Graduates of our department who apply for work visa or permanent residency/green card often need verification of the skills they obtained during their graduate studies. To request a “Skills Verification” letter please follow the below steps:

• E-mail your request to the EECS Graduate Office: EECS Grad Students Requests cptorskillsrequest@syr.edu , please include:
  • Your full name
  • 9-digit SU student ID number
  • The degree you received and the semester/year in which you received it.
  • The courses you would like a skill for (ex: CSE 742; ELE 621; CIS 689).
  • Skill(s) associated with course you have chosen (See skill descriptions below.  Note: skill verbiage cannot be changed, and we cannot add attendance dates to a letter.) 
    See sample letter (your request must be in the same format as in the sample letter).
• Please note
  • We cannot verify skills in courses taken as audit (AU), undergraduate classes or for those courses where a grade of B- or below was earned.
  • The letter will be prepared on letterhead and signed by the Graduate Records Office, ; all letters are signed electronically.
  • Only topics and skills included in course catalog descriptions can be certified. Letters cannot be modified and customized with skills beyond those which are mentioned in the course catalog description.
  • If you are requesting a skill, be added please add it to the bottom of your request and highlight it in yellow.  It may take 1-4 weeks 5-20 business days for a response on a new skill request as it must go before a faculty committee.  Note: not all requests will be approved.
  • Skill letters requesting additional skills and/or modification of approved skills may take longer to process when classes are not in session,
  • Skill letters will only be allowed to be revised once - please review your request with the person requesting the skills before you send the request to our office.
  • Skill descriptions 7.29.24.pdf

• E-mail the form to cptorskillsrequest@syr.edu. Only one revision will be permitted.  Please allow a minimum of 5-14 business days for processing (longer if requesting an additional skill). 
  

An Enrollment Verification is a certification of a student’s enrollment status for semester(s) attended at Syracuse University.

• Past semester enrollment verifications can be requested at any time. Students with access to MySlice should go to MySlice > Student Home > Enrollment > Enrollment Verification.
• If you do not have access to MySlice or if a potential employer needs to request a verification, go to studentclearinghouse.org.

Degree verification

• Degree certification typically takes place four to six weeks after the completion of degree requirements. Once certification is completed by your school, college, or department, the Registrar’s Office posts it to your transcript. At that time, your degree will be visible on your transcript and you can request a degree verification through studentclearinghouse.org.
• Degree verification cannot be provided until your degree is certified and posted to your transcript.

The National Student Clearinghouse has been authorized by Syracuse University to provide enrollment and degree verifications for our students.

After graduation graduates Graduates can apply for unpaid internship opportunities via:  https://syracuseuniversity.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ezfkHtpcYnbgD41 to complete the application process an official transcript that lists the graduation date and/or a certified scan of the diploma as well as a and prove eligibility applicants must upload either a transcript that includes the degree awarded and the award date or a diploma a scanned copy of graduate Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card must be provided. IMPORTANT NOTE: Your application will be denied if you upload a transcript that only indicates your major but does not include degree award name and date. You may not be allowed to reapply. Please review your transcript carefully before uploading. 

Questions for EECS graduates should be directed to Nadeem Ghani nghani@syrSahar Al Mahmoud salmahmo@syr.edu or  or Engineering and Computer Science Graduate Programs csengrresearch@syr.edu 

Employers and background screening firms

• Syracuse University has authorized the National Student Clearinghouse to provide enrollment and degree verification for our students.
  Employers and background screening firms must contact the Clearinghouse directly for any enrollment or degree verifications.
  The Clearinghouse does charge a fee for each verification.

Contact information for the National Student Clearinghouse:

• Visit their website at studentclearinghouse.org.
  Phone: 703.742.4200
  Fax: 703.742.4239
  Email: service@studentclearinghouse.org

Graduate - ECS – Syracuse University-information for prospective students, including the application process

Grant/Merit scholarship will be applied to your student account after the drop deadline and before the bill is due.

At the end of the second semester in the program continued scholarship/grant edibility will be reviewed based on student GPA. A GPA below 3.0 will result in permanent removal of the scholarship/grant with no opportunity to appeal.

