The five-year combined BS/MS Degree Program in Computer Graphics Technology enables outstanding students to complete the Bachelor of Science in Computer Graphics Technology and the Master of Science in Computer Graphics Technology in a total of five years, rather than six years or more (if pursued separately).
The program does not alter the requirements for either degree, but allows students to count up to nine (9) credits of graduate level courses toward both degrees, thereby reducing the total time to complete the MS degree. With advanced placement credit, credit by examination, full course loads, summer courses, or a combination of these, students can comfortably complete both degrees in no more than five (5) years from the beginning of their academic career in CGT.
Admission Requirements
Requirements for admission to the Combined Degree Program in CGT include a minimum 3.5 GPA in CGT courses and a cumulative overall GPA of at least 3.2. Students must also complete 90 of the 120 credits in the CGT BS degree by the end of their sixth (6th) semester.
Admission Process
Students desiring to apply to the Combined CGT program do so at the beginning of their sixth (6th) semester (the second semester of the junior year). If accepted to the program, a student begins taking graduate courses in the senior year (one during the first semester of the senior year, and two during the second semester). It is also possible to take courses during the summer between one’s junior and senior year. One advantage to the student is that the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required to pursue the MS under this program.
Applying to the Program
- Fill out the CGT Combined Program Application form (There is an example of MS-BS Plan of Study).
- Meet with your undergraduate counselor to verify your CGT and cumulative GPA. Your counselor will need to sign the CGT Dual Program Application form.
- Seek out and meet with a CGT Graduate Faculty Member who you would like to serve as your graduate advisor. You will want to find a CGT Graduate Faculty member whose research interests align with your interests. See a listing of CGT Graduate Faculty and their related interest areas. The CGT Dual Program Application form requires that you develop your five-year plan of study. Work with your graduate advisor (and/or meet with the CGT Graduate Co-Chairs) for assistance on this.
- Submit an Electronic Graduate School Application online. You are applying for a Master of Science in Computer Graphics Technology. Leave the questions that ask about the GRE unanswered; it is not required for the combined program.
- Pay the required application fee.
- Submit a Statement of Purpose electronically with your online application (max 500 words). It should describe your purpose for wanting the MS degree, reasons for wanting to continue to study at Purdue, professional plans, career goals, and research interests.
- Ask three CGT faculty members to provide letters of recommendation (submitted electronically). When you apply online, the website will contact them to complete an electronic recommendation. One letter may be submitted by a professional in your field, rather than a CGT faculty member, if desired.
- Following receipt of these materials, the CGT Graduate Committee will meet to accept or reject the application to the program. Following the meeting, the student will be contacted by the CGT Graduate Studies Office and be informed of the result.
Deadline for completion of applications
For admission in August: April 1. For admission in January: November 1.
Admission by the Graduate School will constitute acceptance into the BS/MS program and you will then have dual status as an undergraduate student and as a graduate student during your senior year.
Degree and Program Requirements
- The requirements for each degree are the same as for students pursuing the degrees separately.
- The BS degree must be awarded prior to the M.S. degree.
- No more than 9 graduate credit hours can be taken by an undergraduate student who has not yet been awarded the BS degree.
- Students in the program may use up to nine credits of graduate level courses toward both the MS and BS as free electives or technical elective (if applicable) in the BS program.
- Graduate plans of study will be submitted to the graduate school. Plans of study may be modified with approval of the student's graduate committee.
-
Students in the program must:
- Take at least one 50000- or 60000-level course each semester after the junior year.
- Follow the BS and MS plans of study so as to complete both degrees within five years of beginning the CGT BS program.
- Maintain and graduate with at least a 3.0 graduate GPA in both programs.
- The Graduate Committee may grant exceptions for compelling reasons.
- Students who leave the program, whether for failure to meet the program requirements or by withdrawal, will cease to be graduate students but may continue as undergraduate students if they have not been awarded the BS. Such students may apply for regular admission to graduate study; but they will not be permitted to use on a subsequent MS plan of study any graduate courses used to fulfill BS requirements.
Please contact the CGT Graduate Studies office at cgtgradinfo@purdue.edu with any questions you may have regarding this program.