FAQ - International Students
The following FAQ answers common questions about the Master of Science in Computer and Information Systems concerning International Students.
- What additional information do I need to supply with my application?
- What if my visa status requires that I be a full-time student?
- What if I do not have a degree from a US college or university?
- Do I need to take the TOEFL?
- What are the cutoff scores for the TOEFL?
- What are my estimated fees and expenses for graduate work in the CIS program?
- How would I qualify for resident tuition?
- Am I able to begin taking courses without being accepted?
International Students
What additional information do I need to supply with my application?You must provide evidence of financial support and copies of your passport and visa indicating that you are eligible to study in the United States. A financial sponsorship form should be submited with the information indicated on this form to the Department of Computer Science for review along with your other information in support of your application.
What if my visa status requires that I be a full-time student?The CIS program can be completed as a full-time student (9 credits per semester for graduate students.)
What if I do not have a degree from a US college or university?You must have your foreign credits evaluated by a recognized evaluation agency. The evaluation should clearly indicate you have achieved the US equivalent of a BS or BA and should give a list of all courses you have taken along with their associated US equivalent credits and grades. You are responsible for paying for this evaluation and for having the evaluation sent directly to the Department of Computer Science (or for providing a copy of the evaluation in a sealed envelope properly authenticated by the agency). We recommend the following agency:
Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee WI 53203-3470
USA
phone: 414-289-3400
http://www.ece.org
You may obtain a list of acceptable evaluation agencies by consulting the National Association of Credit Evaluation Services (NACES) web site.
Do I need to take the TOEFL?If English is not your native language, you are required to provide evidence of English language competence, normally by presenting a degree from an English-speaking university or by satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), administered by the Educational Testing Service:
Corporate HeadquartersEducational Testing Service
Rosedale Road
Princeton, NJ 08541
USA
phone:609-921-9000
You are responsible for paying for this test and for seeing that your test scores are sent directly to the Department of Computer Science.
What are the cutoff scores for the TOEFL?If your TOEFL score is at least 550 (paper based) or 213 (computer based), you are considered to have adequate English ability for graduate study at UW-Parkside. If not, you may encounter some difficulties with the English language in your coursework and in your interaction with faculty and students. In such a case, we will review your application more carefully and may ask you to complete further study of English before we make an admission decision.
What are my estimated fees and expenses for graduate work in the CIS program?Your full-time graduate tuition (based on 9 credits for Fall and Spring semesters and 3 credits for Summer) amounts to approximately $20800, based on the 2008-2009 nonresident fee schedule from the Cashier's Office. Your entire package of fees and expenses, including housing and other costs, will be approximately $32350:
| Tuition and fees: | $20800 |
| Housing and meal plan: | 8000 |
| Books and supplies: | 750 |
| Personal expenses: | 2000 |
| Medical insurance (reqd): | 800 |
| Total: | $32350 |
This estimate of fees and expenses assumes that you have an F1 student visa and are required to take a full-time course of study. If your visa status does not require full-time study, you will normally take only 6 credits in Fall and Spring semesters; consequently, your tuition and fees will be lower.
How would I qualify for resident tuition?You may apply for resident tuition if you have a record of high academic achievement and if you can show evidence that you are unable to pay for your expenses as a non-resident graduate student. At your request, the Department of Computer Science and the Office of Admissions will evaluate your academic record and financial sponsorship statement and will determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether or not to grant you resident tuition.
Am I able to begin taking courses without being accepted?No. To be eligible to study in the U.S., you must be accepted as a degree-seeking student.
