Admission to the Ph.D. program in Computer Science and Engineering is normally open only to those students possessing an M.S. in Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering, or Computer Engineering. Students with no previous graduate degree can be considered for direct admission into the Ph.D. program (bypassing the M.S.) if they have exceptional baccalaureate records.

Admission of UCONN Master’s students. Students in the M.S. program in Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Connecticut who plan on applying for the Ph.D. program are strongly advised to complete a Plan A Master’s program: the thesis can provide direct evidence of preparedness for independent study and research activity.

Admission of students with master’s degrees in other areas. The typical path for students with a master’s degree in an area other than Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering, or Computer Engineering is initial application to the M.S. program. In certain cases, it may be possible to transition from the M.S. program to the Ph.D. program prior to completion of the M.S. In general, students with such non-traditional backgrounds are encouraged to discuss their plans with the Director of Graduate Studies.

Application Deadline

• For full consideration, applications must arrive by January 1.

Testing; institution and department codes. The GRE is not explicitly required for Ph.D. applicants; however, it may be submitted to demonstrate academic preparation. For the GRE: UConn’s institution code is: 3915. The department code is: 0402. For the TOEFL: UConn’s institution code is: 3915. The department code is: 78. The country code is: 592.

Detailed Admission Requirements

1. A bachelor’s or master’s degree, as discussed above.
2. Three letters of recommendation. The applicant must submit three letters of recommendation supporting the application. A strong letter should speak to specific strengths and experiences, and support preparedness for research.
3. A personal statement, describing the applicant’s aspirations for graduate study and relevant biographical background.
4. GRE test scores are not required, but may support your application. Applicants may submit scores for the General Test portion of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

A successful Ph.D. application must address the ability to carry out independent study and self-directed research. This should be meaningfully addressed in the personal letter; at least one of the required letters of recommendation should speak to these skills.

For further details, including limits on course and credit transfer, the Ph.D. Program Description in the Graduate Catalog.

Inquiries

For general inquiries concerning our graduate programs, contact Professor Alexander Russell, Director of Graduate Programs at csegradinfo@engr.uconn.edu