Computer Science Fundamentals, Certificate

The Certificate in Computer Science Fundamentals is for any person interested in a tech career, regardless of their undergraduate background. This program provides a foundation in computer science and offers a bridge into SU's Master of Science in Computer Science program.

Yes! From 2017-2021, more than 65% of certificate graduates have gone on to enroll in the MS in Computer Science (MSCS) program at Seattle University.

Merit scholarships are awarded upon admission into the program. These awards are allocated across three academic quarters, not including Boot Camp.

All students enrolling in Boot Camp or the certificate program are required to have a laptop.

Recommended specifications:

• 16GB memory
• 512GB SSD minimum disk space
• 64 bit quad core processor (Core i5/i7, 8th generation or higher)

Minimum specifications:

• 8GB memory
• 256GB SSD minimum disk space
• 64 bit dual core processor (Core i5/i7, 8th generation or higher)

Boot Camp is held during the summer and winter academic quarters. Students can enter the certificate program in the fall or spring quarters, and it can be completed over three academic quarters, not including Boot Camp. Completion timelines vary by entry term.

Summer/Fall Cohort

• Summer: Boot Camp
• Fall: Data Structures and Databases
• Winter: Object-oriented Concepts and Computing Systems Principles I
• Spring: Algorithms and Computing Systems Principles II

Winter/Spring Cohort

• Winter: Boot Camp
• Spring: Data Structures and Databases
• Fall: Object-oriented Concepts and Computing Systems Principles I
• Winter: Algorithms and Computing Systems Principles II

Qualified students who complete the certificate will be eligible to start the MSCS program in the subsequent quarter.

Certificate courses meet twice per week from 6-8:40 p.m.

The Boot Camp meets three times per week from 6-8 p.m.

Most Boot Camp courses are taught in Java, and the data structures course is taught in C++. Other programming languages may be introduced in other certificate courses.

Your cover letter should address three topics:

• Why are you applying for the Certificate in Computer Science Fundamentals?
• What undergraduate computer science coursework have you completed?
• How will participating in this program enable you to reach your career goals?

These topics can typically be addressed in 1-2 pages.

When the number of qualified applicants exceeds the capacity of the program, a waitlist will be created at the end of the admissions process. If you are placed on the waitlist, you will be offered admission on a rolling basis as space becomes available.

If you have not completed the undergraduate courses Programming I and Programming II (or the equivalent), you must complete Boot Camp unless you have completed past computer programming coursework. Outside coursework used to waive the Boot Camp requirement needs to be completed at an accredited institution with a grade B or better. You cannot use non-accredited, non-credit courses (e.g. Coursera) to waive prerequisite courses.

Please contact the program director, Sheila Oh, to discuss waiving Boot Camp without prior coursework. It is uncommon for someone to be granted a waiver without coursework, but if you’re already employed as a software engineer or in a similar role, you may be able to waive the Boot Camp requirement through testing.

Due to the condensed time frame of the programming Boot Camp, courses meet three times per week with 15-20 hours of work outside of class. Attending Boot Camp while working full time is possible, but you should anticipate an intense schedule for the 10 weeks of Boot Camp.

Boot Camp is a more intense time commitment than the remainder of the certificate program. Certificate courses meet twice per week with 8-12 hours of work outside of class per week. Most of our full-time working students choose to complete the certificate on a half-time schedule with one course per quarter.