Admissions | MIMSE Degree | NC State IMSEI
Admissions
Last Updated: 01/18/2023 and all information on this page is accurate and up-to-date
Graduate Admissions
We accept applications from undergraduate majors in engineering. from an accredited college or university in an engineering or related discipline. The discipline does not have to be engineering, but it must have a strong engineering/mathematical curriculum. You will need to have some experience in:
- Mathematics (calculus)
- Computer Programming
- General manufacturing Processes
Application to NC State is handled at the university level by The Graduate School. Please follow our procedures to be considered for admission into the IMSE program.
What is the process?
When do I apply?
What are the costs?
IMSEI Graduate Admission Process
NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the inability to schedule a test at the testing centers, the Graduate School has accepted the Duolingo English Test (DET) to complete applications for Spring and Fall 2023. A minimum score of 110 on the current DET scale (or 60 on the DET scoring scale prior to July 15, 2019) is necessary for full admission to NC State. To be considered for conditional admission, a minimum score of 85 on the current DET scale (or 28 on the DET scoring scale prior to July 15, 2019) is required.
For more information, please see:
GPA
Grade Point Average (GPA) in previous academic programs: 3.0/4.0
GRE
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores:
- Verbal: 450 (=150)
- Quantitative: 680 (=153)
- Analytical: 3.0
- NC State Institution Code for GRE: 5496
- ISE Department Code for GRE: 1301 or 1399
- NC State Institution Code for GRE: 5496
TOEFL
Have you completed one year of full-time study in a degree program at a four-year US college or university? If Yes, then you are not required to submit the TOEFL scores. But, you still may want to as these scores can be helpful in the review and evaluation of your application.
- To request a TOEFL waiver, please contact the Graduate School (graduate_applications@ncsu.edu).ISE Future Student FAQs
Internet-based Test (iBT) with a total score of at least 80. Minimum test scores for each section:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score:
- Listening: 18 points
- Reading: 18 points
- Writing: 18 points
- Speaking: 18 points – for admission to the Graduate School
TOEFL or IELTS test date must be no older than two years (24 months) prior to the beginning of the requested entry term
Computer-based TOEFL scores must be 213 or higher (with at least 17 on three sections and no section score below 13)
The paper-based test requires a score of 550 or higher (with scores of 50 on at least two of the three sections and no section score below 45)
IELTS
Provide your International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores with an overall band score of at least 6.5. Minimum test scores for each section:
- Listening: 6.5
- Reading: 6.5
- Writing: 6.5
- Speaking: 6.5 – for admission to the Graduate School
TOEFL or IELTS test date must be no older than two years (24 months) prior to the beginning of the requested entry term
Letter of RecomMendation
Letters of recommendation from three individuals; and some of these letters should be from the applicant’s former professors
Successful applicants exceed these minimums in most cases. Prospective applicants should be guided by the following average scores of a recent entering class consisting of approximately 60 students: GPA=3.45; GRE-Verbal = 500 (154); GRE-Quantitative = 750 (160); GRE-Analytical= 3.5; and for international students, the average TOEFL = 101 (607 paper-based, 253 computer-based).
Note: Admission requirements of the Industrial Engineering Department are more strict than those of the Graduate School.
US students:
- Fall: June 25
- Spring: November 25
- Summer 1: March 25
- Summer 2: May 10
International students:
- Fall: March 1
- Spring: July 15
- Summer 1: December 15
- Summer 2: December 15
Priority for financial awards goes to students who apply before Jan. 15th (for Fall) and June 15th (for Spring).
- Read through the NC State Graduate Catalog for important Graduate School information such as:
- Apply online at NC State Graduate School Online Application
Please upload your (a) Personal Statement (2 pages max, no word limit). Applicants are requested to write a statement of purpose addressing the following points: highlights of your qualification, reasons for seeking a graduate degree in IMSE and reasons for applying to N.C. State.
Once you have uploaded your documents, it isn’t necessary to mail or email the duplicates to the ISE Department. If you need help updating your documents after you have submitted your application, please email graduate_applications@ncsu.edu. The Graduate School will assist you with your documents.
- Statement of Purpose
- Official transcript or transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended (after admission is approved)
- Submit residence form if claiming NC residence for tuition purposes (for U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents only)
- Submit online references from at least three people who know the academic record and potential for graduate study of the prospective student
- Submit official GRE test scores from ETS
- Submit official TOEFL test scores (International Students) from ETS
- A non-refundable application fee ($75 U.S. dollars for U.S. citizens and permanent residents; $85 for internationals)
Note: The application fee cannot be waived under any circumstances for foreign applicants.
Got Questions? Please contact our Program Director Michael Kay | kay@ncsu.edu | 919.515.2008
Transferring to IMSE
If you are currently enrolled in another program at NC State University, it may be possible to transfer to IMSE. If you think you might want to transfer to our program, please contact the Director of IMSEI Michael Kay by email (kay@ncsu.edu) as soon as possible so that it can be determined if you are eligible to transfer. Transferring to IMSE requires the approval of the Director of Graduate Programs of your current home department and the Director of IMSE.
