Washington University of Science & Technology (WUST)

WUST is a U.S. private for-profit university. It offers affordable MBA, MSIT & MS Cybersecurity programs in DC Metropolitan.

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Location

Alexandria, VA

School Type

For Profit

On-Site Frequency

3/Semester

Annual Tuition

$14,256

Program Duration

1-2.5 years

Day 1 CPT Programs

MBA
MSIT [STEM]
MS Cybersecurity [STEM]

University Overview

Established in 2008 in Virginia, the Washington University of Science and Technology (WUST) stands at the forefront of delivering accessible and innovative education designed to meet industry and societal needs. Renowned for blending academic excellence with practical application, WUST guarantees high-quality instruction by employing faculty with at least four years of professional experience. This dedication to scholar-practitioners provides students with the technical knowledge, interpersonal abilities, and career preparedness essential for success. With a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, the university offers personalized support.

Accreditation

WUST is certified to operate by SCHEV. Accredited by ACCSC. WUST responds to the evolving demands of the U.S. workforce, particularly considering the reliance on the H-1B visa program. By concentrating on developing highly skilled graduates, WUST decreases reliance on international workers and bolsters the domestic talent pool. Guided by the visionary leadership of Chairman and Chancellor Abubokor Hanip and President Dr. Hasan Karaburk, the university focuses on a TRIPLE MISSION: Degree, Skills, and Career. WUST changes lives by fostering individual potential and building a global network of graduates prepared to make significant contributions in industries worldwide.

wust day 1 cpt

CPT Policies at WUST

The phrase "Day 1 CPT Universities" lacks official recognition and generally denotes universities that permit students to seek Curricular Practical Training (CPT) from the start of their first semester. Nonetheless, securing CPT authorization on the first day of the program is not a certainty and hinges on the prompt submission and thoroughness of the application materials. Ordinarily, it takes 5 to 15 business days to obtain CPT approval once the documents have been received.

CPT Activation Timing: WUST allows students to activate their CPT work authorizations on the start date of each semester (with three semesters per year, totaling six enrollment windows). There is no gap between CPT authorizations.
CPT Application: To apply for CPT, the employer's signature is required on the CPT Agreement, which must be submitted before the CPT application deadline.
- Students can apply for CPT at any time during the program.
- Maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above is essential for students. Failure to do so may result in the termination of your CPT.

Students are required to attend on-campus classes during the third, sixth, and ninth weeks of each semester, totaling three in-person sessions per semester.
The remainder of the coursework can be completed online, providing flexibility and convenience for students balancing academics with professional commitments.

WUST offers a Hybrid learning format, with graduate programs designed to be completed in 20 months. However, if students need a break, they may take a leave of absence after completing three semesters. During this leave, students can still utilize CPT, potentially extending the program's total duration beyond 20 months.

WUST has 3 graduate-level programs that offer the CPT option, and 2 undergraduate-level programs.
WUST adopts a hybrid teaching mode for all of its CPT programs. Students will have to take 12.5 credits per semester to maintain their F1 status. Onsite frequency varies depending on each program’s requirement from once per week to once per month.
WUST is very strict when it comes to on-site attendance, which also helped it earn a great reputation among officers at USCIS. Its students were rarely questioned when applying for H1B though the history of using CPT sometimes could raise a flag.

The MBA curriculum at WUST is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in today’s competitive business environment. This program specifically prepares students for entry-level opportunities in small to medium-sized enterprises in a technology-driven and customer-focused business world. It emphasizes practical education, blending academic theory with real-world application.

The program content balances technical expertise, data-driven decision-making, and quantitative analytical skills, enabling students to make objective decisions. At the same time, it focuses on developing effective communication and interpersonal skills in multicultural environments. The concepts and theories learned throughout the program are applied in the Capstone project, which integrates academic growth with professional development.

To graduate, students are required to complete 54 credits, ensuring they are fully prepared to thrive in their careers while gaining both academic and practical insights.

The MBA program at Washington University of Science and Technology (WUST) offers six concentrations for students to choose from:

Leadership and Management
Accounting & Finance
Information Technology
Health Care Management
Human Resources Management
Project Management

CPT Program - MSIT [STEM]

The Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) program at WUST is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, develop, and effectively lead IT teams and projects, addressing the needs of global organizations today. The program aims to prepare qualified professionals for mid-level IT roles in small and medium-sized enterprises.

With a strong focus on real-world knowledge and practical experience, the MSIT program helps students build a solid theoretical foundation while gaining hands-on expertise. This combination empowers graduates to make meaningful contributions to IT solutions in the rapidly evolving, technology-driven global market.

Program Requirements
To complete the MSIT program, students must successfully finish eight core courses, the MSIT Capstone Project (MIT 681), and three elective courses from one of the following concentrations:

IT Systems & Management
Data Management & Analytics
Software Design & Management

IT 501: Management of Information Technology – 4.5 credits
IT 503: Operating Systems – 4.5 credits
IT 505: Network Systems Design and Management – 4.5 credits
IT 507: Database System Design and Management – 4.5 credits
IT 509: Information Systems Analysis and Design – 4.5 credits
IT 513: Enterprise IT Application and Integration – 4.5 credits
IT 515: Advanced Business Analytics – 4.5 credits
IT 517: Software Project and Team Management – 4.5 credits

IT Systems & Management
Data Management & Analytics
Software Design & Management

CPT Program - MS Cybersecurity [STEM]

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity (MS in Cybersecurity) program at Washington University of Science and Technology (WUST) is designed to address the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals in both public and private sectors. Cybersecurity is one of the most critical challenges facing domestic and global organizations. WUST’s mission is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to tackle these emerging global challenges effectively.

