1. Computer Science Department
Welcome to the
Computer Science Department
Advice and answers for Post-Baccalaureate students interested in Computer Science

2. Agenda As a Post-bac, you have options!
Bachelors or Masters…what’s the difference?
Bachelor Degree Requirements
Master Degree Prerequisites
Planning your Post-bac program of study
Admissions to the Computer Science Dept.
Prior Credits and Experience
Q&A

3. Bachelor’s or Master’s?
Bachelor’s Degree:
May be quicker
Broad Study
Master’s Degree:
May be quicker
Area of Focus

4. Path #1: Second Bachelor’s degree in CS
Broader topical coverage than Master’s program
Begin any term
Must complete all undergraduate major requirements; CS credits and additional courses (Math, Science, etc.)
Must maintain a C or better (note: selective admission)

5. Planning to get a Bachelor’s in CS?
Must complete all required UG courses including:
WR 227 Technical Writing
MTH 251, 252 Calculus I, II
ECE 341 Computer Hardware
Approved Science and Math Electives
Upper Division CS Electives
CS 469, 470 Software Engineering Capstone

6. What Makes us Unique
Many of our masters students do not hold Computer Science undergraduate degrees
We value diverse academic backgrounds
We offer pathways for students to complete the necessary coursework that prepares them for our graduate program
We don’t require any prior computer science experience in order to pursue these pathways

7. Planning to get a Master’s in CS?
You don’t need a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science in order to do the Master’s Program.
We offer two options for graduate preparatory course work for Non-CS degrees.
Grad Prep (traditional)
Accelerated Grad Prep Track

8. Path #2: Traditional Grad Prep Track
Begin any term
Must maintain a B or better
Completed in as little as 15 months plus required time for Master’s program
Must complete (or demonstrate mastery) of most undergraduate computer science coursework.
Consists of Programming, Languages, and Theory
40-48 credits

9. Path #3: Accelerated Grad Prep Track Cohorts begin summer term
Mixed-cohort model
Completed in 12 months (Summer-Spring) plus time required for masters

10. Accelerated Grad Prep 12 month mixed-cohort (Summer-Spring)
Summer and Fall: accelerated format
Winter and Spring: general courses
No prior programming experience is required
Not a vocational training program

11. Accelerated Grad Prep
Admission to this program is required and competitive.
Applicants are expected to have:
Required Qualifications:
GRE Scores are required: A Quantitative score in the 70th percentile or above and a Verbal score in the 50th percentile or above
Preferred Qualifications:
At least a year of mathematics beyond pre-calculus
An undergraduate GPA of 3.5 of better

12. Master’s Degree in Computer Science (45 credits)
Core (6 credits)
Programming Core
Theory Core
Track (9 credits)
Databases
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Languages
Security
Software Engineering
Systems
Electives (30 credits)
Additional 500-level CS courses
15 credits can be outside of CS

13. Where do I Begin? We have multiple entry points to begin your studies
1. No prior programming and limited math?
Start with CS 199
2. No prior programming and some math?
Start with CS 161
3. Some programming experience?
Start with CS 162
How should I know if I am ready for CS 162?
There is an expected prep guide available on our website to help you determine if you should begin CS 162

14. Portland Community College
You may begin your Post-bac study at a community college, such as PCC.
All lower division courses for the Grad Prep and second Bachelor’s (including non-CS major requirements) can be completed at PCC.
PLEASE NOTE: PCC requires you to start with CS 140U and CS 161 and requires MTH 251 & CS 162 for CS 250
Contact PCC’s CS Advisor: Michele Maxwell
Include PCC ID and undergraduate transcripts (unofficial OK)

15. CS 202 Programming Systems
If you did not complete CS 202 at PSU, you’ll need to demonstrate acceptable proficiency in programming through one of our Proficiency Demonstrations.
This examination is part of the midterm and final if you complete CS 202 at PSU.
Plan Ahead! Proficiency exams are scheduled only twice a year!
This a departmental admissions requirement.

16. Keep in Mind…
Advanced courses in Computer Science build on earlier courses.
You must successfully pass or demonstrate mastery (through CPL) in order to move forward in our programs.
A weak preparation in one class can lead to issues throughout the rest of your programs.

17. IMPORTANT For many Reasons
Scheduling is
IMPORTANT For many Reasons
We enforce prerequisites! Consider this when planning your program of study
Departmental Admissions is required in order to complete upper division CS courses
Planning to do the master’s? You must have all grad prep courses completed before you start.

18. Departmental Admissions
for 2nd Bachelor’s Degree
Admissions takes places twice a year: Fall term (April 15th deadline) and Winter term (October 15th deadline)
CS courses: 162, 163, 202*, and 250
MTH 251, 252, 253/261
An approved Lab Science sequence
Required courses outside of CS must be completed with a minimum grade of a C-

19. Admissions for Grad Prep
Departmental
Admissions for Grad Prep
CS courses: 162, 163, 201, 202*, 250, and 251 with a GPA (all attempts will be considered)
Must complete all Grad Prep courses with a minimum grade of a B (for department and graduate admissions).
Students can begin upper division any term after they finish lower division courses
EXCITING NEWS: The GRE is not longer required for Grad Prep students!

20. Prior Credits and Experience
Determine if your prior courses match our requirements.
Request transfer evaluation upon Post-bac admission
Additional evaluation through course’s department may be required
Some courses can be waived through documented professional experience.

21. Thank You!