So, you've just been accepted into the Master of Science in Software Engineering (MSSE) program at San José State University for Spring 2022? Congratulations! It's an exciting time, and settling into a new academic environment can feel like a lot, but we're here to help make that transition as smooth as possible.
First off, let's talk about orientation. Think of it as your personal roadmap to success in the MSSE program. This isn't your typical university-wide welcome; it's a specialized session led by your graduate advisor, Dan Harkey, specifically for MSSE students. It's where you'll get the crucial details needed to map out your entire plan of study. Good news: if you stick to the course plan outlined on the MSSE website, you won't need to fuss with a formal Program of Study (POS) form. You'll only need that if you plan to deviate from the standard path or for specific situations like Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for F1 visa students. So, have your acceptance letter handy for this important session!
Now, about staying connected and getting your questions answered – Google Groups are your new best friends. Forget sending emails directly to the graduate advisor for common questions about admissions, class registration, or other MSSE matters (unless it's something deeply personal, of course). Instead, head over to the Google Group for newly admitted students. This is where the magic happens. You'll find announcements, discussions, and a community of fellow new students and your advisor.
To get in on the action, you'll need to use your official SJSU email address (firstname.lastname@sjsu.edu) to log into Google. This grants you access to all SJSU Google services. When you click the link to join the group, you'll go through an SJSUone authentication using your student ID and password. Keep in mind, these groups are moderated, so there might be a slight delay before your access is fully approved. But once you're in, you can ask away!
There are actually two groups you can join. One is for academic discussions, where SJSU professors and staff will be monitoring. This is where you'll want to post your academic queries. If you don't join this one, it'll be assumed you're not planning to attend. The second group is optional and geared towards "social" matters – think housing, travel, and general student life. This one won't be as actively monitored by faculty, but it's a great place to connect with peers on non-academic fronts.
When it comes to your first semester classes, there's a priority order to keep in mind. First, tackle any prerequisite classes if you were admitted conditionally. Then, dive into degree core and specialization classes, followed by technical electives, and finally, your Master's Project or Thesis. For a fully classified, full-time student, the recommendation is to take two degree core classes (from CMPE 202, CMPE 255, and CMPE 272) and one specialization core class. If you're conditionally classified, focus on those prerequisites and maybe CMPE 272.
And a heads-up: there have been some important catalog changes at both the university and program level for students admitted from Fall 2020 onwards. These are summarized on the MSSE website, and any updates will be posted there and announced on the Google group. It's a lot of information, but by staying engaged with the Google Groups and attending the orientation, you'll be well on your way to a successful MSSE experience.
