The Mechanical Engineering Department offers a five-year accelerated program through which students can obtain a Bachelor of Science degree as well as a Master of Science degree.  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. The five-year program offers a simplified process for admission to the graduate school.

Students typically apply to the accelerated Master’s degree program at the end of their third year.  Students follow the standard undergraduate curriculum for the first three years, and then complete the baccalaureate degree requirements during their fourth year while taking up to two graduate courses. Up to six graduate course credits taken during the fourth year may be applied towards both the bachelor's and master’s degree requirements.  After receiving the baccalaureate degree, students will take an additional eight courses (for a total of ten courses) to complete the MS degree requirements in the fifth year. This accelerated degree is expected to be completed in five years without interruption.   

Students accepted in this program are expected to have an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher and receive approval of the faculty advisor.  Students will be awarded the BS in Mechanical Engineering when all requirements are met, usually at the end of the fourth year. The MS degree will be awarded when all graduate requirements of the combined degree curricula have been satisfied, usually at the end of the fifth year.

Accelerated Degree Curriculum

Students must develop of a plan of study for the MS portion of the degree with approval of their academic advisor, including the following:

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Requirements are the same as those listed for the BS, except that students may select up to two graduate-level electives to fulfill the major elective requirement.

A minimum of 30 credits must be completed at the graduate level.

Mechanical Engineering Electives

Possible electives may include: