Prerequisites for a Master's degree in Computer Science (North America)

Darius Klasnik -

So you have decided to pursuit a Master's degree in the US or Canada. How can you get an admit at a university that matches your career ambitions and budget? How will your eligibility be determined?

A casual browse through any university's admissions page will indicate the following requirements:

  • A minimum GPA (grade point average) in your undergraduate studies (usually between 3 & 4)
  • Prerequisites in terms of subjects/courses completed during your undergraduate studies (For eg. Most master's level computer science programs would expect you to complete an algorithms course in your undergraduate course) If it was not your major during your undergraduate studies you may have to take these courses as additional coursework during studies.
  • A GRE exam (Graduate Record Examinations) which may or may not be waived.
  • Statement of Purpose (An essay describing your motivations to pursuit a Master's degree)
  • 3-4 Recommendation letters (Recommendations from professors/lecturers are preferred)
  • International Students may have an additional requirement to prove English language proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS) which may or may not be waived upon further enquiry.
  • Accumulating funds for the application phase and also sourcing documents to prove that you can fund your education. Although proof of funds is required only after you receive an admit, it is beneficial to understand the required documentation, student loan processes and immigration processes if it applies to you.

When should you start the application process?

Most programs have a Fall (Aug/September) and Spring (Feb/March) commencement timeline. So most universities that are accepting students for the Fall term (Sep - Dec) have an application deadline of December of the previous year. Similarly deadlines for the spring terms may be 6-8 months prior to the beginning of the term.

This means as a prospective student you need ample time to complete your university research, proficiency tests and gather/write documents. As a rule of thumb you should dedicate up to 8-10 months for this process and be prepared to apply to the university of your choice as soon as they are open to applications. Applications are screened in batches and popular universities may reach capacity within a few months. This also allows you a bit of breathing room to focus on finances, location research or immigration requirements once you are done with the applications.