MS/MSE Admissions & Planning

• Undergraduate Degree
• Course Pre-Requisites
• GRE
• TOEFL
• Letters of Recommendation

Masters Admission Recommendations

Note: Students who hold only a Bachelor’s degree may be admitted directly to the Ph.D. program. If you are interested in the Ph.D. program, click here for admission requirements.

Undergraduate Degree Required

• Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)
  Admission to this degree program requires a Bachelor’s degree in engineering from a recognized institution.
• Master of Science (MS)
  Admission to this degree program requires a Bachelor’s degree in either mathematics, science or another undergraduate program from a recognized institution.

Read more about Master’s Requirements (PDF)

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Course Pre-Requisite/Deficiencies

The following undergraduate courses are required:

• Calculus – 2 years (4 semesters or 6 quarters)
• Science – 2 years (Chemistry, Physics or Biology)
• * Probability – 1 course (Calculus based)
• * Statistics – 1 course (Calculus based)
• * Linear Algebra – 1 course (frequently included in Calculus sequence)
• * Computer Programming – Demonstrated ability (e.g. completed coursework) to write computer programs

* Note: Many undergraduate programs in engineering and science do not require courses on these topics. Students who are deficient in these pre-requisites, if admitted, will be required to elect courses in these areas and earn a grade of B or better. This requirement must be fulfilled as soon as possible after entering the program. For specific information on removing deficiencies refer to Master’s Requirements.

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Graduate Record Examinations – (GRE)

• The Graduate Record Examination scores (Verbal, Quantitative and Writing Segment) are required for admission for all students except those with a University of Michigan Undergraduate Engineering Degree. GRE scores are valid for 3 years. For example, scores obtained in November 2010 are good until November 2013. Students who took this exam longer than 3 years ago must retake the examination.
• Current U of M Engineering students are still not required to take the GRE to apply.

Please contact Matt Irelan mirelan@umich.edu directly with any additional questions

These are RECOMMENDED scores, not cut-offs for admission consideration. We review your entire application and test scores are only a part of that.

• Verbal Reasoning scores recommendations are equal to or great than 155 or 69% on the 130 – 170 score scale. (Again we review the entire application and such things as not being a native English speaker are considered.)
• Quantitative Reasoning scores are equal to or greater than 160 or 84% on the 130 – 170 score scale.
• Analytical Writing scores will continue to be reported on the same 0 – 6 score scale. We do NOT have a guideline score.

IOE will no longer accept the old GRE test scores. (Those reported as 200 – 800 scores.)

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Test Of English As A Foreign Language – (TOEFL)

• Foreign applicants whose native language is not English or does NOT have a degree from an English speaking institution, must provide evidence of either a “Test of English as a Foreign Language” (TOEFL) score or take the “English Proficiency Test for Foreign Students” administered by the English Language Institute at The University of Michigan. Upon entering the IOE graduate program, a student who has been determined by the Graduate Admissions Committee to have a deficiency in spoken or written English, is required to:
  1. take the verbal and written English tests given by ELI (English Language Institute);
  2. report the results to the IOE graduate program advisor, and
  3. abide by any recommendation made by his or her counselor or the Graduate Program Advisor for remedial coursework.

GPA/GRE/TOEFL Guidelines

Grades: Graduate students must maintain a B average to graduate. The minimum grade point average for admission to the MS program is 3.25. This minimum may be adjusted upward or downward based on the undergraduate institution and degree. Also, grades in advanced courses related to those that will be taken in the graduate program may be weighted more heavily than grades in other courses. Your personal statement should include an explanation if there are extenuating circumstances that affect interpretation of your grades.

IOE highly prefers the TOEFL exam but will consider MELAB and IELTS.
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Letters Of Recommendation

• Letters of recommendation should be submitted on-line, but hard copies may be submitted if that is not possible. Remember to add sufficient time for hard copies to reach us by the application deadlines.

Deadlines To Submit Applications