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This page answers common questions about the CSE Combined BS/MS program. Info about admissions, requirements, and details for current and prospective students is available through the links to the left. Because the CSE Combined BS/MS program is new and still under development, details may change and these FAQ should be considered tentative.
FAQ for prospective students
Eligibility
Can I apply after graduating with my bachelors from CSE?
Yes. However, most students should apply before graduating with their bachelors, ideally as soon as possible after completing all required 300-level CSE courses. Please read this Admissions page for more info. We expect to admit very few recent alumni. All students must begin the masters degree within one year of graduation. For example, if you graduate in June, you must apply and be admitted as a graduate student before the following June. Students who plan to take a job after graduating may consider our Professional Master's Program.
I only have one required 300-level CSE course left to complete. Can I apply now?
All required 300-level CSE courses must be completed before the BS/MS committee begins reviewing applications. If the application opens during spring quarter, but the admissions committee does not review applications until after the end of the quarter, then you may have your final required 300-level CSE courses in-progress that spring.
Can undergrads not majoring in CSE apply?
No. The masters curriculum is designed to overlap with the undergraduate CSE curriculum, so only current CS or CE majors may apply. Undergrads in other departments may be interested in our courses for non-majors.
The Application
I've graduated, so I longer have access to edit info in MyCSE, and I can't access the application!
Please email Crystal, and your CSE account will be re-activated. If you are unable to update your MyCSE info, please just include updated work experience at the end of your personal statement.
I'm having technical issues with the application!
Email the undergrad advisers with any technical issues. If you need to include comments or additional info in your application, please include those at the end of the personal statement.
Is there an application fee?
There is no fee for the students completing the initial CSE BS/MS application.
Students admitted to the BS/MS program must complete the UW Grad School application and pay a $65 application fee, as well as a $100 enrollment fee once you become a grad student (due before tuition; these rates may increase).
Should we list non-CSE-related jobs in our work history?
You may list jobs and experiences that seems unrelated. However, CSE-related experiences will typically have a more significant impact in the application and be the most helpful for the admissions committee to see.
Can I submit letters of recommendation?
Nope. Instead of letters of recommendation, we ask applicants to list three CSE faculty references. Faculty will submit feedback through the online application.
How can I make sure faculty give me a good reference?
Select faculty who know you well: professors in whose classes you performed well, people with whom you interacted often, and people who can speak specifically about your work. Working on research with a professor is a good way to form this relationship with a faculty member. If you are unsure whether a professor will provide a positive recommendation, you should ask them something such as, "Do you feel you know me and my work well enough to provide a positive reference for the BS/MS application?"
I did research with faculty in another department, but I earned credit through CSE. Can I use my faculty reearch advisor in the other department as a reference on the application?
The online application only allows you to select CSE faculty and CSE Affiliate faculty. If you worked with someone in another department but earned credit through CSE, you may mention that professor in your personal statement and provide a email address so we can contact her or him.
The Admissions Review Process
How can I be a competitive applicant?
Admission is competitive; we have space for a small number of students (10 per year), and the applicant pool is very strong.
We will need to deny many well-qualified applicants.
Admitted students will be academically competitive, present a well-written and compelling personal statement,
and provide highly favorable CSE faculty references.
How many students will be admitted per year?
The program is currently limited to 10 students per year.
Once the university budgets allow, we plan to admit 30 students per year. That means that ideally we'll admit some students at the end of fall, winter, and spring quarters.
Planning for the Program
Can I attend the BS/MS program part-time?
Probably not. We realize some students may take an extra quarter to finish the requirements, but this is not meant as a part-time program. Students who want a part-time Masters program should apply to CSE's Professional Masters Program. If you're admitted to the program then have a change of circumstance that prevents full-time enrollment, please talk with an adviser.
Will I be able to use Federal Student Aid towards grad school?
Read this link for information on financial aid and graduate school: http://www.washington.edu/students/osfa/graduate/
I hear BS/MS students are encouraged to TA, and would be paid at the graduate pay rate. Do you know what that is?
Please check the Outside the Classroom Q&A about TAing below.
How much is tuition?
The 2008-09 tuition rate for tier 1 grad students was $3,349 per quarter for Washington residents, and $7,507 for nonresidents. Tuition increases annually.
FAQ for admitted students
Curriculum
I have loads of questions. Who's my adviser?
Combined BS/MS students will continue to work with the CSE undergrad advising staff along with the faculty adviser for the program, Mike Ernst. Crystal Eney and Raven Avery work most closely with this
program on behalf of the ugrad advising team.
What classes will I take as a grad student?
Courses available to each student vary by quarter and individual preparation. You'll select most classes from these areas:
- Masters courses in our PhD program (called "quals" courses)
- Professional Masters Program courses
- 400-level courses (note that 400-level courses can only apply to graduate credit requirements when taken after you become an official grad student; this is discussed in more detail on the Courses and Requirements page
- Courses that fulfill one of the "check-box" requirements: a capstone and an approved writing course (these may be done as an undergrad)
Courses in each of these areas are listed on the CSE Quarterly Time Schedules. For details on requirements, read the Courses and Requirements page.
We'll send course suggestions and keep you up-to-date on new offerings. However, a number of variables make it impossible to compile a comprehensive list of courses that will work for all BS/MS students: some grad courses may only be appropriate if you've taken an undergrad course in the area; some may only be appropriate if you haven't taken the undergrad version, because they will be too similar; some PMP courses may assume extensive professional experience. We also want to help students plan manageable schedules, and new grads may not realize the workload of some grad classes. We'll meet with you individually to plan your classes.
Can I get more info on the 'quals' courses?
