D. in Computer Science and Systems program prepares students for a research career in industry or academia. Graduates of the Ph.D. in Computer Science and Systems program have a broad, comprehensive knowledge of computer science core areas, including algorithms and architecture. They have deep knowledge and expertise in a specific area of computer science research that enables them to create solutions that can change the world.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Ph.D. in Computer Science and Systems program, graduates will be able to:

• Read, understand, and evaluate professional literature on advanced topics in computer science.
• Use current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computing practice.
• Independently conduct original research by identifying important computer science problems (e.g. performing a gap analysis), developing solutions through creative problem-solving and rigorous design, designing and performing experimental evaluation, and conducting rigorous analyses of results.
• Communicate computer science concepts in verbal and written forms to effectively disseminate results to a technical audience.

Find current tuition information on the UW Tacoma's Office of the Registrar site, under  Tier III . Note that costs are different for Washington State Resident and Non-Resident, as shown in the tuition tables.

Most applicable fees are included in the listed tuition rate, but some courses will require additional fees .

Applications are accepted through the  UW Graduate School . The process includes:

• Creating or updating your graduate applicant profile (one profile for all program applications)
• Making sure required documents have been submitted
• Paying the application fee

For more details, see SET Graduate Program Application Process .

• Francis Nwagbara - Graduate Recruiter 
• Rachel Crook - Graduate Program Advisor

Want more information about the MSCSS program, need help with your application, or just want to get in contact with us? Fill out this brief  Prospective Student Inquiry Form , and your Graduate Recruiter will reach out to you within 1 - 3 days.

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PhD Admission Requirements & Application Procedures

The application deadline is December 15 for the following Autumn quarter. All application materials, including official test scores, must be received by this date.

Important! Read first:   PhD Application Guidelines

All components of the application are submitted on line through the Graduate School Application for Admission , with the exception of the following two items: -required digital voice file if applying for a TA position -optional sample project in digital media or public humanities

For your convenience, here is a summary of application requirements:

• Read first:   PhD Application Guidelines
• Begin On-Line Application to the Graduate School
• For most domestic applicants: GRE (2024 applicants do not need to take the GRE.)
• TOEFL iBT, TOEFL pBT (paper based), or IELTS.   Minimum score required for admission :  TOEFL iBT:  92.   TOEFL pBT: 580.  IELTS: 7.0. The Graduate School is phasing out usage of the IELTS. Scores from IELTS test sessions dated after June 1, 2017, will not be accepted.  Official electronic scores must be submitted to the University of Washington Graduate School by the deadline , so plan ahead.  Applicants who completed a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in residence at a regionally accredited institution in the United States or other Anglophone country meet the English proficiency requirement for admission.  Complete details on the Graduate School policy can be found here:  English Language Proficiency .
• Designate Providers of Recommendations (3)
• All applicants whose first language is other than English, must demonstrate verbal English proficiency to be eligible for a teaching assistant position.  Most applicants will need to take the TOEFL.  Note that the Graduate School has phased out the IELTS.  Scores from IELTS test sessions dated after June 1, 2017, will not be accepted.   Minimum score required on speaking portion of TOEFL iBT: 26;  IELTS:  7.0    Official electronic scores must be submitted to the University of Washington Graduate School by the deadline,  so plan ahead. Minimum score requirements are non-negotiable.  Applicants who completed a bachelor's degree in residence at a regionally accredited institution in the United States or other Anglophone country, have met the English proficiency requirement to be eligible for a teaching assistant position.  For complete details, see Graduate School:   Conditions of appointment for non-native speakers of English .
• Submit Unofficial Transcripts
• Submit Academic Autobiographical Statement
• Submit Writing Sample
• Submit Optional Project in Digital Media or Public Humanities

PhD Application Guidelines Note: Please DO NOT MAIL any transcripts to the Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies. All transcripts for the admission application are collected online. International Applicants - When you receive notification that you have been recommended for admission by your graduate program, you must then submit official transcripts and additional application materials to the Graduate School. Domestic Applicants - When you accept your formal offer of admission, you must then provide an official final degree transcript to the Graduate School. For additional information regarding the admissions process, please see the UW Graduate School's FAQs page. Getting Started with University of Washington Graduate Admissions

