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MAS-E program eligibility

The Master of Advanced Study in Engineering (MAS-E) program is designed for both recent science or engineering graduates and individuals with several years of professional experience who are interested in gaining knowledge or skills for career growth. Most successful students have the following:

BA or BS in a math, science, engineering, or computer science discipline

  • You must hold or expect to hold, prior to the beginning of classes, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. school. International applicants of recognized academic institutions outside the United States must hold a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
  • The MAS-E degree is intended for those with a STEM degree, including but not limited to: Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, Engineering, Math, and Computer Science.

Pre-enrollment

The following requirements are important to succeed in MAS-E courses and should be met before enrollment. Students may fulfill these requirements after admission.

  • Linear algebra & multivariable calculus
    • Some MAS-E courses require linear algebra and multivariable calculus as a prerequisite.
    • It is recommended to have coursework in these subjects, but motivated students without this coursework are allowed to self-study the relevant material.
  • Programming experience
    • To succeed in MAS-E courses, you must have some prior experience programming in a high-level language such as Python, Java, or C/C++. Students should be familiar with variable assignments and control structure (for loops, if statements, logic) in one of these languages.
    • You can satisfy this requirement through prior coursework or through experience, or after admission.
Steps to apply
Apply now

Key dates*

Sept. 13, 2023: Applications open for 2024-25 enrollment
Jan. 4, 2024: Priority application deadline for Summer 2024 enrollment
Feb. 8, 2024: Final application deadline for Summer 2024 enrollment
March 1, 2024: Priority Application Deadline for Fall 2024 enrollment
April 1, 2024: Final Application Deadline for Fall 2024 enrollment
June 11, 2024: Priority Application Deadline for Spring 2025 enrollment
July 22, 2024: Final Application Deadline for Spring 2025 enrollment

*All submission deadlines are 11:59 p.m. ET (8:59 p.m. PT)

Application materials

We are interested in a 1-page summary of your academic and professional background. On the application, please upload your most current resume or curriculum vitae. If applicable, please also include honors, awards, publications, presentations, languages spoken, and associations you belong to.

You will be required to submit electronic copies of transcripts from every post-secondary school ever attended. Unofficial transcripts suffice for the initial application; official transcripts will be requested upon successful admission. Please do not mail any documents to the program office.

GPA Minimum

To be eligible for the MAS-E degree, as with all UC Berkeley graduate degrees, you must have a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale. 

Applicants whose GPAs are based on a 4.0 scale will need to enter their cumulative GPA, as well as calculate their Advanced GPA and Major GPA for the application. The application will specify which courses to calculate for each GPA field. The university does not provide a GPA calculator. Applicants should use their university’s grading scale to calculate their GPAs to the best of their abilities.

Applicants whose GPAs are not based on a 4.0 scale should not calculate or convert their GPAs. Instead, these applicants should leave the aforementioned GPA fields blank and enter their cumulative GPA as it appears on their transcript in the “Other Scale GPA” section.

U.S. Degree Equivalency

If you graduated from a recognized academic institution outside the United States, you must hold a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree. Equivalency is determined by international evaluators in the UC Berkeley Graduate Admissions Office [http://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/requirements/ ]

If you are recommended for admission and choose to enroll in the program, UC Berkeley Graduate Division will require that you submit official academic documents (transcripts, degree conferral certificates, translations, as applicable) by the end of your first term.

This essay question was created to provoke honest, thoughtful responses to help us get to know you. The admissions committee is interested in learning how your professional and academic experiences and achievements equip you and motivate you to enroll in our program. At a minimum, the statement of purpose should indicate, with clarity and focus, your purpose for entering the Master of Advanced Study in Engineering program and why this advances your professional and personal goals. We are especially interested in understanding both your experience in and your capacity to take full advantage of an intensive, fast-paced degree program.

Be specific about why UC Berkeley and the MAS-E program would be a good intellectual fit for you. The Statement of Purpose should be shorter than two pages.

For more insights, refer to the Graduate Division website.

Anything that can give reviewers a sense of you as a person belongs here. Any experiences that show your promise, initiative, and ability to persevere despite obstacles could be considered. If you have faced any obstacles or barriers in your education, sharing those experiences provides a deeper understanding of who you are as an applicant. If one part of your academic record is not ideal, due to challenges you faced, this is where you can explain that, and direct reviewers’ attention to the evidence of your potential for higher education. 

Discuss the impact of your personal background and experiences on your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Touch on the following points without duplicating your Statement of Purpose:

  • Overcoming obstacles to access higher education.
  • Gaining insights into barriers faced by others.
  • Experience or leadership pertaining to underserved populations, equitable access or inequality.

Compose a concise (under two pages) Personal History Statement. This essay also factors into the selection process for MAS-E program scholarships. More tips can be found on the Graduate Division website.

Letters of recommendation provide the admissions committee with third party, qualitative accounts of your potential for success in our program. We require two letters of recommendation from all applicants.

We strongly prefer that letters of recommendation come from a current direct supervisor, former direct supervisor, faculty, or other individuals with whom you have had significant professional interaction. Please select individuals who know you well and who will take the time to write thorough and thoughtful letters on your behalf. The title of those you select is not important. What does matter is how closely your letter writers have worked with you and whether they can attest to your value as an employee or student, your professional accomplishments, and your personal qualities. We have found the most helpful letters to be recent, relevant, and written specifically for this application. We discourage letters of recommendation from subordinates, family, or friends.

When completing the online application, you will enter the email address of your recommender and click the appropriate box to have the recommender upload their letter. 

The application system requires 3 recommenders despite our program requiring 2, please put your own email address as the third and ignore the instructions to submit. 

You are responsible for ensuring that letters of recommendations are submitted by the application deadline.

All applicants who have completed a basic degree in a country/region in which the official language is not English are required to submit official evidence of English language proficiency. This requirement applies to institutions from Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Latin America, the Middle East, Israel, the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asian countries, most European countries, and countries in Africa in which English is not the official language.

If you have completed at least one year of full-time academic course work with grades of B or better in residence at a recognized U.S. institution, you do not need to take a standardized test. Instead, you must upload an unofficial transcript from the recognized U.S. institution. The following courses will not fulfill this requirement: 1) courses in English as a Second Language, 2) courses conducted in a language other than English, 3) courses that will be completed after the application is submitted, and 4) courses of a non-academic nature.

TOEFL or IELTS Scores
Minimum TOEFL score of at least 90 for the Internet-based test (IBT) or 570 for the paper-based format (PBT) or at least a 7 on a 9-point scale for the IELTS, as appropriate for students who have English as a second language.

Students who have English as a second language are required to provide a TOEFL or IELTS score. There are some exceptions. Some applicants who have significant coursework from the U.S. or who have worked in the U.S. for several years may qualify for an exemption.

You must submit an application fee when you apply. The application fee is not refundable. If you are a U.S. citizen or current permanent resident, the application fee is $135; for all others, the fee is $155.

Graduate Division Fee Waiver
The Berkeley Graduate Division offers application fee waivers for both students who demonstrate financial need and students who have participated in certain programs. The form to request a fee waiver from the Graduate Division is included in the payment section of the online application. More information is on the Graduate Division website. Only U.S. citizens or current permanent residents are eligible for an application fee waiver.

Admission decisions

Applicants offered admission will be notified within two months after the application deadline. Applicants who are not offered admission will also be notified. After admission, students will be required to pay a non-refundable enrollment deposit to secure their spot in the program.

If you need disability accommodations to assist you with the admissions process, please contact eng-ada@berkeley.edu.