Frequently Asked Questions
Prospective Students
How can I make an appointment with a graduate advisor?
Prospective students can make an appointment with a graduate advisor in Calendly.
Current students must schedule appointments in Raider Success Hub.What if I wish to defer my application?
Students can defer their application for one year. Deferring does not guarantee acceptance, just that your application will be evaluated again.
- Students will update this information in the application portal themselves.
- Per Texas Tech Graduate Admissions – International Post-Admission Staff: "Please understand that this deferral process allows you to defer your APPLICATION, not your ADMISSION. All students who begin the deferral process will be placed in department review again. Readmission is not guaranteed...It will be up to the department if they need to re-review for admission."
NOTE: Students who choose to defer may no longer be eligible for scholarships, fellowships, TA/RA positions previously awarded.
What is the deadline to apply? Can I still apply after the deadline?
The CS Dept. preferred application deadlines are as follows:
- MS & PhD Fall 2025 application deadline is 6/1/2025
- MS & PhD Summer 2025 application deadline is 2/1/2025
- Accelerated BS to MS (current TTU students ONLY!) deadline for Summer 2025 is 5/1/2025
- Accelerated BS to MS (current TTU students ONLY!) deadline for Fall 2025 is 8/1/2025
We will continue to accept applications after the above dates. Accelerated applicants should discuss a timeline for submitting their application with their undergraduate CS advisor.
If you are an international applicant, there are recommended deadlines. These are as follows:
- January 15th for Fall & Summer semesters
- June 15th for Spring semesters
- International applicants may apply after these preferred deadlines; however, the Office of Graduate Admissions cannot guarantee there will be sufficient time for late applications to be evaluated in order for applicants to make necessary visa/travel arrangements if admitted.
What is the minimum GRE score needed for acceptance into the program?
GRE scores are currently waived until further notice from the Graduate School.
If you choose to submit GRE scores: official scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record
Examination (GRE) must be no more than five years old.
Is proof of English proficiency required?
All international applicants must provide proof of English proficiency before their
applications can be considered for admission.
Only your most recent measure of English proficiency is considered for admission purposes.
This test is waived only for graduates of U.S. universities or universities in English proficiency-exempt countries. Applicants who have completed at least two consecutive years at a college or university
in the U.S. or in an English proficiency-exempt country, are also exempt from the
English proficiency requirement.
Applicants may submit one of the following English proficiency measures:
- Duolingo English Test (Online examination) - The minimum required Duolingo score is 100. There is no institutional code for Duolingo, but applicants will need to select "Texas Tech Graduate School" as the institution to send scores to. Duolingo scores are reported within 48 hours and are valid for two years. Coupon codes for the DET may be available. Email graduate.admissions@ttu.edu for for more information.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – We accept the TOEFL iBT test or the TOEFL Essentials test. The minimum TOEFL iBT score required is 79. The minimum TOEFL Essentials score required is 8.5. The TOEFL score must be received directly from the Educational Testing Service. Texas Tech University's institutional code is 6827. TOEFL scores are valid for only two years.
- International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) – The minimum IELTS required score is an overall band score of 6.5 on the Academic version. IELTS General Training results are not acceptable. There is no IELTS institution code for Texas Tech University. IELTS scores are valid for only two years.
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) – The minimum required PTE Academic score is 60. PTE General and PTE Young Learners results are not acceptable. There is no PTE Academic institution code for Texas Tech University. PTE Academic scores are valid for only two years.
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency Test (Cambridge CPE) – The minimum required Cambridge CPE grade is a score of 180 or above There is no institutional code for the Cambridge CPE. The Cambridge CPE is valid for life.
- Cambridge C1 Advanced Proficiency Test (Cambridge CAE) – The minimum required Cambridge CAE grade is a score of 175 or above. There is no institutional code for the Cambridge CAE. The Cambridge CAE is valid for life.
The CS Dept. does not review the individual band scores for the IELTS.
How much does it cost to attend?
Tuition and fees vary for each student. As such, applicants are encouraged to use the Student Business Services Tuition Estimator tool. Specific questions may be addressed to sbs@ttu.edu
Does Computer Science offer application fee waivers?
The CS Dept offers application fee waivers conditionally.
Students applying to the PhD, MSCS, or MSSSE program may request an application fee
waiver by contacting cs.grad_advisor@ttu.edu. Students must provide their CV/Resume, unofficial transcripts and application ID
number.
