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Graduate Admissions

SOE Fifth-Year Master's Degree Program

Eligible Programs

Key Deadlines

Program Structure & Double Counting

Frequently Asked Questions

The Fifth-Year Master’s Degree Program allows Tufts School of Engineering undergraduates to earn their master’s degrees in an accelerated program after completing their bachelor’s degree, typically completing both degrees in just five years. This accelerated track allows students to complete their M.S. degree in as little as 9 months after earning their bachelor’s, offering a rigorous, innovative, and interdisciplinary path that builds on their undergraduate experience.

Tufts University seniors are eligible to apply to School of Engineering programs. The Fall application deadline is January 15, and the Spring application deadline is November 15. Students accepted into the program must submit their graduation packet and Course Distribution Form.

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About the Program

SOE and A&S seniors are welcome to apply, and students may also apply to a master’s program outside their undergraduate major, though we recommend consulting the department first to ensure they have the necessary prerequisites. In this program, students must graduate and earn their bachelor's degree before beginning the M.S. program, completing all requirements for the master’s degree while maintaining continuous enrollment. Fifth-year students cannot defer their admission and are typically not eligible for additional discounts or scholarships.

Tufts undergraduate students have the option to double-count up to two graduate-level credits (100-level) toward both their bachelor's and master's degree requirements and may reserve two additional graduate-level courses towards their M.S. degree. Students who are interested in these programs should contact their department early to ensure that their course of study at the undergraduate level is preparing them for the graduate program. Courses may not be counted more than two times across certificates or degree programs. Continuous enrollment is required to maintain eligibility for the fifth-year program. 

Fifth-Year students pursuing two M.S. degrees will need to complete a minimum of 16 additional courses beyond their B.S. program. Please refer to the School of Engineering Graduate Student Handbook for more information.

Students in the School of Engineering may enroll either full or part-time. However, those in the Cybersecurity and Public Policy program must be enrolled full-time during the master’s degree portion of the Fifth-Year Master's Program.
 

Program Benefits

  • Earn a master’s degree in typically less than one year.
  • No application fee, deposit, or GRE scores required
  • Only two letters of recommendation required. We strongly suggest that one letter is from your faculty advisor.
  • Choose flexible full-time or part-time graduate enrollment
  • Continuous advising and streamlined transition from their bachelor’s degree to the M.S. program. 

 Eligible Degree Programs*:

All master’s degree programs that are offered by the School of Engineering are eligible for the Fifth-Year Master’s Degree. Please see the full listing in the FAQ below.

*Eligible programs are subject to change. Please visit the Graduate Student Handbook for a complete listing.

How to Apply

Only seniors are eligible to apply to the program. The Fall application deadline is January 15, and the Spring application deadline is November 15. The application requirements are as follows:

  • Completed application (no application fee)
  • Resume/CV
  • Personal Statement
  • Transcripts
  • Two letters of recommendation (one from your Tufts Faculty Advisor)

Some degree programs require additional documents. Please refer to the instructions in the online application to ensure you submit all required documents.

All admission decisions for graduate programs are made at the program level by faculty. Rising seniors who are interested in pursuing a Fifth-Year Master’s should contact their academic advisor or the graduate admissions office at gradadmissions@tufts.edu. Students must be enrolled as an active undergraduate student at the time of application and must maintain continuous enrollment to remain eligible for the fifth-year program. SOE fifth-year students cannot defer their admission and are not eligible for additional discounts or scholarships.

Students accepted into the program must submit their Graduation Packet, Reserve Course Form and Course Distribution Form to Student Services by May 1 for August degree conferral and January 15 for February Conferral. Forms will not be accepted after these deadlines; there will be no exceptions. Seniors who apply to the Fifth-Year Master's Degree Program will be required to submit this form as a part of their application materials. If the required forms for course distribution have not been submitted by these deadlines to Student Services, you will be considered for the master’s program only, not the Fifth-Year Master's Degree Program.

