The MS Engineering degree by the Interdisciplinary Engineering Program  offers practicing engineers 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 other colleges. Students are required to submit a program-of-study proposal by the end of their first semester enrolled in MSE. Additional off-campus specialized MSE programs are offered at local industry sites.

Additional information is available on the department website: www.sjsu.edu/ide.

Program Delivery 

On-Campus Program (includes Special Session)

Special Session Program Information

Academic Programs offered through Special Session are operated by Professional and Continuing Education. Registration and enrollment in a Special Session course or program are subject to special session fees and course schedules. Note that regular session students seeking to enroll simultaneously in a special session course or the program will trigger a separate and additional set of fees.

University Admission Requirements

Applicants must submit a complete graduate application by applying through the CSU Cal State Apply system and meet all the university admission requirements .

Students can be admitted to either classified or conditionally classified standing.

Admission to Graduate Standing - Classified

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. More information on admission requirements can be found on the program website.

Admission to Graduate Standing - Conditionally Classified

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 Campus Graduate Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (CGGWAR), and when their records in classes at San José State University show sufficient promise of success in the master’s degree program.

Advancement to Candidacy

The university requirements for advancement to candidacy  for the master’s degree are outlined in the Graduate Policies and Procedures  section. Students should seek advancement to candidacy as soon as possible for their given program and on the advice of their graduate program coordinator. Graduate students may submit a Petition for Advancement to Graduate Candidacy form to the Graduate Admissions & Program Evaluations (GAPE) office after satisfying the following: achieved classified status; completed a minimum of nine letter-graded units with all grades “C” or higher; fulfilled the Campus Graduate Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (CGGWAR) requirement; achieved a minimum cumulative and program 3.0 GPA, and, graduate within the seven-year time limit for degree completion. Graduate students must submit their petition no later than one semester prior to graduating. Courses that satisfy the CGGWAR are listed in the course requirements for the program.

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. Advancement to candidacy and approval of programs will be handled by a faculty committee and the student’s advisor.

Program of Study Requirements

Students must complete all residency, curriculum, unit, GPA, and culminating experience requirements as outlined in the Graduation Requirements  section of the Graduate Policies and Procedures . Students must comply with all other graduate requirements contained in this catalog.

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