Accelerated master’s programs (AMP) partner an undergraduate and a master’s degree graduate program within or between departments, in a streamlined path that reduces the time to earn a master’s degree. Undergraduate students are admitted internally by the participating programs and are guaranteed conditional admission to the partnering graduate program during their undergraduate career. Final admission to the graduate program and Graduate School is granted when students meet the minimum graduate program and Graduate School admissions criteria upon completion of the bachelor’s degrees.

The accelerated master of science (M.S.) in computer science will allow high achieving students in the bachelor of science (B.S.) in computer science (all concentrations) interested in graduate studies to pursue an advanced degree in less time. Students with strong scholarly and/or research interests may apply for admission to a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program, and begin taking graduate courses during their undergraduate study. This plan allows for flexibility in scheduling and completion of upper-division undergraduate requirements while concurrently fulfilling graduate course requirements for the M.S. degree.

Students accepted to this program are allowed to apply up to 13 credits of 500-level regular CS coursework to both the undergraduate and graduate degrees, provided they earn at least a B grade in those courses. At the graduate level, students must satisfy all the requirements of the M.S. degree as outlined in the department Graduate Student Manual (GSM).

Applicants must plan early, meet with undergraduate and graduate advisors, and submit an application to be reviewed by the Graduate Recruitment Committee (GRC). Applicants have the GRE requirement waived. Undergraduate and graduate units that partner to build an AMP will create a graduate admission policy for the undergraduate students that guarantees them contingent admission to the partnering graduate program at any point during the student’s undergraduate career. Final admission is conferred when the students meet the minimum AMP and Graduate School admissions criteria upon completion of their bachelor’s degrees. Students must complete the Graduate Admissions Application.

A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.000 is required for entrance into an AMP. Students apply by the end of the semester during which they complete core 300-level courses (for example CS 320, CS370 and CS 314). Late applications are accepted but may delay the student’s progression through the program.

To be eligible for the AMP applicants must be enrolled in the computer science B.S. program and:

1) show promise and/or evidence of high accomplishment through research or scholarly activity

2) have their application supported by letters of recommendation

3) have a high GPA, especially in CS courses

4) Either have or are currently taking the following: CS 314, CS 320, CS 370

The CS Graduate Recruiting Committee (GRC) evaluates each individual application and responds before the start of the next semester.

AMP students may take any 500-level regular CS courses (most CS courses are 4 credits each) for which they have the background to support success (any required prerequisites, etc.) and which may also contribute to a graduate plan program of study. Specific courses are determined in consultation with a faculty advisor. These courses also fulfill the senior electives requirements for the undergraduate degree.

AMP students will be required to take CS 501 during the duration of concurrent enrollment.

There may be implications for federal student aid. Students should contact the Office of Financial Aid for details. Undergraduate students enrolled in graduate level coursework should contact the Office of Financial Aid for information about the availability of financial aid for such coursework.

Students must complete the Graduate School application and pay the application fee during their final year as undergraduates. Graduate applications will not be accepted earlier than one year prior to starting the graduate program.

Students must complete and submit the Request to Double Count Courses Form to the Graduate School during their final undergraduate semester and prior to completing the undergraduate degree.

First, check with your primary undergraduate advisor to see if the AMP would benefit you. If you are unsure who your advisor is, please contact Bess Hewitt (see below) about your eligibility.

To be eligible to apply:

• Currently taking or have taken CS 314, CS 320, and CS 370
• Have a 3.0 or above GPA
• Planning to continue straight into graduate school following your undergraduate conferral

How to apply is determined by when you would officially be entering the graduate school. If you would graduate 1-2 semesters after being accepted into the AMP program, please apply directly through the graduate application.

If you are planning to graduate more than 2 semesters after being admitted to the AMP, please send the following materials to Megan.Brice@colostate.edu:

• Your current resume/CV
• A statement of purpose (1-3 pages) describing:
  • Why should you be considered for AMP?
  • How could you benefit from beginning your graduate degree early?
  • How do you plan to manage stress and academic workload?
  • A brief idea of what 400 and 500 level courses you plan to take and why
• 3 letters of recommendation
  • Please have your recommenders send the letters directly to Megan at the above email with your name as the subject
  • Please have your recommenders address the following:
    • Do you believe this student could succeed in the AMP? Why or why not?
    • How has this student stood out to you?
    • In what capacity have you worked with this student?
    • Any other thoughts, concerns, or recommendations

Primary Contact:

Megan Brice
Graduate Student Advisor, Department of Computer Science
Megan.Brice@colostate.edu
970-491-7850

Secondary Contact:

Bess Hewitt
Academic Success Coordinator, Department of Computer Science
bess.hewitt@colostate.edu
(970) 491-5944

The CS graduate advisor will be the primary advisor for admission to CS AMP program. All interested applicants must meet with the CS graduate advisor prior to submitting application materials. As with all graduate students, the CS graduate advisor will then serve as the student’s primary point of contact as they complete the M.S. degree.

Students should also meet with their assigned undergraduate advisor to ensure that the 500-level courses that they select meet the requirements for their major’s technical electives as well as other implications for their B.S. degree.