Graduate Admissions

3.1 Overview

In this chapter, we review policies and guidelines related to graduate admissions at Illinois Institute of Technology.

3.2 Degree Programs

3.2.1 List of Graduate Degree Programs

Applied Mathematics

Degrees Offered

Joint Degree Programs

Architecture

Degrees Offered

Biology

Degrees Offered

Biomedical Engineering

Degrees Offered

Business

Degrees Offered

Dual Degree Program

Chemical and Biological Engineering

Degrees Offered

Chemistry

Degrees Offered

Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering

Degrees Offered

Construction Engineering and Management
Structural Engineering
Transportation Engineering

Computer Science

Degrees Offered

Business
Computational Intelligence
Cyber-Physical Systems
Data Analytics
Database Systems
Distributed and Cloud Computing
Education
Finance
Information Security and Assurance
Networking and Communications
Software Engineering

Joint Degree Programs

Design

Degrees Offered

Dual Degree Program

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Degrees Offered

Dual Degree Program

Joint Degree Programs

Food Science and Nutrition

Degrees Offered

Humanities

Degrees Offered

Industrial Technology and Management

Degree Offered

Information Technology and Management

Degrees Offered

Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering

Degrees Offered

Physics

Degrees Offered

Psychology

Degrees Offered

3.3 Application for Admission

Graduate application forms and information concerning admission procedures are available online: admissions.iit.edu/graduate. The Office of Graduate Admission sends general information on graduate education at Illinois Institute of Technology, and specific information to prospective students on degree programs and faculty research interests. Prospective students are urged to apply for admission as early as possible. To be admitted to graduate study in a given academic unit, the prospective student must satisfy the requirements of that unit as well as those of the institution.

3.3.1 General Requirements

To be considered for admission as a degree-seeking Ph.D., M.S., or professional (MAS) master’s student, applicants must have completed or expect to complete a four-year undergraduate degree in an appropriate field from an accredited U.S. institution, or foreign institution meeting Illinois Institute of Technology institutional standards, with a minimum “B” average (GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent).

For current application requirements, procedures, and deadlines, visit the Office of Graduate Admission website at admissions.iit.edu/graduate.

3.3.2.1 Certification of Official Transcripts

Completion and conferral of a graduate degree requires degree-seeking admission to Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech), and prior completion of the prerequisite degree requirement, as outlined in the current Graduate Catalog. Admitted graduate students are required to have earned the prerequisite degree(s) prior to enrollment, and to present certification of the earned degree(s) before completing any graduate degree at Illinois Tech. Students who have completed an undergraduate degree at Illinois Tech may be exempted from the degree certification policy at the discretion of the Office of Graduate Admission.

Degree certification will be completed at the time of admission, if the required documents have been provided by the student at that time. Students who have not provided this documentation at the time of admission must supply the required degree certifications prior to completion of the graduate degree at Illinois Tech. The student is responsible for requesting all required official documents and for any associated costs. The university reserves the right to deny degree conferral to any student who fails to provide the required certification of official documents. 

Degree-seeking graduate students with an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. Institution of Higher Learning: verification of the baccalaureate degree will be satisfied by the submission of the official certified transcript for the earned degree, either provided by the student, or sent directly from the institution conferring the degree to the university’s Office of Graduate Admission. Students that have not provided this documentation at the time of admission must supply the required degree certifications prior to completion of the graduate degree at Illinois Tech.

Degree-seeking graduate students with an earned baccalaureate degree from a foreign institution of higher learning: verification of the baccalaureate degree will be satisfied by the submission and satisfactory review of the required original documents (or copies of original documents) and English translations, either sent directly from the institution(s) conferring the degree(s), provided by the student, or provided by an accepted international credential evaluation service to the university’s Office of Graduate Admission. Students who have not provided this documentation at the time of admission must supply the required degree certifications prior to completion of the graduate degree at Illinois Tech. Visit the Office of Graduate Admission website (admissions.iit.edu/graduate) for details on submitting the official documents to an accepted international credential evaluation service.

Non-degree graduate students: verification of the baccalaureate degree is not required to pursue non-degree graduate courses, but must be provided in accordance with the above criteria should a student convert to degree-seeking status. Students who have not provided this documentation at the time of degree-seeking admission must supply the required degree certifications prior to completion of the graduate degree at Illinois Tech.

Failure to provide the required certification of the earned degree(s) will prevent degree conferral. Should the review of official documents fail authentication, the student will be dismissed from graduate study at the university.

The only potential exception to the policy listed above specifically concerns students in the Coursera MBA program. Please see the Coursera website for more information. 

