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University of Washington

GPU-Accelerated Computing & Visualization

Admissions Requirements

This certificate program is designed for working professionals in science, engineering, and software industries interested in developing their skills in optimized parallel GPU software design and programming.

To apply, you must have:

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. or its equivalent from a foreign institution
  • Intermediate/advanced programming experience and proficiency with C/C++
  • Familiarity with using current Microsoft Visual Studio IDE for creating C/C++ solutions/projects, building/compiling, and debugging with C/C++ packages (or a similar full-featured integrated development environment)
  • Undergraduate mathematics coursework covering applied matrix analysis and linear algebra and numerical analysis, eigensystems, eigenvalue problems and solutions, vector calculus and partial differential equations (PDEs)
  • Non-native English speakers must meet the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement as outlined in the Graduate School’s Policy 3.2

Recommended prerequisites:

  • Undergraduate electromagnetics coursework covering Maxwell’s Equations, the wave equation, and the dispersion equation
  • Basic understanding of computer architecture/microarchitecture including CPU, memory hierarchy, caches, assembly language

To enroll, international students must have a visa that permits study in the United States. This program does not enable students to obtain or maintain F-1 visa status.

How to Apply

We will not be accepting applications for the 2025 – 2026 GPU certificate program this coming year. Please stay tuned for updates on the 2026 – 2027 program availability in mid-2026..

Required Materials

  • A letter (500-word maximum) that describes your relevant experience, transferable skills, knowledge of the field and interest in taking this program
  • A resume that highlights how your education and any applicable experience fulfill the program’s admission requirements
  • One set of transcripts for each school indicated on your resume

Application

Part 1: Complete your application and submit it along with your $50 nonrefundable application fee on the UW PCE online portal.

Part 2: After you submit your application to UW PCE, email all materials in one PDF to ecepmp@uw.edu.

If you are accepted, instructions will be provided on applying for Graduate Non-Matriculated status (application fee of $75) through the Graduate School.

Questions? email ecepmp@uw.edu