Degree Requirements M.S.
For complete details on the academic requirements in the MatSE Department and concentration areas for the master's of science and doctoral programs, please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook.
M.S. Degree
| Requirements | Thesis Option | Non-Thesis Option |
| Credit Hours | Hours | Hours |
| Total Credit for the Degree | 32 | 36 |
| Thesis Research - MSE 599 | 8 | n/a |
| Course Work | 24 | 36 |
| MSE 492 (1 hour); credit does not apply toward the degree | 0 | 0 |
| MSE 595 | 0-2 | 0-2 |
| Advisor group meetings (MSE 590) and area seminars (MSE 529, MSE 559) (subject to Other Requirements and Conditions below) | 0-4 | 0-4 |
| Other Requirements and Conditions (may overlap): | ||
|
A minimum of 18 hours of MSE course work. (*10 hour minimum if entered program Fall 2022 or prior.) |
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| A minimum of 14 500-level credit hours overall applied toward the degree (excluding 599). | ||
| MSE 595 (0 or 1 hour) must be taken every semester in the first two years of residence. A maximum of 2 hours may be applied toward the degree. | ||
| MSE 529 or MSE 559 (0 or 1 hour) must be taken every semester. A maximum of 4 hours may be applied toward the degree. | ||
| The minimum program GPA is 3.0. | ||
| The completed master's thesis must be approved by the advisor and the department head. Thesis Deposit Guidelines |
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| Completion of MatSE Exit Form and Exit Interview (Graduate Programs Coordinator) for both MS non thesis and thesis option. | ||
| Generally, students on a research assistantship will not be allowed in the non-thesis option. |
The MS degree in Materials Science and Engineering typically requires 1.5-2 years to complete.
MatSE Graduate Programs Office
Graduate Programs Office
106 MSEB
1304 W. Green St.
Urbana, IL 61801
Ashley Phillips Smith
Assistant Director of Graduate Programs
106C MSEB
1304 W. Green St.
Urbana, IL 61801
P: (217) 300-6668
Katie M. Burke
Graduate Programs Coordinator
106B MSEB
1304 W. Green St.
Urbana, IL 61801
P: (217) 244-1379