Admissions and Selection Process

The University's Office of Graduate Admissions ascertains that the University's general requirements have been met. The Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies judges the more specialized requisites and will insist that applicants hold at least a bachelor's degree or its equivalent, with a major (or equivalent study) in Spanish. A grade-point average of no less than 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for the combined junior and senior years of undergraduate work, as well as for any post-graduate study already accomplished, is highly desirable. No minimum GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score is required from applicants who are required to take this test. However, the Department finds an average score of 500 and above encouraging. Admission to the Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies is competitive. Questions may be addressed to  [email protected] .

Notifications regarding the awarding of Teaching Assistantships, which are the Department's appointments, are issued in the spring by the Chair of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies.

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Master of Science in Computer Science & Engineering

Degree details.

• Location: UW Seattle
• Time of Day: Evenings
• Duration: 2.5 years (part time)

Next Start Date

September 2024

About this Degree

Expand your software development knowledge while studying a wide range of topics, including artificial intelligence, computer graphics, programming languages, operating systems, machine learning and algorithms. Study cutting-edge research with renowned faculty in a top-ranked computer science and engineering department.

For more information, see the  UW Master's in Computer Science & Engineering  website.

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How to Apply

Degree tracks.

Applications are for the following three types of students. Graduate School admission requirements and application procedures are different for each student type.

• Graduate students  are working toward a master’s or doctoral degree. Students must be admitted as a graduate student in order to earn a degree.
• Visiting graduate students  plan to transfer a limited number of graduate credits to their home institution where they are actively pursuing a graduate degree.
• Graduate non-matriculated (GNM) students  are not currently seeking a degree but may apply a maximum of 12 graduate level credits toward degree requirements should they later be accepted into a graduate program. (Acceptance as a GNM student does not confer priority for later admission to a graduate program.) Students holding or expecting to hold F-1 or visitor visas are not eligible for GNM status.

The Process

If you’ve found a program and are ready to start the process, you can apply now .

At the UW, graduate admissions is decentralized. The Graduate School can answer general questions. For academic advising, contact the graduate programs directly.

The role of the Graduate School

• establish  minimum admission requirements
• support the  online application  for graduate study at the UW
• process requests for  I-20s  and  DS-2019s  to apply for visas at US embassies
• verify  final degree transcripts  of applicants who accept an offer of admission
• evaluate  English proficiency requirement  for non-native English speakers

The role of a graduate program

• establish admission requirements for a degree program
• set application deadlines
• decide what application materials are required
• review applications
• ensure applicants meet minimum requirements established by the Graduate School
• make admission decisions
• notify applicants of admission decisions

Now that you know more about graduate admissions at the UW, here are tips for getting started:

• Review minimum admission requirements and basic information about applying
• Select a graduate program  and review admissions requirements, deadlines and application materials specific to that program.
• Visit the program’s website and contact the program if you have any questions.

Application Deadlines

Deadlines for each degree program are determined by the faculty of that graduate program and can be found in the selected program listing .

Submitted Application Materials

Application materials, once submitted as part of your application, become the property of the University of Washington Graduate School. Materials will not be returned and copies will not be provided for applicants nor released to other institutions. Please keep a copy for your records.

Computer Science and Engineering

Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) educates students to become leaders in the design and implementation of the computing systems that touch every aspect of modern society. Our courses cover everything from the mathematical foundations of what computers can and cannot do; to hands-on experiences building software and hardware artifacts with a range of programming languages and tools; to advanced courses in software engineering, human-computer interaction, computer graphics and animation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, large-scale data management, natural language processing, computer networking, computational biology, robotics, computer security and privacy, and much more. Computer scientists and computer engineers combine creative problem-solving, rigorous design, and the creation of algorithms, software, and hardware systems to build solutions that change the world.

 Undergraduate Programs

 program of study: major: computer engineering.

