Required Components

1. UH Graduate School Application via ApplyWeb
   • Be aware that the Computer Science program is under the College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics. Do not select College of Engineering.
2. Application Fee
   • U.S. Citizens/U.S. Permanent Residents: Waived
   • International Applicants: $80 non-refundable and non-waivable
3. Transcripts: transcripts from all colleges and universities you attended are required.
   • Scanned copies of official transcripts/individual marksheets from all colleges/universities can be uploaded as PDF files by the applicant and may be used to make an admissions decision. Follow these instructions to properly upload your transcript.
   • Note: the official transcript status in your admissions portal checklist will remain "Awaiting Official Transcript" until official transcripts have been received and processed by the university. Your application will still be reviewed as long as you have uploaded scanned copies of your transcripts for each college/university you listed on your application.
   • If admitted, applicants must submit official transcript(s) to UH.
4. GRE Scores
   • PhD applicants - GRE is optional
   • MS applicants
     • GRE required* for tracks: Core, Data Analytics, Parallel and Distributed Systems, or Interactive Media
       *Note - GRE waived for applicants who completed their bachelor’s degree from UH main campus within the last 3 years of the semester in which they are applying to with a cumulative GPA of 3.40 or higher.
     • GRE optional** for track: Artificial Intelligence
       **Note - although optional, GRE is recommended for applicants without a technical background or with lower GPAs.
   • If applicable, upload a copy of your score report in your application
   • If you have scores or plan to take the GRE, official scores must be sent by the testing agency to institution code 6870 (department code not needed). Scores older than 5 years are considered expired and not reportable.
5. Statement of Purpose
   • For ALL applicants: include a brief description of you, your background, interest in the computer science field, related experience (e.g. professional, teaching, research) and explanation of your motivation for selecting UH.
   • For PhD and MS-thesis applicants: include a statement of the specific UH Computer Science faculty you are interested in work with and why. Choose only from tenured faculty, tenure-track faculty, and joint faculty as they may serve as a PhD or MS thesis research advisor. It is helpful, but not required to contact faculty of interest before or at the time of application.
   • For PhD and MS-thesis applicants: list 1-3 of your most preferred research area(s) of interest at the top of your personal statement.
6. Resume or Curriculum Vita
   • This should concisely communicate the remaining criteria on which you will be evaluated such as: industry/professional experience, research experience, professional service (e.g. membership, leadership, mentoring, outreach), professional communications (e.g. publications, research posters, presentations), and awards/honors.
7. Recommendations (3 required)
   • You will submit the names and emails of your recommenders in the application. A separate email will be sent to your recommenders asking them to complete an online recommendation form and submit a letter.
   • Recommendations can be academic or professional references who can speak to your skills and potential for success in the program.
   • If you participated in undergraduate research, completed an undergraduate thesis, or a masters thesis, it is expected that your research advisor/mentor be one of the recommenders.
8. English Language Proficiency - regardless of citizenship, all applicants must satisfy one of the following criteria:
   • Baccalaureate degree (or higher) earned from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or at an institution at which English is the medium of instruction in the countries listed here.
   • Official TOEFL scores sent directly by Educational Testing Services (ETS) to school code 6870.
     • Minimum score required by UH for internet-based = 79 overall
     • You must upload a copy of your score report to your application
   • Official IELTS scores should be sent electronically to "University of Houston". Please do not use "University of Houston - Graduate Admissions"
     • Minimum score required by UH = 6.5 overall
     • You must upload a copy of your score report to your application
   • Official Duolingo scores.
     • Minimum score required by UH = 105 overall
     • You must upload a copy of your score report to your application
   • Note: UH Computer Science does not participate in the UH Language and Culture Center.

Condiderations

Acceptance into our graduate program is based on a competitive review of an applicant’s academic background, grades in prerequisite/deficiency/leveling coursework, GRE scores (if applicable), recommendation letters, resume (e.g. work experience, research experience), and personal statement. If an applicant is weak in one area of the application, but strong in all other areas, it is still possible to be admitted. If all areas are weak, it is not considered competitive. Below are example profiles of competitive applicants:

• BS degree in Computer Science or related field (e.g. Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics)
• ≥ 3.0/4.0 cumulative GPA or in last 60 hours
• Grades of B- or higher on prerequisite/deficiency/leveling coursework
• If applicable, ≥ 150 GRE quantitative, 150 verbal, 3.0 analytical writing
• In addition, international applicants are REQUIRED to have a 79 or higher on the TOEFL internet-based test or at least a 6.5 overall on IELTS
• For Ph.D. and MS-thesis applicants, additional consideration is given for prior research experience and skills.

Status

• Check the status of your application through ApplyWeb
• Send reminders to your recommenders via ApplyWeb

Contact Us

If you have admissions questions AFTER READING THROUGH THE WEBSITE, contact us at gradcs@central.uh.edu