Consideration for scholarships is given at time of application review. No further funding is available after admission.

Students who take a Leave of Absence (LOA) and return to the program will not have the previous Grant/Merit Scholarship reinstated. Students who take a Medical Leave of Absence (maximum of 1 semester) can have the original Grant/Merit scholarship applied if they previously met all requirements of the award.

Bridge courses cannot be waived, and must be completed during the first semester you are enrolled

To enroll in your bridge courses e-mail eecsstaff@syr.edu. The email should include your name, SUID, and course name and number for registration, use Bridge Coursework Registration in the subject line.

If you were not assigned a bridge course during the admission process but would like to take one a one-on-one meeting with the department chair can be arranged to determine if the course will be beneficial for your academic success.

​Graduate Admission Transcript Requirement - Syracuse.edu

To submit your transcript by mail/express delivery or by electronic delivery directly from the institution:

MAIL OR DHL:
Syracuse University

Graduate Admissions Processing

400 Ostrom Avenue804 University Avenue, Suite 201

Syracuse, NY 13244

THE INSTITUTION SENDS DIRECTLY USING SECURELINK
Many U.S. colleges and universities allow you to order a transcript for electronic delivery.
Use this email address when you order a transcript from the institution for electronic delivery to SU: grad@syr.edu

4+1 (BSMS) Program

Invitations are made to rising seniors after completion of their junior year, eligible students will be notified via email and asked to apply after posting of spring grades. Accepted students will be notified after the application review is completed.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Overall GPA 3.3 or better; and

Completion of three of the following four courses with B+ or better in each course*

• • ELE 324
  • ELE 333
  • ELE 351
  • ELE 354

Student has completed no more than 4 technical electives (leaving at least 2 technical electives)

COMPUTER ENGINEERING

Overall GPA 3.3 or better; and

Completion of three of the following four courses with B+ or better in each course*

• • CIS 351
  • CSE 381
  • CIS/CSE 486
  • CSE 464

Student has completed no more than 4 technical electives (leaving at least 2 technical electives)

COMPUTER SCIENCE

Overall GPA 3.3 or better; and

Completion of three of the following four courses with B+ or better in each course*

• • CIS 341
  • CIS 352
  • CIS 477
  • CIS/CSE 486

Student has completed no more than 4 upper-division electives (leaving at least 2 upper-division electives).

*Note: If only two of the four courses have been completed, student may be conditionally accepted until the course is completed, and the minimal grade of B+ has been earned. The applicant must be registered for, and complete, the remaining course during the fall semester. Acceptance will be made official provided the stated criteria (course completion, minimal course grade, and overall GPA) have been met at the end of the semester.

For more information, e-mail eecsadmissions@syr.edu

These FAQ's are to be used only as a tool, please refer to the Syracuse University - Course Catalog for specific information on your program of study.

University Questions and Answers
Center for International Services
Barnes Center at the Arch
Engineering and Computer Science IT Support (CIT

Save the Date: Convocation for the College of Engineering and Computer Science will be held on Saturday May 11, 2024 at 8:30am in Lally Athletic Complex (Manley)

2024 Commencement Weekend is a great resource for graduates, friends and family. This site will be updated frequently with important information, continue to check back frequently!

After a degree is awarded, diplomas are ordered for students who have cleared all holds from the Office of Academic Integrity and Community Standards as well as any financial obligations to the University. Diplomas and certificates are mailed to the address provided in the file diploma request process.

May degrees are generally posted by June 30, and diplomas are ordered approximately one week after it is posted.  Once your diploma is mailed out you will receive an email. The average time for delivery is 6-8 weeks.

See Diplomas - Office of the Registrar – Syracuse University for additional information

You do not need an invitation letter from the college or your department to invite your family for commencement. 

