{"id":10313,"date":"2025-05-30T15:25:51","date_gmt":"2025-05-30T21:25:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/computing\/?page_id=10313"},"modified":"2026-04-07T12:55:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T18:55:34","slug":"application-requirements-ph-d","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/computing\/academics\/doctoral-program\/application-requirements-ph-d\/","title":{"rendered":"Doctoral Application"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"panel s-wrapper site-panel site-panel--faqs top-padding--add_padding bottom-padding--remove_padding\"\n\t\t\t\t data-index=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t data-js=\"panel\"\n\t\t\t\t data-type=\"faqs\"\n\t\t\t     \n\t\t\t\t data-modular-content>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"l-content--outer\">\n    <div class=\"l-content--inner\">\n        \n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<header class=\"s-header\">\n\n                \n\n\t\t\t\t\n<h2\n\t\tclass=\"site-panel__title s-title s-title h2\"\n\t\t>\n\n\tPrepare your Application\n\n<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/header>\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n            <div class=\"faq\">\n                <div class=\"faq__content l-weighted-right\">\n                    <div class=\"faq__sidebar\">\n\n                        <form class=\"faq__search\" role=\"search\" aria-label=\"Filter List Form\">\n                            <label for=\"\" class=\"u-visual-hide\">Search<\/label>\n                            <input class=\"faq__search-input\" type=\"text\" name=\"src\" placeholder=\"Search this content\"\n                                   aria-label=\"Search Prepare your Application\" id=\"\">\n                            <button class=\"faq__search-submit\" type=\"submit\" name=\"faq__search-submit\"\n                                    aria-label=\"filter list submit button\">\n                                <i class=\"icon icon-search-thick\"><\/i>\n                            <\/button>\n                        <\/form>\n\n                                                    <div class=\"form-field-group\">\n                                <label class=\"form-control-label u-visual-hide\" for=\"faq__select\">Jump To\n                                    Section<\/label>\n                                <div class=\"form-control-select\">\n                                    <select name=\"faq__select\" class=\"faq__select\" id=\"faq__select\">\n                                        <option value=\"\" hidden=\"\" disabled=\"disabled\" selected=\"selected\">Jump To\n                                            Section\n                                        <\/option>\n                                                                                    <option data-section-location=\"Step 1 \u2013 Confirm Eligibility\">Step 1 \u2013 Confirm Eligibility<\/option>\n                                                                                    <option data-section-location=\"Step 2 \u2013 Collect your Application Materials\">Step 2 \u2013 Collect your Application Materials<\/option>\n                                                                                    <option data-section-location=\"Step 3 \u2013 Submit Your Application to Graduate Admissions\">Step 3 \u2013 Submit Your Application to Graduate Admissions<\/option>\n                                                                            <\/select>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n\n                            <nav class=\"sidebar-tertiary\" role=\"complementary\" aria-label=\"Sidebar\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sidebar-tertiary__hdg\">Jump to section:<\/h2>\n                                <ul class=\"sidebar-tertiary__list\">\n                                                                            <li>\n                                            <a href=\"#\"\n                                               data-section-location=\"Step 1 \u2013 Confirm Eligibility\">Step 1 \u2013 Confirm Eligibility<\/a>\n                                        <\/li>\n                                                                            <li>\n                                            <a href=\"#\"\n                                               data-section-location=\"Step 2 \u2013 Collect your Application Materials\">Step 2 \u2013 Collect your Application Materials<\/a>\n                                        <\/li>\n                                                                            <li>\n                                            <a href=\"#\"\n                                               data-section-location=\"Step 3 \u2013 Submit Your Application to Graduate Admissions\">Step 3 \u2013 Submit Your Application to Graduate Admissions<\/a>\n                                        <\/li>\n                                                                    <\/ul>\n                            <\/nav>\n                                            <\/div>\n\n                    <div class=\"faq__listing\">\n                                                    <div class=\"faq__section\">\n                                                                    <div class=\"faq__section-title\" data-section-start=\"Step 1 \u2013 Confirm Eligibility\"\n                                         id=\"Step 1 \u2013 Confirm Eligibility\">\n                                        <h3>Step 1 \u2013 Confirm Eligibility<\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                                                                <div class=\"faq__question-contain\">\n                                    <div class=\"list\">\n                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question\">\n                                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question__title\">\n                                                        <h4 class=\"faq__question__title-item\">Before You Begin<\/h4>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                                                                <div class=\"faq__question__answer t-content\">\n                                                    <p>Please note the application and funding\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/computing\/programs\/doctoral-program\/deadlines\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/computing\/future-students\/deadlines\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1596735098252000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHkv-kGbeo1QKfs33ip1uMANmvjEg\">deadlines<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Before you start your application confirm that you meet the Program Requirements and Emphasis Area Requirements for your desired area of study.