Program Information
I am a current Penn Engineering degree student; when may I begin applying for the Online Graduate Certificate Programs?
Current Penn Engineering students may begin the Graduate Certificate application process in the final term of their degree program.
Can MCIT Online students continue through the CIS/MSE dual degree?
Currently this is not an option for MCIT Online students.
I have been admitted to MCIT or MSE-DS Online but I would like to defer my admission. What should I do?
The first step is to accept our offer and pay the deposit. After enrollment, you will receive additional information about selecting your start term. You will be able to submit your specific reason for the deferral and the term that you are planning on attending.
The deadline to request a deferral is the last day before classes begin for your first graduate semester. If approved, you can defer for up to two semesters (one academic year) at a time, and for a total of four semesters (two academic years).
Does MCIT Online require a thesis?
No, MCIT Online students are not required to write a thesis.
Does the MCIT Online degree qualify me for a PhD?
It’s possible to go on to a PhD program, but you would likely need to supplement your studies with research to be prepared for a PhD program.
What programming languages will I learn in the MCIT Online program?
The MCIT Online curriculum includes Python, Java (including data structures), C and C++.
You will also learn fundamental concepts that allow you to quickly learn many other languages – including Rust, Go, JavaScript, etc. – even though they are not explicitly taught in our curriculum.
Are online electives different from on-campus options?
Specific course options may vary, but MCIT Online electives are comparable to the on-campus version. Course topics reflect the most popular areas of interest.
Is the MCIT degree the same as a Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science degree?
No, they are different credentials but graduates have very similar outcomes.
The Master of Information and Computer Technology (MCIT) curriculum begins with a strong CS foundation and goes on to graduate-level electives that are exactly the same as those taken by students in a traditional MS in CS degree program.
MCIT graduates’ career outcomes are extremely comparable to those of Penn’s MS in CS degree in terms of the type of companies, starting salary, and other compensation. See Penn’s most recent Career Services reports for details.
What career options will I have with the MCIT Online degree?
Graduates of MCIT go on to rewarding careers in aerospace, consulting, education, finance, healthcare, and technology, to name a few. For details, see our Outcomes page.
Do I need to be proficient in a particular programming language for MCIT Online?
No, the program is specifically designed for students with minimal or no prior computer science experience.