Students will NOT be evaluated for admission via email, and must still apply centrally.
Qualified prospective students will be issued a coupon code that will be entered into
the application portal. This is a one-time code that cannot be shared with anyone.
The CS Dept. is not responsible for the consequences of lost or shared codes.
All current TTU undergraduate students who are applying to the accelerated BS to MS program will have their application fee waived. Students applying for the accelerated BS
to MS should contact cs.grad_advisor@ttu.edu to request an application fee waiver.
Are there any prerequisites (leveling requirements) for the program? Can I apply if I do not have degree in computer science or similar field?
We encourage prospective students to review the leveling requirements for the program
that they are interested in.
You can find the leveling requirements and how to satisfy them here:
Students who do not have a background in computer science are welcome to apply. We
encourage you to satisfy the leveling requirements before you begin your application.
Please note that the leveling requirements will differ depending on the selected program
and the applicant's educational background.
What are my chances of being accepted into the program? Is there anything I can do to increase my chances of being accepted?
Our graduate admissions committee considers GRE scores*, transcripts, letters of recommendation,
and a statement of purpose in evaluating applications for admission, as well as any
other supporting documentation, such as a résumé, that you wish to send.
We consider all these factors holistically, with none of them serving as the single
determining factor for acceptance. Because each semester applications are evaluated based on the total number of applications
received that semester, there is no statistical data on minimum GRE or GPA associated
with successful applications. The number of admitted students is also determined by
the number of faculty who have openings in their research areas.
Graduate advisors are unable to review your application before submitting to determine
if you will be offered admission into any of our programs. Applicants will only be
evaluated once they have submitted an official application through the Grad School's application portal.
We will not share with students contact information for faculty or staff members serving
on the Admissions Committee.
*The GRE is waived until further notice.
Is the ___ degree a good option for me?
Ultimately, whether a program is a good option for you is dependent on your career
and personal goals.
We encourage prospective students to reach out to faculty and graduate advisors to
learn more.
What is the application process?
Please review the Grad School's webpage here for information on the application process.
Prospective PhD students should secure support from a CS faculty member before applying.
This is a mandatory first step before acceptance.
What are the requirements for the transcripts that I submit with my application?
Please direct any questions regarding transcripts to Graduate Admissions, graduate.admissions@ttu.edu
My application is in Department Review. Is there anything more I need to do, and when can I expect a decision?
Our Admissions Committee works as fast as possible to provide all applicants with
an application decision that is based on a holistic review of their application materials.
If your application status is in department review, there is no further action required.
Once a decision on your application is made, you will receive an email notification.
We cannot provide an estimate on when you will receive a decision on your application.
We appreciate your patience.
Do prospective PhD students need to secure support from a CS faculty member before applying?
Yes, prospective PhD students will not be admitted unless a CS faculty member has
agreed to support them financially.
Prospective students can use the CS faculty directory to browse faculty members and
their research interests.
PhD students MUST apply centrally through the Grad School application portal.
Can I transfer to CS as a current TTU grad student?
No. You need to apply for the program through the Grad School's application portal.
Application fees will apply.
Please note that being a current TTU graduate student does not guarantee your admission
into our program.
Can I apply to more than one graduate program?
Yes. However, you cannot be concurrently enrolled in two graduate programs at once.
Currently we do not offer any dual programs.
If you wish to apply for both the MSCS and the MSSSE, you must submit two separate
applications. You cannot be enrolled in both programs if you are offered admission
for both. Admission into one program does not guarantee admission into another. This
applies to the PhD-CS program as well.
Is the program offered virtually? Can I enroll in classes at any of the TTU satellite campuses?
The MSCS, MSSSE and graduate certificates are offered virtually. Students must indicate
that they will attend as a distance student when applying.
Distance courses are strictly reserved for true distance students. Lubbock campus
students are expected to enroll in face-to-face coursework.
The PhD is not offered online. Students must be in Lubbock to complete the PhD.
The courses are not offered at any of the TTU satellite campuses. They are available
as asynchronous, distance courses with no weekly meeting time. Students may be expected
to make temporary arrangements to take midterms and final exams, but will not be expected
to come to campus in Lubbock.
How long does it take to complete the degree?
Effective Fall 2025, the Master of Science in Computer Science and Master of Science
in Information in Software and Security Engineering will be 31 credit hour programs.
