Yes. This is a degree in Computer Science, housed in the Department of Computer Science within the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Students in this program are trained in fundamental computer science, appropriate for a career in academia or industry as a computer scientist.
As computational methods are increasingly applied across all fields, this program includes collaborating faculty in computer science, engineering, and across the University. Faculty and students form interdisciplinary teams working together to apply computation to problems in any domain.
Applicants must have an earned bachelor's or master's degree with a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from a U.S. accredited institution, or an international institution recognized by a credentialing service.
If that degree is not in computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related field, the admissions committee will be looking for evidence of strong quantitative skills and experience in computational research.
As a new program, we currently have a flexible rolling deadline extending until June 1, 2025. However, international applicants would have to apply and be admitted much earlier than that to have time to obtain a visa. Admissions for Fall 2025 are already underway.
Spring admissions are available for local students already working with faculty at UTRGV.
There is no fee to apply for this program.
The copies of transcripts, GRE scores, and English Proficiency scores that you upload as part of your application are sufficient for review and admission. Notably, any degree from a non-US institution must have a Foreign Credential Evaluation ↗ uploaded with it to be reviewed. Official documents will be required post-admission.
Foreign students are required to take a English Proficiency Exam ↗. UTRGV accepts TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo scores.
This requirement is waived if you have at least 30 credit hours at a U.S. institution reflected on your transcript.
Yes. However, a waiver of this requirement will be automatically granted to applicants who have completed a degree in computer science or a closely related field with an undergraduate GPA above 3.0 or a graduate GPA above 3.25. If your degree is from a non-US institution, we will need your Foreign Credential Evaluation ↗ in order to review it for the GRE waiver.
Coursework includes required courses in theory, systems, and AI/ML, and electives chosen to support your research, including interdisciplinary electives in other fields. See the Registration Guide and Courses for details.
Students admitted without a degree in computer science or a similar field will be evaluated for leveling coursework. These courses can be taken at UTRGV as a PhD student and do not count toward the degree hour requirement in most cases. See Leveling Courses for details.
Full-time students are only accepted with a funding commitment covering full tuition and stipend. Funding is provided by faculty through Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA). The program does not offer Teaching Assistantships to newly admitted students.
Applications are reviewed by faculty prior to admission to determine whether a GRA will be offered. Admission is contingent on accepting a GRA offer with a specific faculty adviser.
Part-time students, and students who secure an external fellowship or scholarship that fully covers tuition and stipend may be admitted without a specific adviser.
Prospective students are encouraged to reach out directly to Faculty to discuss research interests and GRA availability. Students currently at UTRGV are especially encouraged to get involved in faculty research before applying.
The program welcomes collaboration from faculty in any field that use computational methods. If you have a research connection with a faculty member not yet in the program, please ask that faculty member to reach out to us about collaboration.