Frequently Asked Questions

If your question is not answered in the list below, please email Tandon.Bridge@nyu.edu.

What Topics are covered in the Bridge?

The Bridge is a single course encompassing the knowledge-base of over 400 hours of learning, equivalent to more than 3 courses containing topics in Computer Programming in C++, Object Oriented Design, Discrete Math, Data Structures and Algorithms, Principles of Operating Systems, and Introduction to Computer Networks. Please see our Bridge Course Material page for a full list of the topics covered.

Is a STEM background required to apply for the Bridge program?

A stem-background is not required. Applicants from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.

How do I enroll in the Bridge Program?

For admitted students, the details to accept your offer will be included in your admission email. Once you accept your offer you will be automatically enrolled in the course. You will receive an email notice from your professors once your course is available (usually the day or day before the start of the course). Before you can access your course you will be enrolled in Orientation, and will receive more information about this once you've accepted your offer. Visit the Bridge How to Apply page for more details.

I wasn’t able to attach all my documents to the Bridge application. What next?

If this happened to you while you were completing the application, please email the documents to us at tandon.digital.learning@nyu.edu and we’ll be able to attach them to your application.

I’m already an NYU student. Do I still need to submit an application to participate in the Bridge Program?

Yes, an application is required of everyone who wishes to apply to the Bridge Program. 

What are the minimum admission requirements for this Bridge Program?

A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, which includes a minimum of four years of full-time study (120 credits). Applicants whose transcripts are not from the United States must provide English translated and evaluated versions of their transcripts that are on a US 4.0 GPA Scale.

If I can’t enroll in the semester I was admitted to, what are my options?

Bridge students may choose to defer their enrollment before a course has begun, or within the deferment period at the beginning of the course. Full deferral details can be found on the How to Defer or Withdraw page.

When will I find out the decision of my Bridge application?

The NYU Tandon Bridge team reviews applications on a daily basis, and typically applicants can expect an application decision within 2 weeks of submitting their application. Exceptions would be if the University is closed for a Holiday break, or if the start of the course is more than 6 months away. In these cases, your application decision will be sent upon the school re-opening, or closer to the start of the course. If you feel you should have received your application but did not, please check your spam folder, and mark the email as not spam, this way you continue to receive emails from us in the future. If you have checked your spam folder, and did not receive your decision, you may contact tandon.digital.learning@nyu.edu to ask if it has been sent.

If I wish to withdraw from the Bridge program, am I able to do so?

Bridge students may choose to withdraw their enrollment before a course has begun, or within the withdrawal period at the beginning of the course. Students who withdraw after the withdrawal period will be liable for the full cost of the course. Full withdrawal details can be found on the How to Defer or Withdraw page.

Do I need a Visa to enroll in the Bridge program?

No, because the program is online, admitted students do not need to worry about acquiring a Visa to enroll in the course.

My undergraduate GPA is below 3.0. Is there a chance I can be admitted to the Bridge program?

Our Admissions Committee looks at each application holistically, which means that your GPA, courses, work experience, statement of purpose are all taken into account.

Can I apply for the Bridge course and an MS program in the same semester?

Please view the calendar on our Applying from Bridge to Master’s website to ensure you are applying to the correct master’s degree semester from your Bridge course. Bridge students who applied for a different Master’s degree semester, can email tandon.digital.learning@nyu.edu to have their Master’s degree application materials transferred to the correct semester.

Can I switch from the 17 week to the 24 week bridge course, and vice versa?

If there is both a 17-week and 24-week course being offered for your Bridge semester, students can swap within the timeframe to do so. Same semester swap details can be found on the How to Defer or Withdraw page.

Can I make a change to my Bridge application?

If you believe that you have made a mistake in your Bridge application, contact our office by email at tandon.digital.learning@nyu.edu or by phone at 646-997-3623 and we can assist you in modifying your Bridge application.

Can I retake the Bridge, or if I fail the Bridge course, can I re-enroll in the future?

