Graduate Student FAQs

 

Admission FAQs

Financial Aid FAQs

General Academic FAQs

Graduate Assistantship FAQs

International Student FAQs


 

Admission FAQs

  • When are the admission deadlines?
    Suggested application deadlines are:

    • Fall entry term (September): August 1st
    • Spring entry term (January): December 1st.
    • Summer I (June) and Summer II (July) entry terms: May 1st.
       

    These deadlines are only suggested. They are not strict. We are very flexible with our deadlines and accommodating to applicants

     
  • What is the current cost per credit?
    Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems: $977 per credit.
    View University Gradudate Tuition Info

     
  • What is the minimum GPA required for admission?
    There is no minimum GPA required per se. Each applicant is evaluated based upon undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, work experience and their personal statement.

  • What type of educational background must I have to apply for graduate study?
    Applicants to Pace University graduate degree and advanced certificate programs must hold an undergraduate degree that is equivalent to a four year bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. An international applicant who holds a three-year bachelor's degree and has completed a master's program is eligible for matriculation.

     
  • What is considered an official transcript?
    Transcripts are considered official if sent directly from the academic institution(s) to Pace University, or if submitted by the applicant, unopened, in the institution's original sealed envelope.

     
  • When can I begin my graduate degree?
    Newly accepted students can begin graduate study during the Fall, Spring or Summer semesters.

  • Is the GRE required for admission to the Seidenberg School master's (M.S.) level programs?
    The Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems does not require the GRE for admission to its MS programs except under the following circumstances:

    • You intend to apply for a graduate assistantship.
    • You are applying for admission through the Bridge Program for International Students
       
    In either case, it is the general exam that is required.

     
  • May I transfer in graduate-level course work taken at another institution?
    With permission of the departmental chair or program adviser, a student may transfer a maximum of two courses (6-8 credits) from another accredited institution provided the student earned a minimum grade of "B" in each course. A copy of the course description(s) must be provided.

  • Does the Seidenberg School accept visiting students from other institutions?
    The Seidenberg School welcomes students from other colleges and universities who would like to take up to two courses at Pace. In addition to submitting a Visiting Student Application, visiting students should:

    • Seek the approval of their home institution in order to assure that the course(s) will be accepted for transfer credit.
    • Enroll as a non-degree seeking (NDS) student (see What is a NDS? ).

       
  • What is the difference between the MBA in Information Systems offered through the Lubin School of Business and the MS in Information Systems offered through the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems?
    The MBA is essentially a general business degree with a five-course concentration in information systems. The MS program is comprised completely of information systems course work. The required foundation on core courses, elected concentration, and additional electives provide the student with in-depth study in the discipline.
     

Financial Aid FAQs

  • Does the Seidenberg School offer financial aid to their students?
    Financial aid is available to students enrolled in the Seidenberg master's program in the form of:

    • Assistantship positions
    • Scholarships (for more information contact the financial aid department)

     
  • Am I eligible for financial aid as a non-matriculated student? No.

General Academic FAQs

  • How many credits constitute full - time status?
    9 credits is a full-time course load. Anything below 9 credits is part time.

     
  • What if I do not have all of my documents ready by the start of the semester ?
    If you are unable to gather and submit all official documentation prior to the start of the semester, you have the option to start as a non-matriculated, non-degree seeking(NDS) student.

     
  • Does the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems allow students to start their program as non-matriculated students?
    The Seidenberg School allows an entering student to start their master's program as a non-matriculated student. The student would be required to submit the non-degree seeking (NDS) application along with $65 application fee. Reasons why a person would choose to start as a NDS include:

    • The student can not complete the application on time.
    • The student has submitted a completed application, but, upon review, the Office of Graduate Admission decided that the student is not strong enough to be granted entry into the desired program at that time. If the student can prove their academic ability as an NDS student, the Admission Committee will reactivate their application.
       


  • Can the foundation courses be waived?
    Yes, your adviser will determine if courses can be waived during your first advisement session. Waiving courses is based on educational experience.  

     
  • What does it mean to be waived from a course?
    Waiving a course excuses you from taking the specific course but you still need to replace the credit amount elsewhere, usually with electives.  The only exception to this statement is for an experienced professional enrolled in the MS in Information Systems program who is waived from the Foundation courses. This individual can reduce the number of credits required for the degree by 6, the equivalent of two courses.

     
  • Can I be waived from core courses?
    Typically we do not waive students from core requirements. Core courses are waived on a case by case basis with permission of the chairs of the departments.  

  • When are classes offered?
    Classes are offered evening, online, and partly online. There are no on site day classes available.  

     
  • Can I receive credit for work experience?
    No, we do not substitute work experience for credit-bearing course work .

     
  • Can I receive credit for certifications?
    No, we do not substitute credit bearing course work for certification.
     
  • How long does it typically take to complete a master's degree?
    Students can take anywhere from a year and a half up to five years to complete their master's degree. The programs range from 36 to 42 credits with four semesters in a year (fall, spring, summer I, summer II). Depending on how many courses you take a year will determine how long it will take to complete the degree.

     
  • What does it mean to be accepted to the master's program as a provisional student?
    A person will be accepted into the master's program in the Seidenberg School as a Provisional Student if their application shows some academic deficiencies or weaknesses. The student will be reevaluated after they have satisfied the terms indicated in their acceptance letter.

Graduate Assistantship FAQs

  • What does a graduate assistantship entail? What is the likelihood that I will be awarded one?
    The Seidenberg School has a limited number of graduate assistantships that are awarded to highly qualified, fully matriculated graduate students. Assistantships are awarded on either a half (6 credits + stipend) or full-time (9 -12 credits + stipend) basis and require the recipient to work 10 or 20 hours, respectively, performing academic research or providing technical support to a project, program or department.

    The total number of graduate assistantships is fixed and the number available each semester varies according to the number of openings. The Seidenberg School continues to support their graduate assistants until graduation provided that the student maintains a Q.P.A. of 3.5; therefore, the number of openings varies from semester to semester. Selection is based largely on the applicant's academic strength as well as the match between the individual's skills and the particular needs of the project, program or department seeking support. Submission of GRE general test scores is required for consideration.

    International students seeking assistantships must 1) have a visa that permits them to work in the U.S.; and 2) obtain a U.S. social security number prior to the start of the semester in which their assistantship applies.

International Student FAQs

  • Are International students required to submit a TOEFL score for admission to Seidenberg master's (M.S.) level programs?
    The Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems requires International students to submit a TOEFL score for admission to its MS program.

     
  • What if my undergraduate degree is determined not to be equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate? May I still pursue a graduate degree?
    Highly qualified international students may gain admission to one of the the Seidenberg School master's programs through the Bridge Program for International Students . The program requires:

    • the applicant to submit GRE scores on the general exam in addition to the other information and documents required to complete an application for admission.
    • the admitted student to contractually agree to a "bridge program" outlined by either the departmental chair or program adviser and assistant dean. The program will require the student to complete 15-30 credits of course work designed to enhance the student's liberal arts and/or English language background and to provide strong preparation for advanced study.
    • International Bridge students are required to maintain a QPA of 3.0 in their bridge course work in order to advance into the MS program of their choice as a full matriculant.