Department of Mechanical Engineering

Concurrent BS/MS

The concurrent BS/MS classification offers an opportunity for undergraduate students at ISU to begin their work on an MS degree before completing their BS degree. 

While there are other mechanisms for a student to apply course credits for the graduate degree that were taken while an undergraduate student, this program also allows the student the opportunity to receive a graduate assistantship.

As a graduate student with an assistantship, the student can be considered for various graduate scholarships.  Eligible graduate assistants receive a graduate tuition scholarship.

Concurrent BS/MS classification does not change any of the rules for either the BS or MS degrees; in particular, it does not reduce the number of credits that are required for either the BS or MS degree. 

Students are referred to the ISU Course and Program Catalog and the Graduate Catalog and other M E department literature for the BS and MS requirements and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

MS degree seeking students can continue on for a PhD.

Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 (Unless appealed to the M E department Graduate Program Committee)

Minimum graduate credit requirements

• At least 3 graduate credits per semester
• Concurrently enrolled no longer than 2 semesters
• A maximum of 18 credits of undergraduate courses remaining with no more than 9 credits during each of the two semesters

An M E faculty member must agree to be your major professor

Application Procedures

1. Complete the Graduate College application and clearly mark the top of the application form with CONCURRENT BS/MS PROGRAM IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING and submit it to the Graduate Admissions Office, 100 Alumni Hall.

Since you are currently an undergraduate, the application fee will be waived if you file either the PDF or MSWord application.   If you file the online application, you will need to pay the application fee.

Our department will also need

• three letters of recommendation,
• a brief statement describing your research interests
• a short resume which includes related work experience, honors, awards, membership in professional societies, publications if any, and extracurricular activities and
• a completed Mechanical Engineering Departmental Information Form (Word)
  

This department information should be submitted directly to the M E department graduate secretary in one packet.

2. Meet with your undergraduate advisor and complete the Undergraduate Advisor’s form (departmental form). Turn in this form to the M E department graduate secretary in the packet with your other graduate application materials.

3. Fill out a Concurrent Enrollment Request form (university form) and turn it in to the M E department graduate secretary with your graduate application packet materials. Your form will be routed for the Graduate Department Chair and Graduate College Dean signatures. The form will be held until your application is received from the Graduate Admissions Office.

Application Processing

The Admissions Office will assemble the application material and forward it to the M E Department graduate secretary where it will be matched with your application packet you submitted directly to the department.  Your application material will be reviewed by the Director of Graduate Education (DOGE). 

No decision will be made until a major professor and source of support has been identified.  Official action taken on your application will be communicated to you by the Admissions Office. Upon acceptance, you will be classified as a graduate student.

 To check on the status of your application, email the M E department graduate secretary at megradinfoiastate.edu.

Assistantships

Students admitted to the BS/MS program will be eligible for a ¼ time research assistantship. In some cases, students may qualify for a ½ time graduate assistantship. In order to qualify, students must have completed the minimum number of credits required for their BS degree.

However, this upgrade from ¼ to ½ time assistantship is not automatic. Contact the M E department graduate secretary if you believe you qualify for this upgrade before completing your undergraduate degree.