Admissions

Admission to the program will require a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 15 credit hours of mathematics and/or economics, and at least one calculus course.

Students from all majors are encouraged to apply including, but not limited to: engineering, business administration, marketing, supply chain management, transportation, economics, geography, urban planning, etc.

An admission committee, consisting of faculty members from the founding departments of the Stephen Still Institute (namely Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering and Operations Management and Strategy) will be formed. 

Applications for admission are evaluated by the committee on the basis of criteria reflecting academic quality and probable success in advanced study. These criteria are:

• Undergraduate grades: The minimum cumulative undergraduate grade-point-average (GPA) for admission to the institute’s interdisciplinary master's degree is 2.8
• GRE/GMAT exam scores (optional): a quantitative GRE / GMAT score in the 65^th to 75^th percentile
• Two letters of recommendation; letters from professors who know the student are preferred, but professional sources (supervisors at work, etc.) are acceptable
• A statement outlining past accomplishments, professional objectives, special interests, and educational plans

 All foreign students from non-English speaking countries are also required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination or the IELTS test of English proficiency. The test scores must be dated within two years of the requested date of admission. TOEFL scores cannot expire before the requested date of admission which is January for Spring Semester and August for Fall Semester admission. The following is a list of the accepted TOEFL and IELTS exam types and minimum scores for the University at Buffalo/State University of New York:

• Paper based TOEFL minimum score 550
• Internet based TOEFL (TOEFL IBT) minimum score 79
• IELTS minimum score is 6.5 overall, with no individual sub-score below 6.0
• Duolingo English Test (DET) minimum score 120
• Other Tests of English Proficiency may be accepted

Exceptions to Admission Requirements

The committee will be responsible for evaluating the applicants’ background and credentials, and deciding whether an exception is to be granted and the grounds upon which such an exception is granted.

All applications and application materials are submitted electronically using the application management system. Please do not send any physical documents to our office.

Application Components

Using the application management system, every applicant must submit the following:

• All required fields in the online application
• Email addresses for two (2) individuals to provide letters of recommendations
• Resume/Curricula Vitae
• Personal Statement
• GRE Scores (Optional)
• For International Applicants (additional): English Language Proficiency Scores such as TOEFL [We also accept IELTS, Duolingo, PTE, CAE, and CPE scores]
• Scanned copies of academic transcripts from undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) studies (English translations required)
• $85 Application Fee

You may start and return to the application at any time, you do not need to submit all components at once. Your application will not be reviewed until you have formally submitted, the application fee has been paid, and all supplemental materials are received.

 International applicants will also be required to submit copies of their passport, Visa and I-20 if one has already been obtained, and financial documentation. These documents do not need to be submitted prior to applying, but if the department offers admission they must be submitted before the applicant can be formally approved.