Full-time study for graduate students is at least 9 credit hours per semester. The
length of your program is entirely dependent on how many credit hours you enroll in
per term. Students may enroll full-time or part-time depending on personal goals.
The timeline for completion of a PhD in Computer Science is dependent on numerous
factors, including
- Publishing requirements/research milestones
- Completion of required hours
- If the student has completed a master's degree, and previous coursework is applying to current program
We encourage students to use DegreeWorks, and discuss with their graduate academic advisor their degree requirements so that they can plan more effectively.
How much transfer credit can I apply to a graduate CS degree?
MS students can only apply 2 classes (total of 6 credit hours) to their MSSSE or MSCS.
Coursework is evaluated by the Graduate Program Coordinator to determine equivalency.
PhD students can apply up to 30 credit hours with a completed master's degree. Previous
degree earned must be in computer science or closely related field. Coursework is
evaluated by the student's faculty advisor and Graduate Program Coordinator to determine
equivalency.
Students must have official transcripts on file with the Grad School before any transfer
coursework will be applied. Students who attended international institutions previously
must have a WES evaluation on file.
Transfer coursework will ONLY be evaluated AFTER a student has been admitted and registered
for classes.
When can I apply to the Accelerated BS to MS program? Who can apply to the Accelerated BS to MS program?
The earliest you can apply is your junior year, after you have taken and passed CS 2413.
Only current TTU undergraduate students can apply for the Accelerated BS to MS programs.
Admitted Students
I'm admitted - now what?
Review the Grad School's Admitted Student Tasklist here.
How do I submit official documents?
All documents that were submitted with your application are considered unofficial,
even if you uploaded a PDF of an official transcript to your application portal.
Once admitted, all students are required to submit all official documents by the twelfth
(12th) class day of the term to which they were admitted.
How to Send Official Documents
Official documents can be provided in the following ways:
- Mailed directly to the Graduate School from your institution.
- Electronically sent directly to the Graduate School from your institution (transcripts.gradschool@ttu.edu)
- Official documents may be dropped off at the Graduate School only if they are in the original, sealed envelope from the institution. Documents will not be returned to the student and copies will not be released to students or third parties. University officials may contact institutions directly to verify official documents.
For more information regarding what you need to submit, visit the Official Document Requirement page
How do I submit immunization records?
Every student must meet the university's immunization requirements before they will be able to enroll in classes.
For more information on the immunization requirements, please visit the Immunization Requirements for New Students page on the Student Health Service website.
How do I pay my eBill?
Your tuition bill will be available in Raiderlink after you register for classes and your bill has been generated by Student Business Services. The preferred method of payment is eBill, and you can pay with an electronic bank transfer, credit card, or debit card through eBill. International students can also make payments through peerTransfer. Visit the Student Business Services website for more information.
I registered but am unable to attend. What do I do?
If you have already registered for classes and are not able to attend, you will need to officially withdraw from the university by completing the withdrawal
form via the Registrar's Office. Information can be found by going to the Registrar's
website and clicking on "Withdrawal Information" under the "Current Student" heading
in the "Students" tab: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/registrar/.
Depending on when you withdraw from the university, you may be responsible for a portion
or all of your tuition & fee charges.
I am an international student. What do I need to do to obtain my I-20?
Your I-20 reflects the estimated expenses for your first year ONLY and is based on
18 credit hours (9 hours for each long term). The actual amount of your expenses may
be higher or lower than the amount on your I-20. The amount will depend on the specific
courses you take and the number of credit hours you register for each term.
If you have received an assistantship or a GPTI, the monthly payment will NOT happen
right away. You will need to communicate with your department regarding the timing
of your monthly income. You will be responsible for payment of your tuition and fees
after you register for your classes. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED you bring enough money
with you to cover this cost.
If you have received enough funding to cover all of your expenses on the I-20, even
though you did not need to provide proof of financial support, the monthly payment
from your assistantship or other employment will NOT happen right away.
How can I get my Student ID?
Once you are registered for classes, you can get your student identification card at the University ID Office, located in the Student Union Building in Room 103.
How can I find housing?
University Student Housing has The West Village, apartment-style residence hall offering one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and four-bedroom
units. Students over 21 years of age may live in West Village B (West Village Graduate),
and students of sophomore or higher classification may live in West Village A (West
Village Upperclass). Amenities include washers and dryers in the one-bedroom and two-bedroom
apartments, and limitless laundry lounges with free WiFi for the four-bedroom apartments.
