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Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions that we receive from potential applicants to our graduate program. After reviewing these questions and answers, if you still have questions please email your specific question to cmgrad@msu.edu.
Graduate Program Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does it take to complete the M.S. degree in Construction Management?
- How long does it take to complete the Ph.D. degree in Construction Management?
- Do I have to take the (GRE) Graduate Record Exam?
- Do I have to take the TOEFL Exam?
- I am an international applicant but I was taught in a school where the language of instruction was English. Do I need to take the TOEFL Exam?
- What code do I use to have ETS submit my test scores to the Construction Management Program at Michigan State University?
- What undergraduate backgrounds are acceptable degrees?
- How long will it take for my application to be reviewed for admission?
- When will I know if I have been admitted to the Construction Management Program at MSU?
- How much does it costs to attend Michigan State University?
- Are graduate assistantships available to help pay for my education and living expenses?
- Are part-time jobs available to help pay for my education and living expenses?
- May a MSU student be dually enrolled in an undergraduate and graduate program at the same time?
- May a student transfer courses from another university to the CM graduate program?
- May a student take courses through MSU Lifelong Education and transfer the courses to the CM graduate program?
Graduate Program Answers
1. How long does it take to complete the M.S. degree in Construction Management?
The time it takes will depend on if a student selects a Plan-A Thesis Option or a Plan-B Non Thesis Option. Most students complete the Thesis Option in 2 years, depending on how their research progresses. Student selecting the Non-Thesis Plan can usually complete the course work in 1 ½ - 2 years. The time it takes to complete either option depends upon if a student is going to school full-time, has other work commitments, or has a graduate assistantship. There is a 5 year time limit to complete a master's degree at MSU.
A note to international applicants: when you receive your I-20 Form from Michigan State University it will state that the program is a 4 year degree program. The time frame is allowing for the longest time that an international student should expect to be in the U.S. to complete the requirements, and allows some extra time in case more time is needed.
2. How long does it take to complete the Ph.D. degree in Construction Management?
It typically takes 3 - 4 years for a full-time student who already has a masters degree in Construction Management or an equivalent degree to complete the doctoral program.
3. Do I have to take the (GRE) Graduate Record Exam?
Yes. All applicants to the Construction Management Graduate Program are required to submit scores from the GRE Exam. Scores submitted must be from an exam no more than 3 years old. For the Master's program we usually give consideration to applicants with a combined score of 1050 or higher on the verbal and quantitative portions, and a 4.0 or higher on the analytical portion. For our Doctoral Program, applicants with a combined score of 1150 or higher on the verbal and quantitative portions, and a 4.5 or higher on the analytical portion.
4. Do I have to take the TOEFL Exam?
The University and
the Construction Management Program requires all international applicants
to submit their scores from the TOFEL Exam to Michigan State University using 1465 as the institution code and 00 as non-specific for the department code.
Applicants must receive a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based
exam with no sub scores below 52, a minimum score of 213 on the
computer-based exam with no sub scores below 19, or a minimum score
of 85 on the new internet-based exam, with no sub score less than 19. Scores submitted must be from an exam no more than 3 years old.
5. I am an international applicant but I was taught in a school where the language of instruction was English. Do I need to take the TOEFL Exam?
The majority of international applicants will be required to submit scores from the TOEFL Exam even if they were taught in an English speaking school. There is a possibility of the exam being waived for an applicant that attended a school where the language of instruction was English and they are a citizen of one of the following:
Auguilla
Antigua
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
British Virgin Islands
Canada (except Quebec)
Caribbean
Cayman Islands
Dominica
Greenland
Grenada
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Guyana
Jamaica
Martinique
Montserrat
New Zealand
St. Kitts & Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent
Trinidad
Tobago
Turks & Caicos Island
United Kingdom-England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland
U.S. Virgin Islands |
6. What code do I use to have ETS submit my test scores to the Construction Management Program at Michigan State University?
