Admissions Requirements

In general, admission to the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering graduate program is a three step process. First, the prospective student must be admitted to graduate standing by the University of Arkansas Graduate School. Second, the student must be accepted into the department's program which depends on transcripts, recommendations, a statement of purpose, and the following GPA and test scores:

Student with an ABET-Accredited or equivalent Engineering Degree

  • Students to an MS program from a BS degree in engineering or to a PhD program from a BS degree in engineering and a MS degree:

    1. A score of 301 (1100 for the tests taken prior to August, 2011) or above (verbal and quantitative) on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

    2. A TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based( or 90 (Internet-based). This requirement is waived for applicants whose native language is English or who earn a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a U.S. institution.

    3. GPA 3.00 or higher on the last 60 hours of a BS degree or BS and/or MS degrees.

    4. B.S. degree in engineering from an ABET accredited program or equivalent

  • Students to a PhD program directly from a BS degree in engineering:

    1. A score of 307 (1200 for the tests taken prior to August 1, 2011), or above (verbal and quantitative) on the GRE.

    2. A TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) or 90 (Internet-based)., This requirement is waived for applicants whose native language is English or who earn a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a U.S. institution.

    3. A cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above for undergraduate work.

    4. B.S. degree in engineering from an ABET accredited program or equivalent.

Students without an Engineering Degree

  • Students to a MS program from a non-engineering BS degree:

    1. A score of 301 (1100 for the tests taken prior to August 1, 2011) or above (verbal and quantitative) on the GRE.

    2. A TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) or 80 (Internet-based). This requirement is waived for applicants whose native language is English or who earn a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a U.S. institution.

    3. GPA of 3.00 or higher on the last 60 hours of a BS degree.

    4. Completion of 18 hours of engineering course work (listed below under Degree Requirements). Also see additional information below under the Admission Requirements for Master of Science in Biological Engineering.

  • Students to a PhD program from non-engineering BS plus MS degrees:

    1. A score of 301 (1100 for the tests taken prior to August 1, 2011) or above (verbal and quantitative) on the GRE.

    2. A TOEFL of at least 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) or 80 (Internet-based). This requirement is waived for applicants whose native language is English or who earn a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a U.S. institution.

    3. GPA of 3.00 or higher on the last 60 hours of BS and/or MS degrees.

    4. Completion of 18 hours of engineering course work (listed below under Degree Requirements). Also see additional information below under the Admission Requirements for Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Engineering.

  • Students to a PhD program directly from a non-engineering BS degree:

    1. A score of 307 (1200 for the tests taken prior to August 1, 2011) or above (verbal and quantitative) with 155 (700 for the tests taken prior to August 1, 2011) and 4.5 or above in writing on the GRE.

    2. A TOEFL of at least 580 (paper-based) or 237 (computer-based) or 92 (Internet-based). This requirement is waived for applicants whose native language is English or who earn a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a U.S. institution.

    3. A cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above for undergraduate work.

    4. Completion of 18 hours of engineering course work (listed below under Degree Requirements). Also see additional information below under the Admission Requirements for Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Engineering.

      Finally, a member of the faculty who is eligible (graduate status of group II or higher) must agree to serve as major advisor to the prospective student.

      Details concerning admission for both international and domestic students are provided in the BAEG Graduate School Handbook.