The university created combined degree programs to provide academically talented students an opportunity to complete a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in a shorter period of time.
Eligibility
- 3.3 undergraduate upper-division GPA
- Completed EGM3520 and EGM3401 (with a “C” or better in both courses)
- 9 credits of graduate courses can double count toward undergraduate degree
- “B” or better is required in a graduate course to earn credit toward a graduate degree
Application Process
Step 1:
- Determine if you are eligible to apply for the combined degree program. You must have a 3.3 upper-division GPA and you must have completed EGM3520/EGM3401 with grades of “C” or better.
Step 2:
- Apply for the combined degree program by completing our Qualtrics form. Applications will be sent out on a biannual basis to all MAE undergraduate students in August and January each year. Students will be notified if they have been accepted into the program by the end of September and February.
Step 3:
- Once you have been accepted, you can determine which graduate courses you plan to take as an undergraduate student. Common substitutions include FEA, manufacturing, compressible flow, and other 5000-level courses that can count toward the specialization/technical elective requirements. See below for more common substitutions. Enroll in selected graduate courses – generally three semesters prior to graduation so that you can enroll in one graduate course and three/four undergraduate courses each semester. All undergraduate students are able to enroll themselves in graduate courses as long as prerequisites are met.
- Note that you will be charged graduate tuition. Combined degree students cannot register for 100% online (EDGE) sections, as these are for online masters students only.
Step 4:
- Complete the Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Request in your final semester and submit it to advising@mae.ufl.edu. You must submit this form at least 6 weeks prior to graduation. This form is available online at https://admissions.ufl.edu/pdf/combdegreerequest.pdf.
- On the form, list MCE (mechanical) or ARO (aerospace) above Major Code; Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering above Major Name; HWCOE above College; and your expected graduation dates for the BS and MS programs.
- It is important that the courses you list on the form are accurate. The graduate courses listed on the form must match the ones that you have taken in order to receive credit.
- If you do not submit this form prior to earning your BS degree, your graduate credits will not be eligible to transfer into the MS program.
Step 5:
- In your first semester of the MS program, submit Graduate Credit Transfer Request to the MAE Graduate Student Services Office. This form is available here: https://mae.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/graduate-credit-transfer-request.pdf. Submission of this form will initiate a petition to the UF Graduate School to apply all eligible graduate course credits earned (5000+ level with grade of B or better) as a participant in a combined degree program. If you do not submit this request the first term of your graduate program, your credits may not be transferred.
Course Substitutions for the Combined (4/1) Program:
EML5526 substitutes for EML4507 (Finite Element Analysis)
EML6267, EML6323, and EML6324 substitutes for EML4321 (Manufacturing)
EML5714 substitutes for EAS4132 (Compressible Flow)
Any 5000/6000-level EML, EAS, or EGM course counts as a specialization elective (for ME) or aerospace elective (for ASE), such as:
- EAS6242: Advanced Structural Composites
- EAS6415: Guidance and Control of Aerospace Vehicles
- EML5515: Gas Turbines and Jet Engines
- EML6281: Geometry of Mechanisms and Robots I
- EML6282: Geometry of Mechanisms and Robots II
- EML6417: Solar Energy Utilization
Any 5000/6000-level EML, EAS, EGM, EGN, or EGS course counts as a technical elective, such as:
- EGS6039: Engineering Leadership
- EGS6626: Fundamentals of Engineering Project Management
- EGN6640: Entrepreneurship for Engineers
- EGN6642: Engineering Innovation
All of the above courses are pre-approved to count towards the UF MAE bachelor’s and UF MAE graduate degrees. If you wish to take a graduate level course NOT listed above, you need to contact both the undergraduate and graduate advisors to determine if the course will count for both degrees. If you plan on getting a graduate degree outside of UF MAE, you need to contact the institution or department you are interested in joining to determine if your credits will be accepted.
Financial Aid
Undergraduate degree costs should be satisfied with existing financial aid such as Bright Futures and Prepaid Tuition. Bright Futures can cover the ‘undergraduate’ costs of up to 12 hours of graduate courses that apply to the undergraduate degree. You are responsible for the difference in tuition between the undergraduate and graduate course rates. Graduate courses that apply toward the undergraduate degree are funded at the undergraduate rate, and you are responsible for the difference.
FAQ
Who is eligible for the combined BS-MS program?
This program is open to undergraduate students majoring in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and the dual degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering. Generally, we do not recommend that students pursue both the dual degree and the combined program, as this will limit the type of graduate courses that you are able to double-count toward the undergraduate degree. See additional eligibility requirements above.
When should I apply to the program?
Undergraduate students can apply for the combined degree program once they have completed EGM3520 and EGM3401 with grades of “C” or better. A 3.3 upper-division GPA is required at the time of application. The upper-division GPA is calculated as any course you take beyond 60 credits.
Are GRE scores required for acceptance into the combined BS-MS program?
No, the GRE is not currently required for admission into the graduate program.
Does acceptance into the combined BS-MS program guarantee my acceptance into graduate school?
No, graduate school admission is separate from acceptance into the combined degree program and being admitted into the combined degree program does not guarantee graduate school admission.
What graduate degree can I earn by enrolling in this program?
Students in this combined program are eligible to double-count credits toward our master’s and doctoral programs in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering. If you are applying to a graduate program in another department at UF or to a program at another institution, you need to ascertain if your credits will count toward their graduate programs by contacting the associated admissions office.
What are the requirements for the graduate admissions application? What about letters of recommendation?
The graduate admissions process is separate from the (4/1) program. You can read about the application requirements here: https://mae.ufl.edu/admissions/graduate/
For letters of recommendation for the PhD program, 3 letters are required and it is ideal to have at least 2 letters from Assistant Professors, Associate Professors, or Professors. Letters for the PhD program are a major component of the application. Students seek out letters on their own accord.
For letters of recommendation for the MS program, 2 letters are required and students may receive these from employers or from any faculty members at UF. Letters for the MS program are a minor component of the application. Students seek out letters on their own accord.
I have questions about my application for graduate school. Whom should I contact?
MAE Graduate Admissions Team
