Orientation

Orientation will take place on campus in late August, and attendance is mandatory. This is an important time for the cohort to build community and receive important information. The schedule will be posted online and also sent via email in early August. If you do not receive emails regarding this matter, please contact gradadmissions@eecs.berkeley.edu.

Schedule Timeline

Once students are admitted to the program (and accept our offer of admission), the timeline below represents a typical timeline for a student starting in the fall semester.

*IMPORTANT*–ALL courses toward the degree should be taken for a letter grade, except for 299 research units, which should be taken S/U.

Fall (1st MS semester)

Spring (2nd MS semester)


  • Attend the Orientation in late August.

  • Meet with your faculty advisor at the beginning of the semester to discuss your Course Planning Sheet have it signed and submit it to the Masters Student Advisor in 205 Cory Hall by the end of the 2nd week of classes. This is not a binding document, as course offerings are subject to change per semester. You do not have to wait until after you've met with your faculty advisor in order to sign up for Fall coursework (Phase 1 is normally in late July). This is more of a check to ensure you're on the right track to meet all degree requirements by the end of Spring.

  • Submit a General Petition to backdate any eligible courses taken in the last semester of your Bachelor's to count for your MS degree.

  • Complete fall courses. Your cumulative MS GPA must be 3.0 or higher in order to graduate. Only coursework with earned grades of B- or better will count towards satisfying MS degree requirements. Additionally, technical electives cumulative GPA must be 3.5 or higher in order to graduate.

  • Make progress toward the research project, and leave time in Spring to write your report.


  • All 5th Yr M.S. students are by default on Plan II. You need to complete the EECS Application for Candidacy Form have your research adviser sign it, and submit it to the Masters Student Services Advisor in 215 Cory by no later than the end of the 2nd week of classes in your final semester.

  • Complete spring courses. Your cumulative MS GPA must be 3.0 or higher in order to graduate. Only coursework with earned grades of B- or better will count towards satisfying MS degree requirements. Additionally, technical electives cumulative GPA must be 3.5 or higher in order to graduate.

  • Complete research project and report. It's best to submit your report to your two faculty readers one month before the end of the semester to allow time to make revisions, get both signatures, and submit the report before the last day of the semester. Reference Master's Thesis/Report Plan II guidelines for more information.

  • Complete the EECS Exit Survey (this is a departmental graduation requirement). The information that is collected will remain anonymous. The survey data will be shared with the department leadership and administration in an aggregated format without specific identifiers to maintain confidentiality.

  • Commencement! Emails about Commencement will go out in January, so be sure to respond to those in a timely manner to make sure that you can walk.

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