Applications and Admissions FAQ

1. What are the entrance requirements?
   You need a bachelors degree in engineering, math, or quantitative science; a grade-point average of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale; two years of college mathematics including calculus; letters of recommendation, and approval by the EMIS executive admissions committee.
2. How many years of business experience do you require the candidate to have had?
   Ideally, five or more, but at least two years with significant project assignments.
3. Will you accept “technology” degrees from institutions such as DeVry, Purdue, Auburn, and Texas A&M?
   Yes, if the coursework is sufficiently quantitative or technical.
4. My GRE scores are at least seven years old.  Will I need to retake the test?
   GRE scores are not required for admission, although they will be considered if you have a grade-point average below the minimum.
5. Is an engineering undergraduate degree required?
   No. However, a degree in a technical area is required.
6. Will you accept candidates with a non-technical background?
   No.
7. Are any articulation courses required?
   See question 1..
8. Do you wish to review folders from candidates who have a GPA under 3.00?
   Yes. 
9. Will you consider international applicants holding H1-B and H4 visas? 
   Yes.
   If yes, will you require the TOEFL or some other English proficiency test?
   A satisfactory score on the TOEFL is required..
10. How do I apply?
    Application instructions and forms are available on-line in PDF format.
11. What are the application deadlines?
    Contact Marc Valerin in Graduate Engineering Admissions if you have additional questions about applying.
12. What is considered in evaluating applications?
    The student’s previous university record, work experience, outside letters, and other evidence of readiness for and likely success in the program. Executive-program candidates are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until a given class is full.
13. Can internships constitute some of these cumulative years?
    Possibly.
14. Is a corporate “job description” acceptable or would you prefer that the candidate write out one in long-hand?
    Candidate should write or type a job description in their own words.
15. Would you like to add the “personal interview” in the admissions process?
    We reserve the right to interview prospects.
16. If required, how do I enroll for leveling or articulation courses?
    Such courses are not required.
17. What is the tuition for the two-year program?
    The tuition for the entire program is around $28,000. We note that this is well below the price charged by a large Texas government school, which also accepts larger classes.
18. What is the tuition payment schedule?
    The tuition is spread out over the two-year period. See the application instruction sheet.
19. If I do not have an industry sponsor, can I sponsor myself?
    Yes. If you directly report to someone, they should be committed to your unavailability for the weeks, Fridays, and Saturdays that you will be in class.
20. Do you require any advance deposit to reserve a seat in the class? If so, is it refundable?
    There is a nonrefundable advance deposit required following admission to a class. See the application instructions for details.
21. Do I need to submit a resume with my application?
    Yes. See the application instructions.
22. Can students be admitted conditionally or provisionally?
    No.
23. If I am forced to withdraw from the program, what are my options for completing my degree?
    The classes are offered in the traditional format during fall, spring, and summer semesters on the SMU campus and by DVD.
24. If I am forced to withdraw from the program, how will tuition be handled?
    Non-executive tuition will be charged for any classes taken outside of the executive program. Tuition for courses taken or started will not be refunded. If you must withdraw mid-semester, you can retake the courses started in the non-executive program at a later time.
25. Do I need to submit my final transcript for previous graduate or undergraduate work, or do I need to provide every transcript from each school in which I was registered for course work?
    All previous college and university transcripts are required. See the application instructions or contact Marc Valerin in the Graduate Engineering Admissions office.
26. What level of corporate support do you currently have in place for these programs?
    We do not have corporate financial support for tuition, but industry has helped design many of the courses and degrees that are being offered.
27. Does the Lyle School of Engineering have any loan program in place for executive students?
    Not at this time.
28. Are laptop computers required?
    No, but personal access to a PC outside of class is needed for some courses