FAQ |Frequently Asked Questions | NC State MEM
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Last Updated: 07/08/2024 and all information on this page is accurate and up-to-date
Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about the NC State Master of Engineering Management Program. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, email us at mem-information@ncsu.edu, and one of our advisors will respond right away.
Programs FAQ
Here is former MEM director Julie Ivy to answer that great question for you.
NC State offers you three different programs in engineering management.
The program includes 10 courses totaling 30 credit hours. You will take five core courses and five courses in your chosen concentration. You don’t need to decide on a concentration right away.
The Master of Engineering Management degree is an engineering-coded program (CIP code 15.1501). It meets the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requirements for the STEM OPT Extension for international students.
Still have questions? Email us at mem-information@ncsu.edu, and we’ll get back to you with the answers.
Concentration Areas FAQ
NC State offers you eight different concentration areas within the engineering management program.
Yes. Our facilities engineering concentration meets the degree and certification requirements of the US military branches.
To change your concentration, you must first fill out the Change of Concentration Form. Since this process is manual, please allow seven days before sending a follow-up email.
Still have questions? Email us at mem-information@ncsu.edu, and we’ll get back to you with the answers.
Admissions FAQ
The application includes a questionnaire, resume/CV, unofficial transcript(s), personal statement (statement of purpose), and three (3) letters of recommendation.
International applicants must show English proficiency unless they’re from a country where English is an official language and used in higher education.
There’s no word count limit for the statement of purpose, but we suggest keeping it to two (2) pages unless necessary to exceed this.
NC State has waived the GRE requirement. Your evaluation process may include your GRE score if you choose to submit it.
To be eligible for admission, all international applicants, regardless of citizenship, must show English proficiency at a level needed to succeed in the MEM program. You can meet this requirement in one of four ways:
- Be a citizen of a country where English is an official language and used in higher education. (Note: India is not on the list of countries exempt from the English proficiency requirement—Indian applicants must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Duolingo English Test even if English was their undergraduate language of instruction.)
- Have completed one year of full-time study in a four-year US college or university degree program. If yes, you don’t need to submit TOEFL scores. Contact the Graduate School to request a TOEFL waiver (graduate_applications@ncsu.edu).
- Provide a TOEFL score of at least 80 on the Internet-based Test (iBT), with a minimum of 18 points in each section. Computer- and paper-based TOEFL tests are also accepted until the iBT version is implemented. Computer-based TOEFL scores must be 213 or higher, with at least 17 on three sections and no section score below 13. The paper-based test requires a score of 550 or higher, with scores of 50 on at least two sections and no section score below 45.
- Provide IELTS scores with an overall band score of at least 6.5, with a minimum of 6.5 in each section.
- Due to COVID-19, provide Duolingo English Test results with a minimum score of 110.
Regardless of how long, international applicants in the U.S. are not exempt from the English proficiency requirement.
If you take the TOEFL or IELTS, the test date must be no older than 24 months before the start of the entry term.
NC State’s institution code for reporting scores is 5496. The MEM program does not require a departmental code. If needed, use code “0000” or “99.”
Official TOEFL or IELTS scores can be sent to:
The Graduate School
North Carolina State University
1020 Main Campus Drive, Room 2300A
Campus Box 7102
Raleigh, NC 27695-7102
Visit NC State’s Office of International Services (OIS) for more information on requirements.
The MEM program does not offer international application fee waivers. However, a limited number of domestic fee waivers are available each semester. To receive one, you can email mem-information@ncsu.edu, and the application will be sent to you.
Active duty or veteran students will never have to apply for a waiver. Instead, it will be automatically applied when you start your application.
The MEM program makes decisions continuously. We suggest checking the Priority Deadlines set by the Graduate School. These deadlines give you a rough idea.
International students should consider that applying after the priority deadline might not allow ample time for the visa clearance process.
If you’re a US military or veteran applicant and applying within two weeks of your intended first semester, reach out to the College of Engineering Military and Veteran Liaison for help to speed up your application.
We don’t require professional experience for admission. We welcome applicants with various levels of experience. Some students have just finished their bachelor’s degrees, while others have extensive professional backgrounds. If you have questions about your situation, feel free to reach out to us at mem-information@ncsu.edu.
The institution code 5496 is the only code needed to report scores to NC State University. The MEM program requires no departmental code. If you must use a departmental code, use code “0000” or “99.”
We follow the policy from The Graduate School. Contact graduate_applications@ncsu.edu for additional information.
Since the reviewer will upload it directly to our system, letterhead is unnecessary.
Still have questions? Email us at mem-information@ncsu.edu, and we’ll get back to you with the answers.
Tuition Costs FAQ
Costs differ based on whether you choose the on-campus or online MEM program. You can find more details about the costs of each program by checking the on-campus program costs and online program costs. These costs are per semester and change depending on your credit hours (See estimates of the total cost). For a better idea of the overall cost, including expenses beyond tuition and fees, you can review the estimated costs of attendance.
You’ll need to cover your own tuition expenses for the MEM program since it’s a professional degree, not a research one. However, NC State provides various options to help you fund your MEM education. You can explore more details in How to Help Pay for Your MEM Degree.
Check out the Billing and Due Dates Calendar to locate the billing and payment due dates.
Still have questions? Email us at mem-information@ncsu.edu, and we’ll get back to you with the answers.
Enrolling in Classes FAQ
Contact the instructor if you want to enroll in a full course requiring instructor permission. Once they give the green light, forward their approval email to mem-gradoffice@ncsu.edu.
To find important deadlines for enrollment, please view the NC State Academic Calendar and Enrollment Calendar.
Still have questions? Email us at mem-information@ncsu.edu, and we’ll get back to you with the answers.
Contacting MEM Advisors
You have multiple ways to get in touch with someone at the MEM Program.
- You can fill out the Contact Us Form located at the bottom of any page on the MEM Program website.
- Alternatively, you can send an email to mem-information@ncsu.edu with your questions.
Still have questions? Email us at mem-information@ncsu.edu, and we’ll get back to you with the answers.