Student Resources

Our student resources are committed to empowering you with the resources you need to excel along your academic journey. Our comprehensive suite of student resources is designed to foster success, providing support, guidance and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Whether you're looking for academic assistance, career guidance, or ways to get involved in the vibrant CCSE community at KSU, you'll find a wealth of services and tools to help you thrive. Explore the various opportunities available to you as a CCSE student and embark on a path to success in the dynamic world of computing and software engineering.

    • Wonder what you should take next semester but not sure where to start? Do the following:

      1. Determine the time you have for school. Before you start asking friends, classmates, or an academic advisor what you should take next semester, first figure out how much time you'll have to actually take classes, do homework/projects, and study. Don't forget you need to eat and sleep.
        • You should have about 45 hours per week during fall/spring semesters to devote to school when taking 4-5 classes.
        • Use Oregon State University's Time Budget Sheet to help you identify how much time you spend on non-academic things in your life.
        • If you're planning for a summer semester, you still need about 40 hours/week but you will take only 2-3 classes instead of 5. The work in a class stays the same regardless of whether it runs for 16 weeks or 4 weeks, you just have less time to do all of it.

          • If you like formulas...

            Fall/Spring: 168 = (non-academic activity hours) + (# of credits * 3)
            Summer: 168 = (non-academic activity hours) + (# of credits * 6)

