Accelerated Masters Degree Program in Mechanical Engineering

4+1 year B.S. + M.S. Program in Mechanical Engineering

The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering offers a five year program through which students can obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering as well as a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering within a five year time frame. The B.S. and M.S. degrees offered through this program are identical to the individual B.S. and M.S. degrees offered by the MIE Department. The combined five year program provides students with the opportunity to obtain these degrees in less time than would be required when pursuing them independently. In addition, the 4+1 program offers a fast track process for admission to the Graduate School by waiving the otherwise required GRE scores, letters of reference, and statement of purpose.

Structure of the 4+1 Program

To manage all the required courses for the B.S. and M.S. degree in five years, different provisions in the B.S. degree schedule are necessary. The main provisions are:

Two graduate level courses (500 or 600 level) may be taken during the first four years (typically the senior year), to be later transferred into the M.S. program. Note that these two courses can be counted towards the B.S. degree since university policy allows "double counting" of two graduate level (500 or 600 level) courses in this accelerated program. With this provision, eight courses need to be taken during the fifth year in the M.S. program.

Another option is two independent study courses (MIE 696) may be taken during the summer between the fourth and fifth years, so only eight lecture-based courses need to be taken during the fifth year in the M.S. program.

Participants in the 4+1 program will be advised on an individual basis to ensure that their study plan meets the necessary requirements. It should be noted that, although desirable, it will not be mandatory to complete the M.S. program in only one year, as the students may choose to prolong their study beyond the fifth year.

Eligibility Requirements

The 4+1 year B.S + M.S. program is open to all undergraduate students at UMass Amherst who are enrolled as majors in Mechanical Engineering with a minimum GPA of 3.5 based on at least 30 credits of engineering courses or other courses required for the engineering degree. For the GPA requirement, the cumulative GPA at the end of the third year, including all required 300 level MIE courses, is used.

All admissions to the 4+1 year B.S+M.S. program are conditional. Specifically, admission into the M.S. program through the fast track process is contingent upon the student completing their B.S. degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Application and Admission Process

Students who are interested in being admitted to the 4+1 program need to fill out and submit the appropriate application form to the director of the 4+1 program (for contact information, see below). The annual application deadline is May 1 (or the first business day thereafter if May 1 falls on a weekend or holiday) of the candidate's junior year. Decisions on admissions are made by late May (after the spring semester grades are available). Students who are applying to the 4+1 program are encouraged to plan their course schedule for the fall accordingly.

Once admitted to the 4+1 program, students have the commitment of the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering that they will be recommended for admission to the M.S. program in Mechanical Engineering after completion of their B.S. degree (given the minimum GPA requirement for the B.S. degree is met).

Once admitted to the M.S. program, students can transfer up to six credit hours of prior graduate level courses taken in their B.S. program into the M.S. program. The remaining courses will be taken while enrolled in the M.S. program.

All degree requirements for the B.S. degree and the M.S. degree need to be met. The 4+1 program does not affect the requirements for either one of these degrees.

Contact Information

Matthew A. Lackner, Associate Professor
Director, Five Year B.S./M.S. Program
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
324 ELAB 1
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Email: lackner@umass.edu