Frequently Asked Questions
Program Requirements
1. Does the program require work experience?
The program does NOT require work experience. A portion of our students have full-time professional experience, and many have completed a prior co-op or internship, but work experience is not a requirement for admission.
2. Do you only accept students with undergraduate engineering degrees?
While the majority of our students have undergraduate engineering degrees, we do accept students with a variety of academic backgrounds including, but not limited to, Computer Science, Economics, Mathematics, and Physics.
Application Process
1. Is the GRE an application requirement?
The GRE is not a requirement as part of the application for Logistics Systems Engineering. However, applications are reviewed in a holistic manner, and applicants are welcome to submit a GRE score if they believe it will benefit their application.
2. Can I receive a waiver for the English proficiency scores?
There is a possibility an applicant can receive a waiver for English proficiency scores. Purdue’s Graduate School has specific policies in place pertaining to English proficiency waivers. English proficiency waiver information can be found here.
3. Can my Academic Statement and/or Personal Statement be longer than 500 words?
Applicants should submit as succinct a statement as possible, while accurately conveying why their academic profile is a strong fit for the program applied to, and how this program will help them grow their professional profile for their future career goals. We recommend that applicants adhere to an approximate 500 word-limit for their academic statement and/or personal statement, but slightly longer statements (1-2 pages) are permitted.
4. Are application fee waivers available for international students?
Purdue provides application fee waivers to advance diversity, recognize outstanding undergraduate achievement, and engage prospective students in recruitment events where Purdue is affiliated. Application fee waivers are available for individuals who have participated in specific programs designated by Purdue's Graduate School. The list can be found here.
5. When are the application deadlines?
| Fall | Spring (January) | Summer | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
|
January 5 June 1 July 5 |
Sept. 1 Oct. 1 Nov. 5 |
No Entry No Entry No Entry |
Initial Deadline |
6. Do all recommendations need to be from academia?
No. Aim for a set of letters from individuals who can describe your range of skills. Ideally, letters should cover your academic and scholastic skills, co-curricular activities, and applied experiences (e.g. industry co-op/internship, research projects, etc.). Individuals writing a letter of recommendation should hold a positive view of you, and be able to describe your potential for academic and professional success.
Academic Planning
1. How do I choose my engineering courses?
We provide individualized academic advising so that students can leverage the flexibility of our interdisciplinary degree to selected courses that align with their academic, personal, and professional goals. Students are able to select engineering courses from a range of disciplines.
2. Can I apply excess courses from my Purdue undergraduate degree to my Master's degree?
Yes, under certain conditions. Courses must have been taken for graduate credit (500-600 level), have a grade of B or better, and be approved by your undergraduate academic advisor through Purdue's official "excess credit" designation process.
Cost
1. Are scholarships available?
Our MS program in Logistics Systems Engineering is an industry-oriented professional master's program. Scholarships are not available. Students are typically self-funded. However, students have the option to complete their degree requirements in as little as 2 semesters, and thus have the ability to advance into their industry careers more swiftly. Students may also pursue a paid summer internship and graduate co-ops in industry. Students may pursue independent scholarships from third-party organizations outside the university, and/or contact the Purdue Division of Financial Aid for information on financial aid options.
2. How do I apply for TA, RA, GA positions?
Students are not eligible for teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or graduate assistantships. However, there is potential for Resident Assistant positions.
3. Can I work an on-campus, part-time job right away?
Professional master's program students are eligible to work up to 20 hours per week in hourly paid positions on Purdue’s campus. Students work in a variety of roles, including IT consultants, graders, tutors, lab assistants, library assistants, PMU positions, and more. You can generate supplemental income to cover living expenses while building your resume with highly-sought employability skills. In U.S. business culture, students who work during their undergraduate and graduate programs are respected for their work ethic and time management skills.
4. Where can I find information on housing?
Purdue University offers information on on-campus and off-campus housing for graduate students.