For any questions regarding the submission and/or certification of official transcripts, please contact the Office of Graduate Admission (admissions.iit.edu/graduate).

Note: The Office of Graduate Admission employs an internal process to review final document submissions. Any questions regarding this process should be directed to Rishab Malhotra, Assistant Vice President, Graduate Admission (rmalhot1@iit.edu or 312.567.3909).

3.3.2.2 Financial Assistance

Teaching and research assistantships, fellowships, and tuition scholarships are awarded to a limited number of applicants with outstanding credentials. For more information about funding graduate education, visit the Office of Graduate Admission website at admissions.iit.edu/graduate/finances/funding-your-graduate-education.

3.3.2.3 Housing

For information regarding on-campus housing, refer to the Living Expenses section of the Graduate Catalog. 

3.3.2.4 Medical Exams

Medical examination and immunization forms are sent with admission letters. These forms are also available online at web.iit.edu/shwc.

3.3.2.5 Equal Opportunity in Education

It is the intention of Illinois Institute of Technology to act in accordance with all regulations of the federal, state, and local government in respect to providing equality of opportunity in employment and in education, insofar as those regulations may pertain to the university. Illinois Institute of Technology prohibits and will act to eliminate discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, handicap, or veteran status.

Any applicant to Illinois Institute of Technology who believes that he or she has received inequitable treatment owing to discrimination violating the university's stated policy of equal opportunity in employment and in education should communicate, either in writing or in person, with the Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Officer at the appropriate campus:

Mies Campus

IIT Tower
10 West 35th St.
Chicago, IL 60616

Downtown Campus

565 West Adams Street
Room 320
Chicago, IL 60661
 

3.3.3 Graduate Certificate/Non-Degree Admission

Citizens and permanent residents of the U.S. can apply to graduate certificate programs or take classes as non-degree students. International students requiring a student visa are not eligible for admission to certificate programs or eligible to enroll as non-degree students.

3.3.3.1 Requirements for Certificate and Non-Degree Students

For current application requirements, procedures, and deadlines, visit the Office of Graduate Admission website at admissions.iit.edu/graduate.

3.3.3.2 Admission as a Non-Degree Student

The Office of Graduate Admission will notify the student of any special conditions under which they are admitted. Once those conditions are satisfied, the student may apply as a degree-seeking student. A maximum of nine credit hours of coursework that has been approved by the department of intended degree study and passed with grades of “B” or better may be applied toward the Illinois Institute of Technology degree. Students who wish to continue as non-degree students beyond the nine credit hour limit should advise the Office of Graduate Academic Affairs of their intention to do so by filing Form G703, Non-Degree Student Credit Hour Use Contract.

Non-degree students seeking admission as a degree-seeking student must meet the admission requirement of an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. All non-degree coursework will be calculated into the cumulative GPA.

3.3.3.3 Admission as a Certificate Student

Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field of study when applying to a certificate program. If the bachelor’s degree was completed at a university outside the U.S., and the language of instruction was not English, TOEFL scores may be required.

A certificate student later admitted to a master’s program may apply all approved coursework taken as a certificate student and passed with “B” or better grades to the master’s degree program.

Graduate application forms and information concerning admission procedures are available online: admissions.iit.edu/graduate.

Graduate certificate programs offered at Illinois Institute of Technology are:

Biology

Business

1

Post-graduate

Chemical and Biological Engineering

Chemistry

Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering

Certificates in Architectural Engineering

Certificates in Civil Engineering

Computer Science

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Food Science and Nutrition

Humanities

Information Technology and Management

Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering

Physics

Psychology

Professional Certificate Programs offered at Illinois Institute of Technology are:

Chicago-Kent College of Law

Students must be enrolled as J.D. students to earn these certificates:

3.3.4 Post-Baccalaureate (UPB) Students

Applicants with bachelor’s degrees who are ineligible for graduate admission may be admitted as Undergraduate Post-Baccalaureate (UPB). In general, UPB admission may be offered to domestic applicants who are required to complete a number of prerequisite courses to improve their undergraduate performance or complete prerequisites for graduate study. These students may later be considered for admission as non-degree graduate students at Illinois Institute of Technology. Students should apply for the UPB status through the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, in the Suite 2F9-1, IIT Tower, 312.567.3300.