CSE offers two undergraduate degrees: Computer Science (through the College of Arts and Sciences) and Computer Engineering (through the College of Engineering). Students working toward either degree have the same broad opportunities to take the wide array of courses that CSE offers. The Computer Engineering major may be more appropriate for students who are interested in building systems that include both hardware and software components and that must be engineered to meet a variety of cost and performance constraints.

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering degree

Applicants are considered in three groups - Entering Freshmen, Currently Enrolled UW Students, and Entering Transfers. Admission is capacity constrained. Completion of minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

• Entering Freshmen: The largest pathway for admission to Computer Engineering is directly out of high school, prior to completion of university-level prerequisites. Freshman applicants listing Computer Engineering as their intended major are automatically considered. Competitive applicants have usually taken the equivalent of four years of high school mathematics and at least one year of high school laboratory science upon entering the University. Admission is for autumn quarter only.
• Admission is for autumn or spring quarter. Application deadlines: July 1 for autumn quarter and January 15 for spring quarter.
• Minimum course requirements for application: MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126 (or MATH 134, MATH 135, MATH 136); CSE 123 or CSE 143; PHYS 121 (or PHYS 141); five credits of English composition; all courses completed prior to the application deadline.
• Minimum 30 graded college credits completed by the application deadline.
• Admission is for autumn or spring quarter. Application deadlines: April 5 for autumn quarter and January 15 for spring quarter
• Minimum course requirements for application: MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126 (or MATH 134, MATH 135, MATH 136); CSE 123 or CSE 143, PHYS 121 (or PHYS 141); five credits of English composition; all courses completed prior to the supplemental Allen School application deadline.
• Minimum 30 graded college credits completed by the supplemental Allen School application deadline.

 Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering degree

180 credits

General Education Requirements

Basic Skills

• English Composition: 5 credits from the University list
• Writing: ENGR 231 (or department-approved alternative); 4 additional writing (W) credits
• Reasoning (RSN) (5 credits): met by program requirements
• Diversity (DIV) (5 credits): courses may also apply to an Areas of Inquiry requirement. Of Special Note: For students admitted to the University prior to autumn quarter 2023, the DIV requirement is 3 credits.

Areas of Inquiry

• A&H (10 credits)
• SSc (10 credits)
• Additional credits in A&H or SSc to bring total to 30 credits
• MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 208
• MATH 134, MATH 135, MATH 136
• Science (20 credits): PHYS 121, PHYS 122 (or PHYS 141, PHYS 142), and 10 credits from the list of approved natural science courses for Computer Engineering on the Allen School website.
• Additional Math or Science credits: chosen from approved natural science courses for Computer Engineering on the Allen School website as well as STAT 391, MATH 394/STAT 394, MATH 207, MATH 209, MATH 318, MATH 334, MATH 335, AMATH 351, and AMATH 353 to bring the total to 41 credits

Major Requirements (72-73 credits)

• Fundamental Courses (32-33 credits): CSE 123 (or CSE 143), CSE 311, CSE 312, CSE 332, CSE 351, CSE 369, E E 371/CSE 371, E E 215 (or E E 205)
• One course chosen from: CSE 403, CSE 474/E E 474, CSE 480 (2 credits), or CSE 484.
• Three additional courses chosen from the Computer Engineering Systems Electives list on the Allen School website.
• Two additional courses chosen from the CSE Core Courses list on the Allen School website.
• One course from the CSE Capstone list on the Allen School website
• Additional courses chosen from the CSE Electives list (which can include additional courses from the CSE Core Courses list), CSE 121, or CSE 122, to bring total CSE electives to 40 credits (including CSE 121 or CSE 122 if taken).
• Additional Engineering or CSE credits, if needed, to bring the total Engineering and CSE credits to 40, not including any of the Fundamental courses.
• Transfer students must earn a minimum of 24 graded credits toward the major through the UW.
• Minimum 2.0 grade for any course applied to the major.

Free Electives to bring total for the degree to 180 credits

 Program of Study: Minor: Neural Computation and Engineering

The Minor in Neural Computation and Engineering is designed to provide students with a background in quantitative, mathematical, engineering, and computational approaches to problems in neuroscience.

