James Madison University - Virginia Tech Collaborative Partnership

Master of Engineering (MEng) in Computer SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS (CSA)

The Virginia Tech College of Engineering is partnering with James Madison University to help position students for mid-level and advanced positions in industries related to computing technology. By establishing an accelerated pathway of foundational courses at partner universities, currently enrolled students can be prepared for early admission to Virginia Tech’s MEng degree in computer science as early as spring of their junior year.  Once accepted these students during their fourth year can begin taking up to 12 credits of courses from an approved set of courses that can be applied beyond the 120 required credit hours required for James Madison University undergraduate degree towards their MEng degree (James Madison University course level approved: 4XX (max. 6 credits) & 5XX from approved course list).

By outlining a clear pathway and course equivalencies, both the engineering and liberal arts student are able to participate in Virginia’s Tech Talent Pipeline.  Many students will find that they can complete their MEng degree in just one extra year. 

How to apply

Third-year James Madison University students can apply to the MEng in computer science and applications in their second semester. They can also apply for a fee waiver and are not required to submit GRE scores.

• Students must complete one of the approved Pathways below:
  

Pathways

Pathway for James Madison University computer science major students to the JMU/VT Accelerated UG/G CSA MEng

James Madison University computer science undergraduate majors naturally meet the basic course requirements to apply for the JMU/VT Accelerated UG/G CSA MEng and undertake the process detailed above to apply for admission into the program.

Pathway for James Madison University non-computer science major students to the JMU/VT Accelerated UG/G CSA MEng

James Madison University non-computer science majors may also be eligible to apply in their junior year and be accepted into the JMU/VT Accelerated UG/G CSA MEng program by completing a set of introductory computer science courses. To be successful for admission, James Madison University and Virginia Tech recommend that James Madison University non-computer science major undergraduate students complete the following courses by the second semester of their junior year and maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.0. These course pathways include the following scenarios:

For questions or more information regarding the Virginia Tech MEng degree program in Blacksburg, contact the Virginia Tech computer science graduate program director. For questions or more information regarding what courses to take in preparation for admission into the Virginia Tech MEng degree program, please contact the James Madison University computer science advisor and outreach coordinator.

AS SOON AS YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION PLEASE READ AND DO THE FOLLOWING:

You should immediately complete and submit the Collaborative UG/G Degree and Course Designation Form. You will indicate on this form the courses that you intend to take during the Collaborative UG/G period. This form will be reviewed and signed by the Virginia Tech computer science and applications department graduate program director and an appropriate authority at James Madison University. The signed Collaborative UG/G Status and Course Designation form will be sent to the Virginia Tech Graduate School for processing. This completed form and the computer science and applications department admission recommendation with review from an appropriate authority at James Madison University are required before an admission decision can be finalized by the Virginia Tech Graduate School.

Once accepted, the student should take up to 12 credit hours of graduate coursework during the last academic year (senior status equivalent) and earn a “B” from the following list of eligible courses for transfer to the MEng computer science and applications degree program. Note that a maximum of 6 credit hours can be taken at the 4xx level (excluding independent study and special topic courses. The Virginia Tech-approved courses for the MEng in computer science and applications are noted below.   

JMU CS 4XX and 5XX Courses Eligible for Transfer to the JMU/VT Accelerated UG/G CSA MEng Degree

James Madison University undergraduate students accepted to the Virginia Tech computer science and applications grad program and approved for the Accelerated UG/G CSA MEng may take up to 12 credits of (James Madison University graduate courses designated below during their senior year, or graduate courses offered by Virginia Tech under the TBD process). The Virginia Tech equivalent courses are also noted below.

For questions or more information regarding the Virginia Tech MEng degree program, contact Virginia Tech MEng computer science and applications admissions.  For questions or more information regarding what courses to take at James Madison University to be prepared for admission into the Virginia Tech MEng degree program, please contact James Madison University computer science graduate program director and department head, Sharon Simmons.

To learn more about the MEng computer science and applications program, Click here