Graduate admission information 

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Thank you for your interest in pursuing a graduate degree in the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence. Here you can learn more about the admissions process and application requirements.

Deadline Dates

All application materials must be submitted by the following deadline dates:

ProgramFall SemesterSpring SemesterSummer Semester
Computer ScienceDecember 1 (MS) or December 31 (PhD)August 1 (MS, and PhD)
Computer Science OnlineSee MCS Online for next start dateSee MCS Online for next start dateSee MCS Online for next start date
Computer EngineeringDecember 31 (PhD and MS)August 15 (PhD and MS)
Data Science, Analytics and EngineeringJanuary 15 (MS and PhD)September 15 (MS and PhD)
Industrial EngineeringJanuary 15th (PhD and MS)September 15 (PhD and MS)
Software EngineeringJanuary 15 (MS)September 15 (MS)
Robotics and Autonomous Systems- Artificial IntelligenceDecember 31 (MS)August 15 (MS)
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Graduate CertificateJuly 1December 1April 1
Doctor of EngineeringMay 1October 1

Accelerated students should refer to the SCAI Accelerated canvas course for details on the graduate admission process.

Admission requirements

 

For questions regarding supplemental materials, such as letters of recommendation requirements or your statement of purpose, contact [email protected]. For questions regarding the online graduate application or the status of documents, please contact Graduate Admissions.
Application requirements
Begin by visiting the Graduate Admissions website and completing the Graduate Admissions application and paying the application fee. The fee is nonrefundable and the application will not be processed until the fee is received.

In addition to completing the ASU Graduate Admissions application, the following materials must also be submitted to complete your application package:*

U.S. Residents:

  • One set of official transcripts from every college and university attended, including ASU, unless the student graduated from ASU
  • Official GRE test scores (if required). The ASU institution code is: 4007. If a department code is required use: 0000.
    NOTE: ASU does not accept the GRE® General Test taken at home.
  • Letters of Recommendation are required only for PhD programs and are not required for students applying to the Computer Science MCS/MS program, the Computer Engineering MS program, the Industrial Engineering MS program, Robotics and Autonomous Systems (Artificial Intelligence) MS  program, or the Software Engineering MS program.
  • Statement of purpose

International Applicants:

  • Academic credentials (all international records must be submitted in the original language accompanied by an official English translation). If you have attended a U.S. institution, one set of official transcripts from every college and university attended, except ASU.
  • For students seeking  Data Science, Analytics and Engineering, PhD: Official GRE General test scores taken within the last five years.** Click here for the average GRE scores for applicants. The ASU institution code is: 4007. If a department code is required use: 0000.
    NOTE: ASU does not accept the GRE® General Test taken at home.
  • The University requires all international applicants from a country whose native language is not English (please see ASU’s English Proficiency requirements) to provide the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IETLS) scores. SCAI uses an average score of 575 (paper-based) or 90 (internet-based) for TOEFL or 7 for IETLS or 65 for Pearson or 115 for Duolingo for admission. Please note that your application will not be processed until the university receives official English Proficiency scores, which are valid for two years from the start date of the degree program. Exemption from the English Proficiency requirement can be determined by visiting the Graduate Admission site under English Proficiency. Please address all English Proficiency questions to the Office of Graduate Admissions. The ASU institution code is 4007. If a department code is required, use 99 for TOEFL.
  • Candidates in the MCS program may also achieve their English proficiency requirement by completing the English for Graduate Admission and Achievement online course or the Advanced 2 level of the English Language Immersion program through ASU Global Launch. Learn more about Global Launch.
  • Letters of Recommendation are required only for PhD programs and are not required for students applying to the Computer Science MCS/MS program, the Computer Engineering MS program, the Industrial Engineering MS program, Robotics and Autonomous Systems (Artificial Intelligence) MS  program, or the Software Engineering MS program.
  • Statement of purpose

The required materials should be mailed to:

If sending by stamped mail:
Admission Services Applicant Processing
Arizona State University
PO Box 871004
Tempe, AZ 85287-1004		 If sending by FedEx, DHL or UPS:
Admission Services Applicant Processing
1150 East University Drive Building C, Room 226
Tempe, AZ 85281

Please include the document reference number on all materials sent. Applications are not evaluated until all required documents have been received.

*If a student wishes to be considered for multiple programs, the student is required to submit a separate application for each program and pay the application fee. This fee is nonrefundable and cannot be deferred.

**For students seeking a Masters in Computer Science, the GRE is not required by students who have graduated from ASU’s undergraduate B.S. in Computer Science or the B.S.E. in Computer Systems Engineering degree programs. The GRE is not required for students applying to the MCS Online program.

Math, Programming and GPA requirements
Calculus Requirement
Knowledge in calculus is required to be successful in a SCAI Gradate Program. Below you will find the calculus courses that must be completed with a grade of  ‘C’ or better prior to applying to the program.