Students who wish to retake the Bridge can apply for any future semester by submitting a new application by deadline published on our How to Apply Page. Students can apply to a later semester once their Bridge course ends, or can withdraw from their current course and reapply. Students who withdraw after the defer/withdraw deadline for their current course, would owe the tuition being charged for BOTH their current and future semesters. The cost of the future semester may be higher.

How much does the Bridge Program cost?

The current cost of the course is $1850.

If you are located outside of the United States, the fee for this program may be subject to local taxes, which are the sole responsibility of participants.

Does this program qualify for any scholarships or financial aid?

In 2024, the NYU Tandon Bridge program is offering a limited number of scholarships to support qualified students with financial need. The scholarship will cover a maximum of 50% of the program fee and priority will be given to students who do not have a STEM background. The application for the Bridge Scholarship can be found within the Bridge application.

How do I pay my tuition bill?

Your tuition bill will generate on the NYU Albert system. For more details, visit the Billing and Payment page.

Am I able to receive a refund if I change my mind after enrolling in the Bridge Program?

You are financially liable for the course once you accept your offer. If you submit the defer / withdraw form by the deadline included in your Enrollment Agreement your tuition will be dropped or refunded.

After the deadline has passed the cost of the course is non-refundable.

Do I get a refund if I fail to complete the course?

There is no refund issued unless you defer or withdraw before the Defer / Withdraw deadline for your course.

Does this program qualify for a payment plan?

No, payment plans are not available for the Tandon Bridge program.

As an NYU employee do I qualify for Tuition Remission for the Bridge program?

NYU Employees should contact their HR department with questions related to tuition remission. Employees may log into NYU Home and search "Tuition Remission" to view their personal benefits. Please see New York University’s Tuition Remission website for employees for additional information.

Is this a credit or noncredit course offering?

The Bridge Program is a noncredit course offering at NYU Tandon School of Engineering. 

Will I receive a certificate of completion at the end of this program?

Certificates are issued to individuals who receive a grade of C, C+, B-, B, B+, A-, A, A+. For those who receive a B+ or higher, the Certificate will say "with Distinction". The Bridge course is a non-credit course.

I have no background in any of the STEM disciplines. Will I still be able to succeed in this Bridge Program?

For students without a technical background, it is recommended to take the preparatory courses listed on our Bridge Course Materials page prior to the start of the course. As an online student, you can also take advantage of our tutor matching system.

Will this program teach me to code?

Students will learn to code in C++. The program is designed to teach computer science fundamentals and increase aptitude and knowledge in preparation for pursuing a Master of Science. Please see our Bridge Course Materials for a full list of topics covered.

Can I participate in this program and still work full time?

This program is akin to taking three courses simultaneously. When applying, some semesters are available as a 24-week and 28-week course. It is recommended that students working full-time select the 24-week version of the course. The courses cover the same material, the only difference being the duration of the course. The 24-week course requires students to dedicate on average 30-40 hours per week, and the 28-week course requires 20-30 hours per week. Please see our Bridge Course Materials page for more information on our course structure.

I work full time, are there certain times when attendance is required?

Each week, your professors will host a virtual meeting to discuss the week's lecture and topics, and answer students’ questions. Attendance at this meeting is mandatory however if you cannot attend you may re-watch the webinar within the course site, and reach out to the professors and TA’s with any questions. If you are not able to attend the webinars it will not have a negative impact on your grade.

The course is taught asynchronously, and your professors will assign homework due on certain dates. This means each student is required to set aside time to study and complete the homework at times that work with their unique schedules. You will have 4 exams throughout the course that must be taken at the times included in the Enrollment Agreement within your Admission email. These 4 exams are held at 6 p.m. EST, and the dates are shared in advance to allow you to plan.

Is this program offered on-campus?

The Bridge Program is currently only available online. 

Where do I access the courses?

To access your course, you will use the Learning Management System of NYU known as NYU Brightspace. Your course site can be accessed by visiting brightspace.nyu.edu once access is granted.

I’ve never taken an online course before, what should I expect? How is the course structured?

The Bridge course is composed of a combination of asynchronous and synchronous material, allowing you the flexibility to complete coursework on your schedule and the support to discuss course topics in real-time with your Professor and classmates. The course will have lesson plans, reading materials, forums, interactive modules, quizzes, and exams. You will also have access to our virtual classrooms held via webinar for live lessons and peer-to-peer engagement.