 

 Key Deadlines

Milestone

Deadline

Application Submission

Fall Priority - January 15 (senior year) | Fall Final - April 1 (senior year)

Spring Final - November 15 (senior year)

Course Distribution Form

Fall Entry - May 1 for May and August degree conferral

Spring Entry - January 15 for February conferral

Reserve Course Form Submission

Fall Entry - May 1, with undergraduate graduation packet

Spring Entry - January 15, with undergraduate graduation packet

 

 Program Structure & Double-Counting/Course-Reserve Policy

Tufts Undergraduate students have the option to double-count up to two graduate-level credits (100-level) toward both their bachelor’s and master’s degree requirements and may transfer in two reserved graduate-level courses towards their M.S. degree, for a maximum of four graduate-level courses. Courses may not be counted more than two times across certificates or degree programs.

Category

Maximum Courses

Requirements

Reserved Courses
100-level Tufts courses taken during undergraduate study that are set aside exclusively for the M.S. degree and do not count toward the B.S.

2

Must be reserved before matriculating into the M.S. program using the Reserve Courses for Possible Use Toward a Graduate Degree form (submitted with undergraduate graduation packet).

Double-Counted Courses

Applying up to two approved 100-level Tufts courses toward both your undergraduate and master’s degree requirements.

2

Must be finalized through the SOE Fifth-Year Master’s Course Distribution Form by the deadline to add courses in the second semester of the graduate program. 

Additional Notes:

  • Only courses that fulfill graduate program requirements are eligible and double-counted courses require program director’s approval.
  • Courses cannot be retroactively reserved after the bachelor’s degree is conferred.
  • Courses may not be counted more than two times across certificates or degree programs.
  • Fifth-year students pursuing two M.S. degrees must complete at least 16 additional courses (48 credits) beyond their bachelor’s degree. They may share up to four courses between the two M.S. programs, with approval from both departments. Students must complete at least 60% of their program requirements in residence in their graduate degree program. Students may apply shared and reserved coursework to at most two degrees.

 Frequently Asked Questions

  • The program allows Tufts undergraduate students to earn a master’s degree, typically in less than one year, after completing and conferring their bachelor’s degree. It’s designed for students who want to deepen their technical knowledge and accelerate their graduate education without duplicating coursework.

  • Only Tufts seniors are eligible for School of Engineering programs. SOE and A&S seniors are welcome to apply, and students may apply to a master’s program outside their undergraduate major, though we recommend consulting the department first to ensure they have the necessary prerequisites

  • All master’s degree programs that are offered by the School of Engineering are eligible for the Fifth-Year Master’s Degree.

    *Eligible programs are subject to change. Please visit the Graduate Student Handbook for a complete listing.

  • Please see above

  • No. Students must begin the M.S. program immediately after completing and conferring their bachelor's degree. Deferrals are not permitted, and continuous enrollment is required to maintain eligibility.

  • All master’s degree programs that are offered by the School of Engineering are eligible. However, these programs are subject to change and students should review the School of Engineering Graduate Student Handbook for the full listings.

  • Double counting allows eligible students to apply up to two Tufts 100-level undergraduate courses toward both their bachelor's degree and M.S. requirements, with departmental and Graduate Education approval to ensure the courses fit the M.S. plan of study.

  • A reserved course is a Tufts 100-level or graduate-level course you take as an undergraduate that is reserved for a future degree. It is not counted towards your and  bachelor's degree. You may transfer in up to two reserved courses, as long as they are not used to fulfill any undergraduate requirements and are approved by your undergraduate and graduate advisor/department.

  • Please see above

  • Yes. Students can update their course selections by re-submitting the Course Distribution Form for approval anytime up to the deadline to add courses in the second semester of their M.S. program. Changes will not be accepted after that deadline.

  • Yes.

    • Only courses that fulfill graduate program requirements are eligible to be shared.
    • Courses cannot be retroactively reserved after the bachelor's degree is conferred.
    • No course may be counted more than twice across any combination of degrees or certificates.