Other off-campus housing information may be found at http://www.lubbockhospitality.net/apartments or at http://www.lubbockapartments.com.
How does transportation and parking work?
If you plan to park on campus, you will need to purchase a parking permit from University Parking Services, located in the Administrative Support Center in Room 145. They may be reached by telephone at (806) 742-3811, and their website is located here: www.parking.ttu.edu.
On-campus bus service is provided by Citibus, Lubbock's public bus system. These buses stop at several locations on both the university campus and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center's campus. Additionally, students with valid student ID cards are able to ride Citibus off-campus for free. For additional information on Citibus services and routes, please call (806) 742-2000 or visit their website here: www.citibus.com.
I am an international student who is transferring in. What do I need to do?
If you have been studying at another institution in the United States in F-1 status
and plan to enroll at Texas Tech University, you will need to complete an F-1 school
transfer with the Graduate School Office. After receiving admission to Texas Tech,
you will complete the Incoming F-1 Transfer Form with your previous school. The school you are currently attending must release your SEVIS record to Texas Tech. Only then can we issue a transfer I-20 to
you.
Upon arrival in Lubbock, students must report to the International Student and Scholar
Services office at the International Cultural Center. For directions, check the TTU Campus Map.
Visit the Make An Appointment page to schedule a check-in with your international counselor. Failure to report to the ISSS Office may result in the termination of your SEVIS record.
Students who will travel outside the United States for a short period of time before
reporting to Texas Tech should discuss their plans with an International Student Counselor before making arrangements to leave the United States. If you do leave the country, you must re-enter using your Texas Tech I-20.
Students who have completed a degree program at another school and have been authorized
for Optional Practical Training (OPT) will need to provide a copy of their EAD card
showing maintenance of continuous F-1 status. Keep in mind that your OPT employment
authorization will end as of the SEVIS transfer release date.
Questions about the transfer process should be directed to the following email: graduate.admissions.international@ttu.edu
Questions about other matters related to student life (scholarships, housing, orientation,
etc.) should be directed to the appropriate Texas Tech office.
I was admitted to an accelerated BS to MS program. What do I do?
Contact your undergraduate advisor! You will continue to be advised by your undergraduate advisor until you complete the BS. This is the case even if you are enrolling in graduate level coursework.
I was admitted as a distance student. What do I do?
Contact cs.grad_advisor@ttu.edu BEFORE registration begins. Enrolling in distance coursework requires advisor permission, and you will need to fill out the Distance Student Registration Form first.
I was admitted to the Software Engineering/Security Engineering graduate certificate program. What do I do?
Contact cs.grad_advisor@ttu.edu for information regarding registration!
What should I register for?
For MS students, we recommend:
- One 3 credit hour theory-based course
- One 3 credit hour systems-based course
- At least one 3 credit hour elective course (CS 5000-CS 7000)
- And CS 5120
For graduate certificate students, we recommend emailing cs.grad_advisor@ttu.edu.
For distance students, we recommend emailing cs.grad_advisor@ttu.edu.
Scholarships, Fellowships, Funding Your Education
Are there any assistantships I can be considered for?
For students interested in research assistantships (RA positions), it is recommended
that you visit the CS Faculty webpage to determine if you are interested in assisting
any current faculty. If so, you can reach out to faculty via email to inquire about
potential assistantship availability that they may have for the upcoming semester. Please note that a response is not guaranteed.
Teaching assistantships (TA positions) are reserved for PhD students. New PhD students
are required to obtain a recommendation from current CS faculty before they will be
considered for a TA position.
Grader positions are reserved for master's students only.
For international students seeking assistantships, you must be enrolled full-time,
even if you are graduating.
The CS Grad Advising Team does not have any information on the availability of graduate
assistant positions (RA, TA, or grader positions). Should these positions be available,
an announcement will be emailed to students with information on how to apply. The
CS Grad Advising Team does not oversee the eligibility or hiring process for these
positions and are unable to answer questions. We encourage you to reach out to CS
faculty directly to inquire.
What scholarships are available?
Here are the things we recommend current students do to find scholarship opportunities that they can apply for:
- Search for external scholarships using the existing databases: Search for Opportunities | Financial Support | Graduate School | TTU
- Regularly check your TTU email address (at least three times each day) and read each email you receive carefully so that you are aware of scholarship opportunities when they are advertised via email.
- Read your TechAnnounce each day so that you are aware of when scholarship opportunities are advertised here.
