MS Computer Science & Information Systems

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the MSCSIS graduate program are required to submit the following to the UNCW Graduate School:

Official Application

An official application for graduate admissions must be submitted online to the UNCW Graduate School.

Official Transcripts

Official transcripts of all college work (graduate and undergraduate). Note that if you attended UNCW, you do not have to request UNCW transcripts.

Transcripts from foreign institutions must be evaluated by a credentials service prior to submission to UNCW.

Official transcripts should be mailed to The Graduate School, UNCW, 601 South College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403 or they can be e-mailed directly by the institution to grad transcripts@uncw.edu

Official Test Scores
  • Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
    • GMAT Prep Course available through the Swain Center. The UNCW institution code for the GMAT and GRE is 5907.
    • Note that scores more than five years old will not be accepted
  • Economically distressed applicants may contact Candace Wilhelm to request an application for GRE or GMAT fee waiver
  • TOEFL (minimum 79 points) or IELTS (minimum 6.5 points) (required for non-native English speakers)
Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation by individuals who can comment on the applicant's potential for successfully completing of a master's degree program. (Only recommendations submitted as part of the on-line application process will be accepted)

Certificates

Certificates of training in computer science/information systems (if applicable).

Resume & Letter of Interest

The letter of interest should include a description of your goals in pursuing a graduate degree and the area of specialization that is of the most interest to you.

Application Fee

A non refundable application fee of $75.00.

International Students

International applicants must also complete international student forms (found on the application web site) and must provide proof of financial support.

Graduate assistantships and scholarships are available and are awarded on a competitive basis upon acceptance to the program.


Prerequisites

Applicants to the MS CSIS must have a strong overall academic record and have successfully completed the undergraduate level prerequisites in computer science and information systems courses or their equivalent:

Prerequisite Courses
  • two programming courses
  • data structures
  • database software engineering or analysis and design
  • data communications or networking
  • business core: financial accounting, marketing, finance and management
Placement Tests or Work Experience

Placement tests may be administered to incoming students at the discretion of the advisory committee to assist with the evaluation of deficiencies.

Professional experience may be accepted for some of the prerequisite coursework. Professional experience and/or coursework from other institutions must be approved by the MSCSIS Advisory Committee. Professional experience and/or technical certifications will be evaluated on a case by case basis for any prerequisite substitution.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams may be taken to satisfy MKT 340, MGT 350, and ACG 201 prerequisites.

UNCW Prereq Equivalents
  • Programming: CSC 131 - Introduction to Computer Science I (Java I - please note that the programming course can be any language)
  • Advanced Programming: CSC 331 - Object-oriented programming or MIS 316 - Computer Applications and Concepts (Visual Basic.Net)
  • Data Structures: CSC 231 - Data Structures
  • Database: CSC 455 - Database Management Systems or MIS 315 - Management of Databases
  • Software Engineering or Systems Analysis: CSC 450 - Software Engineering or MIS 411 - Software Analysis AND MIS 413 - Software Design
  • Communications: CSC 344 - Computer Networks or MIS 323 - Business Telecommunications
  • Business Foundation Courses:
    • ACG 201 - Financial Accounting
    • MKT 340 - Principles of Marketing
    • MGT 350 - Principles of Management
    • FIN 335 - Financial Management

UNCW - Graduate School General Information and Forms