<\/p>\n\n                                                <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question\">\n                                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question__title\">\n                                                        <h4 class=\"faq__question__title-item\">Application Fee Waivers<\/h4>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                                                                <div class=\"faq__question__answer t-content\">\n                                                    <p>The Computing PhD program does not provide application fee waivers.<\/p>\n\n                                                <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question\">\n                                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question__title\">\n                                                        <h4 class=\"faq__question__title-item\">Program Requirements<\/h4>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                                                                <div class=\"faq__question__answer t-content\">\n                                                    <div class=\"faq__section\">\n<div id=\"faq__list-4\" class=\"faq__question-contain\">\n<div class=\"list\">\n<div class=\"faq__question\">\n<div class=\"faq__question__answer t-content\">\n<p>To be eligible for admission, applicants must hold a minimum of a Bachelor\u2019s degree from an accredited institution.<\/p>\n<p>Applicants to all emphasis areas should have completed coursework in computer programming or be able to provide documented experience in programming.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n                                                <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question\">\n                                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question__title\">\n                                                        <h4 class=\"faq__question__title-item\">Emphasis Area Requirements<\/h4>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                                                                <div class=\"faq__question__answer t-content\">\n                                                    <p>Content on this page is provided as a quick reference for planning. All official degree requirements are published on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/graduatecatalog\/#\/home\">Graduate Catalog site<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Artificial Intelligence<\/strong><br \/>\nUpper-division undergraduate coursework in data structure and essentials of data science. The equivalent courses at Boise State are CS 233 and CS 321.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Computational Math Science and Engineering<\/strong><br \/>\nUpper-division undergraduate coursework in differential equations and linear algebra. The equivalent courses at Boise State are MATH 301 and MATH 333.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Computer Science<\/strong><br \/>\nUpper-division undergraduate coursework in data structures and algorithms. The equivalent courses at Boise State are CS 321 and CS 421.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cybersecurity<\/strong><br \/>\nUpper-division undergraduate coursework in data structures and introductory systems programming. The equivalent courses at Boise State are CS 253 and CS 321.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Data Science<\/strong><br \/>\nUpper-division undergraduate coursework in linear algebra and calculus-based statistics. The equivalent courses at Boise State are MATH 301 and MATH 361.<\/p>\n\n                                                <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                                                                            <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                                                    <div class=\"faq__section\">\n                                                                    <div class=\"faq__section-title\" data-section-start=\"Step 2 \u2013 Collect your Application Materials\"\n                                         id=\"Step 2 \u2013 Collect your Application Materials\">\n                                        <h3>Step 2 \u2013 Collect your Application Materials<\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                                                                <div class=\"faq__question-contain\">\n                                    <div class=\"list\">\n                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question\">\n                                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question__title\">\n                                                        <h4 class=\"faq__question__title-item\">Required Application Materials<\/h4>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                                                                <div class=\"faq__question__answer t-content\">\n                                                    <div class=\"faq__section\">\n<div id=\"faq__list-6\" class=\"faq__question-contain\">\n<div class=\"list\">\n<div class=\"faq__question\">\n<div class=\"faq__question__answer t-content\">\n<p>Applicants to the Computing Ph.D. program must submit all of the following items via the online application system. We recommend reviewing the information on this page and collecting everything before you begin the application process.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Graduate Admission Application<\/li>\n<li>Statement of Purpose<\/li>\n<li>Computing PhD Admission Questionnaire<\/li>\n<li>Current Resume or CV<\/li>\n<li>Three letters of recommendation from academic and\/or professional references confirming your preparation for doctoral studies<\/li>\n<li>Official transcripts from every college or university you have attended<\/li>\n<li><em>International Students only:<\/em> English Proficiency scores<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"faq__section\">\n<div id=\"Transcripts and GPA\" class=\"faq__section-title\" data-section-start=\"Transcripts and GPA\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n                                                <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question\">\n                                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question__title\">\n                                                        <h4 class=\"faq__question__title-item\">Transcripts and GPA<\/h4>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                                                                <div class=\"faq__question__answer t-content\">\n                                                    <div class=\"faq__section\">\n<div id=\"faq__list-7\" class=\"faq__question-contain\">\n<div class=\"list\">\n<div class=\"faq__question\">\n<div class=\"faq__question__answer t-content\">\n<ul>\n<li>Applicants without a Master&#8217;s degree are expected to have a GPA of 3.0 or above in the last 40 hours of undergraduate coursework.