Senior Certificate Program

Computer Science Senior Certificate for UNDERGRADUATE SENIORS (FINAL YEAR) Enrolled AT OTHER UNIVERSITIES

 “For decades, the senior certificate program has been one of UF CISE’s most impactful programs in opening up windows of opportunities, as routinely reported by participating students..” – Juan Gilbert, Andrew Banks Family Preeminence Endowed Professor and Chair of CISE (2024)”

Synopsis and Highlights

  • One semester certificate program for undergraduates in their senior (final) year at other universities including international universities
  • Requires presence at University of Florida in Gainesville, FL.
  • Certificate students attend courses and are assessed alongside UF students
  • With approval of student’s home university, certificate credits may be counted toward undergraduate degree completion requirements at the home university
  • 25th year of the program (2024)
  • International experience at a major US university
  • Improved chances of admission into UF’s MS program
  • Certificate credits may transfer into our MS program
  • Certificate credits cost less than half as much as MS credits

Eligibility and Admission Requirements

  • Enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in Computer Science/Engineering
  • Current GPA of B or better
  • Demonstrated English communication skills (TOEFL or TSE required of students from non-exempt countries)
  • International certificate students must meet lawful visa and entry requirements similar to other international students at UF

Home University Policy

  • Some universities have standard policies that count UF senior certificate credits towards degree requirements
  • Otherwise, it is the student’s responsibility to negotiate such an agreement  with their home university officials

Program Details

  • 12 credits of approved CISE courses
  • Select from available senior or graduate level CISE courses
  • Typically, a certificate student takes 3 undergrad and 9 grad credits
  • Must receive C or better on each course

Entrance to Masters Program

Master’s admission guaranteed if:

  • B or better CGPA in junior and senior years in home university and
  • B or better GPA in certificate program; no grade below C and
  • GRE score of >=305 and
  • TOEFL >= 80

To avoid admission delay, take GRE & TOEFL before starting the certificate.

Transferring Credits
  • Certificate students who are admitted to the MS program in CISE can transfer the graduate courses taken in the certificate program in which they received a grade of B or better.
  • Typically, a certificate student takes 3 undergrad and 9 grad credits. So, up to 9 credits may be transferred into our MS program

Certificate Program Statistics

  • Operational since 2009: 25th year of the program (2024)
  • Annual cohorts of up to 65 students currently, usually in the Spring semester of each year
  • Routine cohorts from 10 recognized international universities

Resources

Contact

Kristina Sapp (klsapp@ufl.edu) for more information.