- Use a Google search to find scholarships that you can apply for, spend about 1-1.5 hours each week researching scholarship opportunities.
- Pay attention to bulletin boards on campus, as many of these will have student involvement opportunities that may be accompanied by a scholarship, or chance to apply for a scholarship.
- Learn more about applying for scholarships, grants, and fellowships here: Resources | Financial Support | Graduate School | TTU
- Remember that scholarships are not automatically awarded to you, you must apply for them.
I have received a verbal employment offer from a CS faculty member. What is the next step?
You and the faculty member who has agreed to hire you must contact the CS Dept. business manager, Kelly Cooper via email at kelly.m.cooper@ttu.edu
The CS Grad Advising Team does not oversee hiring/onboarding for TAs or RAs.
Where can I find on-campus jobs?
We recommend reviewing the following sources:
- TTU Brassring jobsite (on campus jobs)
- University Career Center (featured positions)
- Read your TechAnnounce daily, as jobs and scholarships are often advertised in daily announcements.
Am I eligible to receive the $1,000 competitive student scholarship and/or in-state tuition?
Competitive student scholarships to new students are awarded by the Grad School. Please
contact gradschool@ttu.edu for assistance with determining eligibility.
Please note that competitive student scholarships awarded to new students from the
Grad School are only given to students who begin their degree in a fall term. Spring
and summer intake students are ineligible. This is the case even if you are initially
admitted for a fall term, but then choose to defer. Consider this carefully when determining
your admission semester.
See the Grad School's general information on scholarships and other types of funding
here.
The competitive student scholarship is not applied to your second year in the program.
You will need to apply for other scholarships using the Continuing Student Scholarship Application. You cannot reapply for the competitive student scholarship awarded by the Grad School.
Degree Planning & Registration
What is a CPT? How do I apply for a CPT?
Per the Office of International Affairs, a CPT, or "Curricular Practical Training makes it possible for F-1 visa students to gain specific practical work experience...It
provides legal authorization for the F-1 student to be in a work environment whether
or not payment of wages is involved."
A student must have been in F-1 status for an academic year in order to be eligible
for a CPT.
Students are asked to meet with their graduate advisor when they are sent a CPT offer
letter. CPT is authorized by the student's International Student Counselor (can be
found in Raider Success Hub > Success Team) with an endorsement on your 1-20.
Graduate advisors will guide you in the process and provide a CPT Letter to forward
to your International Counselor at the Office of International Affairs.
Students are required to enroll in one (1) hour of CS 5000, the course that is associated
with the CPT. In order to enroll in this course alongside of their CPT, the student
must meet all registration deadlines established by the Graduate School, department,
and the Office of the Registrar. CPT must be tied to the concurrent class which requires
employment. It is only authorized on a semester-by-semester basis.
Students who are unable to provide an offer letter will be unable to participate in
the CPT.
While CS 5000 will not count toward a student's degree hours, it will satisfy a student's
comprehensive evaluation requirement. Registration for CS 5000 must coincide with
university registration guidelines. The CS Dept. will not be able to add CS 5000 to a student's schedule should they receive
an offer of employment after the deadline for students to add coursework has passed.
Thus, we will be unable to approve your CPT application. It is the student's responsibility
to remain apprised of this deadline each semester.
The CPT can either be full time (does not require minimum enrollment), or part-time
(up to 20 hours per week of work), which requires full-time enrollment. Full-time
CPT of 12 months or more makes F-1 students ineligible for subsequent OPT (Optional
Practical Training).
The CPT process is coordinated through the Office of International Affairs. You may find important information on their website.
CPT is available for Fall, Spring and Summer semesters, contingent on adherence to
university and departmental rules and deadlines.
Please contact your CS graduate academic advisor for more information on the application
process.
How do I set up an appointment with my advisor?
Students may use Raider Success Hub to schedule appointments with their advisors.
Students with last names A-L should direct questions to Erin Engelhardt, erin.engelhardt@ttu.edu.
Students with last names M-Z should direct questions to Jessica Woodard, jessica.woodard@ttu.edu.
For general inquiries, students may also email cs.grad_advisor@ttu.edu.
What classes do I need to take?
It is recommended that you use tools such as Degreeworks to determine what courses you need to satisfy your degree requirements.
You can schedule an appointment with your academic advisor in Raider Success Hub to
ask questions about Degreeworks.
I am a student enrolled in a graduate certificate offered by the CS Dept. and need to register, what is the process?
