How much is my tuition?

Tuition for the MS-CSE program is $1,290 per unit.

Tuition amounts shown on this website, or in other university publications or web pages, represent tuition and fees as currently approved. However, the University of San Diego reserves the right to increase or modify tuition and fees without prior notice and to make such modifications applicable to students enrolled at USD at that time as well as to incoming students. In addition, all tuition amounts and fees are subject to change at any time for correction of errors. Please note that the displayed tuition covers only the cost of courses, and additional expenses such as books and other fees are not included.

How many units is my program?

The MS-CSE program is a total of 36 units.

Students will enroll in two prescribed courses each semester for a total of 6 semester units. Students taking the prerequisite course will only enroll in one course – CYBR 505 – which is 6 units.

Is this a full-time or part-time program?

4.5-8 units per term is considered part-time status for Graduate students.

The University of San Diego considers 9 or more units per term as full-time status for Graduate students.

How do I register or drop classes?

All students are manually enrolled each semester by the USD Student Success team. If you are not able to enroll for a term or if you need to drop your courses, it is your responsibility to notify your Program Coordinator. All students will be held to the respective drop deadlines and refund schedule detailed in your Student Handbook.

Where do I find my bill and how do I pay it?

Login to your my.sandiego.edu student portal. Under the “My Student Account” tab, review the tutorials for directions on how to view and pay your bill, set up a payment plan, and enroll in eRefund (Direct Deposit). View the “Tuition and Payment Methods” on your Student Success Center for further details.

Where can I view my final grades?

Log into your my.sandiego.edu student portal and navigate to the “Torero Hub” section on the sidebar. Click on the “My Academics” tab and locate the “View My Grades” link in the top-middle section. Alternatively, you can view your program progress at a glance using the “Degree Works” link.

If you notice a grade inconsistency between Canvas and your MySanDiego portal, please email your instructor to verify what the final grade should be. Your instructor has the ability to update the posted grade.

Are on-campus students able to choose between Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday class schedules?

No, on-campus students should be prepared to attend classes on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. While we understand the desire for flexibility, the schedule is designed to maintain smaller class sizes and ensure instructors can dedicate more time to each student. Due to classroom capacity limits, switching between Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday schedules.

Is group work required?

Yes, group work is a required component of the master’s degree program. Collaborative projects, team-based assignments, and peer interactions are integrated throughout the curriculum to enhance learning, develop communication skills, and prepare students for real-world professional environments.

Group Work Expectations and Tips for Success

Group assignments are designed to be a unique learning opportunity. While your grade is important, remember that group work is generally not a high percentage of your overall grade. This structure allows you to focus less on pure assessment pressure and more on learning to collaborate which is a core skill for a transdisciplinary, international profession like sustainability.

• Beyond the Task: The true purpose is not just completing the assignment; it’s learning from your peers’ disciplines, life experiences, and working styles.
• A Low-Stakes Learning Lab: View group work as a chance to practice essential professional skills like communication, empathy, and project management in a supportive environment.
• Most students tell us group work is one of the best parts of the program and it’s a chance to make something happen together.

How to Be a Great Teammate

Empathy and respectful communication are key to turning differences in working style into collaborative strengths:

Setting Expectations

• Schedule a Regular Check-In: Make it a priority to meet and chat at least once a week. A regular, 15-minute slot can be enough to plan and stay on track.
• Communicate Consistently: All members are expected to contribute and keep the team updated on their progress and any roadblocks.

Collaborating Across Differences

• Assume the Best: Treat everyone as you would want to be treated. Don’t get angry because others work differently than you do. Collaboration is about merging varied approaches.
• Practice Empathy: If a teammate is frequently late or unresponsive, try to understand why. Their life might be difficult, or they may need support. Learning to collaborate across differences is essential in a multi-sector field.

Taking Responsibility

• Respect Time: If you are the person struggling with time or lateness, immediately let your group know you are having difficulties. Share why (without oversharing) and ask for help.
• Own Your Role: Fulfill your assigned duties completely and on time. Reliability builds trust.
  Reach Out: If you have concerns about your group that you cannot resolve internally, always reach out to your professor for confidential guidance.

How do I see my degree plan and track my progress?

Log into your my.sandiego.edu student portal and then use the “Degree Works” link to view your degree audit.

You can find the “Degree Works” link in the Torero Hub under the “My Academics” page. If you are interested in requesting a tailored degree plan, please email [email protected].

What if I need to take a break from courses?

If you need to take time off from your program, please email your Program Coordinator or the Student Success team at [email protected]. Since you have submitted your enrollment commitment, our team will automatically register you in courses each term unless you have previously notified the team about taking a break.

How do I order transcripts?

