Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Blended Programs

Before applying, students must confirm that their undergraduate degree is an approved pairing for the blended program they intend to pursue.

Blended MS in Engineering Management (MS EMGT)

Students pursuing the Blended MS in Engineering Management must hold one of the following undergraduate degrees:

1. BS Industrial Engineering (IE)
2. BS Manufacturing Engineering (MfgE)
3. BS Mechanical Engineering (ME)
4. BS Materials Engineering (MATE)
5. BS Biomedical Engineering (BMED)
6. BS Aerospace Engineering (AERO)
7. BS Environmental Engineering (ENVE)
8. BS Software Engineering (SE)

Blended MS in Industrial Engineering (MS IE)

Students pursuing the Blended MS in Industrial Engineering must hold one of the following undergraduate degrees:

1. BS Industrial Engineering (IE)
2. BS Manufacturing Engineering (MfgE)
3. BS Mechanical Engineering (ME)
4. BS Materials Engineering (MATE)

The blended programs allow for the double counting of up to 6 semester course units toward the master’s degree requirements. Only specific 4000-5000 level course units may be double counted. Double counted units must be approved by the Graduate Programs Coordinator. Students cannot double count senior project units, as well as units of courses that do not have rigorous assessment methods.

The Cal Poly IME graduate programs are highly selective due to limited capacity and high demand. Admissions decisions are based on a holistic evaluation of each applicant. The review process considers multiple factors, including academic performance and coursework, personal achievements and experiences, and the statement of purpose or personal statement.

In some cases, applicants who do not meet all of the standard admission requirements may still be considered if the holistic review indicates strong overall potential for success in the program.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements for Application

To apply for the IME Blended Program, students must meet the following conditions:

1. Minimum GPA: A minimum Cal Poly GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is required. Meeting this minimum does not guarantee admission.
2. Timing of Application: Students should apply no earlier than two years and no later than two terms before completing their undergraduate degree requirements.
3. Degree Progress: Students who have reached 100% progress toward their undergraduate degree are not eligible for the blended program.

Requirements Before Transitioning to Graduate Standing

The following requirements do not need to be completed at the time of application, but must be satisfied before transitioning to graduate standing:

1. Lower-Division Coursework: All lower-division coursework, including General Education (GE) requirements, must be completed. Proof of completion can be verified in the Student Degree Progress Report (DPR).
2. Graduation Writing Requirement (GWR): The GWR must be satisfied prior to the transition to graduate standing.

Interested students should apply no earlier than two years and no later than two terms before completing their undergraduate degree requirements.

Example: If you plan to complete your BS degree requirements in Spring 2026, your application deadline would be Monday of Week 10 in Fall 2025.

NOTE:

• Students must apply no more than two years and no less than two academic terms before completing their BS degree.
• “Terms” refer to quarters before Fall 2026 and semesters beginning Fall 2026.
• Application deadlines always fall on Monday of Week 10 of the designated application term.
• Exact calendar dates may vary slightly depending on the university’s academic calendar.

IME BMS Program Application Form – [Use this link to Access the form.]

Applicants must complete this form and upload all required documents directly within the application.

The following materials are required:

1. Blended Program Application Form – Complete all sections of this online form. No separate form submission is required.
2. Cover Letter – Upload a cover letter that describes your career goals, academic and professional experience, and motivation for pursuing your chosen graduate program. Include the names and contact information of three references who can speak to your qualifications and potential for graduate study.
3. Current Resume (One Page) – Upload your one-page resume listing your education, employment, publications (if any), extracurricular activities, and professional memberships, in reverse chronological order.
4. Unofficial Transcript – Upload an up-to-date copy of your Cal Poly transcript.

Once a student has been accepted into the Blended Program, they must complete the following steps to prepare for the transition to graduate standing:

Step 1: Complete the Blended Application Curriculum Plan

Work with your Blended Program Coordinator to complete the Blended Pathway Program Application Curriculum Plan. This plan ensures you are prepared for the transition to graduate standing and have mapped out your graduate degree requirements.

• Blended Pathway Program Application Curriculum TEMPLATE

Step 2: Submit the Blended Application Approval Form

Submit the Blended Pathway Program Application Approval E-Form to formally notify the Graduate Education Office of your intent to pursue the blended pathway. This document may be submitted at any time; however, it must be received at least one term before submitting the Blended Pathway Change of Objective.

• Blended Pathway Program Application Approval (E-form)
• SAMPLE Blended Pathway Program Application Approval

Students must transition to graduate standing in the term when they reach 180 quarter units or 120 semester units (or the required number of units for high-unit bachelor’s programs) that count toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

To initiate this process, Blended Program students must submit the Blended Pathway Postbaccalaureate Change of Objective (E-Form) to request that the Registrar’s Office change their student status to graduate standing.

• Blended Pathway Postbaccalaureate Change of Objective (E-Form)
• SAMPLE Blended Pathway Postbaccalaureate Change of Objective

NOTE: This form is only accepted during Weeks 1–3 of the term. Please plan accordingly.

Requirements for Processing

The Office of Graduate Education will only process the Postbaccalaureate Change of Objective if the student has:

• Completed at least 91% of their undergraduate degree requirements
• Completed all lower-division coursework
• Cleared the GWR milestone in Poly Profile
• Previously submitted the Blended Programs Application Approval Form

NOTE: If any of these requirements are not met by the Week 3 deadline, the Blended applicant’s Postbaccalaureate Change of Objective will not be processed in that quarter.

For more details regarding the Blended Program transition process, timeline, and deadlines, visit the Graduate Education webpage.