Required Components

1. UH Graduate School Application via ApplyWeb
   • Be aware that the Computer Science program is under the College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics. Do not select College of Engineering nor College of Technology.
2. Application Fee
   • U.S. Citizens/U.S. Permanent Residents: Waived
   • International Applicants: $80 non-refundable and non-waivable
3. Official Transcripts: official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended are required.
   • Scanned copies of official transcripts/individual marksheets from all colleges/universities can be uploaded as PDF files by the applicant and may be used to make an admissions decision. Follow these instructions to properly upload your transcript.
     • Note: the official transcript status in your admissions portal checklist will remain "Awaiting Official Transcript" until official transcripts have been received and processed by the university. Your application will still be reviewed as long as you have uploaded scanned copies of your transcripts for each college/university you listed on your application.
   • If admitted, applicants must submit official transcript(s) showing, at minimum, undergraduate degree conferral in order to enroll for courses.
   • Where to send official transcripts:

     Regular Mail: University of Houston Graduate Admissions P.O. Box 3947 Houston, TX 77253-3947

     Express Mail: University of Houston Graduate Admissions 4302 University Dr, Rm 102 Houston, TX 77204-2012

     Electronic or "Speede" Transcript: Within the U.S., the fastest way to send your transcript is electronically. Please inquire at your previous institution about this option. Electronic transcripts can be delivered via email to gradschool@uh.edu.

4. Official GRE scores 
   • PhD applicants: GRE optional effective Spring 2021 onward.
   • MS applicants: GRE required effective Spring 2022 onward.
     • MS applicant GRE waiver - applicants who have completed their bachelor’s degree at UH main campus within the last 3 years of the semester in which they are applying to with a cumulative GPA of 3.40 or higher.
   • If you have scores or plan to take the GRE, official scores must be sent by the testing agency to institution code 6870 (department code not needed). Scores older than 5 years are considered expired and not reportable. Visit the ETS GRE score reporting webpage for clarification.
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5. Statement of purpose (maximum one page)
   • For ALL applicants: include a brief description of you, your background, interest in the computer science field, related experience (e.g. professional, teaching, research) and explanation of your motivation for selecting UH.
   • For PhD and MS-thesis applicants: include a statement of the specific UH Computer Science faculty you are interested in work with and why. Choose only from tenured faculty, tenure-track faculty, and joint faculty as they may serve as a PhD or MS thesis research advisor. It is helpful, but not required to contact faculty of interest before or at the time of application.
   • For PhD and MS-thesis applicants: list 1-3 of your most preferred research area(s) of interest at the top of your personal statement.
6. Resume or Curriculum Vita
   • This should concisely communicate the remaining criteria on which you will be evaluated such as: industry/professional experience, research experience, professional service (e.g. membership, leadership, mentoring, outreach), professional communications (e.g. publications, research posters, presentations), and awards/honors.
7. Three (3) recommendations – you can submit the names and emails of your recommenders in the application. A separate email will be sent to your recommenders asking them to complete an online recommendation form and submit a letter.
   • It is preferred that the majority of your recommenders be from academia (i.e. professors).
   • If you participated in undergraduate research, completed an undergraduate thesis, or a masters thesis, then your research advisor/mentor/faculty should be a recommender.
8. English Language Proficiency – regardless of citizenship, all applicants must satisfy one of the following criteria:
   • Baccalaureate degree (or higher) earned from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or at an institution at which English is the medium of instruction in the countries listed here.
   • Official TOEFL scores sent directly by Educational Testing Services (ETS) to school code 6870.
     • Minimum score required by UH for internet-based = 79 overall
   • Official IELTS scores should be sent electronically to "University of Houston". Please do not use "University of Houston - Graduate Admissions"
     • Minimum score required by UH = 6.5 overall
   • Official Duolingo scores. A verification email will be sent to you a few days after completing the exam containing a link to send your score to UH.
     
     • Minimum score required by UH = 105 overall
   • Note: UH Computer Science does not participate in the UH Language and Culture Center.

Additional Requirements for International Applicants

In addition to the components listed above, international applicants must also submit and/or meet the following requirements.

1. Official Transcripts – include English translation and grading scale. Refer to the International Transcript Information for country-specific requirements. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended are required.
   • Scanned copies of official transcripts/individual marksheets from all colleges/universities can be uploaded as PDF files by the applicant and may be used to make an admissions decision. Follow these instructions to properly upload your transcript.
     • Note: the official transcript status in your admissions portal checklist will remain "Awaiting Official Transcript" until official transcripts have been received and processed by the university. Your application will still be reviewed as long as you have uploaded scanned copies of your transcripts/individual marksheets for each college/university you listed on your application.
   • If admitted, applicants must submit official transcript(s)/individual marksehets showing, at minimum, undergraduate four-year degree conferral in order to enroll for courses.
2. Scanned copy of passport pages showing full name, date of birth, passport number, expiration date, and photo of the passport holder.
   • This is not required for an admissions decision.
3. Financial backing – required for F-1 and J-1 visas.
   • This is not required for an admissions decision
   • If admitted, an I-20 will not be printed until suitable financial backing is received.

Considerations

Acceptance into our graduate program is based on a competitive review of an applicant’s academic background, grades in prerequisite/deficiency/leveling coursework, GRE scores, recommendation letters, resume, and personal statement. If an applicant is weak in one area of the application, but strong in all other areas, it is still possible to be admitted. If all areas are weak, it is not considered competitive. Below are example profiles of competitive applicants:

• BS degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or other related field
• 3.0/4.0 or higher cumulative GPA in last 60 hours
• Grades of B- or higher on ALL prerequisite/deficiency/leveling coursework
• GRE total of 305 or higher (if applicable)
• Recommended GRE quantitative of 155 or higher (if applicable)
• In addition, international applicants are REQUIRED to have a 79 or higher on the TOEFL internet-based test or at least a 6.5 overall on IELTS
• For Ph.D. and MS-thesis applicants, additional consideration is given for research experience and skills. In the personal statement and/or resume/CV, applicants should highlight their research experiences, research interests, as well as the UH Computer Science faculty of interest.

Status

• Check the status of your application through ApplyWeb
• Send reminders to your recommenders via ApplyWeb

Contact Us

If you have admissions questions AFTER READING THROUGH THE WEBSITE, contact us at gradcs[at]central.uh.edu.