MSACS Admission (Vancouver)

Admission Requirements

  1. Graduation from an accredited 4-year bachelor’s degree program with an equivalent to minimum grade point average of 2.75 (B-) on 4.0 scale.
    • Students with lower GPA can be considered for admissions after a broad-based review of their overall academic profile and in combination with related work experience.
  2. Submission of an official score report for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test taken within the last five years.
    • The GRE may be waived for applicants meeting one of the following conditions:
      • The applicant is a Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) Information Technology (BSIT), Business Administration (BSBA), Computer Science (BSCS), or any STEM graduate with an undergraduate cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.00.
      • The applicant is non-FDU Computer Science (CS) or any STEM graduate with an undergraduate CGPA of 3.50. This GRE waiver policy is only applicable to applicants who graduated from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States or from a recognized institution in Canada.
      • The applicant has completed a master’s degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
      • The applicant has completed bachelor’s in STEM and any master’s degree from accredited U.S. institutions or recognized Canadian institutions.
  3. Demonstrated proficiency in the communication of the English language (for international students whose first language is not English).

Direct Admission

Students who meet the MSACS English proficiency admissions requirement equivalent to IELTS of 6.5 or higher, with no band below 6.0, are required to take the FDU English Placement Test (EPT) after acceptance. Students scoring 15.0 or higher on the EPT are placed directly into the MSACS program. Students who score between 11.0 and 14.0 on the EPT are placed in the Pre-Master’s Program for one term to upgrade their academic English proficiency.  Students take one MSACS program course while placed in the  Pre-Master’s Program.

Students with an English proficiency test score equivalent to IELTS of 6.5 or higher across all bands are placed directly in the MSACS program without further testing. In the Spring and Fall terms, students take a course load of nine academic credits in addition to EPS 5299. In the Summer terms, students may take a maximum load of three courses: six academic credits plus EPS5299, or nine academic credits.

A maximum of nine credits may be transferred from courses completed within the last five years at other accredited institutions and with a grade of B or better in accordance with the curricular requirements of the program and FDU policies. To apply for transfer credit, students submit the Application for Transfer Credits Consideration to Admissions no later than three weeks before the start date of the program, as shown in the Letter of Acceptance.

Application Deadlines

Fall (September start) term – January 1 – April 30

Spring (January start) term – May 1 – August 31

Summer (May start) term –September 1 – December 31

Required Documents

Copies of the documents must be submitted together with the on-line application.

  1. Attested or official transcripts, academic records, diplomas, national examination results, certificates or degrees received from all post-secondary institutions, universities, and/or professional schools. If the documents are not in English, a certified translation is required.
    • Students from India: Please note that we do not accept consolidated mark sheets. Individual mark sheets showing all attempts, failures, and retakes are required. Please submit your Backlogs Summary together with your transcripts.
  2. Three (3) recommendation letters.
  3. Proof of English Proficiency if your first language is not English or you did not complete your degree in the US, Canada, or any country listed on FDU’s exemption list. For more details please refer to the English Proficiency page.
  4. Official GRE test score results (FDU-Vancouver code 2818)
  5. Copy of information page in your valid passport.
  6. Resume (recommended).

Admission Procedures

Admission to the MSACS program is competitive and is based on the “rolling” admission model.

Applicants will be advised if they require any prerequisite courses prior to matriculation into the program at the time of admission.

An interview with the Program Advisor may be required before the decision on admission can be made. Applicants will be notified if an interview is necessary.

FACULTY PROFILES