      2. Identify what classes you need to take. Now that you know how much time you have for school and how much time you should spend on school, you can figure out what your class options are.
        • Log in to Owl Express
        • Click on 'Student Records'
        • Click on 'DegreeWorks'
        • Scroll through DegreeWorks and find the classes that say "Still Needed" and note those down. You can keep track of this list using this spreadsheet. That's your beginning options. 
      3. Figure out what you meet the prerequisites for.
        If you are currently taking the prerequisite(s) to a class you're looking to register for next semester, that's okay.
        • Look at the latest curriculum sheet for your major to see what the prereqs are to the classes you found in step 2.
        • You can also see what the prerequisites are for still needed classes by clicking on their course number on
        • DegreeWorks.
          You can keep classes that have prerequisites which are classes you're currently taking and don't have a final grade for.
          • Make note of courses that can unlock multiple future classes as those will be the most strategic ones to take. Ex for CS: you're currently taking CSE 1322/L and MATH 2345. Next semester you can take CS 3305, CS 3410, CS 3503, CS 3622, SWE 3313 and CSE 3801. You would prioritize CS 3305 as that unlocks multiple other requirements in the future.
      4. Forecast your class options.
        • Check the course forecasts for the courses you've narrowed down and prioritized from the previous steps. Course forecasts shows how frequently classes will be offered in the future.
        • Note the next time your still needed classes will be offered.
          • Upper-level electives/concentration classes you plan to do usually aren't offered every semester. Make sure you take their prerequisite prior to that. This is especially important for BSIT and CGDD majors.
      5. Construct a plan.
        • You should now have a list of classes you meet the prerequisites for (step 3), the next time your list of classes will be offered (step 4), and know which courses will unlock later requirements/need to be taken in a certain timeframe.
        • Using your estimate from step 1, select the number of classes you've determined you have time for from the list of classes you prioritized.
          • Consider how much work certain subjects are for you (e.g. math = a lot of extra practice and tutoring to understand, or an ENGL class may require a significant time set aside to read/write) and try to balance the subjects you're taking so you don't overwhelm yourself, if possible.
      6. Consult and revise. Congratulations, you have a draft class plan!
        • Before registration starts for the term you're planning, schedule an academic advising appointment and take your plan to them for their review.
        • Depending on the live schedule of classes and how quickly courses fill up, you may need to adjust your proposed class plan. This should be easy since you have already identified all the classes you meet the prerequisites for and the most important ones you need to target!
    • Capstone | The Capstone course is the pinnacle of our curriculum, available to both undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Computing and Software Engineering. In this collaborative experience, you will form teams with peers to create and execute practical solutions that draw upon the knowledge gained throughout your academic journey.
    • First-Year Experience (FYE): CSE 1300, CSE 1321 and CSE 1322 | The First-Year Experience (FYE) team is a dedicated group committed to supporting your growth as a successful computing professional. Our team consists of Lecturers, Graduate Teaching Assistants, Graduate Research Assistants, Graders, and Tutors, all of whom are eager to assist you in achieving your best possible outcomes. Learn about course availability, supplemental lecture series, tutoring resources and more!
    • Mid-semester Course Feedback | Feedback from students is crucial to our continuous improvement in the courses we offer. Please use the survey below to share your thoughts, comments, questions or concerns.
    • Pushing the Envelope - Innovative Courses and Special Topics in Computing | Innovations in Computing Course program at Kennesaw State, designed to ignite interest in computing and introduce a diverse range of topics to our academic curriculum.
    • Student Engagement Challenge Leaderboard | Top 10 students win prizes at the end of each fall/spring semester - engage in events, mentoring or student organizations to earn points.
    • Co-Ops, Internships and Jobs | Start earning credit and gaining experience in your professional field before graduating with a Co-Op, Internship or job opportunity! Before you can enroll in an internship, you must undergo an approval process, which varies based on your degree requirements. All internships must have a technical focus relevant to your degree program. For detailed academic eligibility criteria, please refer to the Internships and Co-ops College-Specific Information from the Department of Career Planning and Development.
    • Mentoring | By participating as a mentor or mentee in this program, you can become better informed about your own skills, CCSE, Kennesaw State University, campus resources and support services, and opportunities for academic and career excellence. 
    • Research | Research plays a vital role within the College of Computing and Software Engineering, shaping both faculty and student engagement integrated into our undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Explore CCSE's research endeavors in detail and discover the consistent innovation happening within our college at Kennesaw State.
    • Student Organizations | Our diverse and engaging student organizations offer a dynamic platform for students to connect, collaborate and explore their passions with others in the fields of computing and software engineering.
    • Events | From cutting-edge tech symposiums to interactive coding workshops, our events cater to tech enthusiasts, students, professionals, and anyone passionate about the ever-evolving world of computing and software engineering. Explore our events to stay updated within the community, expand your knowledge and connect with like-minded peers at KSU.
    • Graduate Student Financial Assistance Programs| CCSE is pleased to offer financial assistance to our graduate students which includes Out of State Tution Waivers and Graduate Research/Teaching Assistantships.
    • Financial Aid | The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid provides financial assistance, resources, and services to students at Kennesaw State University.
    • Student Scholarships | A variety of scholarships that may have specific eligibility requirements beyond being a CCSE major.
    • Out of State Tuition Waivers (OSTW) | Waivers are allocated on the basis of merit that might include GPA and other academic achievements. By submitting the tuition waiver, your application will be put in the applicant pool for consideration but there is no promise or guarantee you'll be awarded the waiver.
    • Student Employment | In addition to Graduate Assistantships, both undergraduate and graduate students may be eligible to obtain a student assistant, tutor, or lab assistant position to work part-time for CCSE/KSU.
    • Academic Advising | Welcome to the heart of academic support within the College of Computing and Software Engineering at Kennesaw State. Our dedicated team of academic advisors is here to guide you on your educational journey, ensuring that you make the most of your time here.
    • Graduate Student Online Orientation | Orientation information for new CCSE graduate students.
    • Help with deciding major | Unsure which CCSE major to pursue? Explore additional information to compare the programs and find the right fit for you!
    • UITS Labs/Support | University Information Technology Services (UITS) offers open computer labs as well as limited technical support to assist students.
    • CCSE Tutoring Center | Tutoring for a variety of CCSE classes is available.
    • SMART (Science & Math) Tutoring Center | Tutoring for general education mathematics and science courses is available.
    • Writing Center | The Writing Center is open to all students, and they can help you with the writing process for any project or assignment you have.
    • Peer Counseling | Peer Counselors actively listen, foster empathy, and create spaces for social connections within the campus community. Trained and supported by Counseling and Psychological Services, they aren't a substitute for therapy but offer support, resources, and guidance on everyday student issues.
    • Wellbeing@KSU | YOU MATTER at KSU, and your wellbeing is a priority to us. College is exciting, but it can cause students to experience stress and feel overwhelmed. Through counseling, health education, addiction and recovery support, fitness and recreation activities, and access to basic needs, Wellbeing@KSU is here to help you do well and be well.
    • Counseling & Psychological Services | Counseling and Psychological Services' mission is to help students develop the skills necessary to better manage their emotions, navigate relationships, and address other mental wellness concerns, including psychiatric medication evaluation and treatment.
    • Career Services | It’s our mission to help KSU Owls thrive  — both in the classroom and in your chosen field. Our staff and faculty members are available to help answer any questions you may have and to help you get started on your career path.

