Admissions

Applying for admission

All STEM graduate programs admit for autumn quarter. Winter admission is also available for the Master of Science in Electrical & Computer Engineering (MSECE). Applicants apply online to the UW Graduate School. Every applicant goes through a holistic application review process where all aspects of the application are reviewed when making an admission decision.

Visit the program-specific section for detailed deadlines, admission processes and requirements.

Minimum UW admission requirements

Graduate applicants must meet UW’s minimum admission requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. or an equivalent international degree
• Earned at least a 3.0 GPA for the last two years of study
• English Language Proficiency: Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency. The ways in which proficiency can be demonstrated are outlined in Policy 3.2 Graduate School English Language Proficiency Requirements. Note: STEM Graduate Programs require applicants meet the “Recommended Score (ELP Satisfied).”

Non-degree option

Post-baccalaureate students who want to take one or two courses from a master’s program without being enrolled in the degree program can apply as a Graduate Non-Matriculated (GNM) student. Applicants must be qualified for the master’s program they are wanting to take a class from–GNM students can only take elective courses and registration isn’t available until the first day of classes. If you are considering applying as a GNM student please email us to discuss your options.

Acceptance as a GNM student confers no guarantee or priority for later admission to the Graduate School for pursuit of a degree program. To maintain GNM status, the student must enroll for the quarter in which they applied. GNM status is not an option for applicants on an F-1 visa. Upon petition, a maximum of 12 credits of coursework taken in GNM status may be applied to the degree requirements upon matriculation to the graduate program, provided they meet graduation requirements for the year the student matriculates.

UW Graduate School application fee waivers

Applicants who have financial need and those who participate in the McNairs Scholars or PPIA Fellows programs may be eligible for an application fee waiver from the UW Graduate School. Unfortunately, applicants studying on F or J visas are not eligible for application fee waivers.

UW Graduate School fee waiver policy and application

Admission deadlines

Some programs have a priority deadline, international deadline and domestic deadline.

Striving for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in STEM

Diversity and Inclusion are core values and priorities of the University of Washington Bothell, and we reaffirm the campus commitment to diversity and the University of Washington Graduate School’s commitment to Equity & Justice in Graduate Programs.

We are dedicated to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive admission process and encourage systemically underrepresented and marginalized groups to apply to our graduate programs. Within the School of STEM, we are constantly reexamining and challenging our policies and procedures to ensure the continued advancement of a culture of access, inclusion, and equity.

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Admission requirements by program

Applicants will apply online through the UW Graduate School. There are various components that go into preparing and submitting a complete application. Given our holistic admission process, a competitive application is one that demonstrates academic performance through a variety of methods and personal qualities and achievements. Each program has its own application process and checklist – visit the program’s admissions page for more information.

Master of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering prerequisites

Admission to the Master of Science in Computer Science & Software Engineering program requires applicants to have:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or other closely related field from a regionally accredited institution (or an equivalent international institution)*
  • Including software engineering, data structures and algorithms and high-level object-oriented programming foundation and skills
• English language proficiency
• 3.0 GPA or equivalent in the last two years of study

*Alternatively, applicants may meet this requirement with a bachelor’s degree in another field AND completion of the Graduate Certificate in Software Design & Development.

Ready to apply?

Learn how to apply to the Masters of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering.

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Master of Science in Computer Science & Software Engineering prerequisites

Admission to the Master of Science in Computer Science & Software Engineering program requires applicants to have:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or other closely related field from a regionally accredited institution (or an equivalent international institution)*
  • Including software engineering, data structures and algorithms and high-level object-oriented programming foundation and skills
• English language proficiency
• 3.0 GPA or equivalent in the last two years of study

*Alternatively, applicants may meet this requirement with a bachelor’s degree in another field AND completion of the Graduate Certificate in Software Design & Development.

Ready to apply?

Learn how to apply to the Masters of Science in Computer Science & Software Engineering.

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Master of Science in Electrical & Computer Engineering prerequisites

Admission to the Master of Science in Electrical & Computer Engineering program requires applicants to have

• ABET accredited bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from a regionally accredited institution (or an equivalent international degree)*
• English language proficiency
• a 3.0 GPA or equivalent in the last two years of study (in certain circumstances, an applicant with a GPA below a 3.0 may be considered)

*Alternatively, applicants may meet this requirement with a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (such as Physics, Mechanical or Biomedical Engineering) and have specific coursework or a knowledge base in dc/ac circuit analysis, basic electronics, signal processing, probability and basic programming skills (e.g., MATLAB); OR a bachelor’s degree in another STEM field AND completion of the Graduate Certificate in Electrical Engineering Foundations.

Ready to apply?

Learn how to apply to the Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering.

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Graduate Certificate in Software Design & Developmet (GCSDD) prerequisites

Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Software Design & Development (GCSDD) requires completion of the following prerequisites:

• Computer programming 1 & computer programming 2 (or equivalent coursework and/or in-depth work experience)
• College level calculus
• A regionally accredited bachelor’s degree (or equivalent international degree) with a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last two years of study
• English language proficiency

Please note, the Graduate Certificate in Software Design & Development does not meet the minimum enrollment requirements for students studying in the United States on an F-1 Visa.

Ready to apply?

Learn how to apply to the Graduate Certificate in Software Design & Development.

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Graduate Certificate in Electrical & Computer Engineering Foundation (GCECEF) prerequisites

Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Electrical & Computer Engineering Foundations has required prerequisites and strongly recommended courses:

Ready to apply?

Learn how to apply to the Graduate Certificate in Electrical Engineering Foundation.

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