Admissions

If you are interested in pursuing graduate study at the Institute of Technology, you must apply to both the UW Graduate School and the UW Tacoma Master of Science in Computer Science and Systems degree program. It is important to review all admissions requirements prior to completing your application.

The Computer Science and Systems master's degree program admits students for autumn, winter and spring quarters.

Complete applications received by the priority deadline will be assured of a review. Complete applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis.

Application process

Note: If you are not a U.S. citizen or resident immigrant, please follow the international student process below.

Please read and complete the following steps to ensure proper submission of your application. Remember, several items are required to complete your application. Transcripts often take several weeks to arrive. Your application will not be reviewed for admission until all materials have been received.

1. UW Graduate School Application

   The Application for Admission to the UW Graduate School must be completed online. A credit card is required to pay the $75 application fee. Students choosing the Graduate Non-Matriculated option must also complete this application.

2. Application to the Master of Science in Computer Science and Systems Program

   The MCSS application is available online as part of the UW Graduate School application system. If you are unable to submit your application online, please contact us at uwtech@uw.edu.

3. Personal Statement

   Your personal statement should be submitted online through the UW Graduate School application system. Here are five steps to follow when writing a personal statement.

4. Resume

   Please submit your resume online through the UW Graduate School application system.

5. Transcripts
   • Upload one transcript from each post-secondary school you have attended. If you are admitted, an official transcript from your degree granting institution will be required by the Graduate School in Seattle.

     Official transcripts must be sealed in an envelope with the school registrar's signature across the seal. DO NOT OPEN THESE ENVELOPES. Opening the envelopes will cause the transcripts to be considered unofficial, and new copies will be required.

   • If you attended the University of Washington, you do not need to submit an official transcript.
   • If you list additional classes that you have taken (post-graduate courses), you must also provide us with official transcripts to support this work.
6. Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

   Applicants to the MCSS program must take the GRE general exam. The test must have been taken within the last five years for scores to be considered current. Request that ETS send your scores directly to the University of Washington Tacoma. The institution code for the GRE is 4854.

   Visit the GRE website to learn more about the test and to find a testing center near you. Please note that test dates fill quickly, and it takes approximately three weeks for official test scores to arrive; we encourage you to schedule your test accordingly.

7. Recommendations

   Three letters of recommendation are required.  You will need to provide the recommender's name, e-mail address and phone number and the online application system will send an e-mail to the recommender requesting that she or he submit the letter online. If you have paper copies of letters of recommendation, please send these directly to the graduate adviser at the Institute of Technology.

   For tips on acquiring excellent letters of recommendation, click here.

International applicants

In addition to the application materials listed above, international applicants must also submit the following:

1. Transcripts

   In addition to the transcripts listed above, international students must submit their OFFICIAL transcripts and degree statements from all institutions attended with certified translations in English to the UW Graduate School.

2. English proficiency exam scores

   Proficiency in English is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Therefore, every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency. Proficiency can be demonstrated in one of the following ways:

   1. A bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited institution in the United States or from an institution in Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, or the United Kingdom.
   2. Documentation verifying that the applicant's undergraduate degree is from an institution (in a country other than those listed in item a. above) where all instruction is in English.
   3. A minimum English language proficiency test score of: 
      
      

      Minimum TOEFL scores

      Score	Format/Section
      580	TOEFL
      237	TOEFLC
      92	TOEFLiBT
      90	MLT
      7.0	IELTS

      For details on minimum score requirements, please refer to Graduate School Memoranda #8

      It takes approximately three weeks for official GRE and TOEFL test scores to arrive, so please plan accordingly.

3. Statement of Financial Ability

   International applicants must complete the Statement of Financial Ability form as part of the UW Graduate School application. Applicants must send a copy of this form to both the UW Graduate School and the Institute of Technology UW Tacoma. Once you have submitted your Graduate School application online, you must log back into the online application to access the form.

4. All I-20 Forms

   If you are currently residing in the U.S., provide photocopies of all I-20 Certificate of Eligiblity forms with the F-1 visa stamp, or DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility forms) with the J-1 visa stamp or any current visa status forms issued to you. Please mail copies of these to the UW Graduate School and the Institute of Technology UW Tacoma.

Interested in enrolling or learning more? Make an appointment with our graduate adviser at 253-692-5860 or uwtech@uw.edu.

Request a brochure about the MSCSS program.