Program Calculus Requirement
Computer Science (MS and MCS) CALC 1 & 2  (CALC 3 and Discrete Math are recommended)
Computer Engineering CALC 1 & 2  (CALC 3 and Discrete Math are recommended)
Doctor of Engineering, DEng (Online) CALC 1& 2, Linear Algebra and programming
Robotics and Autonomous Systems CALC 1, 2, & 3 and programming
Software Engineering CALC 1 & 2  (CALC 3 and Discrete Math are recommended)
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate CALC 1, 2, 3, Linear Algebra and programming

GPA Requirement
Below are the minimum GPA requirements for the SCAI Graduate Programs. This GPA is calculated from the last 60 hours of the undergraduate degree. Students who are applying to a Ph.D. following a master’s degree must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 for the last degree awarded.

Program    GPA Requirement
Computer Science Master of Science (Tempe)  3.25 or higher
Master of Computer Science (Online)  3.0 or higher
Computer Science Ph.D.  3.5 or higher
Computer Engineering Master and Ph.D.  3.0 or higher
Doctor of Engineering, DEng (Online)  3.0 or higher
Industrial Engineering Ph.D.  3.5 or higher
Robotics and Autonomous Systems  3.0 or higher
Software Engineering Master  3.0 or higher
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate  3.0 or higher
MS Deficiency Courses
Please see below for a list of the current Deficiency Courses required for admission. A flowchart showing the progression of coursework is also available. At the time of application there should be no more than three deficiency courses pending.

Computer Science MS Deficiency Course List and Flowchart

Software Engineering MS Deficiency Course List and Flowchart

Industrial Engineering MS Deficiency Course List and Flowchart

Data Science, Analytics, and Engineering (CDA) MS Deficiency Course List

Computer Engineering (CS) MS Prerequisite Course List and Flowchart

Robotics and Autonomous Systems (AI) MS Prerequisite Course List

Doctoral Deficiency Courses
Please see below for a list of the current Deficiency Courses required for admission. A flowchart showing the progression of coursework is also available. At the time of application there should be no more than three deficiency courses pending.

Computer Science PhD Deficiency Course List

Computer Engineering (CS) PhD Prerequisite Course List

Doctor of Engineering Deficiency Course List

Data Science, Analytics, and Engineering PhD Deficiency Course List

Industrial Engineering PhD Deficiency Course List

Graduate FAQ

 

What is the status of my application?
The School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence cannot communicate over the phone or by email regarding the status of an application. We can only respond to a student whether or not ASU has received all of the required application materials. My ASU lists application materials required by Graduate Admissions; however, additional materials are required by the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence. Applications will not be reviewed until those additional materials are received.

Once an admission decision is made by the Graduate Admissions Committee, the decision is forwarded to Graduate Admissions, who notifies students of the admissions decision. Students can view admissions decisions on My ASU. 

Neither, Graduate Admissions nor the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence can provide any information to an applicant’s family members. This information is confidential and protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. 

What are the requirements to be admitted to a Master or Ph.D. or Doctorate program?
Please refer to the Admission Requirements above. Students must submit an official ASU Graduate Admissions application, GRE scores, official transcripts and TOEFL scores (if applicable), statement of purpose, and three letters of recommendation.  Admission to a SCAI program is competitive and is based on many factors, including undergraduate or graduate preparation and application materials. 
What are the requirements for letters of recommendation?
Applicants to PhD programs (letters are not required for master’s programs) will indicate three references to provide recommendations during the online application process. References will then receive an email to electronically submit their recommendation. References could be from current or former professors or employers who know your background and skills. 
What should I include in my statement of purpose?
The statement of purpose is required for all applicants. Your statement of purpose should: 1) explain professional goals and reasons for desiring to enroll in the graduate program; 2) describe any research experiences; for Ph.D. and thesis option MS applicants 3) indicate personal research interests; and 4) identify two or three ASU faculty with matching research interests. You can search for faculty by area at https://graduate.asu.edu/graduate-faculty. It is recommended that your statement of purpose is approximately 1-2 pages in length, concise, clear and informative. 
What is the minimum score you will accept for the GRE and English Language Proficiency?
Check your programs minimum on the average GRE score chart in the Application Requirements section and also by clicking Average GRE Scores.

The University requires all international applicants from a country whose native language is not English (please see ASU’s English Proficiency requirements) to provide the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IETLS) scores. SCAI uses an average score of 575 (paper-based) or 90 (internet-based) for TOEFL or 7 for IETLS or 65 for Pearson or 115 for Duolingo for admission. Please note that your application will not be processed until the university receives official English Proficiency scores, which are valid for two years from the start date of the degree program. Exemption from the English Proficiency requirement can be determined by visiting the Graduate Admission site under English Proficiency. Please address all English Proficiency questions to the Office of Graduate Admissions. The ASU institution code is 4007. If a department code is required, use 99 for TOEFL.

