Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long has GSCIS been awarding graduate degrees and online graduate degrees?
2. What accreditation does GSCIS possess?
3. What is the reputation of
4. What are the qualifications of the faculty?
6. Does GSCIS provide housing for Ph.D students?
7. How long do the programs take to finish? How many classes can I register for?
8. Do I need a degree in the same field to apply to this school?
10. What is the difference between Information Systems and Computer Information Systems?
11.
What certification will I be eligible for with the CTE program?
12. Is financial assistance, scholarships, grants or Veterans Administration (VA) benefits available?
13. How do the online courses work?
14. Is campus attendance required?
15. Is it possible to apply to the program while still completing my degree requirements?
16. When are the application deadlines?
17. What if I do not meet the GPA requirement?
18. How difficult is it to get admission into a program?
19. Do I need to submit the GRE?
20. What is the English proficiency requirement (TOEFL, IELTS, etc...)?
21. Can I get admitted as a provisional student?
22. What is the transfer credit policy?
23. How long
does it take to find out if I've been accepted into the program?
1. How long has GSCIS been awarding graduate degrees and online graduate degrees?
GSCIS has been awarding graduate degrees since 1984. GSCIS pioneered graduate online education and has been offering online degree programs and programs with an online component since 1985.
The M.S. in computer science, computer information systems, and computing technology in education has been offered on campus since 1989 and in online format since 1994. The M.S. in management information systems has been offered on campus since 1993 and in online format since 1994.
Doctoral programs in computing technology in education, information science, and information systems have been offered in combined on-campus and online format since 1985. The doctoral program in computer science has been offered on-campus since 1989 and in combined on-campus and online format since 1997. The doctoral program in computer information systems has been offered on-campus since 1992 and in combined on-campus and online format since 1997.
2. What accreditation does GSCIS possess?
Nova Southeastern University has been accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097: Telephone number 404-679-4501) to award bachelor's, master's, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees since 1971. The Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences is a department within Nova Southeastern University and therefore has to maintain the same accreditation standards. For more information on NSU's accreditation please visit: http://www.nova.edu/cwis/about-nsu/accreditation.html
3. What is the reputation of
Forbes, The Wall Street Journal and The Princeton Review have each listed NSU among the top universities offering distance education programs. Having been the pioneer in online education since 1983, GSCIS has a long-standing reputation for offering theory-based programs that utilize cutting edge technology.
4. What are the qualifications of
the faculty?
All faculty teaching in GSCIS's master's and doctoral programs are terminally degreed and are active in teaching, research, scholarship, and the supervision of doctoral dissertations. Faculty regularly publish their work and present their work at professional conferences. Their collective areas of expertise cover the entire spectrum of the school's disciplines. Many of the faculty members, in addition to academic qualifications, also have many years of applied professional experience. Faculty degrees and areas of academic interest are included in the GSCIS Graduate Catalog.
http://www.nova.edu/cwis/campusmaps/maincampus.html
6. Does GSCIS provide housing for
doctoral students?
GSCIS does not provide housing for our doctoral students given the format of the program. You must make your own personal arrangements for the attendance of cluster and institute. The following link provides you with maps, travel, lodging, and local restaurants information: http://www.scis.nova.edu/Common/Travel/map.html
7. How
long do the programs take to finish?
Master's Degrees:
The program requires 36 credit hours. It is designed so it may be completed by full-time students in 12 months or by working professionals in 18 months while remaining in their current positions. To earn the degree in 12 months, students must enroll in three courses per term. To earn the degree in 18 months, students must enroll in two courses per term. Terms are 12 weeks long and there are four terms each year. Master's students must complete requirements for the degree within five years from the date of their first registration.
Doctoral Degrees (Ph.D):
8. Do I need a degree in the same
field to apply to this school?
In order to apply to the master's degree programs, applicants must have an earned bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with an appropriate major. Applicants to the doctoral degree programs must have an earned master's degree from a regionally accredited institution with an appropriate major. To help determine if the major is appropriate for the desired degree please see the links provided in the next answer.
