Contact Us
Email the computer science graduate admissions team at csadmissions@iastate.edu for individual support as you navigate the application process.
Sign up for a Virtual Visit - these sessions are offered for prospective graduate certificate students on the last Monday of the month. These small group sessions include information about Iowa State University and the Department of Computer Science, academic requirements, career placement, and the application process.
Application Process
Access the online application system
Admissibility Pre-Check is not offered for graduate certificates. We only offer admissibility pre-checks for MS applicants.
Step 1 – create your account and provide your personal details (e.g., name, contact information, and address).
Step 2 – select your academic area of interest (e.g., Responsible Artificial Intelligence for AI Practitioners Graduate Certificate) and enter your academic history. It isn’t necessary to enter Exam test scores, research interests, faculty names, and recommender information. No documents are uploaded with the initial application submission.
The application fee is required at the time of application submission. We do not offer application fee waivers for Graduate Certificates.
Step 3 – return to your online application account to upload the required documents. When you return to your account, click on the “View my Application(s)” button to access the action items for your application. Clicking on the “Manage” button next to each action item will open a menu where you can provide the required information.
Step 4 – The Computer Science Graduate Admissions Committee will review completed applications and provide an admission decision, typically within 10 business days.
Step 5 – Applicants recommended for admission will complete additional action item tasks (e.g., provide official English language proficiency test scores) to complete the admissions process. All Department of Computer Science admission offers are contingent upon admission to the Iowa State University Graduate College.
Required Documents:
- Current Resume/CV
- Unofficial transcripts from ALL universities/colleges attended - Please include the original language and an English translation. Consolidated transcripts are allowed if they show all tests and exams, including retakes. Please include the grading scale for your university/college. Third-party evaluations are optional (not required). A list of approved evaluators can be found in the online instructions. Please also upload your degree statement with your transcripts if you have graduated. Transcripts are required for all in-process degrees. Please create and upload a PDF file listing courses and grades completed so far if your university has not yet issued transcripts for your in-process degree.
- Unofficial degree statement(s) – This isn’t required if your degree is still in progress. Please include a copy of your degree statement with your transcripts.
- Statement of Purpose (SOP) – guidance for writing the SOP
These documents are not required: Letters of Recommendation (LORs) and GRE exam results.
Additional required documents for international applicants:
- English proficiency test results - accepted tests and minimum requirements.
- Type your scores into the online application system.
- Upload a PDF copy of your test taker report.
- If selected for admission, send your official scores to Iowa State University.
- Passport/immigration card - you can wait to upload this until you receive the admission decision.
- Financial Support Documents - you can wait to upload this until you receive the admission decision. The amount to show can be found here. This form may be helpful in planning your financial documents.
Successful Graduate Certificate Profile
Applicants typically hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science, mathematics, statistics, engineering, bioinformatics, physics, chemistry, linguistics, psychology, or economics.
The Admissions Committee looks for applicants with preparatory coursework in these three areas:
- Programming (e.g., COMS 2270/2280 Java Programming)
- Basic Calculus (e.g., MATH 1510/1600)
- Introductory Statistics (e.g., STAT 1040)
Descriptions for the above courses can be found on the university catalog website. Students missing some of the pre-requisites may be admitted with the requirement to take COMS 5020 and COMS 5021.
Application Deadlines
We offer Fall or Spring entry; there is no Summer entry.
Fall 2026
Applications opened on September 1, 2025 and close on June 15, 2026.
Spring 2027
Applications opened October 1, 2025 and close on November 1, 2026.
Fall 2027
Applications open August 26, 2026 and close on June 15, 2026
Financial Support
We do not provide financial support for graduate certificates.