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Applying to the MSE graduate program
Prospective students seeking admission to the MSE graduate program must complete a general OSU Application to Graduate School; no secondary departmental application forms are required.
How to apply
Application requirements Details of an applicant's background and qualifications must be provided before an admission decision can be made. Includes mailing addresses, detailed descriptions of required documentation, links apply on-line, and more.
Deadlines
Application deadlines The MSE graduate program accepts applications throughout the year. Students are admitted quarterly based on the number of Graduate Research Associateship (GRA) positions available for a given quarter. Includes information on University Fellowship deadlines.
Transferring within Ohio State
OSU graduate program transfer process. Graduate students currently or previously enrolled in a graduate degree-seeking program at The Ohio State University may petition to transfer into the MSE graduate program. Note: such students do not need to re-apply to the university and do not need to submit an OSU Application to Graduate School.
Unique graduate programs
BS/MS combined program
Go to BS/MS program description. Available to OSU students, this program permits students earning a Bachelor's degree to "double count" up to 15 credits of undergraduate course work toward completion of a Master's degree. Includes minimum admission requirements, procedures, and further information.
GE-ACE program description
Go to GE-ACE program description. The General Electric Corp. provides qualified employees the opportunity to earn a Master's without Thesis degree. GE-ACE students are provided sabbatical time to attend classes in the MSE department. Additionally, students may use GE A & B Course time toward fulfillment of MS non-thesis degree requirements.
Graduate non-degree program
Link to information on the Graduate Non-Degree program. Graduate non-degree students take graduate level course work for personal enrichment, professional development, certification or to familiarize themselves with the rigors of a graduate program before applying. Graduate non-degree students are admitted to the university, not to a specific degree granting, graduate program. Graduate non-degree status is also appropriate for students actively pursuing a graduate degree at another college or university, and who wish to earn graduate credit for transfer back to that institution.
Note regarding our general admission policy:
In general, the number of applicants we admit for a given quarter is limited to the number of Graduate Research Associateship (GRA) positions available in that quarter.
Our department tends to have 10-20 GRA positions in Autumn; 0-3 each in Winter, Spring, and Summer.
In other words, the faculty's projected need for research assistance determines the number of GRA positions available for a quarter. Based on this information, offers of admission are then made until that number of positions has been filled. It is rare that applicants are admitted without an accompanying offer of a GRA position; i.e., we do not admit students who would pay for their schooling out of their own funds.
Our goal with this policy is two-fold. First, we want our students focused on their studies and research work, not on how they will be paying for school. Second, a typical thesis or dissertation in a field such as MSE requires considerable time spent in the lab analyzing materials and using various characterization equipment. The costs involved in purchasing, preparing, and analyzing a material can be considerable. Students funded by a GRA position are not required to cover any such costs, as these are paid by the research project.
Company or government-funded applicants
Applicants funded by a company or government organization--supplying sufficient levels of funding--are encouraged to apply. If the applicant meets the academic requirements for admission and provides proof of funding, s/he may be admitted, regardless of the number of GRA positions available for a given quarter. Such students should e-mail the MSE graduate program (or call 614-292-7280) for further details.
