Admission standards

Master of Science

Candidates for the Master of Science in Transportation Management (MSTM) program must meet the following minimum requirements: 

• An undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is strongly prefered, though students with a GPA above 2.5 will be considered.
• GMAT or GRE scores that are preferably at or above the 50th percentile in both the verbal and quantitative sections of the exam. (The GMAT program code for reports specific to the MSTM program is: TGQ-ML-83.)
  • ​Upon conditional approval of the Program Director the GMAT/GRE may be waived if the applicant has an interview with the MSTM director and meets any one of the following conditions:
    • ​​Earned a master’s degree or Ph.D. in the United States.
    • ​Has at least five years of relevant full-time professional work experience in the transportation sector or a related field.
    • Graduated with honors from the Lucas College of Business Gary J. Sbona Honors Program within the last five years.

Fall 2020 applicants: Because the covid19 crisis is intervering with administration of standardized tests like the GRE and GMAT, all applicants may request the option to substitute an interview with the MSTM Director for the GRE/GMAT score requirement.

• For international aplicants:
  • All graduate applicants whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English must demonstrate competence in English. Those who do not possess a bachelors or masters degree from a post-secondary institution where English is the principal language of instruction must receive a minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). NOTE: The MSTM program does not admit applicants who are not already living in the U.S.
  • International applicants who have earned a degree outside of the US may be required to have their transcripts evaluated by WES prior to submission for admission to a graduate program. 

Graduate certificates

Admission to the graduate certificate programs requires an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution (any major) with a GPA of at least 2.5. Those who do not possess a bachelors or masters degree from a post-secondary institution where English is the principal language of instruction must also submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores (minimum score of 550). NOTE: The certificate programs do not admit applicants who are not already living in the U.S. 

Please complete this short application if you would like to pursue one of our graduate certificates. 

The application process

MSTM applicants

Prospective students for the Master of Science in Transportation Management (MSTM) program must apply for admission to San Jose State University (SJSU) through Cal State Apply.

Helpful websites:

• Admissions deadlines 
• Detailed instructions on How To Apply
• A flow chart showing the application steps

Applicants are required to submit a number of items for the application process. BE SURE TO SEND THE EACH ITEM TO THE CORRECT PLACE, so that your materials do not get lost.

• Many items can be submitted by uploading files through the Cal State Apply system
• Some items, such as transcripts, must be sent to the GAPE office (address below)
• Some items, such as the letter of recommendation, must be emailed to Michelle.Waldron@sjsu.edu

• A CalState Apply application
  Complete this form online, here.

• CSU Application Fee
  Applicants must pay this $55 fee in order to submit a Cal State Apply application. Payments are accepted by credit card or Paypal only.

• Transcripts
  Submit one set of official transcripts from all higher educational institutions attended (even those where you did not get a degree). Be sure to follow the instructions here (Step 4). E-Transcripts should be sent to etranscript@sjsu.edu

• A statement of purpose
  A statement of one to two pages explaining how a Master of Science in Transportation Management will help you to achieve your career objectives. This statement should indicate which semester you are applying for (e.g. Spring 2020) and your current contact information, including mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address. If you have already taken MSTM classes, or previously applied to the program and are re-applying, include your SJSU Student ID number. Email your statement to Michelle.Waldron@sjsu.edu (Note: The statement can be the same as the one you submit through Cal State Apply.)

• A resume detailing your professional and academic experiences
  Email your resume to Michelle.Waldron@sjsu.edu

• A letter of recommendation
  The letter should be written by a supervisor who has managed you in paid or volunteer work or by a university instructor who taught you. Ask your letter writer to include an evaluation of your writing and analysis skills. The letter should be emailed to Michelle.Waldron@sjsu.edu directly from the recommender. 

• GRE or GMAT scores
  Submit these following the instructions here (Step 5).
  *See conditions above for GMAT/GRE waiver, if you meet one or more conditions plese complete the CSU application and the waiver request.  
  Fall 2020 applicants: Because the covid19 crisis is intervering with administration of standardized tests like the GRE and GMAT, all applicants may request the option to substitute an interview with the MSTM Director for the GRE/GMAT test score requirement.

• (For applicants without a prior degree from an English-language institution): Scores from the TOEFL or IELTS test
  Sumbit original scores from the testing office, following the instructions here (Step 5)

If you need additional information, contact the Program Coordinator, Michelle Waldron at Michelle.Waldron@sjsu.edu or the Program Director, Dr. Asha W. Agrawal, at asha.weinstein.agrawal@sjsu.edu or 408-924-5691 (email preferred to a phone message).