Ph.D. Admissions

General Admission Requirements

Admission is competitive. Preference is given to applicants with strong credentials and appropriate undergraduate and/or professional preparation.
Specific admission requirements for the program include:

  • A baccalaureate degree from a recognized institution. Students must show evidence of preparation in their chosen field sufficient to ensure profitable graduate study.
  • A satisfactory past academic performance as usually reflected by a grade point average of (or equivalent to) at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) on courses related to the chosen field of Ph.D. study.
  • Excellent GRE or GMAT scores.
  • Applicants whose native language is not English must score at least 557 in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). In addition, they will be required to take an English Proficiency Examination prior to the beginning of the first semester of study. Students who do not pass this examination must pass ENGL 1100 (English as a Foreign Language) with a grade of B or higher.
  • A one-page essay that addresses the following:
    • The applicants motivation
    • Area(s) of research interest
  • Three letters of reference from professionals working in the applicant’s field of interest that addresses the applicant’s previous experience and potential to do research.

Further documentation that will support the application may include: evidence of scholarly and creative activity, including publication list; awards; results in national or international contests related to information technology, and the like.

Highly qualified individuals who may not meet all the required prerequisites may be admitted with a clear agreement to make up the prerequisites.

Track Specific Additional Admission Requirements

BIOINFORMATICS

The Bioinformatics track is no longer accepting applications for a degree in Information Technology. Interested applicants should apply for the Ph.D. in Bioninformatics and Computational Biology in the Bioninformatics and Genomics department here

BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS and OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

Additional admission requirements for the Business Information Systems and Operations Management track include:

  • Adequate understanding of software/information systems analysis, design and implementation.
  • Evidence of college-level skills in mathematical logic and data analysis (e.g. Statistics, differential and integral calculus, discrete math, linear algebra).

COMPUTER SCIENCE

Coursework:
Incoming students should possess a Master’s or at least a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related discipline. Specifically, students should have demonstrable knowledge in at least four of the following areas:

  • Algorithms and Data Structures
  • Theory of Computation
  • Programming Language Concepts
  • Computer Architecture
  • Operating Systems
  • Software Engineering and Design

Course requirements may be satisfied through prior undergraduate or graduate work, or by a satisfactory score on the Computer Science Subject GRE examination. Admission into the Computer Science track is highly competitive. Thus, satisfying the requirements listed above does not guarantee admission.
Exceptionally strong students from other disciplines will be considered and may be allowed to make up the deficiencies at the discretion of the CS Ph.D. admissions committee.

Research:
Prior research experience and strong recommendation letters (preferably from university faculty or researchers at corporate labs) will be a significant consideration in evaluating the applicant’s research potential. Research experience maybe demonstrated via publications, Bachelors or Masters theses. A good match with faculty research interests as well as faculty input to the admissions committee will play a significant role in the final decision. Potential applicants are encouraged to communicate with research faculty regarding their interests.

SOFTWARE and INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Additional admission requirements for the Software and Information Systems track include:

  • Adequate understanding of software/information systems analysis, design and implementation.
  • Evidence of college-level skills in mathematical logic and data analysis (e.g. Statistics, differential and integral calculus, discrete math, linear algebra).

Admission Deadlines

Application Deadlines are in accordance with UNC Charlotte graduate school deadlines. However, to ensure full consideration for financial support, applications must be received by September 1st for spring admission and February 1st for fall admission.

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