To order your official, unofficial, or e-transcript(s), view the transcript ordering options page. Otherwise, you can view unofficial/order official transcripts through your MySanDiego portal. Under the “Torero Hub” sidebar option, click on the “My Academics” page, then click on “Request Official Transcript” under the “My Classes” section.

When will I get my diploma?

Congratulations on finishing your program! Diplomas are mailed about 6-8 weeks after the degree requirements have been met and processed. Diplomas are mailed to the current address on file at the time degree requirements are completed. (To check your address information, login to your my.sandiego.edu student portal and view your personal information under My Torero Services.)

You will first be emailed a copy of your e-diploma from Parchment prior to receiving your mailed physical diploma.

Who do I talk to if I have additional questions or concerns about my program?

Throughout your program and after graduation, your Student Success team is here to help! We recommend contacting your Program Coordinator directly, but you can also email our team address at [email protected].

In addition to our team, your Academic Director is a great resource!

Where can I find some writing resources?

All writing assignments must be formatted according to APA standards. Discussion posts must contain the appropriate APA citations. If you are unfamiliar with APA formatting, or simply require additional writing support, we recommend referencing the Purdue Online Writing Lab (also called OWL@Purdue). In addition to general writing support, the website includes a special section dedicated to  APA formatting guidelines.

To further support your writing, we highly recommend using the School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) Graduate Student Writing Center. Students are encouraged to submit written course assignments via the digital submission form for online feedback from a professional writing coach. See site for details.

What should I do if I miss a week of class?

This course moves very quickly, and it is important that you turn in all assignments on or before their due dates. If, because of an emergency, you have missed a week or more of course work, please contact your professor immediately to inform them. While there is no guarantee that you will be allowed to make up your work, informing your professor early is the best way to get back on track and finish your course successfully.

Please do not wait more than a week without informing your professor. If your instructor’s email is not already visible on the Canvas course, please use the USD directory to find their contact information.

What can I expect for deadlines in my course?

The 7-week courses traditionally follow a weekly pattern with three important days:

• Tuesdays – When the class/modules start. It’s recommended to read the Module Overview, review readings/media, and begin to think about ideas for the discussion board.
• Fridays – When the initial discussion board posts are typically due. Remember that posts are due before 11:59 PM PST.
• Mondays – When discussion board replies and assignments are typically due. Most discussion boards expect 2 replies per week.

Please note that there may be some exceptions to this structure. Always refer to the syllabus for deadline details. Please contact the course instructor with any questions.

What are the course surveys? Do I have to complete them every course?

The course surveys are an opportunity to give your feedback on the course assignments, instructors, pacing, workload, learning management system, accessibility, etc. The feedback is reviewed by school leadership and used to determine how courses should be improved for future iterations. All surveys are completely anonymous – which is why your instructors have to make public announcements asking for everyone to submit their surveys. Feedback in the survey will not affect your final grade.

Course surveys traditionally open during the final weeks of the course and close before final grades are posted. The instructors and USD Student Success Team will remind you to complete these surveys for each class. Your program appreciates the time you take to improve the student experience!

Does USD use latin honors (magna cum laude, summa cum laude, cum laude, etc.) for students graduating from master’s programs?

No, it is uncommon for institutions to offer Latin honors or a Dean’s List to graduate students because graduate programs already assume a high level of academic achievement and rigor. The idea is that earning a graduate degree itself signifies excellence, making additional distinctions unnecessary: graduate students are held to a high academic standard, and successful completion of a graduate program inherently reflects significant achievement. For this reason, most institutions, including USD, do not offer Latin honors for graduate students.

If you are looking for a way to highlight your high academic achievement at USD, we recommend including your GPA on your resume, LinkedIn, etc.

Do students need to complete Title IX Student Trainings?

All students, staff and faculty need to complete the Title IX online trainings each academic year. See the “Required Online Education Courses for Students” page for details. If the training is not completed, there is a $250 non-compliance fee.

• Login problems: Contact the USD Help Desk at [email protected] or at (619) 260-7900.
• Any technical problems within the Vector Solutions course platform: Technical support is available 24/7 and can be accessed from the “Help” link within the course.
• You will need Internet access and audio capabilities.
• To avoid technical issues, please use any major web browser (e.g., Firefox, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome) released within the previous two years.
• You may take the course in multiple sittings. Please save/bookmark the link as you may take the course in multiple sittings. In order to save your progress, be sure to finish each module, quiz, or video before logging out.
• If you have questions regarding course deadlines and the required courses assigned to you, please email [email protected] and the Student Training support team will respond to you as soon as possible.

Do students need to provide proof of health insurance?

Part-time students are not required to take any action as it relates to Health Insurance. For part-time students, there is no need to waive or provide proof. Full-time graduate students are those enrolled in 9 units or more throughout their program. See the Health Insurance page for details. https://www.sandiego.edu/health-insurance/