CSin3 is a collaborative, full-time program where you can earn two degrees in just three years 鈥� an Associate鈥檚 Degree in Computer Science from 欧美群交 and a Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Computer Science from CSU Monterey Bay (CSUMB). This cohort-based program is designed for highly motivated students who want to save time and money while preparing for careers in tech.
Why Choose CSin3?
- Finish Faster: Earn your Bachelor鈥檚 in just three years, not four or five.
- Save Money: The total tuition is usually under $15,000 for California residents.
- Get Support: Students are part of a tight-knit cohort with access to mentoring, tutoring, advising, and professional development.
- Real Community: You鈥檒l move through your courses with the same group of students, creating a built-in network of support.
- Transfer-Ready: Courses are structured to meet CSUMB鈥檚 major requirements without delays or extra units.
What鈥檚 the Program Structure?
- First 1.5 years at 欧美群交 (Alisal Campus) with some classes at CSUMB
- Last 1.5 years at CSU Monterey Bay with some continued Hartnell courses - Classes are pre-scheduled, so you always know what鈥檚 next
- The pathway includes math, computer science, general education, and professional development courses
How Does CSin3 program help you succeed in college and beyond?
Earn Your Degree with a Community
Instead of going through college alone, CSin3 students are part of a built-in support system. You鈥檒l take classes with the same group of students, study together, and help each other navigate the ups and downs of college life 鈥� both inside and outside the classroom. This shared journey builds friendships, confidence, and a sense of belonging that lasts well beyond graduation
Stay on Track With Built-In Pathway Support
You don鈥檛 have to plan your course schedule alone 鈥� our staff pre-register you for the classes you need each semester to keep you on track. With dedicated faculty and staff at Hartnell and CSUMB, plus support from peer mentors and tutors, you鈥檙e never alone. You鈥檒l also benefit from workshops, academic advising, scholarships, internships, and guest speakers from the tech industry.
Course Pathway: What You'll Take and When
CSin3 students follow a carefully designed, full-time course sequence to complete both their Associate鈥檚 and Bachelor鈥檚 degrees in just three years. Students are placed into one of two tracks based on their math readiness:
- MAT 3A Track 鈥� for students ready for Calculus
- MAT 27 Track 鈥� for students who need Pre-Calculus first
Each pathway includes a mix of general education, core computer science, and hands-on courses at both 欧美群交 and CSUMB. Courses are pre-selected for you, so you can stay on track and focus on your success.
Below is a general overview of the course sequence. Each term includes 12鈥�15 units, with adjustments based on your math placement.
Sample Course Sequence (MAT 3A Placement 鈥� Ready for Calculus)
- Fall: Intro to Programming (CSS 1), College Composition & Reading (ENGL 1A), Calculus I (MAT 3A), Ethics (PHL 10), Physics of Computing (CST 286 @CSUMB)
- Winter: Human Biology (BIO 42)
- Spring: Critical Thinking and Writing (ENG 2), Ethnic Music (MUS 5), Object-Oriented Programming (CSS 2A), Discrete Structures (CSS 7), Multimedia Programming (CST 205 @CSUMB)
- Summer: Literature (ENG 1B), Political Institutions (POL 1)
- Fall: Introduction to Public Speaking (COM 1), Data Structures (CSS 2B), Computer Architecture (CSS 3), Biological Anthropology (ANT 1), Math for Computing (MATH 270 @CSUMB)
- Winter: U.S. History (HIS 17B)
- Spring: Major ProSeminar (CST 300), Software Design (CST 338), Internet Programming (CST 336), Design and Analysis of Algorithms (CST 370), Computer Science and Community (CST 462S)
- Summer: Left open for internship experience
- Fall: Intro to Database Systems (CST 363), Operating Systems (CST 334), Reasoning with Logic (CST 329), Software Engineering (CST 438), Graduation Writing Assessment (CST 349)
- Winter: Intro to Ethnic Studies (ETH 1)
- Spring: Directed Group Capstone (CST 499), Intro to Computer Networks (CST 331), Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing (CST 380), World Culture and Language (JAPN/SPAN 350), Independent Stidey (CST 497)
Sample Course Sequence (MAT 27 Placement 鈥� Pre-Calculus First)
The MAT 27 track begins with Pre-Calculus and follows a similar path as the MAT 3A track, with Calculus I taken in Summer of Year 1. All other general education and CS courses follow the a similar progression.