I am a student enrolled in a graduate certificate offered by the CS Dept. and need to register, what is the process?
Those enrolled in graduate certificates may experience registration errors. Should
this occur, you can reach out to cs.grad_advisor@ttu.edu, or any member of the CS Grad Advising Team directly via email to request a permit.
Please be sure to include the course prefix and course number when requesting permits
(e.g. CS 5381) and your Rnumber.
What is the comprehensive evaluation? How can I complete it?
All TTU MS students MUST complete a comprehensive evaluation to graduate. There are five (5) different options for students in the CS Dept. to complete this:
- Master's Thesis - Students must publicly defend their completed thesis to satisfy this requirement. Six (6) hours of CS 6000 - Master's Thesis AND CS faculty approval is required.
- Complete an approved Industry Career Certificate through Coursera. Can begin as early as first semester in the program.
- Work Experience - Students can participate in an approved internship/CPT (see grad advisor). The internship/CPT requires co-enrollment in CS 5000 - Practicum in Computer Science. Or professional students may ask that their full-time job be considered to satisfy this requirement (see grad advisor).
- Master's Project - Students will complete an oral examination wherein they present publicly on project results. Requires three (3) credit hours of CS 6001 - Master's Project AND CS faculty approval.
- Master's Report - Students will complete an oral examination wherein they present publicly on project results. Requires three (3) credit hours of CS 6002 - Master's Report AND CS faculty approval.
The CS Dept. no longer offers an exam option.
Can I remove a grade/course from my transcript or GPA?
No.
Students may consider discussing grade replacement with an academic advisor to improve
their GPA, but this will not remove the course from your transcript.
How many classes can I enroll in per semester?
MSCS and MSSSE students can only enroll in 13 credit hours per semester.
The CS Grad Advising Team performs weekly schedule audits to ensure that all students
are adhering to department policy. Students found in violation of the policy will
receive a warning email informing them to make schedule changes. It is the responsibility
of the student to regularly check their email so that they are apprised. Students
may be subject to registration holds if they are found in violation of department
maximum enrollment policy.
Under very limited circumstances, students may request that they be allowed to enroll
in more than 13 credit hours. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Students on academic probation cannot enroll in more than 13 credit hours per semester.
Enrolled hours for PhD students will be determined in conjunction with their faculty
supervisor/research advisor.
Graduation
What is OPT? How do I apply for an OPT?
Optional Practical Training is used by students to gain work experience in their field of study after completing a degree program. There are certain other situations in which OPT may be possible prior to the completion of a degree program.
Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regulations allow up to 12 months of OPT at each degree level for a student
in F-1 status. Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students are eligible
for an extension of 24 months of OPT. For information about STEM OPT, visit our STEM OPT page.
An application for post-completion OPT can be filed up to 90 days prior to the student's
completion date and no later than 60 days after the student's program completion date.
It may take the government agency (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services or USCIS) up to 90 days or more to process an OPT application. Your International Student
Counselor may be able to provide a current estimate of processing times. However,
processing times are unpredictable so it is always best to apply early! You cannot
begin working until you have received your Employment Authorization Card (EAD) in
the mail from the government agency and until the start date listed on the EAD card.
The ISSS office is not responsible for the length of time required to process your
OPT application.
Instructions and forms may be found on TTU International Affairs Office website.
I am graduating and would like to invite my family members who live outside of the United States to commencement. How can I request an invitation to commencement for them?
Effective Spring 2025, the Graduate School will no longer provide invitation letters for commencement.
Per the Office of International Affairs, the US State Dept. does not consider these letters in their decision to issue your family members tourist visas. The website does indicate that students may choose to write letters on their own behalf to confirm their relationship to a family member/friend. See here.
Per the Dept of State's website, "Visa applicants must qualify on the basis of the applicant's residence and ties abroad, rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a non-immigrant tourist visa. If you do choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember that it is not one of the factors that we use in determining whether to issue or deny a non-immigrant tourist visa."
You can find the template here if you choose to write a letter to the State Dept on your family member's behalf.
How can I defer my commencement ceremony?
Students can defer their commencement ceremony. This can be coordinated through Enrollment Services.
Please note, the term you selected to defer your walk to is final. Additional changes
cannot be requested.
I am completing a thesis/dissertation. Where do I submit my manuscript?
Thesis/dissertation manuscripts should be submitted after you have passed the final
defense and satisfied all requirements from your committee.
