Application Requirements for Online Master’s Program
Thank you for your interest in Purdue's Mechanical Engineering Online Master's Program. Look over the requirements below, and then complete your application online.
Application Fee: $60 for domestic applicants, $75 for international applicants. Application fee waivers are available; check your eligibility here, or contact the Graduate School if you have waiver-related questions.
Deadlines:
- June 1 for enrolling in the fall semester
- October 1 for enrolling in the spring semester
- No summer admissions
GPA Requirement: The minimum recommended GPA to apply is 3.2 out of 4.0.
Degree Requirements: A Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science majors like physics, mathematics, chemistry, or related field.
The necessary documents to be submitted when applying are:
-
Official transcripts from all universities attended (Original language and English translations are both needed for international applicants)
- Upload official transcript copies to the application from all institutions, whether a degree was awarded or not. Copy or student copy transcripts are accepted as well, but those downloaded from an institution's student system are not accepted. Tips for uploading your transcript here.
- After accepting admission, please provide final official transcripts showing degree has been awarded; send in sealed envelope to Purdue University Graduate School, Young Hall 170, 155 S. Grant Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907. E-transcripts can be sent to Purdue Graduate School gradadm@purdue.edu (West Lafayette Campus) via international accredited university, Parchment Exchange, the National Student Clearinghouse, or TrueCopy Credentials.
- For domestic students: according to the State of Indiana law, your social security number or other student ID similar to SSN should not appear in the transcripts. Please use a black marker to block your SSN before uploading transcripts.
- International applicants must upload a copy of baccalaureate degree diploma, or provisional certificate showing expected graduation date if diploma have not been awarded, in original language and in English.
- Academic Statement of Purpose
- Personal History Statement
- Resume
- Three recommendation letters. Recommenders will receive a link via email to upload letters. Applicants can submit application without recommendation letters being uploaded.
- Official English Proficiency Scores (internationals from non-English speaking countries only). TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores, no more than two years old. See minimum requirements here, or if you're eligible for a waiver.
- GRE is NOT required.
When completing the Online Application:
- Please select "West Lafayette" as the campus applying.
- Application term is the semester of enrollment.
- Please don’t select Professional Masters – Mechanical Engineering as your area; that is a residential program.
- For course delivery method, please choose "distance."
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you accept Technology or Business/Management students? No. A Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or science is required.
- Is there a different deadline for recommendation letter submission? No. All required documents need to be submitted by the application deadline. We don’t review incomplete applications. Please contact ME Grad Office if you submitted late and want your application to be considered for the next term.
- Are there length limitations on resume and statement of purpose? There is no hard limitation on length, but it’s better to keep them within two pages.
- Can I edit or add new documents to my application after submission? Once you submitted your application, you will not be able to edit it. But you can upload new materials as miscellaneous supporting documents. Please be aware if your application has been reviewed, we will not review it again even if new documents have been added.
- How long should I wait to get an admission decision? Time frame may vary depending on the application volume. Typical timeframe is 3-5 weeks. You should login to your application account to check status. Constant email inquiries do not speed up the decision process, so please do not email the ME Grad Office to check status of your application.
- My application has been denied. Can I find out the reasons my application was turned down? Reasons for denial include a number of factors, such as academic qualifications and enrollment limitations. Each application is reviewed and considered based on these factors. Due to the large volume of applications, we are unable to individually respond as to what weakness your application may have had. Admission decisions are final.
- What is the deadline to accept online MS program admission? Please accept your admission within 2 weeks after being admitted.
- I accepted enrollment for a different Purdue program. How can I switch to accept ME enrollment? Please email the Graduate School to correct your acceptance.
- How can I defer my admission? You have registration eligibility for up to two semesters. For example, if you’ve been admitted to Fall 2023, you can wait until Summer 2024 to register. Any term longer than two semesters requires a formal deferral. If you will not attend in your admitted term or need a formal deferral, please inform the ME Grad Office ASAP before the semester starts. Each student can only defer admission once. (Please note: if you request to defer admission, please don’t register for any courses in your originally admitted semester. Once you register, you are considered an active student in that semester and cannot defer.)
- Are there research opportunities provided to online MS students? No. Online MS program students are in the non-thesis track.
- Can I switch to on-campus program later? You will have to satisfy transfer GPA requirements, find a research advisor and funding support if you intend to go to thesis track. Research advisor is not needed for Professional Master’s Program.
- Do I have to take online courses full-time? No. Most of our online program students have a full-time job, and take courses in their spare time. 1-2 courses each semester is the appropriate course load for them.
- Do I have to take courses in summer? No, it’s your decision. There are very limited grad level engineering courses offered in summer. You can take math/statistics if you like, but it is a condensed semester as most courses run 8 weeks instead of 16 weeks.
- When am I expected to complete the degree? You can finish it in as little as a year if you take a full-load of courses each semester (3 or 4 classes). However, most students will take about 3-4 years to complete required credits.
- Can I take courses that can’t be counted in the plan of study? As long as you register for grad-level courses (500- or 600-level), you can take courses that don’t apply to your degree requirements, but you should always take at least one course a semester that does apply toward your degree requirements.
- How do I transfer courses taken from another University? Transfer courses may be accepted if: they have not been used to meet another degree requirement; they are grad-level, technical and quantitative in content; you received a B or better grade; they were recently taken; and they are ME or direct Math courses. Once you’re a registered student, you’ll submit your transfer course description/syllabus to the ME Grad Office for review, along with the syllabus of the Purdue-equivalent course. If it’s approved by ME, you’ll add it to your plan of study. Then the Grad School will review and make final decision on what they’ll accept. You can transfer no more than 6 credit hours.
- Are there scholarships/assistantships available for online students? No. Funding is only available for on-campus students. Domestic students may apply for financial aid from Purdue Division of Financial Aid.
- Can I access the same resources as on-campus students? You can access the same remote resources as on-campus students, including memberships, software downloads, organizations, etc. However, you would not have access to on-campus benefits like sports facilities or healthcare, since you do not pay the appropriate student fees to access them.
Click here to begin your application!
Contact: Please email all application/admission questions to:
ME Graduate Office
516 Northwestern Ave. (4th floor of Wang Hall)
West Lafayette, IN 47906
MEgradoffice@purdue.edu
(765) 494-5730
Virtual office hours available every Tues/Wed/Thurs