The MS Engineering degree, offered by the Department of General Engineering (Interdisciplinary) , is an interdisciplinary program with the primary objectives of offering the practicing engineer the opportunity to develop a wide range of knowledge and skills needed to function in today’s complex industrial environment. The program is designed to provide flexibility for students who need coursework that is truly interdisciplinary and not available through the other engineering programs in the college. The MS-Engineering programs typically include courses from at least three different programs in the College of Engineering and may also use courses in the College of Science or the College of Business. There are some specialized programs offered off-campus, such as the accelerated joint degree MBA/MS Engineering, which is offered in coordination with the College of Business. Additional off-campus specialized engineering graduate programs have been established at local industry sites. The MS Engineering programs include participation with local industry professionals as committee members and sponsors of master’s projects and theses.

Requirements for Admission to Classified Standing

Students seeking admission to MS Engineering programs must meet the general university requirements for admission as outlined in this catalog. In addition, the applicant must possess a baccalaureate degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program with a grade point average of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester hours of upper-division work completed in all subjects and in technical subjects only. Students meeting these criteria may be admitted in classified standing; however, students may still be admitted conditionally if they need prerequisite courses for the selected specialization. An engineering technology degree does not satisfy the degree requirement for admission to this program.

Requirements for Admission to Conditionally Classified Standing

A graduate applicant whose undergraduate record indicates deficiencies in one or more technical areas and/or has a grade point average less than 3.0 in the last 60 semester hours of upper-division work completed in all subjects and in technical subjects only may be admitted for graduate work on a conditionally classified basis. Such students will be expected to satisfactorily complete additional coursework before becoming classified. Students admitted in conditionally classified status may petition for classified status when coursework in deficient areas has been completed, when they have satisfied the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR), and when their records in classes at San José State University show sufficient promise of success in the master’s degree program.

Requirements for Admission to Candidacy

Students seeking the MS Engineering degree must meet the general university requirements for candidacy  as outlined in this catalog. The University requires that all graduate students complete the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)  as a condition for advancement to candidacy. For graduate courses that satisfy the GWAR, please refer to the Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations website at www.sjsu.edu/gape. In addition, the applicant must demonstrate an aptitude for advanced professional work in engineering as measured by instructor appraisals, analysis of previous academic work, or other appropriate means. Admission to candidacy and approval of programs will be handled by a faculty committee and the student’s advisor.

Completing Requirements for the MS - Engineering

The normal course of study for the MS-Engineering degree consists of 30 semester hours of approved work in the following areas:

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

At SJSU, students must pass the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) .