Graduate Admissions

The doctoral program provides advanced study and training to prepare students to be research scholars with expertise in human factors, operations research or production systems and manufacturing.

Our MS, ME, and certificate programs provide advanced study which allow students to gain mastery as a practitioner in a specialized area within ISE.

All domestic and international students must apply online for the MS or PhD program.

Your application package must include a brief statement of purpose describing your background and your academic and career goals. The Personal Statement can be typed into the space provided on the application or uploaded electronically to the application.

Unofficial copies of transcripts are to be uploaded to your online application. Official transcripts are not required at the time the application is submitted. If an applicant is accepted and decides to attend our program, official transcripts will be requested at that time.

Three letters of recommendation are required for PHD applicants. While we will accept letters from professional sources, we strongly prefer letters from professors who are acquainted with your academic interests, achievements and abilities.

Recommendation letters are not required for MS applicants and are recommended only for students who do not have an undergraduate engineering degree or other exceptional circumstances.

Requests for letters of recommendation will be emailed to your recommenders upon submitting your application form. Recommenders can submit their recommendations online. Once submitted, they are automatically uploaded to your online application.

GRE scores are optional for both MS and Ph.D. program admissions. Please note: the GRE may be required for some scholarship/fellowships.

International applicants are required to provide proof of English proficiency. The exam results must be dated within two years from your proposed date of admission and remain valid upon entering the term for which you applied. The University at Buffalo has a minimum TOEFL score requirement of 550 (paper-based) or 79 (internet-based). On IELTS, UB requires an overall score of 6.5.

Information and arrangements to take the GRE and TOEFL exams can be made by contacting the Educational Testing Service (ETS). It is strongly recommended to make test arrangements early in the year so sufficient time can be allowed for the results to be reported before our application deadline.

All international applicants must submit a completed financial form. Answer all questions thoroughly. An I-20 cannot be issued without this form and supporting documentation showing necessary funds for each year of intended study (two years for a master's program; five years for a PhD program). This information can be uploaded to your online application. If you have any questions, please contact us via email at gradeng@buffalo.edu. We will be glad to assist you in any way possible. 

If you are interested in financial aid in the form of a teaching assistantship or research assistantship, please check the appropriate box on your application form. No applicant will be considered for financial aid until the application is complete and the applicant has been admitted. For more information, visit or contact the Office of Financial Aid.

Mail and courier services around the world continue to be negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the University at Buffalo is now issuing electronic I-20s in accordance with SEVP Guidance. An original I-20 should not be required for visa interviews, at the Port of Entry or for most purposes once students arrive in the U.S. We highly recommend that students print the I-20 when they receive it by email, since not all agencies will allow students to show an electronic I-20 on their phone or computer. Please see http://www.buffalo.edu/international-student-services/iss-covid-19-response-and-resources/fall-2020-faq.html for further information.