Graduate Level Courses - Erik Jonsson School of Engineering & Computer Science (2024)

Commonly, a Fast-Track student will continue studies in the corresponding major at the graduate level. An advantage of continuing with the same major is that the master’s level courses a Fast-Track student takes are more likely to fit well into both the bachelor’s and the master’s degree requirements. A Fast-Track student must choose master’s level courses that satisfy the requirements of the bachelor’s degree and those of the intended master’s degree.

Cross tracking is when a Fast-Track student chooses a major other than their current undergraduate degree program. A cross-tracking student should select master’s level courses from the list of prerequisite and core courses for the intended master’s degree requirements. A Fast-Track student would use these master’s level courses towards guided or free electives in the current bachelor’s degree requirements.

A Fast-Track student may only fast track into a single master’s level program.

Each Semester you will complete a petition to take graduate courses. Students who are in the Fast Tack form as “Option B” use thisform.

Prior to matriculation into the MS degree program (in the semester before), you must also obtain the signature of the graduate associate dean.

Guide to completing the form

In order to remain in good standing, a Fast-Track student must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.000 in both undergraduate and graduate careers (i.e. a “B” average in both graduate and undergraduate classes).
2. Satisfy all program requirements while maintaining good academic standing.
3. Students may not repeat a single master’s level course more than one time. Students may repeat only three master’s level courses a maximum of one time for up to three courses, including withdrawals. All attempted coursework including withdrawals and repeats will be included in a student’s graduate record and transcript.
4. A student may take up to a maximum of 15 semester credit hours (SCH) in total at the master’s level. For example, if an undergraduate student chooses to take nine graduate semester credit hours reserved for application toward their graduate degree, the undergraduate student can take only six SCH at the master’s level in the Fast-Track option. Withdrawals and repeated coursework will also be included in the 15 SCH maximum.

If, at any time, a Fast-Track student fails to satisfy these requirements, the Fast-Track student will be withdrawn from the Fast-Track program. Once withdrawn from Fast-Track program, any previously completed graduate coursework may only apply toward undergraduate degree requirements.

When should I apply?

You must be a senior to take graduate courses (i.e. have passed >90 SCH). A good rule of thumb for engineering majors is to apply the semester before you take Senior Design I. For computer science and software engineering majors you should apply either the semester before the capstone project or two semesters before.

How many graduate courses should I take to graduate with a MS in one extra year?

In engineering and computer science most MS degree programs are 33 SCH or 11 graduate classes. Typically, a full-time graduate student takes three graduate classes per long semester. This means that to graduate with an MS in two semesters you need to take five graduate courses as an undergraduate. Similarly, if you wish to graduate with a MS degree in three semesters then you need to take three graduate courses as an undergraduate.

This sounds great but I’m not confident I can take graduate classes as an undergraduate. Do I have other options to apply to the MS programs in engineering and computer science

Yes! As a student who is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree at UT Dallas you can apply to MS programs via theUT Dallas Quick Admit.