You may have some questions about RIT policies, the Computer Science curriculum, and other academic topics. We have put together information to help clarify these questions. If you can’t find the information you are looking for, feel free to contact us at
advising@cs.rit.edu and we’ll be happy to help.
What are the requirements for BS/MS?
-Current CS Major
-3rd year standing
-Attended RIT at least 2 quarters
-GPA of 3.25 (overall & PFOS)
How many more credits does the BS/MS program take?
Usually the MS is 45 credits. BS/MS is 37 credits because you are able to double count up to two graduate courses (typically in the CS elective area).
What are the financial benefits?
You are eligible for a BS/MS tuition discount on the graduate tuition rates. The discount that you receive should bring your graduate tuition charges close to that which you paid for undergraduate. Work with your financial aid counselor for more information.
How do I apply to the BS/MS program?
Meet with your undergraduate academic advisor to fill out a change of program form.
How do I know I have been accepted into the BS/MS program?
After being accepted your program code changes from VCSG to VCSK.
When do I become a graduate student?
You “officially” become a graduate student at year level 6 when you have 190 earned credit hours. From this point on, you will be able to register yourself for graduate courses; until then, you should fill out the
Request to Take a Graduate Level Course form.
How do I keep up-to-date with information in the graduate program?
Subscribe to the grads mailing list by sending an email to
grads-subscribe@cs.rit.edu.
When should I apply for graduation?
After your first full-time quarter in the graduate program, you should apply for graduation.
Can I apply for to be a Graduate Assistant?
As a graduate student, you can apply for Graduate Assistantships (GA) both in the CS department and across campus. These positions usually pay a tuition benefit as well as a salary.
When can I register for MS Project or Thesis?
ALL undergraduate degree requirements must be complete (including co-op) before you can register for MS Project or Thesis. Also, you must work with the graduate academic advisor to register for either Project or Thesis.
Is my GPA separated by BS and MS?
Your courses are split into sections on your transcript by undergraduate and graduate and each has its own GPA statistics.
Is there grade replacement?
There is no grade replacement in the graduate program. All courses taken and all grades earned remain on your transcript and count in your GPA.
What do I need to earn my MS degree?
The lowest passing grade in the graduate program is “C”. You must have a minimum of 3.0 GPA in your graduate program in order to earn your MS degree.
Do I have to complete my MS in a certain amount of time?
There is a 7 year rule in place for all graduate programs. You must complete your graduate work within 7 years of the quarter in which h you took your first graduate course that counts toward the MS Degree.
