Nova Southeastern University

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about GSCIS

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 Nova Southeastern University?
4. What are the qualifications of the faculty?
5. Where is GSCIS located?
6. Where are some of the graduates working now?
7. What does the NSU diploma state?

Questions before you apply

1. When are the application deadlines?
2. What are the tuition and fees for the graduate programs?
3. Is financial assistance, scholarships, grants or VA benefits available?
4. Is campus attendance required?
5. Are there any research assistantships available?
6. How do the online courses work?
7. Is it possible to apply to the program while still completing my degree requirements?
8. What if I do not meet the GPA requirement?
9. Do I need to submit the GRE?
10. How difficult is it to get admission into a program?
11. What is the transfer of credit policy?
12. Where can I find more information about requirements for international students?
13. What is the English proficiency requirement?
14. How can I get the English proficiency requirement waived?

Questions during the application process

1. How can I find out the status of my application?
2. How long does it take to have my file reviewed?
3. How will I find out if I have been accepted or denied admission?
4. Can I get admitted as a provisional student?

Questions after the admission decision

1. Can I defer my acceptance?
2. Why was I denied?
3. Can I reapply if my application has been denied?
4. I am an international student, who has been accepted, when will I receive my I-20?

Questions about GSCIS

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.

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.

What is the reputation of Nova Southeastern University?

NSU is the largest independent University in Florida, and the sixth largest independent University nationally

NSU is designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education by the U.S. National Security Agency and Homeland Security

NSU is ranked by the Online Education Database as the number one accredited University offering online education programs.

NSU is a ranked university under the National Universities category, which ranks the top 275 research universities in the country, by U.S. News and World Report

NSU is also ranked in the Washington Monthly rankings as the 157th best national university.

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. Faculties 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 web site Faculty Directory.

Where is GSCIS located?

http://www.scis.nova.edu/program/maps.html

Where are some of the graduates working now?

Graduates work at major organizations such as Boeing, IBM, Merrill Lynch, Motorola, Siemens, and various United States government agencies, as well as at colleges and universities around the globe in faculty and administrative positions.

What does the NSU diploma state?

The diplomas state the degree earned with date. It does not indicate online or student’s major.

Questions before you apply

When are the application deadlines?

Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. To ensure evaluation for the desired starting term, reviewable completed applications must be received by the dates listed on our web site. Late applications that cannot be processed in time for the desired starting term will be automatically considered for the next available term. http://www.scis.nova.edu/admissions/termdates.html

What are the tuition and fees for the graduate programs?

http://www.scis.nova.edu/program/tuition.html

Is financial assistance, scholarships, grants or VA benefits available?

Yes. Please visit our Financial Aid Office for details: http://www.nova.edu/financialaid/index.html

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.  Inquire about courses offered in Orlando campus via teleconference.
  
  Online master's students are not required to come to campus.
  
  
• Doctoral Degree Students :
  
  Our Ph.D. programs employ a semester format, which include two 16-week terms a year. The fall term starts in August and the winter term starts in January. While taking courses, students will attend mandatory scheduled sessions on the University’s main campus. The scheduled sessions vary depending on your selected program:
  
  

  DCTE students attend two four-day mandatory sessions per year (one per term), held over an extended weekend (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and half-day Sunday.

  DISS, DCIS, CISD students attend four mandatory sessions per year (two per term), held quarterly over an extended weekend (Friday, Saturday, and half-day Sunday).

 

Are there any research assistantships available?

Yes, we have research assistantship positions. Currently, there are none available.

How do the online courses work?

Online students use the web to access course materials, announcements, email, distance library services, subscription library databases, and other information and for interaction with faculty and fellow students. Online, interactive learning methods are used throughout the instructional sequence based on the use of Blackboard as a course management system. Online activities facilitate frequent student-to-faculty and student-to-student interaction. They are supported by threaded discussion boards, white boards, chat rooms, email, and other online tools. In addition, Blackboard enables students to submit assignments online in multimedia formats and to receive their professors’ reviews of assignments online in the same formats.

