Admission to Our Graduate Programs

NE Best Consideration Dates (Domestic and International)

Fall: January 15th 
Spring: August 1st

Apply by the priority deadline for best consideration for research assistantships or other departmental financial aid. All application materials must be received by 5:00 pm on the day of the deadline.

Medical Physics Deadline Dates (Domestic and International)

Priority Deadline Fall: January 15th
Final Deadline Fall: July 15th

Apply by the priority deadline for best consideration for research assistantships or other departmental financial aid. All application materials must be received by 5:00 pm on the day of the deadline.

Nuclear Engineering

Nuclear Engineering Graduate Degree programs:

  • Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering (MSNE)
  • Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering with a concentration in Medical Physics (MSNE)
  • Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering with a concentration in Radiation Protection Engineering (MSNE)
  • PhD in Engineering with a concentration in Nuclear Engineering (PHD-ENG)

Admission to our graduate program is based upon academic performance, professional background, career objectives, letters of recommendation, and test scores.

Students without an undergraduate degree in Nuclear Engineering may be eligible for admission to the graduate program. However, they may be required to take some undergraduate leveling courses to prepare them for graduate work in the department. Please speak with the Nuclear Engineering Faculty Graduate Advisor to determine if leveling courses are needed.

Requirements for Nuclear Engineering MSNE, MSNE-Radiation Protection, PHD-ENG

Grade Point Average (GPA): An undergraduate baccalaureate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) over the last two undergraduate years in science, math, and engineering courses.

GRE General Exam Scores: Official GRE scores sent directly from the testing center to UNM are encouraged but not required. 

Language Skills for International Students: International students must achieve a minimum score on the TOEFL of 550 on the paper exam, 213 on the computer exam, or 79-80 on the internet-based test; a score of 7.0 on the IELTS; or a minimum score of C on the CPE or CAE test. An official score report is required, sent directly from the testing center to UNM. For specific requirements, visit geo.unm.edu.

Admissions information for all Nuclear Engineering programs is also included in a PDF on the Office of Graduate Studies website here.

In addition, for all degrees, we require:

  1. Application for Graduate Studies
  2. Program of Interest. If you are pursuing an MS with a concentration in Radiation Protection or Medical Physics, please select this concentration in the Interest field. If you are not pursuing either concentration, please select “Undecided” from the drop-down list.
  3. The General GRE is encouraged but not required. The Institution Code is 4845 if you send your score report directly from the testing service (ets.org).
  4. Letter of intent that summarizes your qualifications, professional goals, and indicates the area of nuclear engineering which you want to pursue. You may refer to the guidelines for writing this letter.
  5. CV/Resume
  6. Assistantship Interest. Research assistantships are limited, and the selection process is very competitive. Please submit a short paragraph stating your ability to be self-supporting or highlighting your financial needs.
  7. Three (3) online letters of recommendation are required. Please enter your recommendation providers right away to help expedite your application (online submission only).
  8. Official Transcript from each institution you have attended.
    • For Domestic students, official copies should be sent to:
      Office of Admissions
      MSC11 63051
      University of New Mexico
      Albuquerque, NM 87131
    • For International Students official copies should be sent to the International Admission Global Education Office (GEO). Visit geo.unm.edu for questions, concerns, and/or any required translations.
      Address:
      International Admission Global Education Office (GEO)
      MSC06 3850
      1 University of New Mexico
      Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
  9. For International Students only:
    • Financial Responsibility Form and Official Bank Statements (required if you are not receiving full funding from our department). Send to GEO address above.
    • Evidence of English language. Official scores should be submitted to UNM, directly from the testing service.

Reciprocal In-State Tuition for 16 States

Live out of state? If you are considered a resident of Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands, then you would be eligible for the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP), which is a tuition-reciprocity arrangement that offers in-state tuition rates to out-of-state students who are admitted to certain graduate programs. Both the MS and the PhD programs in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at UNM are included in this arrangement.

Ask your Nuclear Engineering academic advisor for the WRGP Tuition Form to ensure the status is reflected on your UNM record.