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Recognized as one of the nation's premier computer science and engineering graduate programs, the Paul G. Allen School provides 300 full-time graduate students with a collaborative academic atmosphere, world-class research opportunities, and access to pioneering faculty who are industry trailblazers. Our track record speaks for itself in guiding student researchers toward prestigious roles at leading academic institutions and tech laboratories. Through combined efforts, our academic community advances the field while creating practical innovations. The Allen School's Ph.D. program includes three key elements: academic coursework, research development, and thesis work. Initially, students enroll in advanced courses covering diverse subjects like theory, systems, programming, and real-world applications. Simultaneously, they hone their research abilities under faculty mentorship, mastering analytical thinking, data synthesis, and effective communication. Progress is assessed through several milestones: the Qualifying Evaluation (quals), General Examination, and Candidacy of Philosophy, culminating in dissertation completion and defense to earn the Doctor of Philosophy title.
Students must have an undergraduate degree in computer science or equivalent background, which includes programming experience, data structures, discrete math, automata theory, machine organization, and programming systems.
English Proficiency:
The Graduate School is temporarily accepting official test scores for both the Duolingo English Test and the TOEFL ITP Plus For China to assist international students with remote testing options. This policy is currently in effect through the autumn 2021 admission cycle (i.e., students enrolling in autumn 2021).
TOEFL iBT - Minimum Required Score (ELP Required): 80; Recommended Score (ELP Satisfied): 92 or higher
TOEFL pBT - Minimum Required Score: 500
Duolingo: Minimum Required Score (ELP Required): 105; Recommended Score (ELP Satisfied): 120 or higher
IELTS: Minimum Required Score 6.5