Master's Degree Computer Engineering -
Network Engineering Emphasis
Frequently Asked Questions
- Qualifications: Who is eligible to apply to this program?
- Tuition: What is the tuition for the program?
- Class Times: I work full time and would only be able to take classes at night. When are classes offered?
- Video Conference: Where are the classes conducted?
- Time to Degree: How long does it take to complete the program?
- GRE / TOEFL: Are the GRE and TOEFL required?
- Visa Concerns: Who can I talk to about my current visa status in relation to this program?
- Application Requirements: What are the application requirements?
- Graduation Requirements: What are the graduation requirements?
- Transfer of Credits: Can I transfer my credits from another university to this program?
- Concurrent Enrollment: Can I take classes in this program without being accepted into the program first?
Qualifications:
Who is eligible to apply to this program?
Applicants should have an undergraduate degree from an accredited university in the area of computer engineering, computer science, electrical or mechanical engineering or an applied science and have attained a minimum GPA of 3.0
Deadlines
- Fall: June 1
- Winter: December 1
- Spring: February 1
All completed applications must be postmarked on or before the deadline to be considered.
Tuition:
What is the tuition for the program?$2750.00 per course. Nine courses are needed to complete the program. Additional courses may be required to satisfy the base requirements and prerequisites. Because this is a self-supporting program without state assistance, much of this amount goes to offset the costs of the video- conferencing technology. Most students in the program are provided tuition reimbursement through their employer.
Class Times:
I work full time and would only be able to take classes at night. When are classes offered?Most students in the program are full-time working professionals in industry as well. Many of them take a late lunch to attend classes that are conducted mid-afternoon or early evening to avoid being away from their desks for too long a period of time.
Class times will vary from quarter to quarter. Some classes can start at 12 noon and others at 6 p.m. - class time runs from an hour and forty minutes to just under two hours in length.
Video Conference:
Where are the classes conducted?Most classes are conducted on the UCSC campus and video conferenced to the UCSC Extension classroom facility in Cupertino (located near Santa Clara, California). Students sitting in the Cupertino classroom can interact with the instructor on campus throughout each lecture. On occasion, the instructor will teach in Cupertino.
Time to Degree:
How long does it take to complete the program?Depending on the individual students' time, financial situation and preparation, the program can be completed in two and a half to three and a half years. Matriculated students must complete the program within 6 years from their first enrollment.
GRE / TOEFL:
Are the GRE and TOEFL required?The general Graduate Record Exam is required. Subject GRE exams in computer engineering or computer science are not required but are welcomed. Applicants from countries where English is not the primary language must take the TOEFL exam.* Scores must not be older than 5 years for both the GRE and TOEFL exams. For more information, refer to the Educational Testing Service (ETS) websites:
* If you have been working/living in the United States for a few years and have a complete command (reading, speaking and comprehension) of the English language, this requirement can be waived. Applicants meeting these criteria should note this when applying.
Visa Concerns:
Who can I talk to about my current visa status in relation to this program?In general part time students do not need an F-1 visa. If you are a full-time student, however, you need to change your visa status. Applicants with further questions about their visa status can contact the International Student office on campus through e-mail to:
Full-time status in this program constitutes 2 classes per quarter. Part-time is one class per quarter.
Application Requirements:
What are the application requirements?Click on link for Program Application for a complete listing of requirements.
Graduation Requirements:
What are the graduation requirements?Completion of a total of at least 45 units (including 2 core courses, 3 foundation courses and 20 units of electives) are required for the awarding of the degree. Generally, most courses carry 5 units of credit, so in most cases 9 courses are all that are required to complete the program. Students must also complete the base requirements and pre-requisites. Courses from other institutions may be used for this purpose. Click on link Program Overview.
Transfer of Credits:
Can I transfer my credits from another university to this program?No courses from other institutions will count towards the 9 courses (45 units) required for the degree. They can, however, be used to fulfill the base requirements and prerequisites.
Concurrent Enrollment:
Can I take classes in this program without being accepted into the program first?Through concurrent enrollment (similar to Open University), students wishing to enroll in a class can do so with the approval of the instructor. Up to three five-unit UCSC Computer Engineering or Computer Science courses fulfilling the degree requirements for this program may be taken before being accepted into the program. However, no subsequent concurrent enrollment courses will apply towards the degree requirements after acceptance into the program.
To request forms for concurrent enrollment for the next quarter, contact us at