<\/li>\n<li>Applicants with a Master\u2019s degree are expected to have a GPA of 3.3 or above in their Master\u2019s degree program.<\/li>\n<li>Official transcripts must be sent to Boise State by your previous schools or an approved transcript service provider.\u00a0<em>Official transcripts must be received\u00a0<strong>no later than the application deadline<\/strong>\u00a0to be reviewed by International Admissions and our Computing PhD Admissions Committee. Applications with missing official transcripts will not be reviewed.<\/em>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/graduatecollege\/howtoapply\/submit-official-transcripts\/\">Instructions for submitting official transcripts are provided here.<\/a><em><strong> International Applicants<\/strong>:<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/global-international\/international-admissions\/apply\/ia-international-graduate-admission\/#official-transcripts-and-marksheets\">Visit the International Admissions page regarding the submission of international transcripts.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"faq__section\">\n<div id=\"Computing PhD Admission Questionnaire \" class=\"faq__section-title\" data-section-start=\"Computing PhD Admission Questionnaire \"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n                                                <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question\">\n                                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question__title\">\n                                                        <h4 class=\"faq__question__title-item\">Computing PhD Admission Questionnaire<\/h4>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                                                                <div class=\"faq__question__answer t-content\">\n                                                    <p><strong>Do not proceed without admission questionnaire<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>This form is required for anyone applying to either the Computing PhD program or Computing Graduate Certificates.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>All Computing areas of emphasis and certificate programs require applicants to have programming experience and meet certain prerequisite course requirements. It is not always clear how those requirements have been met based solely on transcripts so these questions will provide important context for the Computing Admission Committee. Some questions will refer to specific courses at Boise State as examples, so please refer to the undergraduate course catalog as you complete the form. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/registrar-catalog\/\">View the undergraduate course catalog<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Applicants will identify any potential or planned faculty advisor names on the Computing PhD Admission Questionnaire. Applicants are encouraged to make connection with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/computing\/about-us\/directory\/faculty\/\" rel=\"noopener\">potential faculty advisors<\/a>\u00a0prior to application.<\/p>\n<p>Instructions for adding the completed Computing PhD Admission Questionnaire to your application materials are <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1r2oXFjdnzFZv5CC7bph2uL1ed3NceN5-WiCR_ywwHXI\/edit?usp=sharing\">provided via this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/computing\/programs\/doctoral-program\/forms\/admission-questionnaire\/\">Complete the Computing PhD Admission Questionnaire here<\/a><\/h4>\n\n                                                <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question\">\n                                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question__title\">\n                                                        <h4 class=\"faq__question__title-item\">Statement of Purpose<\/h4>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                                                                <div class=\"faq__question__answer t-content\">\n                                                    <p>A Statement of Purpose is a statement of your research experience, interests and goals.<\/p>\n<p>Applicants will submit their Statement of Purpose via the application system.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Do not use templates.<\/strong> Ensure that your Statement of Purpose clearly defines your goals, aspirations, strengths and research interests based on your past experiences and endeavors. The goal is to compile a statement that demonstrates motivation, skill and the ability to be successful in a doctoral program.<\/p>\n<p>The Computing PhD Program has a zero-tolerance policy regarding plagiarism, which includes using templates. Applications that are found to contain plagiarized material will be denied. Furthermore, your personal statement is an opportunity to demonstrate critical thinking, self-reflection and communication skills\u2014qualities that are essential for doctoral success. AI cannot authentically convey your personal journey, research interests or zeal. For this reason, we ask that you write in your own words based on genuine experiences and reflections and limit the use AI only for minor assistance (brainstorming, grammar checks, etc.).<\/p>\n\n                                                <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question\">\n                                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question__title\">\n                                                        <h4 class=\"faq__question__title-item\">Resume or CV<\/h4>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                                                                <div class=\"faq__question__answer t-content\">\n                                                    <p>The Resume or Curriculum Vita (CV) should provide a detailed and comprehensive description of the applicant\u2019s academic and professional credentials and achievements.<\/p>\n<p>The CV will be submitted electronically via the application system.<\/p>\n\n                                                <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question\">\n                                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question__title\">\n                                                        <h4 class=\"faq__question__title-item\">Letters of Recommendation<\/h4>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                                                                <div class=\"faq__question__answer t-content\">\n                                                    <p>Applicants must provide\u00a0<strong>three<\/strong>\u00a0letters of recommendation.