Application Procedures

The Graduate School at the University of Rhode Island accepts online applications through EngineeringCAS only. Students fill the online application and upload all documents required, including unofficial transcripts. When the application is complete, it is forwarded to the Department for review. The Department reviews the student’s credentials and forwards the recommendation to the Graduate School, where the final decision is made, and the student is notified. If an applicant is accepted and intends to matriculate, they will be required to provide original official transcripts before their start date. Please forward these transcripts directly to the EngineeringCAS. For details and additional information, consult the related info on application procedures from the Graduate School.
What to Submit 
A complete application file includes:
• $65 non-refundable application fee, plus Centralized Application System (CAS) fees
• Personal statement
• Two recommendation letters
• Transcripts of all post-secondary studies (for the mailing address, refer to this webpage)
• International applicants also need to submit the TOEFL score (ETS institution code for URI GradCAS is 3919) or equivalent (please refer to the link to see the minimum requirements).
• International applicants that do not have a degree from a US-based institution also need to submit the GRE score (ETS Institution code for URI EngineeringCAS programs is 4293).
• Applicants claiming Rhode Island or Regional residency status also need to submit the required documentation.
For details and additional information, please visit the Graduate School Admission Page.
Personal Statement
The personal statement is a short narrative where the applicant describes what they would like to do for their M.S. or Ph.D. degree. We strongly suggest including the following in the personal statement:
• explicitly state if you are applying for 5-year BS/MS program
• briefly specify your reasons for pursuing the desired graduate degree
• indicate a specific area(s) of interest(s), e.g., solid mechanics, dynamics and control, fluid mechanics, thermal sciences, service and enterprise systems, or manufacturing systems
• list any additional qualifications not found in the application package
• please indicate your planned program status (officially required for 5-year BS/MS applicants) as either full-time or part-time
GPA Requirement
To be accepted as graduate degree candidates, applicants must have maintained an average of B (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) or better in their undergraduate work. Applicants with undergraduate averages below the B level may qualify with the submission of other evidence of academic potential, i.e., satisfactory performance in post-baccalaureate work and professional experience as evidenced by course grades, publications, or letters of recommendation.
Application Deadlines
The completed application package and all supporting documents must be generally received by April 15 for summer admission, July 15 for September admission, and November 15 for January admission to receive full consideration for the assistantships. Please check the Graduate Admission Website for any changes in these deadlines.
Review Time
We have rolling application review procedures. The review of an application starts when the application is complete. Once it is complete, the appropriate MCISE Graduate Admissions Committee reviews it within three weeks and forwards their recommendations to the Graduate School. Applicants should hear back from the Graduate School typically within four weeks from the completed application.
Assistantships
A limited number of teaching and research assistantships are available every year. Both teaching and research assistantships are made available directly from individual faculty and are awarded based on expertise in the specific research area. The teaching assistantships may also require additional qualifications for particular teaching assignments.