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Application Form:  /ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥/_files/fast%20track_feb%202024%201.pdf

Admission Information: 

What is the Fast Track program?

The Fast-Track Program enables outstanding underÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ UTEP students to receive both underÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ and ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ credit for up to 15 hours of UTEP course work as determined by participating Master's and Doctoral programs.

The Fast Track program allows Computer Science underÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ students to earn credit for Graduate Courses while an underÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥. With approval of the program advisors, courses may be applicable for a Master’s in Computer Science, Master’s in Software Engineering, and Master’s in Artificial Intelligence. 

Eligibility Requirements:

1. Students must have completed 90 hours of underÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ coursework toward their first underÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ degree with a minimum of 24 of those hours at UTEP
2. Students must have and maintain a minimum 3.30 underÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ GPA
3. Students must satisfy additional requirements set by the Department of Computer Science
4. To be considered for the Fast Track Program, students need to complete a Graduate School application. Once the Graduate School clears the application based on the recommendations of the intended ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ program, students will be assigned a fast track code until the Bachelor's degree is conferred. The student will be subsequently admitted as a new student in the ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ program.

Instructions for Applying:

1. Look at the course listings on the CS Website/Goldmine
2. Discuss the courses you would like to take with your underÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ advisor as part of the Fast Track program
   1. If you are unsure about what courses to take, the ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ programs, or anything related to Fast Track, please make an appointment with
3. Complete the Fast-Track form and include the courses of your choice along with their CRNs (e.g., CS 5xxx – 12345); you should include only the courses for the upcoming semester
4. Fast Track form reviewed and approved by underÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ advisor
5. Once approved, Dr. Mejia will send your form to the College of Engineering for Dean approval (you will be notified once you are approved)
6. Your application will be sent to the UTEP Graduate School where you will be registered for the courses that you have been approved for
   1. Complete the UTEP Graduate School Application (First Time Applicants Only – See section below)
   2. UTEP Graduate School will register you for the Fast Track Courses ONLY – you will NOT be able to register yourself for these courses on Goldmine
   3. You will still be responsible to register yourself for all other Non-Fast Track courses on Goldmine
   4. If you are currently registered for the equivalent underÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ course (e.g., registered for CS 4361 – Machine Learning and want to register for CS 5361 – Machine Learning through Fast Track), you must drop the underÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ course once you have been approved by the College of Engineering
7. Graduate School will inform you that you have been registered
   1. Verify registration on Goldmine
8. Attend the course during its regularly scheduled meeting days/time

First Time Applicants Only:

Once you are approved by the College of Engineering, you will be notified with the following instructions. Note: Do not complete these steps until you have been notified by the College of Engineering

• Go to /ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥/.

• After the page loads, click on “Future Students” in the menu, then select “Apply Now.”
  

1. Select an application path to continue: 
   1. Select either U.S or Mexican Applicant
   2. Or International Applicants.
2. When the new website loads/appear, scroll down and look for the section displayed in the image below (Type Fast-Track or click on select Fast Track Program from the drop-down menu in the search bar): 
3. Select the appropriate term that you are applying to
   1. Create an account and sign in
4. Complete the application process
   1. The Fast Track form needs to be uploaded as an attachment once you apply to the fast-track program. 
   2. A $45.00 fee will be assessed to your account since this will be your official admissions application to the ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ program.

Requirements to Obtain Graduate and UnderÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ Degree Credit:

1. Fast-track students must earn a grade of B or higher in the ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ course to count as ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ credit towards their ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ degree.
2. Anything below a grade of C on a ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ course will not be counted towards the student’s ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ degree.
   1. A grade of C in the ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ course will only count towards the student’s underÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ degree.

Tuition for Graduate Courses:

1. Tuition will be based on the level of the course, not the level of the student.
2. Financial aid may be adjusted – please communicate with the Office of Financial Aid for more questions.

Additional Information:

1. Your credits will be used in both your underÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ and ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ degree
2. You are not committed to continuing your master’s program immediately after you ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ with your underÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ degree
3. You may change your intended master’s degree program (within the Department of Computer Science) with approval from the program advisor upon completion of your underÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ degree
4. You will be given information on how to smoothly transition between your underÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ program to your ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ program upon completion of your bachelor’s degree

Point of Contact:

• Daniel Mejia – dmmejia2@utep.edu