The Master of Science (M.S.) is the first graduate degree in the field. Students entering the program must have a bachelor's degree and adequate background in computer science. Students may enter the doctoral program (Ph.D.) with a bachelor's degree or with a master's degree, and must have adequate background in computer science.
Admission Requirements
Admission is selective and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. All admission decisions are based on the information a prospective student provides. Contact the Graduate Advisor (gccs@pdx.edu) if you would like to discuss your specific situation.
Required:
- Eligible for admission to Portland State University.
- Have earned a four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. A degree in computer science is preferred, but not required. You must have the background in computer science needed for graduate study before applying for admission. Students who do not have a Computer Sciences bachelor's degree should start with the postbaccalaureate Grad Prep program and apply for the MS program ahead of their final term of Grad Prep.
- Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants whose undergraduate GPA is slightly below 3.0 can be offered admission if the admissions committee determines that their overall application is very strong.
- Proof of English Language Proficiency for International Students
Optional:
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores
Admissions Timeline
The CS department admits graduate students in fall, winter, and spring terms. All applications must be fully completed by the supplemental materials deadline in order to be evaluated. PSU operates on a quarter system. For future or specific term dates, refer to the PSU Academic Calendar.
Admission decisions are typically issued within 4-6 weeks of the application deadline for complete applications. You can check the status of your letters of recommendation or any other requirements by logging back into your application portal.
| Application Term | Program | Priority Application Deadline | Final Application Deadline | Term Begins |
|---|
| Fall | Doctorate | December 15 to be considered for guaranteed funding for 1 year otherwise March 1 | September 1 | Late September |
| Master's | March 1 |
| Winter | Doctorate & Master's | September 15 | December 1 | Early January Start |
| Spring | Doctorate & Master's | November 1 | February 1 | Late March/Early April |
Application Materials
Below is the list of the materials and information you will need to provide as part of your application. We recommend preparing these materials in advance of submitting your application. The Computer Science Department does not offer application fee waivers. The Graduate School lists other options for fee waivers.
- References: Contact information for two references, preferably those who know your academic performance and potential. Recommendation letters are also acceptable and can be submitted to the CS Graduate Advisor (gccs@pdx.edu).
- Short Personal Statement: In 1-2 pages, introduce yourself, your plans, interests, and qualifications. This statement should include your background and interests in computer science, any relevant work experience, why you are seeking a graduate degree, and whether you plan to enroll part time or full time. If you plan to enroll part time, describe your employment or major activities.If you are applying for immediate admission to the doctoral program, include a description of your potential research area, faculty members with whom you hope to collaborate, and your reasons for not entering the computer science master’s program.
- GRE Score Reports (Optional): GRE scores are optional. If you choose to submit GRE scores, upload an unofficial copy of your score report within the application. Official copies are required upon admission to the program, and can be requested from ETS and sent to PSU using the school code 4610 and department code 0402.
English Language Proficiency Test Score Reports: For international students only, please review the English Language Proficiency requirement webpage for more information about which tests are accepted, and what the minimum score requirements are. Applicants whose scores do not meet the minimum requirement are unable to become admitted because conditional admission is not an option. If a test score report copy is not available, please list the date the test was taken or will be taken.
How to Apply
If you are ready to start your application, login or create a new account in Portland State University’s application portal. Fill out the application and submit the required application materials listed below.