To submit your manuscript for formatting review, please follow the link here.
Questions can be forwarded to etd.gradschool@ttu.edu.
Other Current Student FAQs
I need late arrival/late return/early departure. What is the process?
- Late Arrival = When a NEW student arrives to campus after the term has started.
- Late Return = When a CURRENT student arrives to campus after the term has started.
- Early Departure = When a CURRENT student leaves campus before all campus activities have concluded.
The CS Dept strictly follows the official academic calendar. Students who are enrolled in face-to-face sections must be on campus by the first class day of each semester and leave campus no earlier than the last day with scheduled course activities.
The only exception we make is for incoming new international students who often need more time to obtain the necessary paperwork including study visa, and in such case, we accommodate late arrival for up to the 12th class day of their first semester.
No exceptions will be made for late return or early departure requests from current students in general. If it is because of an unforeseen and uncontrollable situation, then the student must obtain an in-advance approval from the academic advisors and instructors of all enrolled courses for an excused absence of four (4) or less weekdays.
If a student has unexcused absences, then the student must take full responsibility
for any missed classes, or missed academic work, or any financial issues caused. Examples
of unexcused absences include, but are not limited to: attending weddings or choosing
to travel after peak times to avoid high airfare costs. Advisors/instructors WILL
NOT permit you to miss class for these reasons, and you should plan to be on campus
on the first class day.
Should a student be absent from a week or more of classes as a result of documented medical, family, health, bereavement, etc., they must file an Extended Absence Verification Request with the Office of the Dean of Students. Once the reason for the absences has been
verified, the Office of the Dean of Students will notify your academic college, who
will then notify your instructors. It is the responsibility of the student to review
each course syllabus attendance policy and follow up with each instructor. Supporting
documentation MUST be attached for the request to be submitted and reviewed.
We will not provide current students with a late arrival letter.
Students working for the department should discuss their absences with their faculty
supervisor, academic advisor, and CS Dept. business manager before departure.
International students should ALWAYS consult with their international student counselor
before departure.
Who is my academic advisor?
Graduate academic advisors are assigned by student last names.
To review your academic advisor, you can:
- Check the Advising & Registration webpage, or
- Check your Success Team in Raider Success Hub. The individual listed as your 'Major Advisor' is your academic advisor.
How do I find the syllabus for a course?
You can use the syllabus search tool provided by Texas Tech University here. You will need the course prefix (i.e. CS) and course number (e.g. 5388) to search.
How can I complete my Responsible Academic Conduct Training?
You can access the training here.
New students MUST complete Responsible Academic Conduct Training during their first
semester. Failure to do so will result in a registration hold being placed on your
record that will prevent you from registering for your second semester.
I am having technical issues with Outlook/Raiderlink/eRaider/etc. Who should I contact?
You can contact IT Help Central.
Phone
806-742-4357 (HELP) or toll-free 877-484-3573I am unsure of how to use Raider Success Hub. Are there any resources for me?
Yes, you can find resources for learning how to use Raider Success Hub here.
I want to drop all of my classes this semester, but the registration system won't let me. What do I do?
Students are not able to drop down to 0 credit hours in the registration system. If
you wish to remove all classes from your schedule, you must submit a Student Withdrawal Request.
Please discuss your request with your academic advisor BEFORE proceeding.
I want to learn more about the department, opportunities, resources, etc. offered to me as a TTU student. What else can I do?
We recommend that all students do the following to ensure that they are apprised of
department and Univerisity opportunities, events, etc.:
- Check your emails daily. We encourage students to check their emails at least 3 times per day.
- Read your TechAnnounce emails each day - many scholarships, job opportunities, and campus events are advertised here.
- Activate your Piazza account so that you can receive email notifications and announcements from the CS Grad Advising Team. If we are aware of any events, opportunities, scholarships, jobs, etc. that are available for students, we will post them in Piazza.
I am an international student transferring to a different institution. What steps do I need to follow?
Transferring out from Texas Tech University to another university requires that we transfer your SEVIS record to your new institution. In order to do this, our office requires a formal letter of admission/acceptance letter from your new school as proof of your admission. You must also fill out the Graduate School SEVIS Release/Transfer Out Form and upload all the required documents and information.
Department of Computer Science
-
Address
Texas Tech University, Box 43104 | Lubbock, TX 79409-3104 -
Phone
806.742.3527 -
Email
cs@ttu.edu