Graduate Admissions

To be admitted into Kettering University as a graduate student, a prospective student must select a graduate degree or certificate program, fulfill all specific admission requirements as laid out for each program, complete an online application, arrange for transcripts for all undergraduate work to be sent from all universities/colleges previously attended (official transcripts are required prior to matriculation), and arrange for test scores and/or additional documentation to be sent directly to Kettering University as necessary. All materials should be submitted electronically (preferably) or by mail (if necessary). 

Admission into a graduate program is only offered after all parts of an application have been received, and have been appropriately evaluated. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Once evaluated, applicants will be notified of the admission decision. If granted program admission, the student may then proceed to subsequent steps necessary for visa processing (if necessary), class registration, and matriculation. In addition to meeting published requirements of University degree and certificate programs, students with limited undergraduate backgrounds may be required to correct such deficiencies by completing courses which serve as prerequisites to graduate work. Students will be notified of these prerequisites at the time of admission. Kettering does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation including gender identity or expression, disability, religion, height, weight, genetic information, or veteran status.

The Kettering University Graduate School has multiple start dates each year and applications may be submitted at any time. Program start dates will be determined based on date of acceptance, program availability, and student preference. Start dates for all academic programs may not be available every term. Admitted applicants may defer enrollment for up to one year after the initial offer of admission.

Admission Requirements

Application

Complete Kettering University's application for On-Campus Graduate Students. 

Grade Point Average

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. university/college, or its international equivalent, is required for acceptance into a graduate program. Admission generally requires an individual to possess a minimum undergraduate overall grade point average that meets or exceeds a 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale, or international equivalent. Applicants with a lower grade point average may be admitted based on other outstanding credentials (work history, for example). International applicants with a three-year undergraduate degree will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Transcripts

All students applying for admission must submit undergraduate transcripts for all previous academic work directly to Kettering University from accredited U.S. colleges/universities or international equivalents. Applicants may submit unofficial transcripts for initial review. However, official and final transcripts, including proof of a bachelor’s degree, are required prior to matriculation. International students may also be asked to submit English-language translations and/or a professional credential evaluation. Kettering University undergraduate students must submit transcripts from any other university attended.

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required for all on-campus degree program applications. Letters of recommendation should be current and pertinent to performance in an academic or professional setting. Certificate programs do not require letters of recommendation. 

Resume/CV

A resume/CV is a mandatory part of an on-campus degree program application and should be submitted within the online application. Certificate programs do not require a resume/CV.

Statement of Intention/Personal Statement

A Statement of Intention/Personal Statement is a mandatory part of an on-campus degree program application, and should be submitted within the online application. Certificate programs do not require a Statement of Intention/Personal Statement.

Enrollment Deposit

An enrollment deposit of $300 is required to confirm enrollment at Kettering University and will be applied toward tuition.

On-Campus Graduate Programs

The following master's degree programs are available on-campus at Kettering University:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) - with Certificates
• Tech MBA - with Certificates
• Master of Science in Applied Data Science and Data Analytics
• Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) – Computer Engineering
• Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) - Electrical Engineering
• Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) - Mechanical Engineering
• Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) - Mobility Systems
• Master of Science in Engineering Management (MSEM) - with Certificates
• Master of Science in Operations Management (MSOM) - with Certificates
• Standalone Graduate Certificate (Three-course) programs are available on the Kettering campus in Flint, MI and Metro Detroit
• Applicants wishing to pursue any of the Master of Engineering (MENG) programs offered in Troy, Michigan should refer to the Master of Engineering catalog and MENG application. The MENG degree programs are not currently available to students planning on studying on an F-1 visa.

Additional application requirements by program

MBA, Tech MBA, MSEM and MSOM Applicants

Students entering Kettering University School of Management (SoM) degree programs must have specific prerequisite undergraduate courses completed, with a passing grade of "C" or better. Applicants without this background may complete required prerequisite foundational course(s) at Kettering University. Contact the School of Management with questions about prerequisite requirements and foundational courses at som@kettering.edu.

MS in Engineering Management (MSEM) Applicants

MSEM applicants must have a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from an approved ABET-accredited engineering or computing program, or international equivalent. All Kettering University graduates are eligible except those with degrees in management or business.

Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) Applicants (Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mobility Systems)

Applicants for the MS in Engineering (MSE) programs in the College of Engineering (CoE) must submit transcripts of their bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited program, or international equivalent. 

Generally, GRE (General Exam) scores are required of applicants to the MSE programs at Kettering University. However, the GRE requirement may be waived for students with an undergraduate degree from Kettering University, or for applicants with particularly strong academic backgrounds and/or work histories. The Graduate Admissions Committee reserves the right to either request or waive GRE scores on a case-by-case basis. Test scores should be sent directly to the Kettering University Admissions Office using Kettering University's institution code: 1246. If asked to choose a department code, please choose the one that best fits your intended program. GRE scores more than two years old are not valid.

