Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need to take the GRE test for graduate admission?
A. For admission to one of our Master programs, you do not need to take the GRE General Examination. While it is not required, we do encourage international students to provide us the results (if you have them) so as to help us better judge your background and knowledge. For admission to our Ph.D. program, all applicants must take the GRE General Test.
Q. What is the application deadline for admission?
A. You can apply at any time. However, to receive primary consideration for graduate assistantships and timely review of your application, applicants for the Fall semester are encouraged to apply by February 15th. Applicants for the Spring semester are encouraged to apply by September 15th.
Q. What do I need to make my Graduate application file complete?
- Completed on-line Graduate application for admission: https://wam.unl.edu/stuapp/WebAppController?appId=webapp&featureId=gra
- $45 application fee at time on-line application is completed (Required)
- Official transcripts (Required)
- International applicants must also provide an official TOEFL score and a completed Financial resource Certification form (Required)
- 3 letters of recommendation (Required)
- Official GRE scores (optional for IMSE Masters program but required for PhD program)
- Statement of Purpose (optional for IMSE Masters program)
Mailing Address for three (3) letters of recommendation:
Graduate Chair
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Industrial & Management Systems Engineering
175 Nebraska Hall
Lincoln, NE 68588-0518
Contact Information for Graduate Studies:
http://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/
Grad Admissions: 402.472.2878
Grad Studies: 402.472.2875
Toll-Free (US & Canada only): 800.742.8800
Fax: 402.472.0589
E-mail: graduate@unl.edu
Mailing Address:
Graduate Studies
1100 Seaton Hall
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln NE 68588-0619
Q. Is there a fee to apply?
A. Yes. The fee is $45.
Q. What characteristics do you look for in an applicant?
A. There is no set rule - we evaluate each student's complete application - previous academic experience, quality of schools that you have attended, letters of recommendation, and research interest area. One key factor we look for is a consistent record in your previous academic work. For US applicants, this is usually indicated by having a B or better grade point average while pursuing your undergraduate degree. For international students, this is usually indicated by your having maintained a high level of performance (e.g., first class during all years of your education).
Q. Is financial aid available for graduate study?
A. There is no financial aid for graduate study. However, we do support students with graduate assistantships. These are part-time jobs at the university (e.g., teaching a course, assisting a professor in research) that provide a monthly stipend and pay for your tuition and a portion of your health care costs. Assistantships are assigned based on availability and student performance. You can apply for an assistantship, but there is no guarantee that you would receive one while you are here.
Q. What are the different types of assistantships available?
A. In our department, there are two main types - those paid for out of funds by the Industrial & Management Systems Engineering department and those paid for out of faculty research contracts. Department funds typically are used to fund students to assist in meeting the teaching and administrative needs of the department. The department chairman has the discretion as to how these funds are allocated. Outside of these opportunities, individual faculty may have a contract to explore a research issue for such organizations as the National Science Foundation or the National Institute of Health. Using the funds from this contract, a faculty member will potentially need to hire graduate students to help in performing the research. In this instance, the employment of a graduate student is at the discretion of the individual faculty member. In general, faculty looking for graduate student help often require students to demonstrate their abilities and competence as a student in one of their courses before they will make an assistantship offer.
Q. Should I e-mail each faculty member in your department and ask about assistantship opportunities?
A. It is recommended that if you want to contact a faculty member directly, you limit the contact to only the faculty member(s) that best match your research interest area. In general, it is not a good idea to e-mail all the faculty in the department.
Q. If I am not guaranteed an assistantship, are other jobs available on campus?
A. Yes. The University of Nebraska is quite good in making available numerous hourly opportunities for students wanting to work. Current and former students have held positions at the university bookstore, working as a web developer, serving food in a dormitory kitchen, doing general maintenance on campus. The following is a link to available campus opportunities: http://www.unl.edu/careers/seic/studentjobs.shtml
Q. My undergraduate degree is not industrial engineering. Will I have to take prerequisite courses?
A. This will depend on your major and the courses you have taken. If you have an engineering degree (many of our graduate students come to us with a degree in Mechanical Engineering), key courses you might be missing include: Engineering Economics (IMSE 206), Probability and Statistics (IMSE 321), and Stochastic Operations Research Models (IMSE 428). Other degrees may require additional course work. If you are missing one of these courses, but meet all the admission requirements to the program in which you applying, you will be admitted on a provisional basis. You will have one year to successfully pass the required courses.
Q. What are the key differences between your three Masters programs?
A. Each of the three programs have different admission requirements and different degree requirements. The MS in Industrial and Management Systems Engineering allows you the flexibility to explore different aspects of industrial engineering. Examples of emphasis areas include: inventory systems, supply chain management, simulation, manufacturing, ergonomics, and engineering management. The MS in Manufacturing Engineering is an inter-disciplinary degree focused on manufacturing. As part of this program, you would take courses from Industrial Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. The MEngr in Engineering Management allows a student to create a mixed set of courses in engineering and business. This applied degree is primarily focused to meet the needs of practicing engineers working in Nebraska and is not recommended for international students or for students preparing to do doctoral work in Engineering.
Q. I am thinking of applying to your Ph.D. program, is there a qualifying exam to join the program.
A. Yes and no. As a doctoral student, you will be required to demonstrate your competence in the area of mathematics and statistics. To do this, rather than taking an examination, you will be required to complete three graduate-level courses in mathematics and statistics. Once you complete the three courses and meet a minimum grade point requirement, you will be allowed to form your graduate committee.
Q. I submitted my application. When will I know if I am accepted?
A. You will receive a letter from our department when your application has completed the review process. If you have not received the letter, then your application is still under review. This process normally lasts 4-6 weeks once we receive your complete application package.
Q. I have been admitted. When do I register for courses?
A. You will register the week before classes start in your first semester. At that time, you will meet with the Chair of the Graduate Committee for advising.
Q. I am an international student and I have received my letter of acceptance. When will I receive the I20 form for my visa?
A. The University's International Student office will be sending your I20 form. You should receive it within one month of acceptance.
Q. I have been admitted to your graduate program, but I will have to postpone coming to your school for a year. What should I do?
A. Contact us as soon as possible. Your acceptance to our graduate program remains valid for one year. We can postpone your starting in the program and hold your application, but only if we are notified prior to your original admission date. If your delay is more than one year from your acceptance, you will have to reapply to our graduate program.
Contact:
Department News:
• Dr. Paul Savory has been selected to serve as Area Editor (Simulation) for the journal Computers and Industrial Engineering
• IE 07-08 Newsletter now available for download:
• NASA Nebraska Space Grant Scholarship is available. Click for information:
• After 14 years as Associate Dean for the College of Engineering, Dr.
John Ballard will be returning to the IMSE department to teach and work
with students.
• Dr. Stephanie Adams has been appointed the College of Engineering
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education.
• Dr. Paul Savory has been appointed Director of Summer Sessions and
Flexible Programs for the University of Nebraska.