- Fall: Intro to Programming (CSS 1), College Composition & Reading (ENGL 1A), Accelerated Pre-Calculus & Trigonometry (MAT 27), Ethics (PHL 10), Physics of Computing (CST 286 @CSUMB)
- Winter: Human Biology (BIO 42)
- Spring: Critical Thinking and Writing (ENG 2), Ethnic Music (MUS 5), Object-Oriented Programming (CSS 2A), Discrete Structures (CSS 7), Multimedia Programming (CST 205 @CSUMB)
- Summer: Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (MAT 3A)
- Fall: Intro to Public Speaking (COM 1), Data Structures (CSS 2B), Computer Architecture (CSS 3), Biological Anthropology (ANT 1), Math for Computing (MATH 270 @CSUMB)
- Winter: U.S. History (HIS 17B)
- Spring: Major ProSeminar (CST 300), Software Design (CST 338), Internet Programming (CST 336), Design and Analysis of Algorithms (CST 370), Computer Science and Community (CST 462S)
- Summer: College Literature and Composition (ENG 1B), American Political Institutions (POL 1)
- Fall: Intro to Database Systems (CST 363), Operating Systems (CST 334), Reasoning with Logic (CST 329), Software Engineering (CST 438), Graduation Writing Assessment (CST 349)
- Winter: Intro to Ethnic Studies (ETH 1)
- Spring: Directed Group Capstone (CST 499), Intro to Computer Networks (CST 331), Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing (CST 380), World Culture and Language (JAPN/SPAN 350), Independent Stidey (CST 497)
Frequently Asked Questions
We know you鈥檝e got questions 鈥� here are some answers to help you decide if CSin3 is right for you!
It鈥檚 both! CSin3 is a unique partnership between 欧美群交 and CSU Monterey Bay.
- You鈥檒l start the program at Hartnell鈥檚 Alisal Campus, taking most of your classes there for the first 1.5 years, with a few classes at CSUMB.
- In the last 1.5 years, you鈥檒l take most of your classes at CSUMB, with a few continuing at Hartnell.
- When you finish, you鈥檒l earn two degrees: an Associate鈥檚 from Hartnell and a Bachelor鈥檚 in Computer Science from CSUMB.
We accept around 20 to 30 students per year. It鈥檚 a first-come, first-served program 鈥� once the cohort is full, we close applications. So if you鈥檙e interested, apply early!
We鈥檙e looking for students who are ready to commit to a fast-paced program and excited about computer science.
To apply, you should:
- Have at least a 3.0 GPA in high school (If your GPA is between 2.6 鈥� 2.99, you can still apply with a short written explanation and a plan to stay on track.)
- Be ready to take college-level math and English your first semester 鈥� we鈥檒l help you figure that out using Hartnell鈥檚 placement tool
- Agree to stick with the CSin3 course plan and attend all cohort activities
We start accepting applications in September, and the window stays open until we fill the cohort (usually by March or April).
To apply, you鈥檒l need to:
- Apply to 欧美群交
- Fill out the
- Submit your unofficial high school transcripts
- Get a letter of recommendation
- Write a personal statement (1,000 words or less). You鈥檒l choose one of these prompts:
- What鈥檚 your interest in computer science, and why do you think CSin3 is a good fit for you?
- Share something meaningful 鈥� an experience, talent, or challenge 鈥� and explain how it鈥檚 shaped who you are today.
- If you're eligible, we鈥檒l invite you to a required orientation session before you're officially admitted
The total cost for tuition (for California residents) is usually under $15,000 from start to finish.
- This doesn鈥檛 include books, housing, or other expenses
- Scholarships are available depending on funding
- To be considered, make sure you complete your FAFSA and list Hartnell so our financial aid team can help figure out what you qualify for