Located in Medford, Massachusetts, Tufts University is a private school that was established in 1852. The school traces its roots to Christian Universalists who wanted to open a non-sectarian school of higher learning. The land for the school came from Charles Tufts, and the school was a small, liberal arts college for more than a 100 years after its founding.
The small college would eventually transform into a large research university in the 1970s under the guidance of Jean Mayer, a president of the university. Today, the school has an endowment of more than $1.5 billion and a student body of more than 10,000 students.
Tufts University Accreditation Details
Like other institutions of higher learning in New England, Tufts University is accredited by NEASC, the New England Assoc. of Schools & Colleges. The most recent evaluation of Tufts University by the NEASC took place in 2013, and the school was granted continued accreditation until its next scheduled evaluation, which is scheduled for 2023.
Throughout the university, many programs and their departments are accredited or recognized by various accrediting agencies, as well as commissions and professional associations. For example, the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering is accredited by the ABET, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Other programs with similar accreditation include the undergraduate degrees in Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science/Engineering.
Tufts University Application Requirements
Students will use the Coalition Application website to submit their application to Tufts University. The school provides a checklist of materials required for application on its official website, as well as the application deadlines for Early Decision I, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision. Students will need to submit nine items through the Coalition Application website to complete their application to the university.
Required application materials include:
- Completed application with the Coalition Application website
- Tufts writing supplement
- Transcripts from high school
- Senior level grades
- ACT and SAT standardized tests
- TOEFL scores if required
- Two letters of recommendation
- List of extracurricular activities
- Art portfolio for select programs
In addition to completing the list of application requirements, future students must also submit an application fee of $75 or apply for a fee waiver in the case of financial hardship. Students may also choose to submit optional application materials that may include an interview. A call to the department that runs the program to which a student wishes to apply may offer additional information on whether extra application materials will benefit the application.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition at Tufts University is $60,400 a year, which doesn’t include university health insurance. Tufts is a private university, which means all students pay the same approximate tuition whether they are based in Massachusetts or are attending from an out-of-state residence. Tuition may vary slightly based upon the program a student takes, and the $60,400 includes personal costs, books, an activity fee, a mandatory health services fee, a meal plan, a residence hall fee, and tuition.
Federal financial aid is available for students attending Tufts University, and students may also consider private loans to fund their education. The school suggests it will meet 100% of financial aid need for all students admitted to undergraduate programs. Students accepted to graduate programs are determined on a case-by-case basis for items like traditional student loans, work-study, and scholarships.
The Computer Science Experience at Tufts University
Tufts University offers degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and there are two ways a student may go about obtaining a computer science degree at Tufts. One option is to apply to the School of Arts & Sciences, and the other option is to apply to the School of Engineering. The programs are quite similar in their requirements for core computer science classes, but their general courses do vary somewhat. The choice a student makes on which program to enter may be guided by the career goals of the student.
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) is available through the School of Engineering at Tufts, and it’s an ideal program for students interested in a professional career in computer science, as well as for students who wish to go on to graduate studies. The program’s mission is to ensure students obtain “durable” knowledge that will help the student acclimate to the rapid changes often experienced by the industry.
Students will receive a well-rounded curriculum based in computer science theory and programming. Enrollees in the program will also expose students to a variety of research projects and challenges that will help the future computer science professional approach problems in the workforce or in future graduate study. The program’s aim is to ensure students have obtained a professional career within two to five years of graduation or have been admitted to graduate study in computer science.
Learning outcomes of the program include ensuring students can utilize theory to understand algorithms, as well as the performance and structure of problems. Graduates of the program should also understand how to solve problems that result in software improvements, as well as the aptitude to work in a team environment. Finally, students should also understand how to use their skills to solve “open-ended” problems that may have more than a single answer.
The program’s accreditation from ABET ensures that students will also enjoy a program that adheres to the proposed outcomes of ABET CAC A-K outcomes, which include abilities like applying knowledge of math and computer science within the discipline, analyzing problems and identifying the correct solution, and designing computer-based systems that meet specified parameters. Students are also meant to master the professional, security, legal, social, and ethical issues that impact modern industry.
Some of the subjects a student will study in the program include mathematics, physics, English, and engineering. Classes a student may take include Programming Languages, Theory of Computation, Computer Architecture, and Algorithms. The computer science degree program is designed to take the average student four years to complete, and students are allowed a variety of electives alongside their core computer science requirements.
Students who wish to enter the Tufts University program in computer science should enjoy mathematics, as well as demonstrate an aptitude for science. Entry into the university is competitive, but driven students who put sincere effort into their high school studies and their application will have a chance of gaining admission. Anyone who wishes to obtain a computer science degree at Tufts should prepare for several years of rigorous and rewarding study.
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