    • Reserve Course Form – Due with the undergraduate graduation packet; must be submitted prior to completion of undergraduate program.
    • Course Distribution Form – Must be submitted to Student Services by May 1 of their senior year, and any changes finalized by the deadline to add courses in the second semester of the M.S. program.

  • Students are charged graduate tuition for all courses taken after completing their bachelor’s degree and enrolling in the M.S. program.

    • Per-credit rate (2025–26*): $1,799
      *Tuition rates are subject to change annually
    • Institutional aid, if offered, comes from the graduate program.
    • Fifth-year students are typically not eligible for additional discounts or Tufts scholarships.

    The SOE BEST program currently supports tuition for one master’s degree only (not dual degrees or certificates).

  • Yes. School of Engineering students may enroll full-time or part-time in the M.S. program.

  • Fifth-year students pursuing two M.S. degrees must complete at least 16 additional courses (48 credits) beyond their bachelor's degree. Students must complete at least 60% of their program requirements in residence in their graduate degree program. Students may apply shared and reserved coursework to at most two degrees. Students must complete one M.S. program at a time; concurrent enrollment is not permitted.

    • Earn a master’s degree in typically less than one year.
    • No application fee, deposit, or GRE scores required
    • Only two letters of recommendation required. We strongly suggest that one letter is from your faculty advisor.
    • Choose flexible full-time or part-time graduate enrollment
    • Continuous advising and streamlined transition from their bachelor’s degree to the M.S. program.

  • SOE students will be charged graduate tuition, at the per-credit graduate tuition rate, upon enrollment in graduate courses during their master's degree program. Please note: All tuition and fees are subject to revisions by Tufts University’s Board of Trustees.

    Institutional grant/scholarship aid, if offered, will be awarded by the graduate program for the semesters the student is charged the graduate tuition rate. SOE fifth-year students are not eligible for additional discounts or scholarships. More information on federal aid options can be found on the Financial Services website.

    Tufts SOE BEST program’s financial support only supports tuition for a single master's degree. Dual-degree and certificate programs are excluded from this support. Students are responsible for all fees and healthcare costs associated with the program. SOE BEST scholarship recipients will lose their tuition scholarship upon return if they take a leave of absence, as continuous enrollment in the master’s program is required.

  • Example**:

    A student double counts six credits towards the B.S. and M.S. degree and has reserved another six credits towards the M.S. degree. To complete the M.S. degree, they will need to take an additional 18 credits. The 2025-26 per credit rate is $1,799. The tuition cost of the M.S. degree will be $32,382. 

    Please note: This is an example only, and the situation will vary depending on the amount double-counted and/or reserved. All tuition and fees are subject to revisions by Tufts University’s Board of Trustees.

    Fifth-Year Master's Degree Student
     CreditsTuition Cost
    Double counted6$-10,794
    Reserved for M.S. degree6$-10,794
       
    M.S. degree requires30$53,970
    Credits saved12$-21,588
    Credits remaining18$32,382

    **Tuition rates are subject to change annually. Note: This example is for illustrative purposes only; actual costs will vary based on the number of double-counted and/or reserved courses.

  • Completing the Fifth-Year degree requires 8 semesters of full-time undergraduate residence. In some cases, the undergraduate residence requirement may be reduced (See "Undergraduate Policies" in the Tufts Bulletin). Students enrolled in the Cybersecurity and Public Policy Fifth-Year Master's Degree Program must complete two semesters of graduate residence. In order to begin graduate residence, a Fifth-Year student must first complete the minimum number of course credits for undergraduate study (A&S and SOE – 120 credits), and also complete the undergraduate residence requirement. M.S. students must complete at least 60% of their program requirements in residence in their graduate degree program. Students may apply shared and reserved coursework to at most two degrees.

  • Students should reach out early to:

    Graduate Admissions, gradadmissions@tufts.edu, for application and admissions questions or their Academic Advising Dean.