The Transition to Computing program is a set of bridge courses for students admitted to the MSCSE who require additional background in core computer science and engineering topics. Prospective students should apply to the regular MSCSE program, and admitted students are considered degree-seeking MSCSE students. The determination for requiring the Transition to Computing bridge courses occurs at the time of admission.
Who it’s for
This program fits you if
- You aspire to an M.S. in CSE without a CSE undergraduate degree.
- You have mathematical maturity and some prior programming experience.
- You want to apply computing to the field you already know.
- You can study full time, in person, for one fall semester.
What you gain
- A graduate-level pathway to the MSCSE at Notre Dame.
- Essential background gaps filled in one intensive semester.
- Hands-on, project-based learning, and a contribution to research, innovation, and professional practice.
- A cohort experience with faculty mentoring.
Important
TTC is not a substitute for an undergraduate CSE degree, nor is it a bootcamp or a first course in programming. It is an intensive, graduate-level bridge that assumes mathematical maturity and prior programming experience.
Program requirements
Students must complete the following twelve (12) credit hours concurrently:
- Transition to Software Design (3 cr)
- Transition to Data Structures & Algorithms (3 cr)
- Transition to Computer Systems & Organization (3 cr)
- Integrative Computing Studio (3 cr)
With DGS approval, substitutions may be made for students with prior preparation, provided the total remains 12 credits.
After the transition semester
A 3.0 GPA across the twelve transition credits earns a Confirmation of Achievement, which allows you to continue directly into the MSCSE. The MSCSE itself is 30 credits: 24 credits of coursework plus 6 credits of research project or thesis. The three CSE 50501–50503 transition courses do not count toward those 30 credits. See the M.S. in CSE page and the MSCSE & TTC overview.
Admission requirements
Apply to the regular MSCSE program. The determination to require transition coursework is made at the time of admission. Applicants generally hold:
- A bachelor’s degree from a program with foundational mathematics and programming — including but not limited to STEM degrees, economics, and other quantitative fields.
- Prior programming or software development experience, and mathematical maturity.
- Three letters of recommendation from faculty who can judge your academic and research potential.
Applicants must also meet the Graduate School’s official requirements for the program — see the Graduate School program page. Deadlines, cost and other common questions are answered in the FAQ.