Advising

MS Software Engineering Advising Schedule

MS Software Engineering advising sessions are for prospective, newly admitted, and current students. Sessions are held as group advising sessions. You do not need an appointment to attend but please join at the beginning of the advising period. Personal appointments are not given. Individual advising will be held after the group advising, as time permits and if you came at the beginning of the advising session.

Winter/Spring 2026 Advising

Zoom advising sessions for the Winter 2026 term will be held from 4:30-5:30 pm on Tuesdays starting on Thursday, January 6, 2026 and continuing through Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Zoom advising sessions for the Spring 2026 semester will be held from 4:30-5:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting on Thursday, January 22, 2026 and continuing through Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Advising will *not* be held Tuesday, March 31 and Thursday, April 2 due to Spring break.

Register for an advising session

Important Department Policies

​According to departmental policy, students are not permitted to enroll in more than four courses per semester, including CMPE294, CMPE298I, and MS project or thesis courses. The four course limit is a departmental policy that will be enforced, resulting in students being dropped from excess courses. Also note that students on an F-1 visa must take no fewer than three courses (9 units) per semester or file for a Reduced Course Load with International Scholar and Student Services (ISSS).

Many of your advising questions are covered by the following web pages:

Advance Registration

The following news may help you with Advance Registration. Please check this page from time-to-time and review it before sending email to the department or academic advisor.

Admission Prerequisite Classes

If you were admitted conditionally classified, you may have been assigned prerequisite classes to complete as part of your admission. These classes must be completed before you start your fourth graduate class.

Change of Major

Students with good academic credentials and adequate degree background may request a change of major to the MS Software Engineering program if they meet the admission requirements for the program. Read more. 

Credit Transfer

Credit completed at another university or through SJSU Open University may be applied towards your MS Software Engineering Degree. 

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

MS Software Engineering students on an F-1 visa may work at an internship after completing two full-time semesters. Learn more about department criteria that must be met for the CPT to be approved. 

GPA Calculations

This web page provides information about class grading and Grade Point Average (GPA) as it relates to graduate programs in the Computer Engineering department. 

New Student Welcome

This web page provides important information for new students about to join the MS Software Engineering program. 

If your questions are not answered, I may be able to answer simple advising questions if you contact me by email at Dan.Harkey@sjsu.edu with the email subject MSSE Advising.

Advising hours for other faculty members can be viewed here.