1. What is the relationship between the Rensselaer Hartford Campus, the Rensselaer Groton Site, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Rensselaer's Hartford Campus is a branch campus of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy, New York, offering Master's Degrees, graduate certificate programs, and professional development courses. The Rensselaer Groton Site serves students in southeastern Connecticut, offering graduate programs of the Rensselear Hartford Campus. Students at Rensselaer's Hartford Campus and the Rensselaer Groton Site earn Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute master's degrees.
2. Do I have to apply to take classes?
Anyone wanting to take classes at Rensselaer must apply and be admitted. Although Rensselaer requires the formal admission of all students prior to registering for a credit course (even if you are not seeking a degree), the process is designed to be both streamlined and flexible. We also offer an online application that can be accessed at: http://apply.ewp.rpi.edu/apply/.
3. How is an application evaluated?
The review process is designed to comprehensively evaluate an applicant's academic and professional background. Some factors include: the undergraduate or graduate school attended, the applicant's major, the year graduated, subsequent course work, performance in key subjects, rank in class (if available), awards and/or honors received, letters of recommendations, a personal statement of goals, resume, and standardized test scores (if requested).
4. When should I apply?
The rolling admission process allows you to apply and enter a program during any of the three terms beginning in September, January, or May. The application deadline is approximately one month prior to the start of a particular term or program. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-accommodated basis.
5. How long does the application process take?
As soon as all of your materials are received your application will be considered for a decision. You will then be contacted in writing with the admissions decision.
6. Do you require standardized test scores?
For all degree-seeking applicants, official test scores are required and must be requested from the testing organization. Rensselaer at Hartford's ETS code is 3734
- Copies of these scores may be sent to Enrollment Management, but will be used only until official scores are received.
- GRE, GMAT, or PPI reports should reflect test scores dated within five years. Older scores are not available from ETS. Note: if you are submitting PPI scores, letters of recommendation are not required.
- Please be aware that it may take up to four weeks for official test scores to be received by Enrollment Management.
Applicants seeking entry to the part-time MBA or M.S. in Management are required to submit either a GMAT score or a PPI (Personal Potential Index) evaluation. Part-time applicants to master’s program in Engineering, Computer Science or Information Technology are required to submit either a GRE or the PPI. There are certain occasions when other graduate admissions examinations such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are accepted in place of the GMAT.
Professionals who may be concerned about the competitiveness of their academic background are encouraged to submit a standardized test to enhance their candidacy for graduate study.
Important PPI Notes:
- You must have three (3) or more years of professional experience to be eligible to submit the Personal Potential Index (PPI) in lieu of the GRE/GMAT exam score.
- Those eligible to provide the Personal Potential Index (PPI) in lieu of the GRE/GMAT exam score report must include five (5) evaluators from at least three (3) different organizations.
- Applicants who submit a PPI evaluation are not required to provide additional letters of recommendations.
7. How long does it take to complete a degree and how long does a student have to complete all the requirements?
The primary mission of Rensselaer is to provide education for working professionals. Classes are held once a week, in the evenings or on weekends, on a trimester basis. A student sets his or her own pace depending upon the number of classes he or she decides to take each term. All work for a 30-credit Master's degree must be completed within three calendar years, beginning with the date on the original acceptance letter. All work for the 51-credit MBA must be completed within five calendar years, beginning with the date on the original acceptance letter. However, one-year extensions are granted for compelling reasons.
8. Are your programs accredited?
Yes. Rensselaer is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Office of Financial and Academic Affairs for Higher Education of the State of Connecticut. Rensselaer's Lally School of Management and Technology is accredited by AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International).
9. When are classes scheduled?
Computer Science, Information Technology, and Engineering classes are held Monday-Thursday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Management courses are offered Monday-Thursday, from 5:30-9 p.m., and on alternating or consecutive Saturdays. Each course meets once a week.
10. Will I have an advisor?
Each student, whether matriculated or non-matriculated, is assigned a faculty advisor.
11. How does the MBA differ from the Master of Science in Management?
The MBA is a 45-credit program (15 classes). It consists of 11 core management courses, a practicum, and 4 electives, which can be organized into a concentration. The MBA equips graduates with the skills necessary to assume leadership positions in their organizations.
The M.S. is a 30-credit program (10 classes). It consists of 4 core management courses and 6 electives that must be organized into a concentration. The M.S. is a more specialized program; the majority of the coursework focuses on the area of specialization.
The Lally School of Management offers several different focal areas that can be applied to the M.S. in Management. Please refer to the Lally School of Management section for details.
12. Do you require a Thesis for your MBA/Management program?
All students enrolled in the MBA and M.S. programs in the Lally School of Management and Technology are required to complete a 3-credit CAPSTONE course. The CAPSTONE is an opportunity for students to synthesize the body of knowledge gained during their course of study and is ordinarily completed in the final term of the degree program.
13. How many classes can be transferred or waived?
A student in the MBA program may transfer two (6 credit hours) of appropriate graduate work. The process must be approved by the faculty advisor and department chair, and the course must be taken within a five year period of the student’s application. Transfer courses must be the same subject, depth, and breadth of a course offered by Rensselaer. A student may also request, in writing, that a substitute course be used in place of a core management course when the student has great depth of knowledge (at the graduate school level) in that subject.
A student in the M.S. program may transfer two graduate courses (6 credit hours) and the same rules apply.
14. What is the tuition?
Beginning with the Fall 2012 term, tuition is charged at the standard rate of $1545 per credit hour of graduate instruction. Certain cohort programs have different pricing structures. There are no additional fees for registration, use of the library, computing facilities, parking, or any other Rensselaer student service. Go to the Tuition and Payment page.
15. Do you offer Financial Aid?
Rensselaer participates in the Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program and administers the Federal Stafford Loan to help you manage graduate education expenses. The Stafford Loan requires enrollment of at least six credits. For further requirements and Financial Aid options, please review the Financial Aid section of the Web site. You may contact the Financial Aid Office at (860) 548-2406 or (800) 433- 4723, ext. 2406 to request financial application materials, or go to the online Financial Aid section of the Web site.
16. Do I need Immunization Verification?
Connecticut State Law requires that all students born after December 31, 1956 and enrolled in postsecondary schools be protected against measles, mumps, and rubella. In addition, beginning August 1, 2010, students born on or after January 1, 1980 must also provide proof of immunization against varicella (chicken pox). Click here to access Rensselaer's Immunization Verification Certificate Form.
17. If I still have questions, what should I do?
Contact the Office of Enrollment Management. Personnel are available to answer your questions over the phone, or you may wish to schedule an appointment, or attend an Information Session. For more information, please call (860) 548-2420; (800) 433-4723, ext. 2420; or e-mail: .