Prior to the start of the course, you will be enrolled in an orientation course which will guide you through the skills you need to succeed in an online course and teach you the tools you’ll use in your Bridge course.

Is the content for the Bridge Program always available?

Bridge students who accept their offer of admission will gain access to the course on the first day of the course, and lose access on the last day of the course.

How do I communicate with my instructor and classmates?

Class communication can take place in numerous ways, such as emails, forums, chats, webinar or Skype.

How do I take my exams?

Exams are held in the NYU Brightspace platform. Exams are proctored using the ProctorU service.

How do I submit my assignments and projects?

Assignments with due dates will be announced weekly in our NYU Brightspace platform by your professor. Assignments are submitted to the NYU Brightspace platform, under the Assignments section.

What is the difference between the 21-week and 28-week course?

Both courses will contain the same content and offer the same benefits if successfully completed, with the only difference being the duration of the course. The 21-week accelerated course requires students to study 30-40 hours per week. The 28-week standard course requires students to study 20-30 hours per week. Please note that some students have had to commit more time to the course than the above estimation of weekly study while others have had to do less. Each student is different and as such, your learning time may differ from another student's. It is recommended that students with a full-time job, and who do not have previous advanced math and programming experience select the 24-week option.

How is grading done in the Bridge course? Is it on a curved basis?

No, your grade is based directly on your scores from homework, quizzes, and exams.

I do not have the exam password for my practice exam, what should I do?

Log in to ProctorU at the time of your session. The proctor will navigate you to the Tests and Quizzes section of the Bridge Orientation site on NYU Brightspace and they will enter the exam password during the live proctoring session.

I’ve been admitted to the Bridge course, how do I register for a ProctorU account?

Select “Test Taker” from the ProctorU registration page. From the “Institution” drop down menu, select “NYU Tandon School of Engineering.”

What computer and other requirements are there to use ProctorU?

In order to use ProctorU, you will need a high-speed internet connection, a webcam (internal or external), a Windows or Apple operating system, and a government issued photo ID. ProctorU does not run on Linux. ProctorU recommends you check your computer equipment prior to your proctoring session to ensure you meet the technical requirements. You can do so via the “test your equipment” icon within your ProctorU account. Please make sure that you are using the current version of your browser and have downloaded the ProctorU extension available here for Chrome and here for Firefox. Please see the ProctorU System Requirements page for more information.

Is there a registration fee to take exams?

ProctorU is free, however, you will need to schedule your proctoring session at least 72 hours in advance to avoid any on-demand scheduling fees. If you schedule within the 72 hour window you will be instructed to pay a small fee.

Do I need to give ProctorU access to my microphone and camera during my exams?

ProctorU does use a browser extension to access your microphone, so the proctor can communicate with you and ensure there are no academic integrity breaches during the exam. Additionally, the proctor needs webcam access so that they can secure the physical environment before the exam and monitor for academic breaches during the exam. At any time the test taker can cancel the ProctorU session which would revoke both of these permissions. Once the test taker disconnects with ProctorU the proctor no longer has access to the microphone or camera.

Do I need to download an app that gives the company full control over my machine?

ProctorU uses LogMeInRescue which is an application that allows for remote control of test-takers computers. The Proctors always ask for permission to move the mouse in order to secure the computer (close any additional applications running, check for a duplicated monitor, etc). While the proctor is connected, any action they take is visible to the test taker (it is displayed on the screen). Additionally, ProctorU retains full-screen recordings to be able to audit what proctors do while connected to a test taker. Please read ProctorU’s response to Computer Access for more information.

What scripts are run on my computer?

ProctorU scripts run right when the test taker opens the LogMeInRescue application. It will close common applications like skype and then checks for instances of virtual machines.

Will ProctorU run an application on my computer?

ProctorU does not run any applications on the test taker's computer and the proctor is completely disconnected once the LogMeInRescue and ProctorU browser extension is disconnected.

Does ProctorU put my personal data security at risk?