  • Forms, documents, and information necessary for international students.

    International Students

  • CCSE Student Awards | See Outstanding Student Award winners and CCSE Club 4.0 requirements.

  • General Recommendations

    • Windows-based (Windows 10 or 11)
    • Latest gen (or within the last 3 generations) Intel i5 CPU or better, or the AMD equivalent
    • 16+ GB of RAM
    • 500+ GB of storage (HDD or SSD)
    • Use KSU Hub to download things like Office 365


    Tips: Apple/iOS/Linux machines can also be used, however you may encounter difficulties regarding software and on-campus tech support. You may need to find non-Windows software that has equivalent capabilities for some of your major classes, or use a VM (aka virtual machine) from CCSE Labs.

    The demands on your computer will likely increase as you progress through your degree program. So, if you are able to afford a higher-powered computer at the start, you will likely save money in the long run.

    Major Specific Recommendations
    Computer Science
    • Windows OS (10 or 11)
    • i7 or i9 Intel CPU (or AMD equivalent)
    • 32+ GB of RAM
    • 1+ TB of storage

    If you are particularly interested in doing research or high powered computing, you may want to look into a good GPU and as much RAM as you can get.

    If you like to play video games as a hobby, you may also want to get a computer with a discrete graphics card/GPU (one that doesn't say "integrated graphics") to be able to play newer games and/or have better graphics.
    Software Egineering
    • Windows OS (10 or 11)
    • i5 or i7 Intel CPU (or AMD equivalent)
    • 16+ GB of Ram
    • 1+ TB of storage

    If you are particularly interested in doing research or high powered computing, you may want to get an i7 Intel CPU, a good GPU and as much RAM as you can get.

    If you like to play video games as a hobby, you may also want to get a computer with a discrete graphics card/GPU (one that doesn't say "integrated graphics") to be able to play newer games and/or have better graphics.
    Computer Game Design & Development

    Rendering 3D games or animations tends to eat up a lot of processing power as well as storage.

    • Windows 10 64-bit or newer
    • i7 or i9 Intel CPU (or AMD Ryzen equivalent), 2.5 GHz or faster
    • Dedicated graphics card/GPU that is compatible with DirectX 11 or 12
    • 32+ GB of RAM
    • 1+ TB of storage (newer-gen PCIe SSD hard drives recommended but more expensive)
    • Good heat control (your CPU, GPU and storage are going to heat up when playing or developing games, which will cause your computer components to degrade)
    • Make sure you have non-integrated graphics memory (if you have a dedicated GPU, this isn't really an issue)
    Information Technology
    • i5+ Intel CPU (or AMD equivalent)
    • 32+ GB of RAM
    • 500+ GB of storage


    If you have hobbies that involve graphics (such as art or gaming), you may want to get a computer that has a non-integrated graphics memory or has a discrete graphics card/GPU, and more storage (1+ TB will likely keep you until you graduate, but external hard drives are also an option)
    Data Science & Analytics
    • Larger screen size or capability to support multiple screens helps when working with a lot of information
    • i7 Intel or AMD Ryzen 7 CPU
    • 16+ GB of RAM or capability to expand
    • 1+ TB of storage (more is better)
    • A GPU like NVIDIA GeForce can be very helpful with data visualization and processing