Graduate Program Admission

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Admission Prerequisites

Artificial Intelligence

The Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI) program prepares students to become highly skilled AI professionals and researchers through advanced education and hands-on training in the foundations, technologies, and real-world applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning. 

The curriculum combines rigorous core training with advanced coursework in areas such as computer vision, generative AI, reinforcement learning, distributed machine learning, data science, and interdisciplinary AI applications. 

Students may either pursue a research-oriented Thesis based option that prepares them for research-intensive careers and PhD study, or a Project option that emphasizes applying AI technologies to real-world problems through a substantial capstone experience.  Students may also opt for Non-Thesis based option with a final exam at the end of the program.

BS + MS AI

The Accelerated BS + MSAI (4+1) program is intended for WSU students only, enrolled in the BS in Computer Science, BS in Computer Engineering, BS in Software Engineering, and BS in Cybersecurity programs who wish to obtain both a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence in an accelerated manner. The program allows qualified students to begin graduate coursework during their senior undergraduate year and complete the MSAI degree with an estimated additional year of study, although some students may need three semesters to complete all degree requirements including coursework and the MSAI project. 

This program is available with project option only. 

Computer Engineering

Students whose undergraduate studies did not include material equivalent to that covered in the following WSU courses may be asked to take coursework to resolve that deficiency: CptS 121, 122, 360; EE 214, 234, 324, 334; and MATH 216. The committee may require the student to complete other undergraduate deficiencies including courses that are prerequisite to graduate courses.

Computer Science

Students whose undergraduate studies did not include material equivalent to that covered in the following WSU courses may be asked to take coursework to resolve that deficiency: CPT_S 121, 122, 223, 260, 317, 350, 355, 360, PHIL 201, & MATH 216. The committee may require the student to complete other undergraduate deficiencies including courses that are prerequisite to graduate courses.

Electrical Engineering

Students whose undergraduate studies did not include material equivalent to that covered in the following WSU courses may be asked to take coursework to resolve that deficiency: EE 214, 234, 261, 311, 321, 331, 352, and any three of EE 341, 351, 361, or CptS 360. The committee may require the student to complete other undergraduate deficiencies including courses that are prerequisite to graduate courses.

Software Engineering

Students whose undergraduate studies did not include material equivalent to that covered in the following WSU courses may be asked to take coursework to resolve that deficiency: CptS 121, 122, 223, 260, 317, 355, 360, 350; Phil 201; and Math 216. The committee may require the student to complete other undergraduate deficiencies including courses that are prerequisite to graduate courses.

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Financial Support

All students who apply for the Graduate Program are considered for financial support as a research or teaching assistant, however, not all admitted students are granted such support. Support, if offered, includes a tuition waiver and a monthly stipend in exchange for 20 hours/week of work.

Funding is not guaranteed for the entire program; support is determined each semester based on student performance and funding availability. Certain mandatory fees (approximately $1,000 per semester) are not covered by the tuition waiver. Visit the Graduate School website for information about tuition and cost of living (with or without an assistantship).

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Application

The School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) evaluates applicants for admission to its graduate programs based on college transcripts, undergraduate/graduate GPA, GRE score*, letters of recommendation (minimum of three), a statement of purpose, and an English language proficiency score (if applicable).

It is highly recommended that you contact faculty members you are interested in working with before starting your application process.

Any physical application materials must be mailed directly to the Graduate School at the following address:

Graduate School Admissions
French Administration, Room 324
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-1030

Applications will be evaluated by the EECS Graduate Studies Committee and applicants deemed most qualified will be recommended to the Graduate School for admission. Please note that admission may be denied by the Graduate School if an applicant does not meet the minimum university standard for admission. EECS does not provide unofficial evaluations of an applicant’s academic history, including transcripts, GPA, and test scores. The only evaluations will occur once an applicant has officially applied and submitted all of their materials.

Deadlines

Priority deadline is January 10 for fall semester and July 1 for spring semester. If you are planning to apply for a semester after the priority deadline has passed, we highly recommend you contact us to make sure we are still reviewing new applications.

Additional Information

• WSU Graduate School
• The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Program
• The TOEFL Test
• Notice of Nondiscrimination