Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Distance Learning Program
All of the school's graduate programs are offered in distance learning formats. Online master's programs require no on-campus classroom attendance. Students may complete the M.S. degree in twelve to eighteen months. Doctoral programs use one of two formats: cluster or institute. Cluster students attend four cluster meetings per year, held quarterly over an extended weekend (Friday, Saturday, and half-day Sunday) at the University. Cluster terms start in September and March. Cluster weekends take place in September, December, March, and June. Institute students attend a weeklong institute twice a year at the University. Institutes are held in mid-January and mid-July at the start of each five-month term. Clusters and institutes bring together students and faculty members for participation in courses, workshops, and dissertation counseling. Doctoral courses also have an online component. Between meetings, students complete assignments, research papers, and projects and participate in a range of online activities.
Online learning methods involve Web pages to access course materials, announcements, the electronic library, and other information, plus a range of activities that facilitate frequent student-professor and student-student interaction. Faculty members and students interact via online forums using threaded discussion boards, e-mail, chat rooms, electronic classrooms, and online submission of assignments in multimedia formats. Students are provided computer accounts but must obtain their own Internet service providers and use their own computers. New students are provided an orientation on computer and software requirements, online access, online tools and methods, and library resources.
SCIS has 20 full-time and 10 part-time faculty members. All faculty members teaching at the graduate level have doctoral degrees.
Programs of Study
The School offers distance programs leading to the M.S. in computer information systems (including a specialization in information security), computer science, computing technology in education, information security, and management information systems (including specializations in information security and e-commerce); the Ph.D. in computer information systems, computer science, computing technology in education, information science, and information systems; and the Ed.D. in computing technology in education. The School's master's degree students may apply for early admission into the doctoral program, which provides the opportunity to earn the Ph.D. or Ed.D. in a shorter time. The M.S. requires 36 credit hours (thesis optional). Terms are twelve weeks long, and there are four terms each year. To earn the M.S. in twelve months, the student must enroll in three courses each term. To complete the M.S. in eighteen months, the student must enroll in two courses each term. Master's terms start in September, January, April, and July. Doctoral programs require 64 credits, including eight 3-credit courses, four 4-credit projects, and the dissertation. They may be completed in three years. The Ph.D. in computer information systems and computer science are offered only in cluster format. Doctoral programs in computing technology in education, information science, and information systems are offered in cluster and institute formats. Students attend clusters or institutes during their first two years of the program while completing course work.
Applying for Distance Education
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. To ensure evaluation for the desired starting term, reviewable applications must be received at least one month prior to the start of that term. The application fee is $50. Late applications that cannot be processed in time for the desired starting term are considered for the next term. Applicants may be granted provisional admission status pending completion of the application process. Admission forms, brochures, and the graduate catalog may be downloaded from the School's Web site. Master's terms start in September, January, April, and July. Doctoral cluster terms start in September and March. Doctoral institute terms start in January and July.
The master's applicant must have an appropriate undergraduate degree with a GPA of at least 2.5 and a GPA of at least 3.0 in an appropriate major. The doctoral applicant must have a master's degree with an appropriate graduate major and a graduate GPA of at least 3.25. Degrees must be from regionally accredited institutions. All applicants must submit a summary of professional experience or score report of the GRE, and three evaluations. English proficiency is a requirement for admission.
Master's applicants may request a transfer of up to 6 graduate credits. Courses proposed for transfer must have grades of at least B. Credit is not awarded for life or work experience.
Costs
Tuition is $425 per credit for master's students; for doctoral students, tuition is $4750 per five-month term, or $475 per credit hour. The registration fee is $30 per term.
Financial Aid
To qualify for financial assistance, a student must be admitted, must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible permanent resident, and must plan on registering for a minimum of 6 credit hours per term. A prospective student who requires financial assistance should apply for it while still a candidate for admission. For financial assistance information or application forms, students should call 800-522-3243 (toll-free).
For Additional Information
Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences
Nova Southeastern University
Carl DeSantis Building, Fourth Floor
3301 College Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314-4416
954-262-2000
800-986-2247
E-mail: scisinfo@scis.nova.edu