Sequential Undergraduate/Graduate Studies Program

Overview

The Sequential Undergraduate/Graduate Studies (SUGS) program enables U-M students to earn a master’s degree with just one additional year of study after completing their bachelor’s degree. This five-year path can lead to greater career opportunities and higher salaries. 

Whether you decide to take the traditional IOE and SED master’s degrees route or go for the SUGS option, both will lead to a completed master’s degree. They will however differ in timeline, credit transfer options and dual enrollment availability. Choosing between the traditional timeline or SUGS depends on factors like academic goals, interest in research or internships, funding, and plans for additional degrees or certificates. Students aiming to deepen their knowledge for industry roles often choose SUGS, while those considering further studies may find the traditional master’s or Ph.D. programs more suitable. 

SUGS requirements and application process

Requirements for enrolling in the SUGS Industrial and Operations Engineering (IOE) master’s program differ from those for the SUGS Systems and Design Engineering (SED) master’s program. Details for each are explained below. 

IOE SUGS requirements and deadlines  

Application requirements and materials

• Minimum 3.5 GPA in cumulative and major at the time of application.
• One letter of recommendation; other requirements match the traditional master’s application.
• Applicants must complete their undergraduate degree before beginning the SUGS Master’s.
• Dual majors are not allowed.

Students who don’t meet these requirements can petition the IOE Graduate Admissions Committee, providing additional credentials in the form of recommendation letters or evidence of special accomplishments. 

Application deadlines and planning timeline

• Mid-junior to early senior year: Schedule an advising appointment to review potential courses for double-counting or transferring into the master’s program. We recommend scheduling appointments with both an IOE undergraduate AND graduate advisor.
  • After the undergraduate advising appointment, students should have a plan for eligible double-counted or transferred courses.

IOE SUGS application deadlines

• Winter start: October 1
• Fall start: January 15

Program requirements

• Full-time enrollment (nine credits) is required for two semesters. Graduate study must begin the semester immediately after undergraduate completion.
• Up to six graduate-level credits can be double-counted. These courses must be technical or general electives. Courses on the not allowed list will not be counted.
• Up to nine additional graduate-level credits may be transferred if they were not counted toward another degree, minor, or certificate and are not restricted.
• Eligible classes: IOE courses at 400+ level not on the not allowed list, non-IOE courses listed as graduate level by Rackham, and ACC 471 with instructor memo confirming graduate-level work.

Dual enrollment (registering as both an undergraduate and graduate student in the same term) is not permitted. Please consult a graduate advisor if you are unsure how a course may count toward the IOE SUGS program.

Tuition and fees

IOE SUGS students pay Rackham tuition. Please visit our tuition and fees page for more information. 

Graduation forms

• Submit the Accelerated Master’s Degree Election Form, signed by both the students’ undergraduate department advisor and graduate advisor.
  • All 30 credits needed for the degree must be accounted for in the form. The undergraduate advisor will sign and include a copy of the degree audit and transcript with the two double-counted courses highlighted. Send all three documents to the graduate advisor.
• A memo from the undergraduate advisor is also needed if you are transferring credits. This confirms that the credits were not used to satisfy any undergraduate degree, minor or certificate requirements.

SED SUGS requirements and deadlines  

Application requirements and materials

• Minimum 3.2 GPA in cumulative and major at the time of application.
• One letter of recommendation; other requirements match the traditional master’s application.
• Enrolled as an undergraduate student in an eligible department within the U-M College of Engineering. Eligible departments include:
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Nuclear Engineering
  • Material Sciences and Engineering 
  • Students not enrolled as a B.S.E student in one of these departments should look at the IOE SUGS degree as an alternative option. 
• Applicants must complete their undergraduate degree before beginning the SUGS Master’s.
• Dual majors are not allowed.

Students who don’t meet these requirements can petition the IOE Graduate Admissions Committee, providing additional credentials in the form of recommendation letters or evidence of special accomplishments. 

Application deadlines and planning timeline

• Mid-junior to early senior year: Complete a draft of the SED SUGS election form and schedule a meeting with an undergraduate and graduate advisor. At your graduate appointment, you should bring your completed SED SUGS election form. At this meeting, the graduate advisor will review the form and potential courses for double-counting or transferring into the master’s program.
  • After the undergraduate advising appointment, students should have a plan for eligible double-counted or transferred courses.

SED SUGS application deadlines

• Winter start: October 1
• Fall start: January 15

Tuition and fees

SED SUGS students pay either graduate or distance learning tuition based on their chosen modality. Please visit our tuition and fees page for more information.