Admissions Requirements for the MSTI and Dual Degree

The MSTI is still accepting applications for fall 2023 start.

The final deadline for the 2023 program start will be April 7, 2023. Those who submitted applications by January 20 should expect a decision by early March.

Any applications received between January 20th and April 7th will be reviewed after April 7, with expected decisions released in May 2023.

Dual Degree Deadline, fall 2023 Start

Applications are now closed for the dual degree program beginning in 2023.  Applications will open again in September 2023.

Please refer to Tsinghua University’s GIX Website for more details.

Minimum Admission Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States or its equivalent from a foreign institution.
• Any major is acceptable, provided you have completed the prerequisite coursework (below) or demonstrated your software programming abilities through examples of your work in a digital portfolio.  Students from non-technical backgrounds may also be considered for admission:
  • All MSTI students will be enrolled in a technology fundamentals course in the first quarter of the program.  This course is primarily intended to help students from non-technical backgrounds ensure that they have the appropriate level of technology knowledge to allow them to succeed in the MSTI program.
  • Students from technology backgrounds (specifically with intermediate or higher level of programming knowledge) may be eligible to waive this course and select another elective course with permission from an MSTI advisor.
• A minimum 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) for the last 90 graded quarter credits or 60 graded semester credits (international grades will be converted)
• Demonstrated English language proficiency for applicants whose native language is not English (see International Students)
• For Dual Degree applicants: In accordance with the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China’s policy, applicants with a mainland Chinese passport must take the Chinese National Graduate Exam to be admitted to the MSE(DSIT) program.  Please see the Tsinghua University website for more details.

University of Washington MSTI Application:

Read the Application Materials and Application Steps below.

APPLY TO MSTI

To enroll in the Dual Degree – MSTI + MSE(DSIT) – program, applicants must apply separately to both University of Washington and Tsinghua University. The application materials and requirements are similar for both universities. This means that most of the work you complete for one application will also be applicable for the other.

Dual Degree: Tsinghua University MSE(DSIT)

Applications for admission to the dual degree (MSTI + MSE(DSIT)) for start in fall of 2022 will begin in fall 2021. To learn more about the MSE(DSIT) degree, please go to the Tsinghua University website.

APPLY TO MSE(DSIT) + MSTI DUAL DEGREE

Prerequisite Coursework

• Successful completion of at least two computing courses (equivalent of UW CSE 142 and CSE 143) covering basic programming skills and concepts, including procedural programming (methods, parameters, return, values), basic control structures (sequence, if/else, for loop, while loop), file processing and arrays OR evidence of your software programming abilities through examples of your work in a digital portfolio
• Completion of one of the following: Calculus course equivalent to UW MATH 125 (functions of a single variable) or higher OR a probability and mathematical statistics course equivalent to a 200-level UW STAT course or higher
• Successful completion of these course pre-requisites is important, since the MSTI courses are based on the foundational knowledge that is covered in these courses. Students who have not completed all of the prerequisite courses (or completed them several years ago) tend to struggle academically in the MSTI classes. If you are admitted to the MSTI program and have not completed all of the course prerequisites, you may be asked to complete a MSTI summer course before you start the program.
• It may be helpful to consider enrolling in an online programming fundamentals course (such as Foundations of Programming (Python) offered online through UW Continuum College) to refresh your skills or learn prerequisite material.
• For applicants who have not clearly met the above requirements in their application materials, an additional technical assessment may be required as part of the admission review process.

Application Materials

• UW Graduate School online application and fee
• Unofficial transcripts from every college or university where you’ve earned a degree or college credit
• Personal statement
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Letters of recommendation (Two required, three recommended)
• Digital portfolio (highly recommended)
• Proof of English language proficiency if English is not your native language

Note: GRE or GMAT scores are not required to apply.

Tuition and Fees

The Master of Science in Technology Innovation is a self-sustaining, fee-based program administered by the Graduate School, in collaboration with UW Continuum College.

Course fees are charged on a per-credit basis and are the same for all students. In addition to course fees, students pay other required fees each quarter, including registration and technology fees. Payment is due by the third Friday of the quarter. Costs for textbooks or other course materials are extra.

The estimates below are subject to change without notice.

Fall 2021-Fall 2022

Fall 2022-Winter 2024

Financial Aid and Other Funding

We highly encourage you to start exploring financial aid options as soon as you decide to apply to the program. U.S. students can apply for various forms of financial aid, including scholarships and loans. Because MSTI is a fee-based program rather than a state-funded one, students are not eligible for tuition exemptions. For more information about financial aid available to fee-based students, visit the fee-based programs page of the Office of Student Financial Aid website.

International students may be able to apply for government and industry scholarships available in their home countries.

MSTI Scholarships

There are limited partial scholarship funds for MSTI and GIX Dual Degree students. All applicants will be considered, and scholarships will be awarded directly after admissions decisions are made. While these scholarships may provide some financial support, they do not cover all program fees or any living expenses.

Tsinghua University Funding

Please contact Tsinghua GIX staff at gix@tsinghua.edu.cn for information about Tsinghua University scholarships and financial aid for Dual Degree students.

Technology Innovation Ambassador Fellowship

All applicants are eligible to apply for the Technology Innovation Ambassador Fellowship. Ambassador Fellows will commit approximately 40 hours over the duration of their program to support the outreach efforts at external events and share their student experiences to prospective and future Master of Science in Technology Innovation students. A diverse set of ambassador fellows from a variety of backgrounds and experiences is desired to be able to show the diverse nature of the MSTI cohorts.

Applicants will submit an additional 250-word statement to apply for the fellowship, with detailed instructions available in the program application.

Graduate Funding Information Service

The Graduate Funding Information Service (GFIS) assists UW graduate students in their search for funding opportunities for graduate school-related expenses. GFIS representatives host workshops, post funding announcements and meet one-on-one with students.

Employer Assistance

Some employers will cover all or part of the cost of a professional education. Check with your employer to see if such a program is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have additional questions about graduate programs and/or the admissions process? Take a look at our FAQs.

FAQs