|
Are internships/co-ops required?
Yes. All full-time students are expected to complete a minimum of 6 months of co-op work. For students who wish to pursue a PhD after their masters' degree we offer the option of working on a research project to prepare them for the PhD program.
Top of Page
What is the co-op?
Co-op stands for cooperative education. The University of Cincinnati is the global birthplace of cooperative education. UC introduced cooperative education in 1906. The Professional Practice (Co-op) program at the University of Cincinnati is designed to provide qualified students the most comprehensive professional preparation available. The MS-IS co-op requires full-time students to spend a minimum of 2 quarters (6 months) working full-time in an IS position.
Top of Page
How do I get a co-op position?
Getting a co-op/internship is very much like getting a full time job, and it would be up to you to land the position. We will however do all we can to help you get placed through partnerships we have with companies and through UC's professional practices division which places over 3,000 students in co-op positions every year. Co-op positions would typically pay 50% of a full-time position. A few of our students have had their co-ops extended since they proved very valuable to the projects they were involved in and the employers were not ready to have them leave before the project was completed.
Top of Page
When do I start the co-op?
Students typically start their co-op in the summer term at the end of the first academic year.
Top of Page
What is the duration of the co-op?
The co-op has to be a minimum of 6 months. Longer co-ops (9 months) are possible based on student's interests and the co-op opportunities available.
Top of Page
Will I be paid during the co-op?
Co-op positions are paid. Co-op positions typically pay $18-22/hr. Thus, a 6 month co-op will result in an earning of $18,000-$22,000 for the student. A 9-moth co-op will result in an earning of $24,000-$33,000 for the student. Most students save a portion of this income to use toward their tuition after their co-op and to pay student loans. Please note that co-op placement is not guaranteed.
Top of Page
Am I guaranteed co-op placement?
No. Getting a co-op is very much like getting a job – you have to interview for the position and land the job. However, every MS-IS student has been able to find a co-op position thus far.
Top of Page
What is UC's co-op placement record?
The MS-IS program has a 100% co-op placement record. However, this should not be taken as a guarantee that future students will have the same co-op placement.
Top of Page
What are the pre-requisites for the MS IS degree?
There are no pre-requisites. The only requirement is a bachelor's degree in any discipline.
Top of Page
When is the earliest I can apply for the program?
One year before the start of the program.
Top of Page
When is the application deadline?
Application deadlines are published on the MS-IS website. We encourage you to apply early as applications are considered on a rolling basis.
Top of Page
Do I need an undergraduate degree in Computer Science or MIS or Engineering in order to receive acceptance into the program?
No. consider applicants from all academic and professional backgrounds.
Top of Page
Do I need to take the business background courses before I apply to the program?
No. However, if you have completed courses in these subjects as part of your undergraduate program, they may be waived.
Top of Page
Do I need work experience in order to qualify for admission?
No. There is no specified minimum work experience requirement.
Top of Page
Do I need to take the GRE or the GMAT?
Either test is acceptable. If you wish to pursue the dual degree option, then you must take the GMAT. We will not waive the GRE/GMAT requirement.
Top of Page
What is the minimum GRE/GMAT score?
Although we do not have a specified minimum score, we like to see a score of around 1300 or higher on the GRE general test and 620 or higher on the GMAT. We do consider the verbal and quantitative scores separately. In making the admission decision, we carefully examine the overall profile including your undergraduate performance, your GMAT or GRE scores, your work experience, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular involvement in making the admission decision. So, the GRE/GMAT score is just one of the data points we use in making the admission decision.
Top of Page
I took the GRE/GMAT a few years ago. Will I have to re-take the test?
ETS will not report test scores that are more than 5 years old. If you took the test more than 5 years ago, you will need to re-take the test.
Top of Page
What is the minimum TOEFL score?
The minimum acceptable TOEFL score for admission is 250 for the computer-based test or 600 for the paper-based test or 100 for the new internet based test.
Top of Page
Do I need to take the TOEFL?
TOEFL is required for all international students whose native language is not English. If you already have a degree from the United States, the TOEFL requirement may be waived.
Top of Page
Are there any scholarships or graduate assistant positions available?
Yes. Please note that we do not award full scholarships to any student. We expect students to join the program because they value the outstanding education we provide and the exceptional career opportunities that are available to graduates of this program. We award only a limited number of partial scholarships and assistantships and these go to our top incoming students. Our typical scholarship award covers tuition for the second term (winter) of study. We may have a couple of additional scholarships available in the spring quarter – these will be awarded based on performance in the MSIS program in the autumn and winter quarters. Assistantships require students to work for 10-20 hours a week and pay a stipend ranging from $4,500-10,000/year. Our scholarship award recipients typically have GRE or GMAT scores in the 80th percentile or higher on both Verbal and Quantitative sections and also have an outstanding academic record and/or work experience. Assistantship awards go to the top students among those who have already received a scholarship award. A few of our students have been successful getting assistantships with other departments after getting to UC. Additional assistantship opportunities cannot however be guaranteed.
Top of Page
What does the admissions committee look for?
We consider the overall profile of the candidate including your undergraduate performance, your GMAT or GRE scores, your work experience, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular involvement in making the admission decision.
Top of Page
What is the quarter system?
UC is on the quarter system. Each academic year is divided into three regular quarters (Autumn/Fall, Winter and Spring) plus a Summer quarter. Each quarter is 10 weeks long. Typically, full-time students take courses for 3 quarters (Fall, Winter and Spring) and then leave for a paid two term co-op/internship. Once students come back from a co-op, they will have 1-2 quarters of coursework left depending on the program of study.
Top of Page
How many classes does a student take a quarter?
We recommend that full-time students take 4 courses (16 credits) every quarter. International student are required to carry a full load in order to maintain their immigration status.
Top of Page
How long will it take to complete my degree requirements?
On average, it takes most students six to seven quarters (18-21 months) to complete all graduation requirements. This includes a 6 or 9 month co-op. Actual time to degree will depend on the workload a student carries, prior academic preparation and duration of the co-op.
Top of Page
Can I work on Campus?
Since UC is an urban setting, there are numerous opportunities to work on campus. Most of our graduate students manage to find some kind of on-campus employment. We cannot however guarantee that you will find such employment since you will have to apply and interview for these positions. Positions typically pay $7-10 per hour and you will be permitted to work 20 hrs/week.
Top of Page
Is it possible to do a joint MS-IS / MBA program or MS-IS and another MS?
Yes. Typical course duration Is 24 months including a 6 month co-op. In order to be admitted to the dual degree program, you must apply to both programs of interest and secure admission to both programs. You can also apply for the dual degree after joining the MS-IS program and also complete the MBA or second MS after graduation from the MS-IS program if you happen to remain in the Cincinnati area.
Top of Page
How do I apply for this program?
You can apply using the on-line graduate application for admission. https://www.grad.uc.edu/admissions/app/
Top of Page
Can I contact current students?
Please visit the MS-IS program community site (is.business.uc.edu)) to interact with current students and alumni. If you wish to communicate with one of the graduate assistants in the IS department, you can do so by sending an email to msis-ta@business.uc.edu.
Top of Page
What is the full-time placement record?
The MS-IS program has a 100% placement record. Our graduates are performing exceptionally well in their chosen careers. However, this should not be taken as a guarantee that future students will have the same placement.
Top of Page
Where do I send my supporting documentation?
Please send all correspondence to the following address. We strongly recommend that you use a courier service for sending all materials to the MS-IS program.
Graduate Programs Office
College of Business
Attn: MS-IS Program
Carl H. Lindner Hall
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0020
Top of Page
|