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 and a letter from the Registrar’s office or Program Office stating your expected conferral date.  If the admissions committee admits you into the program, it would be under a provisional status.  This status will only allow you to register for one semester and prohibit you from obtaining an I-20 or 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.

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). The decision to apply knowing that GPA requirements are not met rests with the applicant.

Do I need to submit the GRE?

There is no requirement to submit the GRE score.

How difficult is it to get admission into a program?

We accept students based on their qualifications. For the doctoral programs, capacity is also an issue. Thus doctoral applicants are encouraged to submit application materials earlier to maximize the chance of acceptance to the desired term of entry

What is the transfer of 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.

Where can I find more information about requirements for international students?

Additional Admission Requirements for International Master's Students: http://www.scis.nova.edu/admissions/masteradmreqint.html
Additional Admission Requirements for International Doctoral Students: http://www.scis.nova.edu/admissions/doctoraladmreqint.html

What is the English proficiency requirement?

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) (www.ets.org/toefl): 213 on the computer-based test or 80 on the Internet-based test; (2) International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (www.ielts.org): 6.0 on the test module; and (3) GMAT: score of 450; GRE: score of 1,000. 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.

How can I get the English proficiency requirement waived?

There are only two ways to have your English proficiency waived:
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.
Proof of English language competency can also be in the form of successful completion of the Language Institute. Specific requirements listed here: http://www.nova.edu/tli/exemption.html

Questions during the application process

How can I find out the status of my application?

You will receive unprompted notification from our Admissions Office with updates on application and documents submitted.

You can log back onto the Webstar system where you submitted your online application: http://www.scis.nova.edu/applynow.html . You will need to remember the log in and pin you created. Once logged back in, you can view a brief summary of your application(s) under the Submitted Applications section. A listing of required items can be viewed for a processed application under the Processed Applications section.

You can call or email the Admissions Office for a status update:
954-262-2001 or 800-986-2247 x. 22001
scisinfo@nova.edu

How long does it take to have my file reviewed?

Master’s: Decisions are usually made within one to two weeks

Doctoral: Decisions are made on a rolling basis. There is no timetable or timeframe for the decision process. You will be notified as soon as a decision has been made.

How will I find out if I have been accepted or denied admission?

You will receive notification of your decision via email with attached .PDF of your decision letter, which will also be mailed to you

Can I get admitted as a provisional student?

Yes, mostly in cases of missing official transcripts. 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).

Questions after the admission decision

Can I defer my acceptance?

There is no formal deferral process. Newly admitted students must register within two years from the date of their first possible registration. Failure to do so will require a re-application.

Why was I denied?

Admission to our graduate programs is competitive. The school qualitatively evaluates applicants and makes selections based on performance, personal qualifications, and evidence of potential for success. It is not the policy of the school to provide the deliberations of the admissions committee to applicants, however some of the possible common reasons are:

•  The applicant’s GPA is below the minimum requirement and there is not sufficient evidence of mitigating circumstances to overlook that GPA.
•  The applicant is not competitive with other candidates due to the outstanding pool of applications that we have received.
•  The applicant's academic background/goals do not fit the objectives of the program.
•  The applicant's previous academic record does not meet minimum standards.
•  The applicant's professional or academic outlook does not meet our expectations.

Can I reapply if my application has been denied?

You are certainly welcome to reapply. Your official transcripts will remain on file for three years. For doctoral applicants, consider the value and content when submitting a new essay, CV, and three evaluation forms. You may also supply any additional information to strengthen your application.

I am an international student, who has been accepted, when will I receive my I-20?

Once you have gained full acceptance to our graduate program, a copy of your decision letter is forwarded to the Office of International Students. For further information about your I-20 and obtaining a visa, please visit the Office of International Students.