Frequently Asked Questions

• Do international students need GRE scores?

  GRE scores are required for all international applicants. Scores will be used to make admission decisions but no specific minimum score is required. For information about taking the GRE, please visit https://www.ets.org/gre

  We do not waive the GRE requirements for international students. 

  Individuals who have already completed a graduate-level program and are well into established careers in a related field may be admitted without the GRE requirement based on admission committee approval.

• What is the minimum enrollment requirement to be considered in Good Standing? 

  Once an individual has started the master’s program they must take at least one course (minimum 2 credits) during fall and spring semesters. There is no requirement to take a course in the summer. 

  The same is required of provisional graduate students. 

• How many courses can be transferred toward my Master of Science from a Weber State University bachelor’s degree? 

  Students in the Master of Science in Data Science program who took WSU undergraduate CS 5000-level courses may have up to six (6) credits applied toward their MS degree under the conditions that the courses were taken within the previous three years of MSDS program admittance and the student earned a “B” or higher in each course. 

  Please note: 

  • WSU undergraduate CS 5000-level courses will be listed on your undergraduate transcript and will not appear on your graduate transcript. 
  • If you are planning to apply for a doctoral program, contact the intended program to inquire if their Admissions Office will view 5000-level courses as equivalent to 6000-level courses. 
• How many courses can be transferred toward my MS from another MS program?

  At least two-thirds (20 credits) of the total credit hours of a student’s master degree must be earned from this MS program here at Weber State. A maximum of one-third (10 credits) of the total semester graduate credits earned at another, regionally accredited institution may be approved on a case-by-case basis (PPM 11-1, VI.)

• How many CS 5000-level courses am I allowed to take as an undergraduate student? 

  You may take up to 2 CS 5000-level courses as an undergraduate student.

• Are research assistantships and tutoring assistantships available? 

  Research assistants earn an hourly wage in exchange for the number of hours assisting MSDS professors with their research projects. Occasionally, funding is available through grants obtained by faculty allowing a research assistant to earn a tuition waiver. Upon acceptance into the program, graduate students may contact the MSDS program director for further information. 

  Tutoring assistantships are available. For example, students wishing to tutor computer science students earn an hourly wage in exchange for the number of hours tutoring undergraduate students in the School of Computing. 

• Are non-resident tuition waivers available? 

  Subject to University and department funding availability, non-resident tuition waivers are awarded to non-resident and international students who have completed all required leveling courses with an entry GPA of 3.0. These waivers cover only the non-resident portion of tuition, not the graduate differential or student fees. 

  Please be advised that waivers are not guaranteed and are reviewed on a semester-by-semester basis. Non-resident and international students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to continue receiving the waiver and must notify msds@weber.edu each semester to request that the waiver be applied to their tuition.

• I am not interested in getting a master’s degree, may I take graduate courses?

  Non-matriculated students are anyone taking courses while not formally admitted into the MSDS program. They may be either non-degree seeking or may plan to join the MSDS program at a later date. 

  You may take up to three 6000-level courses. You may not take a 5000-level course, as those are reserved for advanced bachelor’s level students.