• Minor in Neural Computation and Engineering

 Minor in Neural Computation and Engineering

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• Waiting it Out

University of Washington CS PhD Applications

By raggy January 22, 2015 in Waiting it Out

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Has anyone that applied to University of Washington(Seattle) heard back from the department? If yes, who did you list as the interested faculty?

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Nope.. no news yet. Saw someone posted acceptance already, making me feel extremely anxious.......

I noticed that too. However, the user said he was accepted into signal processing and networks. That seems more like EE than CS, but I can't be sure. I didn't find any research areas similar to it in the UW CS website.

I have a similar concern about UCSD CS PhD admission as well. One user has posted an admit in the results section. No other posts.

There were 5 more interviews for UW. When I asked the graduate advisor at the department she said they don't conduct interviews. I've rarely seen interviews for UW in the past as well. I wish the users would post which area they're interested in/which professor contacted them for the interview.

Just out of curiosity, did you contact the graduate advisor before you applied, or around these times?

I contacted them about a week ago.

Thank you, that's good to know.

Just got accepted. Call from POI: Those who were accepted this week receive full first year funding.

What's your area of specialization and what's the name of the POI?

Robotics & AI

thissiteispoison

I applied in PL and haven't heard yet. 

But I think these sorts of posts just provoke unnecessary anxiety:

Just got accepted. Call from POI: Those who were accepted this week receive full first year funding. 

    How likely is it that I will get Financial Support from the CSE department? All accepted students are guaranteed full support for a minimum of 3 years through research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and departmental/external fellowships. Funding after the initial 3 years is usually available and is contingent on satisfactory academic progress and availability of funds. No student in good standing is unsupported in our program and all who graduate are funded until the completion of the Ph.D.

http://www.cs.washington.edu/prospective_students/grad/application/faq#app_status

UW does not interview. My guess is that people are calling other interactions with POIs "interviews." 

I applied in PL and haven't heard yet.    http://www.cs.washington.edu/prospective_students/grad/application/faq#app_status   UW does not interview. My guess is that people are calling other interactions with POIs "interviews." 

I think UW gives out departmental fellowships to their best applicants for the first year, and the remaining two years might be RA/TAship. That might be what people are referring to. So, hopefully those that haven't heard back as of now still have a shot. 

Yeah that was kinda misleading. My apologies. Raggy is correct. 

• 2 weeks later...

Bumping this thread!

• I heard back today and I'm in
• The people who heard back last week were the first batch, and those were like hands down definite yeses that they didn't even need to review
• Final decisions were made on Monday
• There's no automated process to email everyone at once AFAIK, or if there is it hasn't been triggered yet; individual professors have to do it
• Some individual professor procrastinate

I felt so touched that they called me; the guy on the phone seemed friendly when we described the Visiting Days (March 17-18).

rooney_rocks

I applied for PhD in EE Dept. Haven't heard back anything.

Are admissions for students with B.S. degree only sent out? Is admission selection of these students different from those with M.S.?

I got my acceptance via phone on January 27. I'm so happy They did not ask for an interview. I felt so touched that they called me; the guy on the phone seemed friendly when we described the Visiting Days (March 17-18).   ps. It's just unfortunate that I'm gone for an academic conference on these days

Bumping this thread!   I heard back today and I'm in The people who heard back last week were the first batch, and those were like hands down definite yeses that they didn't even need to review Final decisions were made on Monday There's no automated process to email everyone at once AFAIK, or if there is it hasn't been triggered yet; individual professors have to do it Some individual professor procrastinate Therefore, if you haven't heard yet, DON'T PANIC! You might still be in With that said, who's in? I live here, so I'm willing to show people around the city when people are visiting for visitation days, and/or just hang out if you guys are staying any longer than the actual visitation days. Also, it'd be nice to meet other people, because I'd better like you if I'm stuck with you for about six years

Haha well said thissiteispoison... but, don't be too pessimistic. Maybe it won't take six years...

