Academic Calendars and Deadlines

If I Am a PhD Student and Want to Get My MS Degree as Well, Can I?

Yes, when you do your Proposal, you can also get an MS degree. You need to complete and submit an MS study plan. On the study plan, you will choose the project track. You will also need to complete a Change of Degree Status Petition in order to add the MS.

If I Am Completing the Project Track for My MS, What Do I Need to Submit?

Complete a project under faculty direction.
Publicly defend your project.
Submit a PDF write-up of the project to the Graduate Advisor.
Submit a completed MS study plan to the Graduate Advisor.

If I Took Graduate Courses at Another University, Can I Transfer Courses Towards My Degree at UCSB?

Subject to the following stipulations, you can petition to have up to three masters level courses count towards your graduate degree at UCSB.

Petitioned course cannot have been used for a bachelor’s degree.
Must have received a ‘B’ or better in the course to petition it.
Must be approved by the Graduate Advising & Affairs Committee Chair.

What Is the Average Time to Complete the MS and the PhD?

MS

5 quarters

PhD

5.5 years

What Is the BS/MS Program?

The BS/MS Program is an academic program that allows participants to obtain both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in 5 years. When admitted, a student may take graduate courses in computer science during his or her senior year, which can be used toward satisfying his or her M.S. degree requirements.

When Is the Comprehensive Exam Offered for the Exam Track of the MS?

The comprehensive exam is offered during the 8th week of both fall and spring quarters.

When Should I Apply for the BS / MS? What Is the Deadline?

Students should apply to the BS/MS program during their Junior year, when they still have a full year of BS left.

UCSB Computer Science

FAQs