ProctorU takes the data privacy of our users very seriously. ProctorU will never sell any data captured during a session and the data we do capture is only used to proctor the session. We have extensive security measures and policies in place that use the latest encryption technology. Please click here to see ProctorU’s Privacy Policy.

What are the hardware, software or Internet requirements for this program?

You will need a Windows or a Mac operating system, reliable internet, and a built in or external web camera. For more information please see the Operating Systems Supported and the Digital Learning Computer Requirements page.

Is there someone I can call for tech support?

NYU has a 24/7 Help desk. You can reach them by calling 212-998-3333 or email askits@nyu.edu. 

Will I have access to a NYU Email address or NYU Google Apps?

Yes, Bridge students will have access to an NYU email address and the full suite of NYU Google Apps.

Is there a resource for ProctorU support?

Please visit the ProctorU Resource Center. You should expect the start up process with the proctor to take about 10-15 minutes. However, this time will not affect your exam time. Please feel free to direct any questions to the test taker support team via the live chat within your account.

Certificates are issued to individuals who receive a grade of C, C+, B-, B, B+, A-, A, A+. For those who receive a B+ or higher, the Certificate will say "with Distinction." The NYU Tandon Bridge is a non-credit course.

What Master’s degree programs can I apply to from the Bridge?

For qualifying programs please see the Bridge to Master’s page.

Do I need to submit a Master’s degree application?

All Bridge students who wish to apply for a master’s degree are required to submit a formal application. For details please see the Bridge to Master’s page.

Am I guaranteed admission to an NYU Graduate program upon completing the Bridge?

NYU Tandon master’s applications are reviewed by graduate admissions on a holistic basis, taking into consideration all application materials, including the final grade received in the Bridge course. Taking the Bridge course can help equip MS applicants who previously lacked a technical background, with the skill sets needed to become eligible to apply for a programming-heavy master’s, however admission to or successful completion of the Bridge program does not guarantee admission to a Master’s program. For a complete list of MS programs available for Bridge students to apply for, please visit our Applying from Bridge to Masters website.

I am not interested in obtaining a master's degree; may I still do the Bridge Program?

Yes, the Bridge course curriculum was developed to provide a strong foundation for non-technical students to successfully acquire core computer science competencies in preparation of pursuing a master’s degree, but can also provide those looking for ways to enhance their career with a technical skill set.

Should I complete the Bridge Program before applying to Master’s?

Bridge students may apply to the next available MS semester from their Bridge course, or to any future MS semester.Please see our Bridge to Masters calendar to ensure you are applying for the correct Masters degree semester. Students applying for the next available MS semester should apply while they are enrolled in the Bridge by the relevant MS application deadline, and submit all application materials by the end of the Bridge course. Student’s MS applications will be put on hold until the Bridge course has completed and grades have been distributed.

When do I need to submit in my documents for the Master’s Degree program?

Bridge students must apply to an MS semester by the application deadline, and complete their MS application by submitting all required application materials prior to the end of their Bridge course. For a complete list of MS programs available for Bridge students to apply for, please visit our Applying from Bridge to Masters website.

Can I use my success in the Bridge course to get into any other Master’s Degree programs at NYU besides the ones listed online?

No, the Bridge course cannot be used as an equivalency course towards admission to any other Master’s Degrees at NYU. For qualifying programs please see the Bridge to Master’s page.

Do I need to submit GRE scores if I take the Bridge?

Students who receive admission to one of the select MS programs following the Bridge will have their GRE waived. Bridge students may elect not to submit their GRE score in the event they are admitted to MS from the Bridge.

Students can elect to submit their GRE scores in addition to taking the Bridge course, however scores must be submitted and received by the end of the Bridge course.

All applicants who meet certain criteria may be eligible to waive the GRE. Please see the Testing Information section of the Tandon Admission Requirements for more information.

Students applying to Cyber Fellows may elect to waive the GRE in their MS application. Within the MS application select the Online, Part-Time, Cybersecurity Master's and the Cyber Fellowship option will display. About 2 business days later we will send you a GRE waiver. If you do not receive this, please reach out to tandon.digital.learning@nyu.edu.