Forms and FAQs

Before Admission:

If I don’t have a CS-related BS or MS degree, can I apply for the PhD program?

Students must have a previous degree in computer science (B.S. or M.S. degree), or a closely-related field such as computer engineering or software engineering. Students looking to enter computer science without a prior degree are encouraged to apply to the M.S. program and then transit to the PhD. program. 

What materials should I prepare to apply for the PhD program?

You will need to provide official transcripts for all post secondary education, GRE scores for all students, TOEFL/IELTS for non-native English speakers,  statement of purpose, curriculum vita, and at least three letters of recommendation.  More details can be found in [link to admission requirements].

When is the application deadline for the PhD program?

Applications received before February 1st will be considered for acceptance with financial aid, while applications received after February 1st and before June 15th will be considered but with no guarantee of financial support.

Can I apply for a GRE waiver in my application?

GRE waiver is NOT accepted.  All applicants should submit a verified test report of their GRE scores.

Do I need to specify an academic advisor in my application?

 In the statement of purpose, you may describe specific research interests or a faculty member that you are interested in working with.

Is there a part-time option for the PhD program?

Most PhD students in this program will be full-time but there might be a few part-time students. Please contact the Graduate Program Director for more information.

After Admission:

After admission to the PhD. program, how many courses/credit hours do I need to take/obtain to meet the degree requirement? What if I have a Master’s degree?

54 credit hours are required for  students entering with an M.S. degree in Computer Science while 72 credit hours are required for students entering without an M.S. degree in Computer Science. See more details at: https://compsci.uncg.edu/phd-program/requirements/

Can I change my advisors?

Ideally, you should select your advisor after careful consideration of research interests and alignment. However, if your interests change, you can change your advisor before your qualifying exams. Do consider this may delay your timeline to graduation. 

Can I have two advisors?

Yes, any tenure-track or tenured member of the CS faculty – Full-time Assistant, Associate or Full Professor or from other closely aligned departments (for example, Mathematics and Statistics, Biology, Information Systems, etc.) can be co-advisors. 

Forms:

• Link to Annual Report
• Link to Qualifying Exam Form
• Link to Dissertation Form