UW is literally the only program that I got in (so far, but pretty much), and it's my dream program! So I've been in a very dreamy state lately. I also will definitely be there during the visit days, so looking forward to meeting you guys soon! 

• hcho3 , raggy and thissiteispoison

I was accepted on Wednesday to the CS program with a specialization in AI/ML, but I just noticed this thread now. Congrats to everyone else who got in! UW is one of my top choice schools, and tbh I was fully expecting a reject. Are you all going to the visit day?

I was accepted with only a BS, although I don't know if the selection process is any different.

Haha well said thissiteispoison... but, don't be too pessimistic. Maybe it won't take six years...   UW is literally the only program that I got in (so far, but pretty much), and it's my dream program! So I've been in a very dreamy state lately. I also will definitely be there during the visit days, so looking forward to meeting you guys soon! 

I wish I could make it to the Visiting Days, but oh well. I've e-mailed them to schedule a solo visit instead.

I'll be there if I have enough time to take off of work. I'm going to try to make at least one day. I've met the entire department for what I'm most interested in already (programming languages), but I'd like to meet some other prospective graduate students.

Also, what do you kinds plan to do for the summer? My college ends in early May and UW starts on Sep 30.... which means I have a horrific 5 month summer. I haven't looked for any internship or anything, but 5 months of idleness doesn't sound like a good idea... maybe I can start research early at UW?

Spoken like a true college student! "Horrific," hah!

You will probably be working every summer for the rest of your life, so here's what you should do:

• Throw a huge college graduation party
• Invite all of your extended family
• Your extended family will likely give you money because they don't know what else to give you
• Use that money to buy a ticket to a country you've never been to and reserve a cheap hostel

Did this the summer after college and don't regret a thing. I can't believe how many people rush into working. 

My plan for the summer is to stick around at my current lab and finish up some projects before I leave for grad school. Although travelling the world sounds OK too I guess.

I'm thinking taking 5 months off isn't that bad. One of my friends finished undergrad in about 2.3 years (finished when grad apps were due in year 3 basically) so he flew back home and basically played League of Legends for 9 months. No big deal.

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Michael Hennessy, senior instructor. BS, 1982, MS, 1984, Oregon. (1984)

Virginia M. Lo, associate professor emerita. BA, 1969, Michigan; MS, 1977, Pennsylvania State; PhD, 1983, Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. (1984)

Eugene M. Luks, professor emeritus. BS, 1960, City University of New York, City College; PhD, 1966, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (1983)

Andrzej Proskurowski, professor emeritus. MS, 1967, Warsaw University of Technology; PhD, 1974, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm. (1975)

Kent A. Stevens, professor emeritus. BS, 1969, MS, 1971, California, Los Angeles; PhD, 1979, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (1982)

The date in parentheses at the end of each entry is the first year on the University of Oregon faculty.

Affiliated Faculty

Sameer Shende, research associate professor and director, Performance Research Laboratory (performance evaluation tools, programming models, software stack for HPC and AI/ML). BTech, 1991, IIT Bombay; MS, 1996, PhD 2001, University of Oregon. (2001)

Participating

Heidi Kaufman, English

Amy K. Lobben, geography

Marc Schlossberg, planning, public policy and management

McKay M. Sohlberg, special education and clinical sciences

Sanjay Srivastava, psychology

Jeffrey Stolet, music

Don M. Tucker, psychology

Major - Bachelor's Degree

• Computer Science (BA/BS)
• Mathematics and Computer Science (BA/BS)
• Computer Information Technology

Major - Master's Degree

Major - doctoral degree.

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About The Area

The University of Maryland is located in College Park, MD, about 7 miles from the center of our nation's capital, Washington, D.C. Many of our students and faculty live in D.C., College Park, Silver Spring, and other surrounding towns.

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. is a profoundly culture-rich, diverse city. Many of our students and faculty live in D.C. or visit it frequently, because:

• There is a Metro stop in College Park, making a commute to D.C. fast and easy.
• Most museums and art galleries in D.C. are free, year-round.
• Some of the best restaurants in the nation are in D.C.
• D.C. has a vibrant and diverse arts and music scene.