Standalone Graduate Certificate (Three-course) Applicants

Applicants for a standalone (not attached to a degree program) Graduate Certificate must complete an application and submit a final transcript documenting completion of an appropriate undergraduate degree. Applicants to a standalone Graduate Certificate program are not required to submit resume/CV, statement of intention/personal statement, letters of recommendation, or GRE test scores.

International Student Applicants

Students who reside outside of the United States and non-U.S. Citizens living in the United States are welcome to apply for admission to Kettering University. 

While unofficial transcripts with English translations are acceptable for initial evaluation, official transcripts must be provided prior to matriculation. Official transcripts/educational certificates and records with English translations must be sent directly from the applicant’s undergraduate and graduate school(s) to Kettering University. A course-by-course professional credential evaluation of undergraduate transcripts may be requested from students who obtained their bachelor's degree outside the United States. Kettering accepts evaluations from companies recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluating Services (NACES). Kettering University will only evaluate transcripts in English. All fees for credential evaluation and/or English-language translation are the responsibility of the applicant. Additionally, a university grading scale may be requested to facilitate grade point average conversion and application review. 

English Language Proficiency

Students from non-English language speaking countries may be conditionally admitted based on academic merit with the understanding that English proficiency standards must be met before full matriculation into a degree-seeking program. To demonstrate English-language proficiency, students should submit at least one of the following test results: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT or TOEFL Essentials), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo, including a required English Interview by Kettering's TESOL instructor. International students may have testing waived if they have earned a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution or have attended an accredited U.S. college or university for one calendar year or two academic semesters (24 credit hours minimum) with a minimum 3.0 grade point average. Students may also demonstrate competency by completing an ESL program offered by an approved ELS center. Evidence of English-language proficiency may be deemed invalid two years after the last relevant test date or date of enrollment.   

Professionals in industry with significant work experience in a primarily English-speaking country, who are university graduates outside of the United States or without proof of English-language proficiency (above) are strongly encouraged to submit scores from an English-language proficiency exam.

Applicants may be required to participate in an additional spoken interview to assess English-language proficiency. Kettering University reserves this right to interview applicants regardless of any/all evidence of English-language proficiency submitted

Financial Support- Graduate Assistantships and Graduate Scholarships

Upon admission into an on-campus graduate degree program, the Office of the Dean of Graduate School and Sponsored Research may offer financial support in the form of a Graduate Assistantship and/or Graduate Scholarship. In these cases, the financial support award will be included in the offer of admission. Graduate Assistantships and/or Graduate Scholarship are awarded based on the academic merit of each application, at the time of application review. No additional applications are required.

Graduate Assistantship for On Campus Programs

The Kettering University Graduate Assistantship (GA) program was established to meet the following goals:

• Develop strong bonds between graduate students and faculty.

• Support the research enterprise and instructional mission.

• Prepare graduate students for productive careers.

• Provide financial support for graduate students.

Each Graduate Assistant is assigned to work with an individual faculty member performing duties such as grading, assisting in a faculty member’s teaching/research lab, or supporting a student technical team. In addition, all GAs are required to participate in and complete training modules offered by the Graduate School as part of the appointment.

To be eligible for the GA program, students must be currently admitted and in good academic standing or have accepted admission to an on-campus graduate program. GA appointments are competitively awarded subject to the availability of program funding. Students enrolling in a Standalone Graduate Certificate (Three-course) program are not eligible for a GA appointment. 

Interested students should contact the Graduate School at gsr@kettering.edu for more information. 

Health, Counseling, Accessibility Services & Health Insurance Information 

Prior to enrollment, all students must complete a Health Inquiry Form. All medical information is treated confidentially and cannot be released without the student's knowledge or written consent. The Kettering University Wellness Center uses this information to create a continuous record of student wellness care. All students must answer the TB screening questions and submit documentation if needed within the inquiry. Information on what to do about physical and/or mental health concerns, including disability accommodations, can be addressed directly with the Wellness Center staff via email at wellness@kettering.edu.  

Kettering University requires all enrolled students to carry health insurance. International students are automatically enrolled in the Kettering Student Health Insurance Plan upon arrival on campus. Domestic students must annually provide proof of insurance online to waive out of Kettering's Student Health Insurance Plan. Contact the Wellness Center for updates on annual deadlines to submit health insurance information. Students who do not complete a waiver will be automatically enrolled. Students who fail to provide proof of health insurance through the verification process will remain enrolled in the Kettering Student Health Insurance Plan and be responsible for associated costs. The University will make no exceptions.   

Kettering University does not require a medical examination before enrollment. However, some Graduate Internship employers may require such an exam as a condition of employment or particular working conditions.