Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply to the Master’s or Graduate Certificate programs?

The program is open to all prospective students.

What are the admission requirements?

For admission, a minimum Bachelor’s GPA of 3.0 is required. For international students, admission also requires a valid TOEFL score of at least 80. Exceptions may be given on a case by case basis.

Can the programs be completed remotely?

Yes, all courses will be offered online, and students would be able to watch the class recordings asynchronously; real-time attendance is generally available but not required.

What is the required coursework for the Master’s and Graduate Certificate programs?

• To complete the Master’s program, students need to successfully pass 30 credit hours (including 9 courses, plus 3 credit hours for a project, or 8 courses, plus 6 credit hours for a thesis). For details about the courses please visit the MS in Reliability and Maintainability Engineering page.
• To complete the Graduate Certificate program, students need to successfully pass 12 credit hours (4 courses). For details about the courses please see the Graduate Certificate page.

What is the difference between a project-based and a thesis-based Master’s program?

Students can either choose to register for 3 credit hours for a project, or 6 credit hours for a thesis. A project needs to apply a set of specific tools and techniques acquired as part of the program to solve a real-world problem. A report needs to be prepared and the project needs to be defended in front of a Master’s committee. A thesis is more comprehensive and needs to contribute a new method to the literature that can be applied to a large array of problems. A thesis needs to be prepared and the study needs to be defended in front of a Master’s committee.

In which semester can I start?

Students can start the program in fall or spring semesters. For UT academic calendars, please see the academic calendars on the Office of the University Registrar website.

Can I start with the Graduate Certificate program and then switch to the Master’s program?

While registered in the Graduate Certificate program and after successfully completing 2-3 courses, given that the student’s GPA in the Graduate Certificate program is 3.0 or above, the student can apply for the Master’s program. The courses passed as part of the Graduate Certificate will count towards the Master’s program (degree and GPA).

How do I get an estimate of the tuition?

For detailed tuition and fees for all graduate programs (Master’s or Graduate Certificate), please visit the One Stop Student Services website. Please note that all Distance Education students outside of Tennessee, including international students, are only charged $75/hour out-of-state tuition in addition to the basic in-state maintenance fee (as well as the online support fee and library fee).

How many courses per semester do I need to register for?

Students need to register for at least one course per semester, excluding summer semesters.

What are the requirements for successfully completing the graduate programs?

Students need to meet the course requirements in their respective programs, MS in Reliability and Maintainability Engineering or Graduate Certificate, and receive a GPA of 3.0 or above.