Accelerated Masters Degree Program in Engineering Management

Through the Accelerated Master's Degree (M.S.) Program in Engineering Management, undergraduate students enrolled in a STEM discipline can obtain the M.S. in Engineering Management (MSEM) within a five-year time frame.  The MSEM degree offered through this program is identical to the individual MSEM offered by the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (MIE) Department.  This combined five-year program enables students to obtain the B.S. and M.S. degrees in less time than would be required when pursuing them independently and can help students boost their salary when entering the workforce.  In addition, the Accelerated Master's Degree (M.S.) Program in Engineering Management provides a fast-track process for admission to the Graduate School by waiving the otherwise required GRE scores, letters of reference, statement of purpose, and application fee.

Structure of the Accelerated Master's Degree (M.S.) Program in Engineering Management

To manage all the required courses* for the B.S. and M.S. degrees in five years, students should consider the following provisions:

  1. Two additional 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.
  2. Two online or independent study courses may be taken during the summer between the fourth and fifth years. With this provision, eight courses need to be taken during the fifth year in the M.S. program.
  3. The above two provisions may be combined to require six lecture-based courses during the fifth academic year in the M.S. program.
  4. Participants in the Accelerated Master's Degree (M.S.) Program in Engineering Management should consult their academic advisor or the 4 + 1 program director to ensure that their study plan meets the necessary requirements.
  5. All degree requirements for the B.S. degree and the M.S. degree must be met. While the Accelerated Master's Degree (M.S.) Program in Engineering Management does not affect the requirements for either one of these degree programs, as stated above, two graduate-level courses can be used to satisfy requirements for both the B.S. and M.S. degrees.

*Courses are assumed to be 3 credit hours

Eligibility Requirements

The Accelerated Master's Degree (M.S.) Program in Engineering Management is open to UMass Amherst or Five College students who are enrolled in STEM disciplines with a minimum GPA of 3.5. For a GPA requirement, the cumulative GPA at the end of the third year will be used. All admissions into the Accelerated Master's Degree (M.S.) Program in Engineering Management are conditional.  Specifically, admission into the M.S. program through the fast-track process is contingent upon the students completing their B.S. degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Application and Admission Process

There are two steps to enter the Accelerated Master's Degree (M.S.) Programm in Engineering Management:

  1. Fill out the internal application. The annual application deadline is May 1 of the candidate's junior year, though the application after this date is also possible. Decisions on admissions are made by late May after spring semester grades are available. Students who are applying to the Accelerated Master's Degree (M.S.) Program in Engineering Management are encouraged to plan their course schedule for the fall semester accordingly. Once admitted to the Accelerated Master's Degree (M.S.) Program in Engineering Management, students have the commitment of the MIE Department that they will be recommended for the admission to the M.S. program in Engineering Management after completion of their B.S. degree as long as the minimum GPA requirement for the B.S. degree is met.
  2. During the fall semester of their senior year, students should formally apply to the MSEM program through the Graduate School. Choose the Coursework option. Students who meet the GPA requirements do not have to fill out the otherwise required GRE scores, letters of reference, and statement of purpose.

Contact Information

Matthew A. Lackner, Associate Professor
Director, Five-Year B.S/M.S. Program
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
324 ELAB I
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA  01003
lackner@umass.edu
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