<\/p>\n<p>Request letters from a variety of references including academic advisors, work supervisors or others who have served in a supervisory capacity.<\/p>\n<p>Applicants will provide email addresses for each of their references via the application system and references will electronically submit recommendation letters prior to the application deadline. Applications with fewer than three recommendation letters will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed by the Computing Admission Committee. It is the applicant&#8217;s responsibility to monitor their application portal for completion of the required materials. <em><strong>Reference letters should be submitted on letterhead.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/graduatecollege\/admissions\/how-to-apply\/admissions-faq\/#:~:text=How%20do%20I%20change%20my%20recommendation%20providers%3F\">View instructions for adding recommenders to your application.\u00a0<\/a><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n\n                                                <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question\">\n                                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question__title\">\n                                                        <h4 class=\"faq__question__title-item\">TOEFL\/IELTS<\/h4>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                                                                <div class=\"faq__question__answer t-content\">\n                                                    <p><strong>For International Applicants Only:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>International graduate applicants must demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to be considered for admission to Boise State. There are several approved ways for applicants to demonstrate English proficiency. Please refer to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/global-international\/international-admissions\/apply\/ia-international-graduate-admission\/#english-proficiency-requirements\">International Admissions Office\u00a0website<\/a> for required scores and modes of submission. All test scores must be sent to Boise State directly through the testing provider in order to be considered for admission and must be still valid at the time of receipt.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>TOEFL scores must be sent to Boise State through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ets.org\/toefl\/test-takers\/ibt\/scores\/send-scores.html\" rel=\"noopener\">ETS<\/a>\u00a0using school code <strong>4018<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Duolingo English Test results must be sent to Boise State through <a href=\"https:\/\/englishtest.duolingo.com\/applicants\">Duolingo<\/a>. (Submit via &#8220;Undergraduate&#8221; menu if a graduate student option is not shown.)<\/li>\n<li>IELTS results must be sent to Boise State using e-delivery. Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/ielts.org\/take-a-test\/your-results\/getting-and-sharing-your-results\" rel=\"noopener\">IELTS for e-delivery instructions.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n                                                <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                                                                            <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                                                    <div class=\"faq__section\">\n                                                                    <div class=\"faq__section-title\" data-section-start=\"Step 3 \u2013 Submit Your Application to Graduate Admissions\"\n                                         id=\"Step 3 \u2013 Submit Your Application to Graduate Admissions\">\n                                        <h3>Step 3 \u2013 Submit Your Application to Graduate Admissions<\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                                                                <div class=\"faq__question-contain\">\n                                    <div class=\"list\">\n                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question\">\n                                                                                                    <div class=\"faq__question__title\">\n                                                        <h4 class=\"faq__question__title-item\">Apply Now!<\/h4>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                                                                <div class=\"faq__question__answer t-content\">\n                                                    <p>Submit all of the required application materials and pay the application fee. Applicants are responsible for monitoring their application portal for updates.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n                                                <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                                                                            <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n        \n\t\n\t    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons alignwide is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/admissions.boisestate.edu\/apply\/?sr=b00e9b4a-9886-46cb-b6c6-fec88a5fc407\">Apply Now!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3403,"featured_media":0,"parent":59,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10313","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/computing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10313","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/computing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/computing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/computing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3403"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/computing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10313"}],"version-history":[{"count":33,"href":"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/computing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12779,"href":"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/computing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10313\/revisions\/12779"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/computing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/59"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/computing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}