Program Overview
The SF State Scholars Program in the School of Engineering provides undergraduate students a great opportunity to seamlessly transition from undergraduate to graduate degree plan through a blended Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Master of Science (M.S.) pathway. Students in this program pursue bachelor's and master's degrees simultaneously during their final undergraduate year(s), allowing them to begin graduate study while completing their undergraduate degree. In general, this allows both degrees to be completed in about five years. Scholars can earn graduate credit during their junior and senior years, reducing the number of semesters required to complete a master's degree while benefiting from undergraduate tuition rates until they formally transition to graduate status.
The School of Engineering offers blended BS-to-MS pathways in Civil Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering, providing students with an accelerated route to advanced technical expertise, professional growth, and career advancement.
Hands-On and Innovation Experience
A defining feature of the SF State Scholars Program is early engagement in advanced engineering projects, research, and innovation activities under the mentorship of School of Engineering faculty.
Engineering Scholars are encouraged to work closely with faculty mentors on projects involving the design, analysis, development, and testing of engineering systems and technologies. Depending on their discipline, students may participate in activities related to:
- Civil Engineering
- Structural and earthquake engineering
- Smart infrastructure and sustainable systems
- Electrical/Computer Engineering
- Embedded and cyber-physical systems
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications
- Semiconductor and computing technologies
- Mechanical Engineering
- Robotics, automation, and control
- Renewable energy and power systems
- Advanced manufacturing and human-centered design
- Thermal-Fluids computational modeling and simulation
Through these experiences, students develop the analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills expected of graduate-level engineers while contributing to the creation of new technologies and engineering solutions.
The opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors on research and design projects provides valuable preparation for careers in industry, government laboratories, entrepreneurial ventures, and admission to Ph.D. programs.
Advantages of the Blended BS-MS program
- Fast Track from BS to MS degree: Accelerated path to earning a Master's degree from the BS degree.
- Double Counting Degree Units: Up to 12 units of graduate coursework may be double counted for the BS and MS degrees. An additional 3 units of coursework may be taken as an undergraduate and counted toward the MS degree.
- Tuition Reduction: Tuition remains at the undergraduate level until the Scholar transitions to graduate student status.
- Advance Career Opportunities: Compared to BS graduates, students who successfully complete the program gain a competitive edge for employment and are better positioned for acceptance into competitive PhD programs.
Program Value
- A Step Towards the Future: Investing in our existing SFSU student population. This program allows students to earn graduate credit while in their junior and/or senior year, reducing the number of semesters required for completion of a master’s degree.
- Getting the most out of your education: Paying undergraduate tuition for graduate-level courses and capitalizing on your resources (Financial Aid, Scholarships, etc.). Graduate School application fee waived. GRE/GMAT requirement waived.
- Getting the most of your time: Students in this program pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees simultaneously, enabling students to use their senior project capstone experience to be integrated with a graduate thesis/project.
- Challenging yourself: Students will become more competitive and dynamic by engaging with advanced &/or graduate-level cohort.
Eligibility
Students may apply to the SF State Scholars Program while enrolled as undergraduate students at SF State.
Applicants must:
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA or a 3.0 GPA in their most recent 60 semester units.
- Students typically apply to the program before they complete 90-105 semester units and before enrolling in a senior capstone course in their major (please consult with your program coordinator).
- Undergraduate students interested in an accelerated pathway to a graduate degree through the San Francisco State Scholars Program must be sponsored by a Tenured/Tenure Track faculty advisor in the degree program.
- Students must not be declared in another major or second baccalaureate.
- Students must meet admission requirements for their intended graduate program. For more information about your program admission requirements, please consult with your department (additional supplemental materials might be required).
Application
If needed, please consult with your program coordinator for details about the application process.
SF State Scholars in Engineering
The School of Engineering offers the SF State Scholars programs in three areas including Civil, Computer, and Electrical Engineering.
B.S. in Civil Engineering + M.S. in Civil Engineering (previously M.S. in Engineering with concentration in Structural/Earthquake Engineering):
The blended program in Civil Engineering offers an excellent accelerated opportunity to earn the master’s degree in Structural/Earthquakes engineering. It aims to provide advanced training in practical design and structural theory to enable students to specialize in structural/earthquake engineering and to make an immediate, lasting impact on both current and future careers. The courses are taught in various topics by well-respected professionals and professors in the field. This program will allow students to increase their academic/professional portfolio to have a competitive advantage in the working field.
SF Scholars Coordinator (Civil Engineering) - Dr. Cheng Chen
B.S. in Computer/Electrical Engineering + M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering (previously M.S. in Engineering: Concentration in Embedded Electrical and Computer Systems):
The blended programs offer an accelerated route for motivated undergraduate students in Computer/Electrical Engineering to complete both their B.S. and M.S. degrees in five years. Students work directly with a faculty advisor to gain research experience and necessary skills to apply creativity, critical thinking, and technologies in developing engineering products and solutions for real-world problems. The undergraduate program introduces a breadth of the field and the master program a depth, the combination of which is excellent preparation for flourishing in the modern tech economy.
SF Scholars Coordinator (Computer Engineering) - Dr. Xiaorong Zhang
SF Scholars Coordinator (Electrical Engineering) - Dr. Hamid Mahmoodi
B.S. + M.S. in Mechanical Engineering:
The blended programs offer a fast-track for qualified undergraduate students in Mechanical Engineering to complete both their B.S. and M.S. degrees in approximately five years. Students’ undergraduate degrees provide the technical foundation to be successful in the M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering based on the students’ chosen concentration area offered within the program. Students can select from one of the following concentration areas 1) Robotics & Mechatronics, 2) Energy Systems, and 3) Thermal Fluids Systems, where the coursework is taught by faculty experts that will provide students with advanced critical thinking to solve real-world technological challenges. Students will work closely with a faculty advisor to develop a strong research experience that aligns with their career interest in the respective areas. By acquiring a M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering, a student will gain depth in design and technical skills to be competitive in obtaining high-paying jobs in various high-tech industries, such as those in design, robotics, automation, biomedical devices, manufacturing, renewable energy, and systems engineering, particularly within Silicon Valley and the Bay Area as a whole.
SF Scholars Coordinator (Mechanical Engineering) - Dr. David Quintero