Curriculum
Why should I choose Purdue?
The curriculum is designed to provide management techniques in the various subject material, giving you the tools to operate at a higher level. Purdue is a tier-one research university so as you do your research assignments in the various courses, you can "steer" the research topics towards your future goal. Obviously, it will increase your knowledge in that particular area, but the papers will also show future (and current) employers your expertise and dedication in that area.
Is this degree accredited?
There are two types of accreditation, institutional and specialized. Institutional accreditors, often referred to as "regional" accreditors, examine a college or university as a whole. Purdue University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC-NCA) since 1913. Our most recent accreditation visit was in March of 2010.
The HLC's new Open Pathway for maintaining accreditation seeks to offer greater value to institutions by focusing on both an assurance of quality and an engagement in continuous improvement. Two Assurance Reviews will take place in the ten-year cycle. One in Year 4 through an online reporting system and one in Year 10 that couples the online assurance report with a campus visit. In addition, our campus will complete a Quality Initiative between Years 5 and 9 focused on institutional innovation and improvement suited to our needs and circumstances.
How are the courses delivered?
As a Purdue graduate student you will be taking classes in an online and hybrid environment. Instructors provide the material, lectures, tests and assignments that can be accessed at any time. Your lectures are not time restricted, meaning you don't need to be logged in to preview your course material at a specific time.
All of your course activities, assignments, and exams must be completed by their respective due dates. You will need to view course lectures regularly and attend on-campus courses to keep current. The typical length of our courses are 16-weeks each spring and fall semesters and 8-weeks in the summer.
What computer requirements are needed to take an online course?
Only internet access is needed. Any additional special software needed is provided to you once you are a Purdue student. These include Minitab, Matlab, Adobe Products, etc. Additional resources are also available.
How will I be graded?
Students are graded based on their performance in class. The courses we offer online will have various methods for grading depending on the specific requirements for a given class. Students can expect to experience any combination of homework, graded exam, final project, group work or graded reports. Purdue Grading Scale
How many hours per week should I expect to dedicate to a course?
Plan to spend 8-11 hours per week of study time for each 3 credit-hour course. However, some courses won’t require as much of your time, and others may require more.
How long will it take me to obtain a master's degree?
You can complete the master’s degree in 2-5 years by taking either one or two course(s) per semester. How quickly you complete your degree depends on you, we have no “set time limits” on your online studies. We will be glad to advise and keep you on track to meet your goals. The Plan of Study outlines the required courses as well as when each course is offered.
Do students in the program work full-time? How manageable is it to juggle family, career, and education?
This program is designed for the full-time working professional student. The majority of students enrolled in the program are full-time employees and full-time students. We realize that professional students juggle many responsibilities. Our program allows students flexibility in registering for courses. Currently, we have students attending full-time; students taking a mixture of one or two courses; and students that fluctuate between full-time and part-time depending on their schedules.
Admission
What's the difference between online MS and the on-campus MS?
Just the delivery method. The online MS consists of the same courses as the on-campus MS. The courses are taught by the same faculty as the on-campus program. The degree awarded does not mention online or on-campus as a delivery method.
Is the GRE or GMAT required?
No, the GRE or GMAT are not required. The Admission Committee reviews all other admission materials submitted to determine an admission decision. Please review the admission requirements before submitting your application.
Can I transfer any credits into the degree?
Yes, up to 12 graduate-level credit-hours are eligible for transfer if:
To have courses reviewed for transfer, we will need an official transcript, the course name/number you wish to transfer, and the course description. The Admissions Committee will then determine if the credits are applicable to the degree.
What if I don’t have a GPA of 3.0 in my Baccalaureate, should I still apply?
Yes, we ask that you let us know so we can determine the best course of action. We understand that you’ve built a successful career as a professional and there may have been special circumstances that affected your GPA. The Admissions Committee may suggest you be admitted conditionally- and we will explain any additional requirements you may need to meet. Your Statement of Purpose Essay is a great place to address any special circumstances surrounding your Baccalaureate GPA, such as a low GPA, and how you plan to convert these experiences into success as a graduate student.
What should be included in my Statement of Purpose?
The statement of purpose should be 300-500 words concerning your purpose for undertaking or continuing graduate study, your reasons for wanting to study at Purdue, and your research interests, professional plans, and career goals. You also may explain any special circumstances applicable to your background and elaborate on your scholarly publications, awards, achievements, abilities, and/or professional history.
Who should my Letter of Recommendations come from?
The best letters you can secure are those from a current/past Employer, co-workers/colleagues, tutors and other mentors. Never ask family members or close friends.
What are the admission term application deadlines?
We have preferred deadlines for each term. We will work with you past the preferred deadline, but we only ask you keep us updated with your status. Contact Us
What happens after I apply?
The admission process starts when all admission requirements have been met. The process may take up to 1-2 weeks, depending on how many applicants are applying.
We will also be with you every step of the way.
Weekend Attendance
Weekend Schedule
Students must attend 3 weekends every Fall and Spring semesters.
Each weekend begins with dinner on Friday evening and a class schedule as follows:
Depending on which course(s) you are enrolled in will determine whether you need to attend all weekend or just two of the three days.
Food
Dinner is provided each Friday evening. Breakfast and lunch are provided each Saturday and Sunday. Dinner is on your own Saturday and Sunday. If you have any dietary preferences, be sure to let us know.
What if I have to miss a weekend due to prior commitments?
Attendance at every weekend session is mandatory. Missing a weekend is equal to missing a third of your classes in a normal semester. However, the professors realize that we are educating professional students and sometimes work or personal demands may conflict with the weekend. If circumstances force you to miss any part of a campus weekend, contact your faculty members in advance and work with them to get the information and assignments you need.
Do you assist with job placement?
We work with the Center for Career Opportunities (CCO) for any career related services.
What academic resources are available to online students?
The same academic resources are available to both the online and on-campus Purdue students.