If you feel that you need to provide your family with documentation follow the below steps:

1. Write your own invitation letter stating why your parents need a visa.
2. Log into MySlice (use Internet Explorer or Google Chrome)-Student Services – Enrollment – View Enrollment Verification –this brings you to a webpage titled National Student Clearing House. Click on “Obtain an Enrollment certificate” you will see a pop up on the bottom of the page (make sure your pop up blocker is not turned ON!!!), save the file to your desktop. Print a copy.
3. Print a copy of your transcript.
4. Copy off the commencement information from Special Events or Syracuse University Commencement http://commencement.syr.edu/
5. Attach all of this together and give to your parents so they will have it when applying for their visa

An Enrollment Verification is a certification of a student’s enrollment status for semester(s) attended at Syracuse University.

• Current semester enrollment verification is available shortly after the Add Deadline. Note that if you request a verification prior to the Add Deadline, your class enrollment will not appear. Please make sure to notify any employers or background check agencies of this if they are requesting an enrollment verification for you.
• Early semester enrollment verification shows your anticipated graduation date but not class enrollment for future semesters. Students with MySlice access should go to MySlice > Student Home > Enrollment > Enrollment Verification. If you do not have access to MySlice or if a potential employer needs to request a verification, go to studentclearinghouse.org.
• The anticipated graduation date on your NSC Enrollment Verification may change,  and will be subject to change until you file for your diploma.
• The enrollment verification certificate can be attached to forms, documents, etc. as needed and may only be requested by the student or for employment checks/background screenings.

Students who are in their last semester are allowed to register for less than a full course of study but must enroll in classes that meet on campus for the entire semester and must file a Last Semester Memo with the Center for International Services.

How to File a Last Semester Memo:

1. File your Diploma Request 

   When students start their program of study they must complete the Diploma Request process, accessed through MySlice. Only students who complete this process are included in degree certification review. Commencement information is only sent to students who have filed a diploma request. Log in to MySlice > Student Home > Academics > Diploma Request. Specify the term (fall, spring, or summer) and provide information for the diploma, including a mailing address. Diploma requests can be updated if needed.

2. Log in to the International Student and Scholar (ISSS) Portal through MySlice.
   • If you do not have access to the portal please email The Center for International Services with a detailed description of the issue (include screenshots if possible) or visit the Center for International Services during walk-in advising (Monday – Friday from 11 am to 3 pm).
3. Go to the Student Request Center (to the right of the page).
4. Find the Last Semester Memo Request.
5. Complete the Questionnaire.
6. Read the Student Acknowledgement section and confirm you have read the information.
7. Enter the following: "EECS Staff", email eecsstaff@syr.edu for departmental approval. Do not email any staff or faculty member directly as your request will not be processed.
8. Submit the Request.

Please note the following:

• Last Semester Memo requests will be denied if you are enrolled in credits above what is needed for graduation
• The whole student academic record is reviewed as part of this process-including Core Final Exam average, Core Final Course average, overall GPA, transcript grade.
• Please visit Insurance - Center for International Services – Syracuse University for important information.

OPT letters have been will be processed and sent to students SU email address in FebruarySeptember 

Letters were sent if the Last Semester Memo and your diploma request (see above) were completed

Note: Receiving your OPT letter does not mean you have met all degree requirements for graduation,

*This applies to students who are here on a student Visa

Internship-Curricular Practical Training (CPT)?

CPT-Internship is intended to provide international students work experience directly related, and integral to, a student’s degree. While not intended for general, ongoing work authorization, CPT can help students build their professional network while they are enrolled as a student providing learning outside of their classrooms.

• For assistance see Working with CASE – Syracuse CASE 
• E-mail completed forms to cptorskillsrequest@syr.edu for departmental signatures and review
• After review and signature documents will be sent to the CASE Center, with the student cc’d.
• Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to be eligible.

How do I apply for RA and TA positions?

1. Research Assistantship appointments: Contact the faculty member with whom you want to work.
2. Teaching Assistantship appointments:  TA application requests will be sent out to EECS students in late fall (Nov., Dec.) and early spring (March). 

Reminder, first year MS students will not be considered for TA positions in their first semester of study.

How will I be notified of a TA appointment?