The IMSE master’s degree has limited capacity due to staffing resources to support student projects. Admission and transfer decisions may be based on several factors such as GPA, ensuring diverse perspectives in the degree program, availability of industry internships, existing program capacity, existing demand, etc. Admission or transfer may also be denied for past honor code violations, and/or by the existing degree program that has made resource decisions regarding admitted students. It is highly recommended that interested students wait for confirmation of acceptance of admission or transfer before taking actions with financial or other consequences.
Course Registration
It is preferable for you to seek admission to the MIMSE program as soon as possible to assure integration into the advising process. However, you do not have to be admitted to a degree program to enroll in an online credit course. Prior to applying to Graduate School, a you may enroll in Engineering Online courses as a Non-Degree Studies (NDS) student. The NDS classification is designed for individuals who wish to undertake academic work but who are not currently admitted to a degree program. If you are admitted to the MIMSE program, a maximum of twelve hours taken as a NDS student or from another institution may apply toward the 33 credit hour requirement. You register for online courses through Engineering Online. Those of you who wish to take only a few courses and not pursue a degree do not need to apply for formal program admission to NC State University. However, if you wish to earn the MIMSE degree, you must formally apply for admission to the Graduate School. When completing the online application, please be sure to select the “Distance Track” version of the degree.
To register for an Engineering Online course, complete the registration form on the Engineering Online website. You cannot register through the University MyPack Portal system for Engineering Online courses.
Online Course Offerings
A list of distance education courses available for each semester can be found on the Engineering Online website. If you are employed full-time, then you may only enroll in two online courses per semester. It is highly recommended that you enroll in only one course during your first semester.
For a list of distance education courses approved for the fall, spring or summer semester, visit the Engineering Online website.
Sample Course Path
Below are several sample course paths students can take to obtain the IMSE degree. Notice the flexibility students have when taking courses. The only course required for the IMSE degree is IMS 675. Your path might look different but know that the flexibility exists for you to take courses that you feel are appropriate for your career path.
Student Name: Wolf | Student Name: Wolf Fang | Student Name: Shadow Wolf | Student Name: Big Bad Wolf |
Spring Term | Fall Term | Fall Term | Fall Term |
TE 533 Lean Six Sigma | ISE 519 Database Applications in Industrial and Systems Engineering | ISE 519 Database Applications in Industrial and Systems Engineering | ISE 510 Applied Engineering Economy |
TE 589 Special Topics in Industrial Engineering | ISE 552 Design and Control of Production and Service Systems | ISE 535 Python for ISE | ISE 555 Digital Manufacturing |
TE 505 Textile Systems and Control | OR 504 Introduction to Mathematical Programming | ST 516 Experimental Statistics for Engineers | ISE 589 Special Topics in Industrial Engineering-Product Development |
Fall Term | Spring Term | Spring Term | Spring Term |
ISE 535 Python for ISE | ISE 537 Statistical Model For System Analytics in Industrial Engineering | TE 533 Lean Six Sigma | ECE 535 Design of Electromechanical Systems |
ISE 589 Special Topics in Industrial Engineering | ISE 553 Modeling and Analysis of Supply Chains | ISE 716 Automated Systems Engineering | ISE 589 Special Topics in Industrial Engineering-Advanced Material Processing |
OR 504 Introduction to Mathematical Programming | MBA 515 Enterprise Risk Management | ISE 725 Smart Manufacturing | ISE 725 Foundations of Smart Manufacturing |
Spring Term | TE533 Lean Six Sigma | Summer Term | MAE 789 Additive Manufacturing |
COP 500 Co-Op Work Full Time | MBA 590 Special Topics in Business Management | COP 500 Co-Op Work Full Time | Fall Term |
Summer Term | Summer Term | Fall Term | COP 500 Co-Op Work Full Time |
COP 500 Co-Op Work Full Time | COP 500 Co-Op Work Full Time | COP 500 Co-Op Work Full Time | Spring Term |
Fall Term | Fall Term | Spring Term | IMS 675 Manufacturing Systems Engineering Project |
COP 501 Co-Op Part Time Work | COP 500 Co-Op Work Full Time | IMS 675 Manufacturing Systems Engineering Project | ISE 541 Occupational Safety Engineering |
IMS 675 Manufacturing Systems Engineering Project | Spring Term | ISE 510 Applied Engineering Economy | ISE 589 Special topics in Industrial Engineering – Industrial Modernization |
ISE 519 Database Application in Industrial and Systems Engineering | BUS 554 Project Management | ISE 562 Simulation Modeling | ST 516 Experimental Statistics for Engineers |
MBA 515 Enterprise Risk Management | IMS 675 Manufacturing Systems Engineering Project | ISE 748 Quality Engineering | |
MBA 552 Data Engineering, Management and Warehousing | ISE 510 Applied Engineering Economy |
How to Help Pay for Your MIMSE Degree
There are many other viable pathways for funding your NC State MIMSE education. We have compiled the following options you may wish to explore to assist you in your research.
Financial Aid
NC State offers you a broad range of financial assistance options that help with tuition and living expenses while you pursue your advanced degrees. For complete details, visit NC State Financial Support.
Loans
There are several different types of loans available to you, the student, including federal, Direct PLUS, private and short-term loans. For complete details, see NC State Loans.
Work On-Campus
While enrolled in the program, you can work in a variety of places, such as campus libraries and various departments within NC State University. For complete details, go to NC State Student Employment.
Payment Plan.
NC State University allows you to pay education expenses monthly instead of being due all at once. For complete details, see NC State Payment Plans.