MSE-DS Online Dual Degree

If you’re ready, you can start your online application today.

No Application Fee

The personal statement should be a 500-750 word essay that answers the questions below. Please provide detailed and specific examples from academia, industry, or research when possible.

• Why do you wish to pursue a dual degree with the MSE-DS Online program?
• How will you benefit from the dual degree?
• Why will you succeed in the dual degree?

Scan a copy of your official transcript or download a pdf from Path@Penn (Penn InTouch for Spring 2022 and earlier graduates).

You will be required on the application to indicate which four (4) course units you plan to double-count from your Penn Engineering graduate degree to your dual degree.

• Internet – MSE-DS Online is an online degree program and it is your responsibility to have and maintain internet access that permits you to receive and transmit information freely for the duration of the program. Penn is not responsible for any inability to access the program due to disruptions in your internet service, whether caused by technical problems, governmental or other third party actions.
• Proctored Exams – A few times each semester, students will take proctored exams. Please see the system requirements for Honorlock, the proctoring service used by the program.
• We do not recommend using a computer provided by your work. Work computers may not provide students access to install important software and corporate firewalls may prevent activities required by the program.

If you are looking to purchase a laptop or notebook:  Laptop and Notebook Purchasing Guides

 Yes, current students may begin an application in the last term of their program and must graduate before becoming a Dual Degree student.

Please reach out to the Student Success Team for advising assistance.

Once Dual Degree students matriculate into the dual degree program, they must complete the degree within three years. If needed, they may take a leave of absence (LOA) during that time for a maximum of two Fall/Spring semesters.

Please refer to the MSE-DS Online admissions page for complete details.

To determine eligibility, work backward from the semester that you would like to start the Dual Degree. The date of your graduation must be five years (or fewer) from that semester. Students who have graduated over 5 years from the semester they planned to begin the Dual Degree are ineligible to apply. This is because Penn Engineering CUs expire after 5 years and can no longer be transferred into the Dual Degree. In order to participate in the Dual Degree program, students must have 4 transferrable CUs that count towards their dual degree (see sample plan above). If you are a student without transferable CUs or only have expired CUs, we would like to encourage you to apply directly to one of our degree programs. 

Yes. However, please review all Dual Degree policies for degree completion and double counting courses on the Dual Degree webpage. At least six course units must be taken towards your dual degree. Only four course units from your prior Penn Engineering graduate programs (degree or certificate) may transfer in.

Yes. However, students can never triple-count a course and only a maximum of four course units can be brought into the Dual Degree. With this, you would still be completing six course units for the Dual degree.

The first step is to accept our offer and pay the deposit. After enrollment, please email the MSE-DS Online student affairs team to inquire about the deferral request instructions.

The deadline to request a deferral is the last day before classes begin for your first graduate semester. If approved, you can defer for up to two fall/spring semesters (one academic year) at a time.