4+1 Programs and Graduate School

If you're interested in graduate school, the department offers several 4+1 pathways.

  • Take 6 hours of graduate coursework that counts toward both the graduate and undergraduate degrees.
  • Complete a graduate program in one year full time after your B.S. degree.
  • Reduce the amount of time required for part time graduate study.

While our graduate typically choose full time employment after graduation, many go to graduate school part time while working at Lamar and other universities.


4+1 Pathway Engineering

Students with above a 3.0 GPA or permission from the department chair can apply to graduate school during your junior year and take up to 2 graduate classes (6 hours) that count towards both your bachelors and master’s degree.

Full time students can complete the Master of Engineering, Master of Engineering Science, or Master of Engineering Management degree within one year (24 credit hours) using this pathway. The Master of Engineering Management degree is offered 100% online and can be completed while working full time. Please contact your undergraduate advisor for more information.

Joint B.S. IE / MBA Program

Industrial Engineering undergraduates are eligible to participate in a five-year academic program that leads to two degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and Masters of Business Administration (MBA). Industrial Engineering students will complete all of the normal Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering degree requirements and the Industrial Engineering electives are replaced with MBA leveling courses. For more information, see the Early Start MBA for B.S. IE students.

Recommended Coursework to Prepare for Graduate School

The department degree plan prepares students for graduate school in engineering or MBA. Students interested in graduate school in Industrial Engineering should ask their professors about the elective courses that match their career goals.

The department also recommends taking a computer programming elective (INEN 5301 ST: Applied Programming) to prepare for graduate school in Data Science and Operations Research. Students interested in an MBA at Lamar or elsewhere should take ACCT 5315 Financial and Managerial Accounting Foundations as an undergraduate elective.