The program focuses on identifying and mitigating information security risks and threats that organizations face while developing strategies to protect data, processes, and systems. It provides practical, experience-driven training to prepare students for successful careers in information and cybersecurity.

This program is ideal for IT professionals aiming for mid-level cybersecurity roles, emphasizing the management of cybersecurity initiatives, including strategic planning, policy enforcement, infrastructure oversight, emergency planning, and fostering security awareness.

IT 503: Operating Systems (4.5 Credits)
IT 507: Database System Design and Management (4.5 Credits)
ITSM 603: Entrepreneurship (4.5 Credits)
CS 501: Introduction to Cybersecurity (4.5 Credits)
CS 516: Security Policy & Standards (4.5 Credits)
CS 521: Forensic & Network Intrusion (4.5 Credits)
CS 532: Secure Cloud Architecture (4.5 Credits)
CS 536: Information Security & Risk Management (4.5 Credits)
CS 538: Secure Software Development (4.5 Credits)
CS 540: Security Assessment & Testing (4.5 Credits)
CS 544: Cyberlaws & Ethical Hacking (4.5 Credits)
CS 681: Cybersecurity Capstone (4.5 Credits)

CS-617 Statistical Computing
CS-628 Data Science
CS-655 Machine Learning
CS-665 Analytic Techniques
CS-675 Big Data: Management & Analytics
CS-703 Applied Data Science Project

Tuition and Scholarship

Tuition Fee

Programs	Cost/Credit	Credits	Total tuition fees (excluding CPT)	Annual average tuition
Master's	$440	54	$23,760	$14,256

Other Fees:
- Enrollment Fee: $500
- Books: Depends on the courses
Payment Plan:
- A student who cannot pay their balance in full before the start of the quarter may set up a payment plan. At least 40% of the total tuition and fees must be paid at the time of registration, 80% by the end of the 4th week, and 100% by the end of the 8th week.
- If payment is missed, the student will be placed on an Auditor list and will not be permitted to return to class or submit coursework until the payment is made. In addition, the student will be charged a $50 late fee for each infraction.
- A $30 fee is charged to set up a payment plan, due at the time of setup. To apply for a payment plan, a student must meet all the following qualifications:
  - Has been enrolled for one or more quarters;
  - Has no previous outstanding balance.

Application

1. Contact us to waive the $50 Application fee

2. Upload your personal information

I-20
Passport
Resume
Official Transcript (GPA above 2.5)
English Proficiency Scores (Waivable for Those with a U.S. Degree)
- TOEFL 78+
- IELTS 6.0+
Bank statement showing a deposit of $21,300 or more in the last three months (equivalent amounts in other currencies are acceptable).

The processing of applications typically takes 2 weeks; contact us in urgent cases for expedited processing, which can reduce the processing time to 1-3 days.

Washington University of Science and Technology (WUST) Enrollment Windows

Terms	Start Date	Application Deadline	CPT Start Date
Winter 2025	1/13/2025	12/13/2024	1/13/2025
Spring 2025	4/7/2025	3/7/2025	4/7/2025
Summer 2025	7/14/2025	6/14/2025	7/14/2025
Fall 2025	10/6/2025	9/6/2025	10/6/2025

Initial F1 Students: 3 months before the first day of the term.
If you missed the deadline, please get in touch with us. We are the official recruitment partner of IWU and can help you accelerate your application.

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Monroe College FAQ

International students in the East and New York areas prefer this school as their top choice among CPT schools due to its prime location, outstanding reputation, high-quality teaching, and the opportunity to qualify for day 1 CPT

Day 1 CPT is an unofficial term, in which “Day 1” should not be interpreted in a literal sense. Monroe College offers CPT option from the first semester after you enrolled. CPT application and approval service takes about 2 weeks.

-MBA
-MS CS (STEM)
-MS Data Science (STEM)
-Data Science Certificate Program

once a month

-For international students with a bachelor's degree but not a master's degree, the standard tuition for the master's program is $6,096 per semester, 3 semesters per year, and $18,288 per year.

-For international students who already have a master's degree and plan to pursue a second master's degree, tuition is $3,742-$4,054 per semester for 3 semesters per year, or about $11,226-$12,162 per year.

contact us BEFORE you start the application process. We will mark you as day1cpt.org ‘s student in our system. Once you are enrolled, a $600 scholarship will be granted automatically in the form of tuition deduction.

The scholarship will be given in the form of a tuition deduction and evenly distributed throughout the program. If you quit before the program ends, you can’t get the rest of scholarship, but you also don’t need to pay the pervious part back.

Contact our expert immediately. We are the official partner of Harrisburg University and provides expedited application service. Our consultant will follow up on your case and get the optimum result. We can also advise on alternative choices.

*The deadline for F1 transfer students (F1/OPT/CPT) is 4 weeks before the first day of the term.

For other students is 3 months before the first day of the term.