PlusOne Program: Computer Engineering to MS in Computer Science

Who is eligible for PlusOne with Computer Engineering to MS in Computer Science?

Students in the BS in Computer Engineering program are eligible to complete up to four graduate (master’s) courses as an undergraduate using this accelerated pathway.

• Only one graduate course may be completed per semester.
• The remaining required courses must be completed as a master’s student (post-bachelor’s graduation).
• Computer engineering students must take CS 5010 and CS 5800.

When do PlusOne students start taking graduate courses?

• Minimum 3.0 GPA required to request graduate course enrollment.
  • First-year students cannot take their first graduate-level course during the summer. Please plan to take your first graduate-level course in the fall of your second year at the earliest.
     
• Students can request enrollment in graduate-level courses via a survey that is emailed out before each semester’s registration period.

What are the admission requirements?

Interested students should meet with their advisor no later than their third semester to discuss how the PlusOne pathway will fit into their academic plan and when they plan to complete their first graduate-level course.

Admission requires:

• Minimum 3.0 GPA, bothly cumulative and within the major
• Successful completion of a graduate-level Khoury College course
• Submission of the online PlusOne Application form:
  • Academic advisors will share the online application form with eligible students
  • Application form should only be submitted after the above requirements are met
  • Admission into the PlusOne program does not guarantee admission into the master’s program upon graduation at the bachelor’s level

What are the progression requirements?

• To continue in the PlusOne program, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and earn a cumulative 3.0 GPA in all graduate-level CS courses.
• Students admitted into the PlusOne program maintain undergraduate standing and must continue to request admission into graduate courses each term.
• Undergraduates are limited to one graduate course per semester, with a limit of four graduate courses (including withdrawals) total during the undergraduate degree. Placement is not guaranteed.
• Students should confer regularly with their undergraduate academic advisor to ensure proper planning.
• Students entering a graduate program via the PlusOne pathway are not eligible for the Double Husky Scholarship. If you have additional questions related to tuition or scholarship eligibility, please reach out to Student Financial Services.

Do I complete my bachelor's and master's degrees at the same time?

No. As an undergraduate, you can double-count up to four graduate-level courses toward both degrees. You must complete your bachelor’s degree first, then finish the final year of the master’s degree afterward.

Do I have to be a full-time graduate student to participate in PlusOne?

Yes. Full-time status at the graduate level means two graduate courses per fall or spring semester.

Do I have the option to complete a co-op as a graduate student?

Yes, though it’s optional. Keep in mind that adding a co-op will extend your time to complete the MS degree. If you’re interested, connect with the graduate co-op team as early as possible after starting the MS program to review requirements and get access to NUworks at the graduate level.

You’ll need at least one full-time semester of in-progress graduate coursework (8 semester hours) before you can conduct a full co-op search — so the earliest you could go out on co-op is the term following your first fall or spring semester in the MS program.

Do I have to continue into the master's program immediately after graduating with my bachelor's?

Yes. PlusOne students are expected to enroll directly into graduate study; there’s no option to delay or defer.

Is PlusOne available across all Northeastern campuses?

For the PlusOne pathway in Computer Science, students can choose to complete their graduate studies in Boston, Oakland, Silicon Valley, or Seattle once they’ve finished their bachelor’s degree and transitioned into the MSCS program. For all other PlusOne pathways, both degrees are completed in Boston.

Who can I contact with questions?

For questions about your PlusOne participation and how it fits into your undergraduate plan, connect with your Khoury Academic Advisor. If you’re in a Khoury combined major housed in a different college, reach out to your assigned Khoury Secondary Advisor instead.