Computer Science and Engineering

This document is designed to answer the most commonly asked questions about the graduate program in Computer Sciences and Engineering at the University of North Texas. It is supplied as helpful material, and while every effort has been made to ensure that this information is current it should not be considered official information. See below for instructions on how to obtain more information.

1. How do I get more information, or an application form?

There are many ways to get applications and more information, which can be delivered either by the World Wide Web, E-mail, or hardcopy. Instructions for each method are given below.

World Wide Web:
University information, including applications, can be found by visiting the main UNT Web site at http://www.unt.edu/. Information about the Department of Computer Science and Engineering can be obtained from the department web page at http://www.cse.unt.edu/

The following files can be downloaded directly from this website in various formats:

• gradinfoCS.html - HTML-formatted version CS graduate program information.
• gradinfoCS.pdf - PDF-formatted version CS graduate program information.
• gradinfoCS.txt - Plain text version CS graduate program information.

• gradinfoCE.html - HTML-formatted version CE graduate program information.
• gradinfoCE.pdf - PDF-formatted version CE graduate program information.
• gradinfoCE.txt - Plain text version CE graduate program information.

Regular mail:
If you can use none of the above methods to obtain information or applications, you can request that a hardcopy application be mailed to you. This is quite a bit slower than the other methods, so you are encouraged to use the electronic access methods if at all possible. Anyone may request application materials by writing to the appropriate office at UNT.

U.S. citizens may request application materials from the Graduate School office at the following address.

Toulouse School of Graduate Studies
University of North Texas
P.O. Box 305459
Denton, TX 76203-5459

International students must apply through International Studies and Programs. Their address is given below.

International Studies and Programs
University of North Texas
P.O. Box 311067
Denton, TX 76203-1067

2. What qualifications are expected of applicants?

All applicants are required to submit official GRE scores, official transcripts from previous studies, and international applicants with no prior U.S. degree must submit official TOEFL scores (submitted with the application sent to one of the addresses above). Applicants to the Ph.D. program must also submit three letters of recommendation. The minimum requirements are as here.

We also like applicants to have a solid background in undergraduate-level Computer Science or Computer Engineering, although leveling courses are available for Masters applicants with undergraduate degrees in other areas. While we accept students with undergraduate majors other than Computer Science or Computer Engineering, we are extremely selective in such cases.

3. What are the application deadlines?

Applications are sent to the International Admissions Office or the Graduate Admissions Office and when complete they are forwarded to the Computer Science and Engineering Department. Your complete application must reach our department by the following deadlines, so please plan on getting all of your materials to the UNT admissions office one month prior to the following dates:

Application for Spring semester: October 1
Application for 1st Summer Session: March 1
Application for Fall semester: March 1

(Note that if you are applying for Fall admission and for an assistantship, both your complete admission application and separate teaching assistantship application must be received by March 1.)

4. Can you look over my test scores/grades/etc. (or a "preapplication") to see if I would be accepted?

Your application cannot be evaluated until it is officially received by the University (see Question 1 for how to apply). The answer to question 2 above should give you a good idea of whether or not you meet the requirements for admission.

5. Can you help me with visa/I-20/immigration questions?

Questions along these lines should be directed to our office of International Studies and Programs at intl@isp.admin.unt.edu

6. Is it possible to obtain a graduate degree while I work during the day?

Yes! When possible, our classes are scheduled on a rotating basis so that during any two year period every regularly-offered class is scheduled at night some time during that period. Most classes are offered once per year, where the scheduling switches between daytime scheduling and nighttime scheduling on alternate years. To see current course offerings, check with the Department of Computer Science and Engineering for a current schedule of classes or go to current schedule link.

7. What opportunities are there for financial support?

Opportunities for financial support at UNT are good for our best students, but are very competitive. The department typically supports around 35 students. To be eligible for financial support, students must have completed any required undergraduate leveling courses and be taking graduate courses. English language testing is required of all international students supported by a departmental assistantship, and for teaching positions students must be English language certified. Note that this is a special test for teaching positions, and is scheduled by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering -- it is not the same as the University test for English proficiency.

Please keep in mind that application for financial support is competitive, and while we support a substantial number of students, the number of applicantions we get for assistantships is many times the number we can award. More than two-thirds of our students never receive assistantships and must support their own studies, so you should not begin in our program with the assumption that you will receive some sort of assistantship. The top applicants are selected, and so it is impossible to give minimum requirements or to make decisions before all applications have been received. Individual professors have research grants and may need Research Assistants; however, students would need to contact the professors directly in order to apply for Research Assistant financial support.

8. How do I apply for financial support?

Teaching Assistantship Application forms for support are available from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Applications for the Fall semester must be received by March 1, and applications for the Spring semester must be received by October 1. You may obtain the application form by any of the electronic means described at the beginning of this document, by going to Teaching Assistant Application (pdf file), or by writing to the following address:

Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Attn: Graduate Secretary
University of North Texas
P.O. Box 311366
Denton, TX 76203-1366

There are also scholarships and other forms of financial support available. Information on support from sources outside the Computer Science and Engineering Department may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office, the Scholarship Office, or the School of Graduate Studies.

9. How do I find out the status of my application?

Please check the status of your application at http://my.unt.edu. This is the most current information on your application. It will list any pending information needed.

Due to the large volume of applications received to the department we do not pre-review applications via e mail. Applications are processed through the international office (if you are not a US citizen), forwarded to the Graduate School and then forwarded to the department if they meet all the previous departments' requirements. If it states that the application has been forwarded to the department it is in committee to be reviewed. Once a decision has been made it will be posted and reflect on http://my.unt.edu.

Calling or writing the department will NOT speed the process. The department will not give you a time frame on when a decision will be made. The department will contact applicants at the e mail listed on the application if more information is needed. The department is aware of the appointments that international students make in their countries to receive the proper documentation to attend UNT. This is why the deadlines for applications are March 1st for Fall Semester and October 1st for Spring & Summer Semesters. Due to the constant change in international law international students need to direct ALL international, I20, and/or VISA questions to the International Department at international@unt.edu. The CSE department will NOT advise or answer these questions. Information about an applicant will NOT be given out via telephone.