Do I still have to complete the English proficiency if I have a Bachelors degree from an accredited U.S. institution?
You do not need to take the TOEFL or IELTS if you graduated from an accredited U.S. institution. See the Graduate Admissions website for details. 
Is there a way to waive the application fee?
Application fee waivers may only be considered for PhD applicants at the direction of a sponsoring faculty.
Can I apply after the deadline date?
Students who meet the specified deadline date will be given top priority in our highly competitive programs. Students who submit applications and required materials after the deadline date take the chance on their applications not being reviewed or the application may be deferred to the next semester.  The School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence does not accept applications for the summer term.
Can I get an assistantship?
The School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence evaluates each applicant and determines the awards for teaching assistantships (TA). TA positions are awarded primarily to Ph.D. students. RA positions are offered to the highest caliber of students. RA offers are made to admitted students by an interested faculty member. Some faculty members do not offer RA positions to newly admitted students.  Students can contact a specific faculty member or members in their research area of interest regarding open positions. Students will be contacted by the faculty member if they are interested in hiring the student as an RA, as there is no formal application for an RA position. Students are encouraged to submit a CV or resume with their application for review by the faculty in the student’s research area of interest. 
Can I send unofficial documentation or does it have to be official documentation?
Please review the application steps and requirements on the Graduate Admissions website. Applications will be released to the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence once all required documents are received. Please send all materials directly to Graduate Admissions. 

Graduate Admissions Contact Information
Graduate Admissions FAQ

Will you evaluate my resume and tell me if I am qualified for admission?
We do not pre-evaluate student credentials. Students are encouraged to talk with our faculty to discuss their research interests and educational/professional background and then apply for admission. The Graduate Admissions committee will evaluate each application file and determine if they are eligible for the program or not. The Graduate College makes the final determination on acceptance. 
How long will it take me to graduate?
The master’s degree programs typically take two years to complete. The Ph.D. program typically takes between 4-6 years beyond the bachelor’s degree to complete. 
If I take classes from another university, how many of them can I transfer to ASU?
The number of  transfer credits allowed for M.S. students varies by program and is subject to review and approval. Please review the handbook for your program regarding how many transfer credits are permitted.

Ph.D. students with a master’s degree from an accredited institution can transfer in up to 30 semester hours into the Ph.D. program, plus an additional 12 semester hours of graduate coursework not used in any other degree program. A Ph.D. student without a master’s degree can transfer in 12 semester hours of graduate coursework.

All coursework must be approved by the Graduate Program Chair and have a grade of “A” or “B”. No grades of “Pass” or “Satisfactory” can be transferred. 

Is there an option for conditional admission?
The School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence does not admit students on a conditional basis. Students may be admitted with graduate deficiencies, which need to be completed within the first year of the degree program. Click on Deficiency Courses above to see the list.
How much will the degree cost?
Review ASU’s Student Business Services website for information about tuition costs. 
Can I apply to a graduate program with a 3 year Bachelor’s degree from an international institution?
A student must have the equivalent of a 4 year bachelor’s degree to be eligible to apply for a graduate program in SCAI. Students can take one year of a master’s program in their home country to be equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.
Can I be accepted into a Master or Ph.D program if I don’t have an engineering background?
The School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence admits students from a variety of backgrounds including Statistics, Mathematics, and Physics. Students may gain admissions with undergraduate deficiencies, but are also encouraged to apply as a non-degree seeking graduate student to complete any needed deficiencies before applying to the degree program. Students are required to complete deficiency courses by the end of their first year in the program.
Can I pursue a thesis-oriented Master’s degree?
Yes. Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Robotics and Autonomous Systems- AI, Data Science, Analytics and Engineering- Computing and Decision and Software Engineering all have both a thesis and non-thesis option.  Students will be able to pursue a thesis after you are admitted to ASU and find a faculty advisor.
What is the difference between MS CS and MCS?
The Master of Computer Science is a portfolio based Masters program primarily housed on our online campus with no option for thesis. The Master of Science in Computer Science program allows for a thesis and non-thesis portfolio option. Tempe campus students are recommended to apply for this option to allow for more flexibility in their culminating experience without having to do a plan change. All students are admitted as non-thesis to start, then when students fill out their IPOS they can select thesis or portfolio as their culminating event. Both programs require the same amount of CSE 5XX courses and both programs are taught by the same faculty.

Ready to apply?

Apply now through the Graduate College online graduate application. Read the FAQs about your graduate application.

The School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence cannot provide information regarding the admission status of an application. Once an admission decision is made by the program’s Graduate Admissions Committee, the decision is forwarded to the Graduate College. The Graduate College will notify you of the admissions decision or you can view your application’s status on My ASU.