9. Are there prerequisite courses
that need to be met before applying to a master's or doctoral program?
The following links will assist you in finding the
prerequisite courses necessary for each major.
10. What is the difference between
the two doctoral programs: Information Systems (DISS) and Computer Information
Systems (DCIS)?
DISS (Information Systems) correlates to management information systems (MIS). DISS is directed toward managers and administrators in MIS departments and courses are taught more from the management of systems rather than the operations. DCIS (computer information systems) is aimed at technical managers who actively manage networks and make decisions regarding design and implementation of networks and information systems, so it is more technical, but not as technical as our computer science program.
11. What certification will I be eligible
for with the CTE program?
Several of the courses in the program have been approved for teacher certification in computer science (grades K-12) or recertification by Florida's Bureau of Teacher Certification. The courses may be taken as part of the degree program or independently. For further information on teacher certification, visit the Florida's Bureau of Teacher Certification Web site at http://www.firn.edu/. Please keep in mind that each state has different guidelines for teacher certification. Check with the teacher certification board of the state in which you live for certification requirements.
12. Is financial
assistance, scholarships, or Veterans Administration (VA) benefits available?
Financial Aid
The Office of Student Financial Assistance administers the university’s financial aid programs of grants, loans, scholarships, and student employment and provides professional financial advisers to help students plan for the most efficient use of their financial resources for education. In order to participate in financial aid programs, a student must be admitted into a university program and must be a citizen, a national, or a permanent resident of the United States, or be in the United States for other than a temporary purpose. A prospective student who requires financial assistance must apply for financial aid while he or she is a candidate for admission. Applicants and prospective students may apply for financial aid online at http://www.nova.edu/cwis/finaid . Students must work directly with the university’s Office of Student Financial Assistance because the school’s program office does not administer or manage the financial aid process.
For additional information or application forms (1) call 954-262-3380 or 800-806-3680; or (2) send email to mailto:finaid@nova.edu . To continue financial aid, at a minimum, enrolled students must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress toward a stated educational objective in accordance with the university’s policy on satisfactory progress for financial aid recipients.
Scholarships
For scholarship opportunities within NSU and through
other resources, please visit this link: http://www.nova.edu/cwis/finaid/scholarships/index.html
Grants
For federal or state grant opportunities, please visit this link: http://www.nova.edu/cwis/finaid/information/grants.html
Veterans' Benefits
Nova Southeastern University programs are approved for the training of veterans and other eligible persons by the Bureau of State Approval for Veterans' Training, Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs. Eligible veterans and veterans' dependents should contact the Office of the University Registrar, 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314-7796, telephone (954) 262-7236 or toll free 1 (800) 541-6682, ext 7236 or for information online http://www.nova.edu/cwis/finaid/veterans/.
13. How do the online courses
work?
Online activities require use of a computer, modem, and an Internet service provider (ISP). Online, interactive learning methods are used throughout the instructional sequence. Online courses require use of a computer and a modem from home, office, or on the road while traveling. Students participate in courses via the Internet from anywhere in the United States or outside the United States. Interactive learning methods involve World Wide Web pages to access course materials, announcements, the electronic library, and other information, plus a range of online activities that facilitate frequent student-faculty and student-student interaction. Online activities may include forums using threaded bulletin boards, chat rooms, email, and electronic classroom sessions.
The specific method for online course instruction is unique for each professor and each course. For a demonstration of the online environment, please visit the Online Orientation available from the GSCIS Web site.
14. Is campus attendance required?
Master's Degree Students
On-campus master's students attend evening classes, starting at 6:00 p.m., on the main campus. See map for further directions: http://www.scis.nova.edu/Common/Travel/map.html
Online master's students are not required to come to campus. Students participate from all across the country, and all over the world. However, we welcome online students to participate in and attend all NSU and GSCIS functions. New students are provided a Web-based orientation that includes computer/software requirements, online access, tools and methods, and library access. A guide to the school's online learning environment can be downloaded, and a hard copy is provided to each student. The school's Web site provides an extensive online "help" system including downloadable software and documents.
