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You may access the OSU Graduate School application directly through the Office of Graduate Education. The online application process is self-guided.

Prospective graduate students apply through the and will be required to submit the following:

1. Statement of purpose.
2. Three letters of reference.
   1. University-level academic references are preferred.
3. An official transcript from every institution attended. 

Applicants must meet the . International applicants must meet the . GRE scores are currently being waived for Fall 2025 admission cycle.

Admission decisions are based on many factors, such as the quality of the applicant’s prior academic degree and record of accomplishment, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation from professors or others familiar with the applicant’s academic work, performance in aptitude and achievement tests, relevant work experience, preparation in the proposed field of study, and the suitability of the applicant’s academic goals with the faculty’s research interests.

Particularly at the graduate level, a critical consideration in the decision is whether your academic objectives can be satisfactorily fulfilled by the graduate programs at ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ State. Admission to ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ State is competitive and meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission. Following approval of the School, the Office of Admissions will determine whether the general university admission requirements have been met.

The four-year undergraduate program example plans provide an indication of the level of math and science required of our undergrads in preparation for our graduate programs. 

Each applicant is judged on their entire application and a decision is made on the strength of each application in relation to the pool of applicants in any given year.  Meeting the minimum application requirements does not guarantee admission.

Questions regarding applications and the program should be directed to Amy K Thomson, NSE Graduate Program Coordinator for NSE's on-campus graduate programs.

Priority Deadline for M.S. and Ph.D. Applications

Dec. 1

The School of Nuclear Science and Engineering offers a limited number of graduate teaching assistantships (GTA) and graduate research assistantships (GRA). There is no separate application process. Students whose applications are complete by the priority funding deadline are automatically considered for available GTA/GRA positions.

Graduate teaching assistants and research assistants are appointed on a term-by-term basis. They receive tuition remission, and a monthly stipend starting at $2,150. 

Fellowships are also available to incoming graduate students. Stipends range starts out at $2,200 per month for the nine-month academic year. There are typically four to six fellowships awarded per academic year. There is no separate application process for fellowships, qualified graduate applicants to the department are automatically considered for available fellowships.

*Award offers and amounts are subject to change at the discretion of department administrators.

A thesis in the major area is required for the M.S. degree, and the thesis format is bound by the rules of the Office of Graduate Education and the policies of the School of Nuclear Science and Engineering. Visit the Office of Graduate Education website for details.

Strengthen your technical credentials with a Master of Engineering

The Master of Engineering (MEng) is a degree designed for individuals seeking practical skills and leadership roles in industry. The program features innovative coursework that will enable you to gain advanced skills in artificial intelligence, computer architecture, cybersecurity, machine learning and more. Unlike the Master of Science program, the MEng requires you to take only courses to earn a degree.

MEng vs. M.S. Degrees

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree is research-oriented and suited for students interested in advanced technical research or pursuing a Ph.D., typically requiring a thesis or research project. In contrast, the MEng is a course-based degree intended for students who want to apply advanced engineering knowledge in industry without completing a thesis. Read more about the difference between an MEng and an MS degree.

Learn about MEng vs M.S.

MEng Degree Requirements

¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ State’s MEng program requires 45 credits of advanced coursework, which may include core engineering courses, ethics, technical writing, and elective courses relevant to professional interests. Students typically develop a Program of Study with an advisor during their first term and complete a final portfolio in place of a final oral exam.

Paying for your MEng

MEng students are generally self-funded. While all students may apply for graduate research or teaching assistantships, these opportunities are highly competitive and more commonly awarded to Ph.D. and M.S. students. Additional funding options include scholarships, grants, fellowships, loans, and employer tuition reimbursement programs. Learn more about paying for your MEng degree.

How to Apply

Apply to a Master of Engineering program online through the . MEng degree admission requirements basically align with the . This typically looks like having a four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative B average. The GRE is not required for admission to an MEng degree.

Deadlines

The nuclear engineering MEng program admits students for a fall term start date.
Application deadline: April 30

Ph.D. degrees are typically completed within four years subsequent to the completion of the M.S. degree. Students admitted into the Ph.D. program must pass a qualifying exam and must demonstrate a capability to undertake independent research in order to advance to candidacy as a full Ph.D. student.

A nuclear engineering minor can add additional technical skills to a graduate degree. The flexibility of requirements allow students to tailor the interests to the skills they feel are necessary and complementary to their current graduate degree.