Admission Requirements: Masters and Ph.D
Admission to the Master's Programs
Students entering the Master's program in Computer Science are generally expected to have a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or closely related discipline, with a grade point average of 3.0 out of 4.0. Students who have very little computer science background should apply to Kent State as Post-undergraduate Students (see "Types of Admission to the Master's Program" below). GRE scores are required. While we evaluate each application in its totality, we expect GRE scores for Verbal plus Quantitative to be greater than 295.
International applicants must submit English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
- Minimum 525 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
- Minimum 71 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
- Minimum 74 MELAB score
- Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
- Minimum 48 PTE score
- Minimum 100 DET (Duolingo English Test)
Students entering the graduate program MUST HAVE successfully completed high-level algebra, geometry, and calculus coursework (equivalent to the following Kent State courses: MATH 12002, MATH 12003, MATH 21001). In addition, it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that students will have successfully completed coursework in computer science including programming, data structures, abstraction, operating systems, combinatorial analysis, and discrete structures (equivalent to the following Kent State courses: CS 13011, CS 13012, CS 23001, CS 23022, CS33211, CS 35101, CS 46101). Highly qualified students lacking preparation in certain standard areas may be considered for admission.
Types of Admission to the Master's Program
Students who meet all of these requirements are usually granted full admission into our Master's program. Full admission allows a student to take graduate courses toward a Master's degree and qualifies the student to receive a graduate appointment (see Applying for Financial Aid).
Students who have met ALL BUT ONE OR TWO of these requirements, and who have a strong academic background, are sometimes granted Conditional Admission after applying to our Master's program. A Conditional Admission admits them into the Master's program, subject to their completing the missing coursework (which does not count toward their Master's degree). However, students with Conditional Admission can not receive a graduate appointment.
Students who have NOT MET MOST of these requirements might want to apply to Kent State as a Post-undergraduate Student, take these courses (and possibly their prerequisite courses as well), and then apply for admission to the Master's program at a later date. A post-undergraduate application form can be obtained through the Office of Admissions. (Post-undergraduate students should also see Choosing an Advisor and Advice for Post-Undergraduate Students.)
Admission to the Doctoral Program
A student entering the Doctoral program should hold a Master's degree in Computer Science or a closely related discipline. Students with a Master's degree in a closely related discipline must fulfill the admission requirements for a Master's degree in Computer Science. All students must pass the Preliminary Examination within 12 months of entry into the Doctoral program.
Students with a very strong undergraduate degree in Computer Science may be admitted directly into the Doctoral program but must fulfill the requirements of both the Master's and Doctoral degrees. The time limits for the Preliminary Examination and CS 89191 Doctoral Seminar are extended to 18 months for these students.