CSE Graduate Admissions

Graduate Program Application Deadlines

Autumn Semester: December 15 (November 14 for fellowship consideration)
Please note: Applicants who wish to be considered for a Fellowship must apply by November 14. All other applicants - those seeking a Graduate Associateship (the primary source of financial assistance provided to graduate students) or those not requiring funding - must apply by December 15.
Spring Semester: October 1

We strongly encourage prospective students to apply well in advance. Anticipate delays in obtaining letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and English proficiency test scores (if applicable). All application materials must be submitted by the deadline. Admission decisions are made only after receiving all required documentation. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please read the information below carefully before applying. We devote considerable effort into keeping our graduate admissions page up to date. Due to limited resources, are unable to respond to individual emails promptly and thoroughly. Answers to most questions are addressed below. If you still have questions after reviewing the information, direct them to grad-adm@cse.ohio-state.edu.

Apply to the Master of Science program
Apply to the Doctor of Philosophy program

CSE Graduate Admissions Policies

  • Autumn is our primary semester for graduate admissions; international applicants will be considered only for Autumn admission.
  • To be considered for admission, a student should have a strong computer science background
  • cGPA minimum 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale)
  • International students are subject to additional requirements - Proof of English proficiency. See Graduate and Professional Admissions to review the minimum English test score requirements, or if you are eligible for an exemption. 
  • GRE scores are not required
  • Spring admission is open for all degree levels and has more strict requirements, including a minimum cGPA of 3.6 (on a 4.0 scale). Additionally, PhD offers for Spring admission are made only if Graduate Research Associateship (GRA) support is available from a CSE faculty member. 
  • Current OSU graduate students wishing to transfer to the CSE graduate program must apply as an "Intra-University Transfer." They must have been in a graduate program at Ohio State for at least one year, provide a reference letter from their current advisor, and a recommendation letter from a CSE faculty member they've worked with for at least two terms. Contact the Graduate Program Coordinator to discuss the requirements.

Application Process and Required Materials

Apply to the Ohio State University Graduate School by completing a Graduate and Professional Admissions online application. This process requires the following items, which are all due by the application deadline.

  • Statement of Purpose
  • Curriculum Vitae or Resume (no longer than two pages)
  • Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required (submitted online directly by your references)
  • Transcripts: Applicants must submit "official, final transcripts" and “proof of degree(s)" from every college or university where credit was earned. This includes transfer credit, study abroad credit and college credit earned during high school (except AP). Read the transcript requirements to know what to submit. Current or past Ohio State students only who are applying to the graduate program, please upload a copy of your official OSU transcript or advising report.
  • TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo Test Scores: If you are applying as an international student, please review the English proficiency requirements as outlined by Graduate and Professional Admissions. To be official, score results must be received directly from the testing agency (Duolingo, ETS or IELTS) by the application deadline. Note that we cannot extend admission without your English proficiency test scores, unless you qualify for an exemption. Applicants must meet the minimum test scores. 

Apply to the Master of Science program
Apply to the Doctor of Philosophy program

Please note: do not send application documents, such as transcripts, resumes, or English test scores to the CSE department. These must be submitted to Graduate and Professional Admissions through the Admissions Uploader or to gpadocs@osu.edu.

Visit Graduate and Professional Admissions for detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to apply to graduate school.

Inquiries About Your Application

Questions specifically related to the Graduate and Professional Admissions application should be emailed to gradadmissions@osu.edu. Check out these tips for submitting the application. Register for a live admissions event for additional application guidance. 

Questions regarding CSE graduate admissions procedures or policies should be direct to grad-adm@cse.ohio-state.edu. 

Application Timeline

Autumn:
August: Application opens
Mid-December: Application deadline
March: Application reviews conclude 

Spring:
July: Application opens
Early October: Application deadline
November: Application reviews conclude 

The timeline is subject to change each application cycle.

Application Fees

Computer Science and Engineering may provide a limited number of application fee waivers based on the Graduate Admission Committee’s recommendations. Questions should be direct to grad-adm@cse.ohio-state.edu.

In addition, Ohio State works with a variety of programs that provide fee waivers to applicants, and also manages several of its own programs. Check your eligibility for an application fee waiver.

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