Master of Science in Engineering, Sustainability and Health

Your application

The University of San Diego’s online MESH degree program welcomes all students who are driven to facilitate a more sustainable and healthy future. Please review the standard admissions expectations below as you prepare your application:

• Application form
• $50 application fee (connect with an advisor to have your application fee waived)
• Essay stating fit with the program (see below)
• Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended*
• Letters of Recommendation (see below)
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• International students must submit additional elements including but not limited to:**TOEFL score
• Please note that students who are accepted into USD’s MS in Engineering, Sustainability and Health program are required to submit a $277.50 non-refundable deposit. This will ultimately be applied to your first tuition payment, provided you enroll in the program and start your first course.

* Students who wish to transfer credit from other institutions please connect with your enrollment advisor.

**If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, please connect with your enrollment advisor.

Admissions Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution (official transcripts required).
• Bachelor’s GPA of 2.75 or higher.
  • Candidates with GPA under 2.75 can apply, but will be asked to provide relevant explanations in an essay.
  • Candidates with GPA under 2.75 are recommended to complete a standardized test such as GRE or GMAT.
  • International students will require a TOEFL score of 83 or above.

Essay stating fit with the program:

• A personal statement outlining your overall qualifications in addition to your relevant background education/work experiences. Candidates should include responses to some of the following questions:
  • Please explain why you are interested in the MESH program.
  • Briefly describe your past and current career/work and how it is related to either sustainability, the built-environment, engineering, health, and/or peace and justice.
  • Which global challenges do you think are the most pressing and are of most concern to you and why?
  • How do you think the MESH program can address these global challenges?
  • How will the MESH program build on your past experience and knowledge?
  • How will the MESH program support your current and future career goals?
  • What do you hope to gain from this program?
  • Please briefly explain what you believe needs to change to better address global health and sustainability needs.
  • If you have any background in engineering, please explain how you think engineering systems need to change to better address health and sustainability.
• Please keep your essay between 500 to 700 words.

Letters of recommendation:

• One recommendation letter from a supervisor/manager or external reference. 

Special Note: please anticipate that some colleges and universities can take 2 – 3 weeks to prepare and send official transcripts. Your application package is not complete until all official transcripts are received.

Please contact your advisor at (888) 832-0239 or use the chat feature on this page if you are interested but do not meet all published admissions requirements. Our application review process always includes a holistic look at your experience and background, and we understand that a low undergraduate GPA or lack of professional experience is not necessarily indicative of your potential success in our program. 

Please note we are unable to accommodate international students who require the F1 student visa. Contact an enrollment advisor if you are interested, but do not meet all published admissions requirements.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to regulations from the Department of Education, the University of San Diego is unable to enroll students in its online degree programs who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Georgia, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin. This restriction does not apply to applicants interested in a campus-based program.

Priority Deadline

Applying to our master’s program by the priority deadline offers you significant advantages:

• Early Consideration: Be among the first to have your application reviewed and receive your admission decision sooner, giving you more time to prepare for your next academic journey.
• Increased Admission Chances: Secure your spot in the program while more seats are available, enhancing your chances of acceptance.
• Stress-Free Planning: Eliminate the last-minute rush by submitting your application early, allowing you to focus on the next steps.
• Showcase Your Commitment: Demonstrate your dedication and preparedness by applying early, making a strong impression on our admissions committee.

Don’t wait—take the first step toward your future today by submitting your application by the priority deadline!

are you an international applicant?

International applicants must meet additional requirements for admission, including: 

• International applicants must submit an official score report from one of the following acceptable English proficiency exams:
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT exam: Students will require a minimum score of TOEFL iBT 83.
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic exam: IELTS minimum score of 7.
  • Duolingo English Test: Minimum total score of 120 on Duolingo English Test.
  • For additional details on International Applicant Requirements, please see the separate “Are You an International Applicant?” section of the page.
  • TOEFL iBT and IELTS scores must be no more than two years old from the time you submit your online application.
• A course-by-course transcript evaluation and report by one of the following approved agencies. No other transcript evaluation will be accepted for degrees earned outside the U.S.
  • World Education Services, Inc. (WES)
  • Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
  • International Education Research Foundation, Inc. (IERF)
  • Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. (JSA)
  • SpanTran: The Evaluation Company (SpanTran)
  • Foreign Academic Credential Service (FACS)
• If you are currently in the U.S. on an F-1 or M-1 student visa, you are not eligible to pursue the online section of our program, per U.S. immigration regulations.
• Verify that your country allows access to essential software like VPN or DUO, which is vital for seamless online access during your studies.

Financial Aid

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution (official transcripts required).

We recommend that applicants who intend to apply for financial aid do so in conjunction with their application for admission. 

Financial aid is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. The first step in applying for aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Federal School Code for USD is 010395.