All new master's students are also invited to attend an optional "New Student Success Workshop" which is typically held the first Saturday prior to the start of the term on the main campus.
Doctoral Degree Students
Depending upon the program, students may select one of two formats: cluster or institute. Cluster students attend four cluster meetings per year, held quarterly over an extended weekend (Friday, Saturday, and half-day Sunday) at the university in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Cluster terms start in March and September. Cluster weekends are held in March, June, September, and December. Institute students attend a weeklong institute twice a year at the university in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Institutes are held in January and July at the start of each five-month term.
15. Is it possible to apply to the
program while still completing my degree requirements?
Yes. You may start your application process with a transcript showing your last semester in progress. If the admissions committee admits you into the program, it will be under a provisional status. This status will only allow you to register for one semester and prohibit you from obtaining financial aid until the final official transcript has been received. On the other hand, the committee members may not be able to make a final decision on your file until they view your final official transcript.
16. When are the application deadlines?
There are no application deadlines. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. Applications will be reviewed by the admissions committee after all minimum required documents are submitted. Late applications that cannot be processed in time for desired starting term will be considered for the next term.
17. What if I do not meet the GPA
requirement?
The GPA required for the master's program is at least a 2.5 and the GPA required for the doctoral program is at least a 3.25. If you feel that you have other qualifications that may compensate a low GPA, we may have your complete file evaluated (all other documents must be submitted). There is no assurance of admission into our program. The decision to apply knowing that GPA requirements are not met rests with the applicant.
18. How difficult is it to get admission
into a program?
GSCIS does not use a quota system or have a specific number of seats to fill. We accept students based on their qualifications. If the admissions committee believes an applicant is qualified and has potential for success in the program, he/she will be accepted.
19. Will I need to submit GRE scores?
Master's
You may submit either a résumé or GRE
score. It is your decision as to which document
you feel will better represent you.
Doctoral
There is no requirement to submit the GRE score.
20. What is the English proficiency requirement (TOEFL, IELTS, etc...)?
Applicants whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate English proficiency. The following standardized tests satisfy the university’s English requirement for nonnative English speakers: (1) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 213 on the computer-based test; 550 on the paper-based test; (2) International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.0 on the test module; (3) GMAT: score of 450; GRE: score of 1,000; and (4) Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT): score of at least 480 on the verbal section; or the American College Test (ACT): score of at least 20 on the verbal section. Test results must be sent directly from the testing agency to the Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences. Proof of English language competency can also be in the form of successful completion of a degree at an approved U.S. institution of higher education. For more information, please visit the university’s Office of International Students web site at http://www.nova.edu/internationalstudents/.
21. Can I be admitted as a provisional
student?
Students are provisionally admitted to a degree-seeking program based on a review of unofficial transcripts or other specific program admission requirements. However, this admission includes a condition that final and official documents and requirements must be received within 90 calendar days from the start of the term. If these final and official documents and/or requirements are not received by that time, the student will not be allowed to continue class attendance. Financial aid will not be disbursed to a provisional student until he or she has been fully admitted as a regular student (all admission requirements have been approved by the school's admissions office).
22. What is the transfer credit policy?
Master's
Up to six graduate credits from a regionally accredited institution may be transferred to one of the master’s degree programs. Courses proposed for transfer must have received grades of at least B. Students must request approval of transfer credits in writing at the time of application (see instruction on the application form). Copies of catalog course descriptions or course syllabi are required to process requests for transfer credits. This policy does not apply to certificate programs nor to non-degree students.
Doctoral
Our doctoral program does not accept any transfer of credits for coursework or experience.
23. How long does it take to find
out if I've been accepted into the program?
For the master's applications, decisions are usually made within one week. For the doctoral applications, decisions are usually made within two weeks. However, circumstances may dictate a longer review period. Please feel free to contact the Admissions Office if you have questions concerning the status of your application. You will receive notification of the admissions committee's decision as quickly as possible.
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Southeastern University - Graduate
School of Computer and Information Sciences
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