Quals courses are PhD-track masters courses (highlighted on the CSE teaching schedule). Many of these will be appropriate for BS/MS students, but the workload will likely be significantly greater than your 400-level CSE courses. Most PhD-track grad students take one or two quals courses each quarter (total -- no other courses). Even if you're a super strong and motivated student who successfully took three upper-division CSE courses concurrently, you should not plan for more than one, possibly two, quals courses each quarter. We'll talk to each of you individually about specific courses and schedules.
PhD-track courses not highlighted on the teaching schedule as quals courses are much less likely to be appropriate BS/MS students. They typically require PhD quals courses as prerequisites.
When can I take 400-level courses?
400-level CSE courses taken after you're officially coded as a grad student can count toward the program. 400-level courses taken while you're still an undergrad (even if they go beyond any undergrad requirements) can't count, except to "check off" the Capstone or Approved Writing requirements.
What's this Planning Worksheet?
One requirement of the program is an individualized plan for each student. We'll meet with you before you begin the program to talk about your interests and options, and to outline a tentative plan of courses. If your interests change, we can adjust this later.
** Remember to watch your inbox for the deadlines by which new students should submit this plan.
What are the 590 research seminars? Should I take one of these or attend the colloquia?
Most of the CSE research areas have a 590 seminar each quarter. In these seminars, grad students read and present on recent academic articles relevant to the research area. You get one credit for each 590 seminar you take. You also get one credit for enrolling in CSE 519 or 520 and attending CSE colloquia. The CSE colloqium is a weekly series of speakers, mostly guests, sometimes faculty candidates, talking about their work. As listed on the Courses and Requirements page, you need four credits of research seminars or colloquia, so you should plan to take one seminar and/or attend the colloquia each quarter, for a total of four credits.
Outside the classroom
Research
Some BS/MS students may participate in research, either as a paid RA or for credit. The Courses and Requirements page shows how research can apply to your graduate requirements. If you're interested in research, you should contact faculty directly to discuss your interests and see what work they may have available. If you or your potential research adviser has questions about how research can work as part of your masters' degree, contact an undergrad adviser or Paul Beame.
Can I be a TA?
TA positions may be available for some BS/MS students, and would be paid at the graduate pay rate (full tuition,
plus a stipend). Note that due to budget restrictions, we do not expect to be able to offer TA positions to
all interested BS/MS students.
Can I fund my year of masters courses as a TA?
BS/MS students who get a TA position will be paid the graduate TA rate; for 2008-09, the salary is be $2,062 per month, plus tuition is fully paid, for 20 hours of work per week.
Graduate TA rate takes effect once you're officially coded as a graduate student; admitted students who are still undergrads still earn the standard undergrad rate for being a TA. Due to budget restrictions, we do not expect to be able to offer TA positions to all interested BS/MS students. You may apply to TA, but please prepare a back-up plan for paying the full tuition for the program. Keep in mind that if you do not TA, you'll likely be able to finish the program more quickly, spending less on tuition and earning a salary sooner.
Where do BS/MS students fit in with other CSE students? Should I stop hanging out with undergrads? Can I attend events for PhD students?
We hope BS/MS students will continue to be active in the CSE community. Some career- or research-related undergrad events may be appropriate, and BS/MS students are invited to the graduate TGIF happy-hour events each Friday (usually in the atrium; look for email announcements).
We expect that BS/MS students will likely form their own social circle as well, since you do occupy a unique position in the department. Welcome events for BS/MS students should help you meet your BS/MS peers. If you have ideas for other BS/MS events, let us know.
Beyond the BS/MS
Is this masters going to be viewed as equal to a "real" masters?
CSE BS/MS students take real graduate courses, and receive a real diploma (it reads "Masters of Science in Computer Science & Engineering"). We require 40 credits for the masters, four credits beyond the standard minimum of 36 the UW requires for masters programs. CSE BS/MS students can earn a masters degree in a relatively short amount of time because they integrate their bachelor's and master's requirements -- completing the same amount of work normally required for both a BS and MS, but squished into roughly three years total.
Realistically, masters programs vary, and the reputation for this program will be established by the students currently enrolled. Individuals will determine how valuable this program is for them by designing their curriculum and utilizing the extra time here for research, internships, networking, and other opportunities.
How much of a salary boost will a masters give me?
Your salary prospects depend on your individual qualifications. However, it's reasonable to expect that an extra year of advanced coursework, professional networking, and (for some) research, plus an additional summer for one more internship, will give students a noticeable boost in salary and job prospects. CareerBuilder.com reports that a Master's degree translates to $21,530 more in salary per year. The NSF reports a
differential of $17,000 per year.
How are statewide budget cuts going to affect the BS/MS program?
Budget details are currently tentative. We're moving ahead with the program, but will not increase enrollment beyond 10 students per year. Limited availability of TA positions will affect some students who hoped to fund their degree by being a TA. Research may be positively affected, thanks to stimulus funding for research. We don't have any more-specific predictions, but we encourage admitted students to explore all options for funding their degree.
Can I go to a PhD program after the Combined BS/MS?
Maybe. Competitiveness for PhD programs depends on many factors, but it's reasonable to expect that an extra year of advanced coursework, networking with faculty, and research opportunities would benefit students in applying to PhD programs. However, remember that this program is designed as a stand-alone masters degree, not as a transitional piece between undergrad and PhD. We encourage strong students who know they want a PhD to apply directly to PhD programs. If you're uncertain of you interests, contact an adviser or Paul Beame. Our grad adviser and other faculty could also give insight into your options or your particular area of interest.
Questions or concerns?
Please contact the BS/MS Advising Team if you have any questions or concerns not addressed on this page.
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