Combined BS/MS Program

"The BS/MS program is a great way to get a head start on both the classes and the research needed to complete a master's degree. I would highly recommend it to anyone considering getting an advanced degree in engineering."

- Tim Szweda, BS/MS Student B.S.M.E. 2007 M.S.M.E. 2008

WHAT IS THE BS/MS PROGRAM?

The BS/MS program allows exceptional OSU Undergraduate students an opportunity to apply as many as 15 credit hours from their undergraduate studies towards a Master of Science (MS) degree.

WHO CAN APPLY

Students who have earned at least 135 total credit hours in the Mechanical Engineering Department or related engineering disciplines, and have a 3.5 grade-point average or better in all previous undergraduate courses taken at Ohio State, may apply.

WHEN TO APPLY

Applicants should submit an application and the required supplemental documents to the ME Graduate Program office no earlier than four quarters before the completion of their BS degree and no later than the 5th Friday of the quarter before they wish to start the BS/MS Program.

HOW THE BS/MS PROGRAM WORKS

Students can take up to 15 credit hours worth of classes that can be counted toward both their BS and MS degree. In order to receive graduate credit the courses must meet the following requirements:

They must be technical elective courses taken at OSU after acceptance into the BS/MS Program. Technical elective courses that are going to be applied to the MS degree must be approved by the ME BS/MS Advisor.
No 500-level or lower ME course may be included.
Up to three 600-level ME courses (except ME 693) may be included.
Any 700-level ME course (other than 783H) may be included.
Relevant graduate courses in other subjects, such as Mathematics (as allowed by the ME technical electives program) may be included; refer to the technical electives program for guidelines.

HOW TO APPLY

Step One

You MUST meet with the BS/MS Advisor (currently Professor Guezennec, guezennec.1@osu.edu) to discuss the suitability of the BS/MS program and to get his approval prior to applying.

Step Two

Apply online at http://gradadmissions.osu.edu/apply_online.htm. In the field marked "Specialization, if any" please fill in BS/MS.

Step Three

Submit the following items to the ME Graduate Program Office:

A completed BS/MS Degree Information Sheet (located at the bottom of this page) initialed by the BS/MS Advisor
A Statement of Purpose (including why you are interested in the BS/MS program)
Three letters of recommendation (preferably from individuals in academia (i.e. professors) or someone who is familiar with your work, like a manager)
OPTIONAL: A one or two page résumé (Only required if you are interested in pursuing a PhD and would like to be considered for a Fellowship).
Applicants must meet all requirements of the MS Program as described in the ME Graduate Guide as well as those listed in the Graduate School handbook.

Students interested in pursuing the BS/MS option can also contact Nick Breckenridge, Academic Advisor for the ME graduate program, at megrad_recruit@osu.edu or at (614) 292-7163.

BS/MS Financial Aid Options

BS/MS Scholarship
Upon admittance into the BS/MS Program, the ME department will pay the difference between graduate and undergraduate tuition for up to four undergraduate quarters for Mechanical Engineering undergraduate students who select the thesis option.

Fellowships
BS/MS applicants who commit to pursuing a PhD, apply by the January 1st deadline, and submit GRE scores are eligible for Graduate School Fellowships starting in the first year of their PhD degree. Note: BS/MS students for whom MS is the final degree are not eligible for Graduate School Fellowships.

Scholarships
BS/MS students will continue to be eligible for undergraduate scholarships through BS graduation.

Graduate Associateships
Upon receiving their undergraduate degree, students become eligible for graduate associateships.

BS/MS Program Tips

Thesis and Non-Thesis options are available (although the Thesis option is encouraged for BS/MS students)
Once admitted, BS/MS students are officially part of the ME Graduate Program and are assessed graduate tuition. The ME Department will provide a scholarship to pay the difference between graduate and undergraduate tuition for up to 4 undergraduate quarters for students pursuing the Thesis option. The BS/MS scholarship will continue until BS graduation and it is only available to ME undergrads. Students must maintain at least a 3.5GPA in order to receive the scholarship.
BS/MS students will continue to be eligible for undergraduate scholarships until the completion of their BS degree.
Upon receiving their BS degree, BS/MS students will be eligible for Graduate Associate positions.
BS/MS students who are considering the pursuit of a PhD, apply by the January 1st deadline, and submit GRE scores, are eligible for multiple-year Graduate School Fellowships. If a Fellowship is awarded, then it will not be in effect until the student starts to pursue a PhD. Note: BS/MS students for whom MS is the final degree are not eligible for Graduate School Fellowships
Typical GRE scores for Fellowship consideration are:
- A combined average of the 75^th percentile on the Verbal and Quantitative sections. That does not mean you must score within the 75^th percentile on both tests individually, rather that the average of the two tests must be within the 75^th percentile. For example, a score that falls within the 95^th percentile in the Quantitative section and the 60^th percentile in the Verbal section is well within the required average for a Fellowship.
- A typical score on the Writing section is at least 4.0.
The BS/MS program, while distinct from the BS Honors program, targets the same students. These programs are NOT mutually exclusive. As a matter of fact, participating in both the BS Honors and BS/MS program is STRONGLY encouraged as the programs are highly synergistic and maximize the benefits to the participants.
The selection of a Graduate Faculty Advisor, while not technically required to apply, is highly recommended and should be a top priority prior to or shortly after admission into the program. The role of the graduate advisor is much stronger than the role at the undergraduate level. The Graduate Advisor will aid you in class selection, choosing a research topic, coordinating your thesis, one-on-one advising, and may provide financial support (often times in the form of GRA). Typically students are encouraged to talk with different Faculty members during their first full quarter in the MS program. This allows the student to get an idea for what research the Faculty member is doing and it gives the Faculty member a chance to get to know the student as well. It is important to recognize your own interests and try to find a Faculty member that shares some, if not all, of your interests, as it will provide you with a better Graduate experience overall.