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Graduate Admissions Information

For questions regarding graduate admission, please contact the Graduate Coordinator at gc@cs.pdx.edu

Admission

Admission to the graduate program is competitive. To be considered for admission, you must have a four-year baccalaureate degree (normally in computer science) from an accredited institution. If your bachelor's degree is not in computer science, you must make up the background needed for graduate study before applying for admission. (See the Master's Degree page for more details.)

Our admission decisions are based on all the information you provide to us. You are welcome to contact the CS Department Office (503.725.3218) to make an appointment with an adviser if you'd like to discuss your situation in person.

Students may apply to the master's program, and then later transfer to the doctoral program. This procedure is recommended if you are not sure which degree you will seek. Students who are sure that they wish to enter the doctoral program (those who already have a master's in CS, for example) may apply directly for the higher degree. Doctoral applicants are screened more carefully than master's applicants. A student who is not well prepared or who does not have a clear motivation and a likely choice of research area will probably not be admitted to the doctoral program. These issues should be addressed in the student's personal statement accompanying the application.

 

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Application Procedure

Applications to the CS graduate program are handled by both the University's Office of Admissions and the CS Department office; you must send materials to both, as described below, and you must be admitted by both. The admission process is slow, so you should apply early, especially if you are an international student. The deadlines for application are set up to guarantee there will be time to process your application in advance of the term in which you plan to enter.


  • For the Computer Science Department portion of the application, please see the list of required documents below
  1. Departmental application form
  2. Official reports of your Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. The general examination is required. Scores should be sent to School Code: 4610, Department Code: 0402
  3. Two letters of recommendation, preferably from people who know your academic performance and potential. Letters from work supervisors are less useful but also acceptable. Letters should be on the sender's letter head if possible.
  4. Transcript(s) from each postsecondary institution you have attended, (including PSU). Unofficial copies are accepted.
  5. A short personal statement describing your plans, interests and qualifications. Give your background in CS, including any relevant work experience, your primary interests in CS and your reasons for seeking a graduate degree. Please indicate whether you plan to work toward the degree part-time or full-time; if part-time, describe your other employment or major activities. If you are applying for immediate admission to the doctoral program, include a description of your potential research area, the faculty members with whom you hope to do your research, and your reasons for not entering the master's program.
  6. If you will require financial assistance to attend PSU, include a departmental application for a teaching assistantship with your other application papers.

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Admission Deadlines

Applications to the CS graduate program are handled by both the University's Office of Admissions and the Computer Science Department. Two different application packets must be submitted (see Application Requirements). You must send the indicated materials to each department and you must be admitted by both. The admission process is slow, so you should apply as early as possible, especially if you are an international student. The following deadlines ensure there will be time to process your application in advance of the term for which you are applying. The Computer Science Department-level deadlines are earlier then the University's; though students are encouraged to submit their University application as early as possible.

The official deadlines for submission of all materials to the University Office of Admissions are as follows:

(Term) Standard Deadline / International Student Deadline
(Fall) April 1 / March 1
(Winter) September 1 / July 1
(Spring) November 1 / October 1
(Summer) February 1/February 1

The deadlines for submission of application materials to the CS department are as follows:
(Term) Standard Deadline / International Student Deadline

(Fall) March 1 / February 1
(Winter) May 15 / May 1
(Spring) October 1 / September 1
(Summer) January 1 / December 1

 

Financial support, when offered, typically starts in Fall term. The deadlines for international students are anticipated to account for the time required to obtain visas. Applications should be received by the deadline of the term of admission. If some document is not available at the time an application is submitted, the applicant should note each missing document in their application and state when the Department should expect to receive each missing document..

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Application Forms

Other Forms for Graduate Students

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