UMD is uniquely situated among top computer science programs given its proximity to the nation's capitol and the many groups who affect policy at national and international levels, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the major branches of the U.S. government (Judiciary, Congress, and the White House).

College Park

This is a very exciting time to be at College Park, as the city is experiencing a renaissance. Even just over the past several years, there has been a surge of new restaurants, cafes, and modern apartment buildings:

• A new Computer Science building on campus, The Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering .
• A new luxury hotel and conference center directly across the street from the Iribe Center.
• Significant investment and development in the Discovery District is transforming the area around the university.
• The new Purple Line will have five stops on or near campus.

In other words, UMD is an ideal place for a PhD experience that is culture-rich, fun, and full of opportunity for impact.

Graduate Admissions

General information, academic programs.

Search our programs by academic interest, program or career. Academic Programs ►

Admission Requirements

View application requirements by program. Admission Requirements ►

Admitted Graduate Student Guide

Your commitment to learning has been rewarded with admission into Old Dominion University. Now is the time to start planning and making arrangements for an exciting experience. Admitted Graduate Student Guide ►

Answers to frequently asked questions. FAQs ►

International Graduate Applicants

Resources and information for International Student applicants. International Graduate Student ►

Non-Degree Applicants

Eligibility

• Students who are under academic suspension from Old Dominion University or any other institution are not eligible to enter as a non-degree student.
• Admission to ODU as a non-degree student does not guarantee admissions to a specific degree program as a degree-seeking student.

Registering for Classes

• Once the application has been processed, students will receive an email confirmation with instructions on registering for classes.  
• Non-degree students are eligible to register for classes during open registration. Prior to open registration students can view the course schedule for the upcoming semester via http://courses.odu.edu

Financial Aid

• Non-degree students, including those in certificate programs, are not eligible for financial aid.  
• Changing from Non-Degree to Degree-Seeking Non-degree students must complete a new application for admission to a degree program. Students who have already paid the application fee are not required to pay a second application fee."

Reactivation Applicants

For students seeking reactivation. Reactivation ►

Graduate School

The Old Dominion University Graduate School serves as an advocate for graduate education and collaborates with the college deans, graduate program directors, and the faculty to ensure excellence in all of our graduate programs.

In addition to the many services and resources that are available to graduate students, this office's website includes links to all of our graduate degree programs and the names and contact information of the faculty who serve as graduate program directors. Learn more ►

Research Centers

Contributing to solutions across a wide swath of industries. 2017 research figures, $50 expenditures and $49M funding awarded. Research Centers ►

In Hampton Roads, you can be yourself while continuing to grow and achieve. From career to community, Campus757 is here to help you make the most of your college years. Visit Website ►

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Faces of ODU: Ishan Perera

Old Dominion University junior Ishan Perera is on track to become a neurosurgeon. With a biology major and minors in chemistry and computer science, Ishan wants to make a difference in the lives of hospital patients. Through hands-on classroom experiences in ODU’s Human Cadaver Dissection course, Ishan learned the inner workings of human anatomy to prepare him for a career in medicine. Ishan is applying the skills he’s learning at ODU to his work as an emergency room technician and volunteer with the Virginia Beach EMS, the nation’s largest volunteer prehospital medical services. As a student in the Perry Honor’s College, Ishan participated in medical research and shadowed doctors and observed surgeries with local health practitioners. ODU’s metropolitan campus is in close proximity to Eastern Virginia Medical School, and level one trauma hospitals, allowing students to further their education and get jobs in the medical field after they graduate.

Application Portal

The Application Portal is where you can check your application status, review, and complete all outstanding items. Login with the username and password you created and used to apply for admission. (Application Portal)

Enhance your college career by gaining relevant experience with the skills and knowledge needed for your future career. Discover our experiential learning opportunities.

Picture yourself in the classroom, speak with professors in your major, and meet current students.

From sports games to concerts and lectures, join the ODU community at a variety of campus events.