Frequently Asked Questions | College of Computer and Information Science

You can simply apply by clicking here. Our application is completely online based. You can track your application’s progress and see your decision all through our online application system.

What are the application requirements?

All applicants to the PhD and MS programs must submit the following materials:
Application with personal statement
Application fee
Resume
Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended indicating degree earned
Three letters of recommendation that are REQUIRED to be submitted online. Recommendations may come from professors or supervisors or whoever is most familiar with your technical background and achievements.
In addition, GRE and/or TOEFL scores may be required.

Are GRE scores required?

All applicants to the Computer Science programs are required to have official score reports mailed directly by ETS to the college.
Applicants to the MS in Information Assurance program who would like to be considered for financial assistance are required to submit the GRE.
Applicants to the MS in Health Informatics program are not required to submit the GRE.

Is the TOEFL required?

All international applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit TOEFL scores. Students who have completed a Bachelor degree from an accredited US university are not required to submit the TOEFL.

How do I send official scores from ETS?

All scores can be sent directly from ETS using the following INSTITUTIONAL CODE 3679, GRE Department Code 0402, and TOEFL Department Code 78.

What are the application deadlines?

The Fall 2011 applications deadlines are as follows:
Doctoral Program Applications- January 15, 2011
Masters Program (International Students that require a visa)- May 15, 2011
Masters Program (International Students that do not need a visa)- August 1, 2011
Masters Program (Domestic Students)- August 1, 2011

What is the minimum GPA required for admission into the program?

The program has no official GPA requirement as it is greatly dependent on what institution the applicant attended, what courses were taken, as well as the content of those courses. As such, each applicant will receive a thorough review based on their individual qualifications. However, successful applicants typically have a GPA of 3.0 or better from US institutions, or 1st class degrees from Indian institutions.

How can I check the status of my application?

After you submit your application electronically, you will be able to log back on to the online application system to see an up to date status of the materials that we have or have not received for your application. Your application status will appear as “Incomplete” until we have received all of your application material. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we kindly request that you utilize the online tracking system.

When will the college make a decision on my application?

The graduate admission committee will not review your application until it is complete. The decision process usually takes about three weeks, depending on the volume of applications we are reviewing. You will be notified by email when a decision has been made and posted on your application website portal.

Are there funding or scholarship opportunities available for this program?

PhD Applicants- Admitted applicants to the Doctoral program will typically receive a fully funded graduate assistantship, which includes a stipend, full-tuition remission, and health insurance coverage.
Masters applicants:
1. Applicants to CS or IA programs, who are US citizens and are interested in cyber security, are eligible to apply for the DoD IASP scholarship, as well as the NSF/SFS scholarship. These scholarships provide full tuition and stipend and student fees.
2. All other applicants will be evaluated for their eligibility to receive the Dean's Scholarship, which offers up to 1/3 off of the cost of tuition.
Other funding opportunities are made available throughout each semester and are announced to all Masters students.

Can I participate in the Co-Op program?

Our Co-op program (short for “cooperative education”) is one of the largest and most innovative in the world. Our method has proven to be a success: Nearly two-thirds of our graduates are offered full-time positions by former co-op employers upon graduation. Through Co-op, students gain a richer and more meaningful education by gaining up to eleven months of professional experience. Co-op provides experiences that help develop knowledge, awareness, perspective, and confidence to transform students’ lives. Please feel free to visit our co-op website by clicking here.

Can I take both online and on-ground courses as part of my program?

Yes. We offer courses both online and on-ground for our MS in Information Assurance and Health Informatics. In the Fall 2011 semester, the MS in Computer Science will also offer some courses online. Students will have the option of completing their degrees in either format, or through a combination of the two in a hybrid format. Northeastern will continue to enhance our programs by offering our students the most flexible and high-quality learning experience in the country.

Can I enroll in courses prior to applying?

We do permit applicants to take courses before enrolling in the computer science or information assurance graduate programs as special students. Applicants are asked to complete the online application, including a short statement that specifies the courses in which you would like to enroll, an official transcript, and two recommendation letters. These items must be submitted two weeks before the semester commences. Only domestic US students will be considered for special student status.

Special student applicants for the Health Informatics program should click here.

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