FAQ

Find more about the Admissions process here 

To be eligible for the admission you must satisfy the ME department requirements along with the University requirements.

Go to the SJSU admission requirements.

If your bachelor’s degree is in math or science and haven’t taken any engineering courses, you can qualify for a conditional admission if you satisfy the followings:

1. Meet the minimum admission requirements as stipulated by the Graduate Admissions office.
2. Complete the courses listed below prior to applying for the admission.

Preparation for the major:

Mathematics
MATH 30 – Calculus I
MATH 31 – Calculus II
MATH 32 – Calculus III
MATH 33A (or equivalent combined Differential Equations/Linear Algebra course) 

Science
CHEM 1A – General Chemistry
PHYS 50 – General Physics: Mechanics
PHYS 51 – General Physics: Electricity and Magnetism
PHYS 52 – General Physics: Waves, Optics, Heat, and Modern Physics

Engineering Fundamental
MATE 25 – Engineering Materials
CE 95 – Engineering Statics
CE 112 – Mechanics of Materials 

Mechanical Engineering Core
ME 101 – Engineering Dynamics
ME 106 – Fundamentals of Mechatronics
ME 111 – Fluid Mechanics
ME 113 – Thermodynamics
ME 114 – Heat Transfer
ME 120 – Experimental Methods
ME 130 – Applied Engineering Analysis
ME 147 – Dynamic Systems and Vibration Control
ME 154 – Mechanical Engineering Design

NOTE: The lower-level courses (below 100) can be completed at a community college. The upper-level courses (above 100) can be taken at SJSU (At Open University) or any other institution.

If your bachelor’s degree isn’t in mechanical engineering, but you have graduated with some
other engineering major, you can qualify for MSME admission if you satisfy the following:

Meet the minimum admission requirements as stipulated by the Graduate Admissions office.
After a conditional admission to the MSME program, complete the following courses prior to exceeding 12 units at SJSU:

• ME 106
• ME 114
• ME 147
• ME 154

NOTE: If your undergraduate program is deficient in any of the fundamental engineering
courses, additional courses will be added to the above list.

See the GAPE applications deadline page.

Visit the GAPE page for a list of tuition fees for each semester. 

No. Letters of recommendation are not required.

You should attend the New Students Orientation before taking any classes. The orientation is scheduled at the beginning of a semester. You will be notified by email, detailing the schedule and place of the meeting.

The Mechanical Engineering Department does not process any applications or application related material. All application materials (including transcripts) and other related questions should be submitted to the Graduate Admissions office.

Almost all of the graduate students in the department are self-supporting, The department doesn't offer any scholarship or financial assistance. However, there are some limited opportunities as lab assistants and graders. Some TA positions come with full or partial tuition waivers. Check with the department after you have been admitted and enrolled for classes.

Conditional Classification status means that you have not satisfied all the required conditions for admission. The GAPE office provides you a letter which specifies the conditions being placed on your admission. You are not allowed to take more than 12 units of graduate courses until the conditions are satisfied. After you have satisfied all of the required conditions, you will need to fill out a Change of Classification in Graduate Program form and request the Graduate Proram Advisor to change your admission to Classified Status.

Classified status indicates that you have satisfied all of the conditions of admission. 

See the GAPE policies page for information regarding the GWAR.

There are no test requirements if you have graduated from an ABET accredited institution (generally all of the major US institution satisfy this requirement). However, if you graduated from a foreign institution, you are required to satisfy the GRE and English Language Proficiency Requirements.

See Admission Requirements for more details.

Applicants are not required to submit a statement of purpose.