3.3.5 Faculty Members as Graduate Students

Illinois Institute of Technology faculty in tenured or tenure-track lines may not pursue graduate degrees from Illinois Institute of Technology. Under certain restrictions established by the Graduate Studies Committee, persons holding non-tenure titles may pursue graduate degrees at the university. The Dean of the Graduate College must approve any other exceptions to this policy. Such exceptions are rare and will only be approved when it is determined to be in the best interest of the university and will be contingent on the faculty member’s compliance with the following regulations:

  1. The petitioning faculty member must prove that there is no overlap or conflict of commitment between the faculty's unit and the unit in which he/she proposes to study.
  2. The faculty member must show that the pursuit of the graduate degree will be beneficial to the university.
  3. The faculty member must present a plan of study and employment covering the entire period of graduate study from the time of admission until the completion of degree requirements. It is expected that during the period of concentrated study, the faculty member will work at a reduced FTE level.
  4. If the plan is approved, the faculty member must observe all academic unit and university criteria. Graduate degrees must be completed within six years.

3.3.6 Students with Disabilities

Once a student decides to attend Illinois Institute of Technology he/she should contact the Center for Disability Resources at 312.567.5744 (voice) or 312.567.5135 (TDD). Students should discuss their needs before arriving on campus so that suitable arrangements can be made.

3.4 Processing of Admission Materials

The Office of Graduate Admission is responsible for coordinating all graduate admission reviews and decisions with the academic departments. For more information, contact 312.567.3020.

3.4.1 Certification of Financial Responsibility

United States visa regulations require all F and J visa holders to provide certified evidence (Financial Support Form) of adequate funds to meet tuition and living expenses for a proposed program of study. The Financial Support Form for the first year must have the sponsor’s guarantee of support. This form is available online: admissions.iit.edu/sites/admissions/files/elements/ga/pdfs/forms/GADM_6020_FinancialAffidavitSupport_2018.pdf.

Estimated cost of attendance for Illinois Institute of Technology graduate students is available here: admissions.iit.edu/graduate/finances/tuition-and-fees.

3.4.2 Visa Eligibility

Illinois Institute of Technology is authorized to issue the following visa eligibility documents:

Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student—SEVIS I-20 Form

  • In order to issue the SEVIS I-20 form, the student must be admitted to an academic unit, and a completed Affidavit of Support must be on file.

Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status—SEVIS DS-2019 Form

3.4.3 Academic Students Admitted for the Next Degree Level

Students who complete one degree level and wish to continue to the next one or study in a new degree program, must submit a new application for admission and a new Financial Support Form.

3.4.4 Use of Non-Degree Credits and Degree-seeking Admission

Non-degree students must complete the Application for Graduate Admission prior to completing nine credit hours of non-degree coursework. No more than nine credits hours—with a minimum grade point average of 3.0/4.0—taken as a non-degree student, can be transferred to a degree program.

3.4.5 Re-Admission After an Absence

Regular graduate students who will not take classes for one or more semester must file a Request for a Leave of Absence form. The Leave of Absence form is handled through the MyIIT portal (my.iit.edu), under the Academics Tab.

Rules pertaining to a leave of absence:

A degree-seeking graduate student is expected to register from semester to semester unless granted a leave of absence approved by the Office of Graduate Academic Affairs.

  1. Non-degree graduate students do not require leaves of absence, since they have not been accepted into a degree program.
  2. Students on leave may not take any exams or use the library, laboratories, or other institute facilities during their leave.
  3. Initial leaves of absence are approved for no more than one year and up to one additional year extension. Following a leave, the student must file a G701 Graduate Student Petition to request reinstatement from leave.
  4. A regular graduate student who does not maintain continued enrollment may be denied registration when seeking to return, or may be required to submit further documents in support of a request for re-admission to Illinois Institute of Technology.
  5. A leave of absence does not extend the time limit for completion of the degree.
  6. A medical leave of absence must be approved by the Office of the Dean of Students for all graduate students and the International Center for all international students.

3.4.6 Admission for a Second Graduate Degree

A student who earns a graduate degree at Illinois Institute of Technology is not automatically accepted as a student in a second-degree program in either the same or a different academic unit. Continuation for a second degree is contingent upon admission to the second program. Additional information is available from the Office of Graduate Admission.

3.4.7 Transferring from Another Program

A degree-seeking student planning to transfer from one degree program to another should discuss the matter with academic advisers in both programs. The student should then submit an application for admission to the new degree program. The student will be notified once the decision is made. A new admission is required when the degree is a higher level degree or is in a different academic unit. A change of degree, with an equivalent degree or lower degree title (i.e. M.S. to M.S., M.S. to ME, ME to ME, M.S. to MAS or MAS to MAS), within the same academic unit, may be requested from Graduate Degree Works by selecting the eForms tab and the option. The approval of the academic adviser, academic unit approver, and Office of Graduate Academic Affairs is required before the program may be changed. A degree with a higher title (i.e. MAS to M.S., M.S. to Ph.D., ME to M.S. or ME to Ph.D.) requires a new admission.