1. Fall semester offer letters will be emailed by July 7
2. Spring semester offer letters will be emailed by December 20

Additional Notes:

1. Those who do not receive stipend-bearing TA offer may be considered for hourly positions depending on department needs and positions available.

Additional Notes:

1. Please do not resend inquiries or requests for additional consideration after the deadline mentioned in the TA information/application email.

2. Students must register for classes as soon as open enrollment starts, all students with an assistantship appointment must be registered for classes.

Transferring in credits from another University

• Classes must be pre-approved by the Department before a course is taken outside Syracuse University
• Core classes cannot be taken at another institution
• Transfer credit requests must be filed via petition Graduate Transfer Credit Petition

Transferring within EECS from one program to another

• Returning students can submit a EECS GR Transfer Form until two weeks before the first day of classes.  You are encouraged, however, to submit a transfer request early so you can select courses based on your new program of study during the course registration period for returning students. E-mail the form to eecsadmissions@syr.edu 
• New students must wait until grades have been posted from their first semester to submit a transfer request.
• Note - if you transfer from one program to another and are receiving a percent grant, it may not transfer to the new program.

Transferring into EECS from another College

• Students interested in transferring into EECS must email their completed Graduate Transfer Form to eecsadmissions@syr.edu
• Once the completed applications is received, information will be forwarded to the faculty review committee for consideration
• Note-if you transfer from one college to another and are receiving grants and other aid, it may not transfer to the new program

All returning EECS students (MS/PhD in EECS) are required to register early. Fall registration begins in April; Spring registration begins in November. New student registration is in August for the fall semester, and in January for the spring semester. Individual students are responsible for their course registration.  Academic Calendar

• Course registration should be dropped before the add deadline allowing others to register for an open seat. 
• Once the add deadline has passed, international students cannot drop courses via MySlice. International students are prevented from dropping courses to ensure they do not drop below full-time enrollment without first consulting with their program and with the Center for International Services.
• Once the add deadline has passed the student must email complete the request to drop a class form, specifying the class(es) they want to drop and return it to eecsstaff@syr.edu for processing.
• Registration must be removed by the university drop deadline to prevent additional charges to the student account.
• International full-time students cannot drop below 9 credits unless it is your last semester.  Students on an F1 Visa must apply for their last semester memo if 9 credits are not needed for degree completion in the last semester of enrollment.

• Students will complete applicable information on the Independent Study Form and send to your FT EECS faculty sponsor for signature
  • After the faculty sponsor signs the Proposal for Independent Study, the student must email the form to
    – Students in MSCS (only), send to: Dr. Nadeem Ghani
    – Students in MSEE, MSCE or MS Cyber, send to: Graduate Program Director Dr. Qinru Qiu.
• After the Graduate Program Director approves, it will be forwarded to eecsstaff@syr.edu for review and processing to the Registrar’s office (with a cc to student).
• Registrar’s office will post the Independent Study to your course registration.  (Please allow 7-10 business days or longer during high volume periods). 
• PhD students - send the signed Proposal for Independent Study form to eecsphdrequest@syr.edu for processing .

Proposal for Independent Study  

• Each semester familiarize yourself with the Academic Calendar and plan accordingly. Deadlines are strictly enforced.
• Forms, petitions and other academic paperwork processing can take up to 5 business days to be reviewed, do not wait until a deadline to submit paperwork.
• Graduate students can withdraw from classes on their own through MySlice; however, if they’re planning to withdraw under full-time credits then they’ll need to submit a Class Withdrawal Petition for review no later than the Withdrawal Deadline.

• Reach out to the instructor or TA if you need help in your class.

• MS programs:
  • Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering e-mail Dr. Qinru Qiu or visit her during open office hours.
  • MS Computer Science, e-mail Dr. Nadeem Ghani or visit him during open office hours.
  • Cybersecurity, e-mail Dr. Shiu-Kai Chin. Qinru Qiu at qiqiu@syr.edu for an appointment.

Please refer to the Class Scheduling Paradigm to assist with available times for classroom spaces.

These FAQ's are to be used only as a tool, please refer to the Syracuse University - Course Catalog for specific information on your program of study.