Use the school code for Michigan State University which is 1465, and list the department code as non-specific.
7. What undergraduate backgrounds are acceptable degrees?
Although preference is given to applicants with undergraduate degrees in construction, engineering, or architecture, other backgrounds are also considered.
8. How long will it take for my application to be reviewed for admission?
In order for an application to be reviewed it must be complete with all of the documents requested (Personal Statement, Recommendations, GRE and TOEFL Scores, Transcripts). Once we have received all of the documents the application is forwarded to a committee for review. The decision time period is usually 2-3 weeks from the time the application is forwarded. Once a decision is reached, the application is forwarded to the University level.
9. When will I know if I have been admitted to the Construction Management Program at MSU?
Applicants to the Construction Management Program are first reviewed at the program level. Once the Program has reached a decision it makes a recommendation to the University as to whether or not the applicant should be granted admission to MSU. When this recommendation is sent forward to the University, the applicant will be contacted via email and postal mail.
The Admissions Office at MSU makes the final determination if an applicant is granted admission and will send the official notice to the applicant. This process usually takes 4 weeks.
*For international applicants it is very important that complete documentation of Proof of Funding be sent to MSU. This verifies your ability to fund for your educational and living expenses while attending MSU. You will not receive admission or an I-20 Form until this Proof of Funding has been provided. Failure on an applicant's part to provide this proof is usually the primary hold up in receiving admission.
10. How much does it costs to attend Michigan State University?
You may find the approximate cost of attending MSU by reviewing this web site http://www.ctlr.msu.edu/studrec/bud1.asp and calculating the expense based on In-State or Out-of-State tuition. Unless you are a Michigan Resident you will pay Out-of-State tuition. The majority of our graduate students carry 9 credits per semester.
11. Are graduate assistantships available to help pay for my education and living expenses?
Approximately half of our students in the Construction Management Program receive graduate assistantships. These assistantships may be awarded at the time of admission or after a student has been in the program for some time. If you wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship you should indicate this in your Personal Statement which is part of your application package. It is not our usual practice to award graduate assistantships to international students at the time of admission, however many do receive them after joining our program.
12. Are part-time jobs available to help pay for my education and living expenses?
Are part-time jobs available to help pay for my education and living expenses?
13. May a MSU student be dually enrolled in an undergraduate and graduate program at the same time?
A senior at MSU who is within 15 credits of graduation and who is admitted to a graduate program may be dually enrolled for graduate study while completing the requirements for the bachelor's degree. An exception to this policy may be granted for all students who are enrolled in a specified undergraduate program that is tied to a specified graduate program, but not for an individual undergraduate student. To be considered for dual enrollment, the student must complete a Request for Dual Enrollment Status form, available from the Office of Admissions and Scholarships. An Application for Admission to Graduate Study must also be filed as indicated under Application Procedure. Admission to graduate study must be approved before work to apply toward a graduate program is undertaken. Credits completed prior to admission to graduate study cannot be applied toward a graduate program.
The maximum time limit for dual enrollment is two consecutive semesters. The student may earn no more than 12 credits of graduate level course work applicable to the student's graduate degree program and should carry no more than 16 credits per semester. Students dually enrolled are not eligible for graduate assistantships, other forms of graduate student financial aid, or those services and prerogatives normally reserved for graduate students. Such students will be classified in an undergraduate status until the baccalaureate degree has been awarded.
14. May a student transfer courses from another university to the CM graduate program?
Students may transfer up to 9 semester credits of graduate course work from another college or university excluding research or thesis credits. The CM Program will review the courses and determine which courses are eligible for transfer credit.
15. May a student take courses through MSU Lifelong Education and transfer the courses to the CM graduate program?
Students who have completed course work while enrolled through MSU Lifelong Education may transfer up to 9 semester credits to their graduate program. The CM Program will review the courses and determine which courses are eligible for transfer credit. The time limitation for completion of an advanced degree will begin with semester the first course applied to the graduate program was completed.
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