Spring Connect for Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis

Fuel Your Future in STEM, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

January 12 - May 6, 2026 | Residential | Spring semester | 3 graduate courses

Thinking about graduate school? In partnership with KSE Global, the McKelvey School of Engineering's Spring Connect program can equip you for success, providing students a pathway to graduate enrollment at Washington University in St. Louis, a top 21 U.S. premier university.

Upon meeting all application requirements, this spring program allows students to earn up to 3 courses of transferable academic credits, along with first-priority/preferential admission to WashU’s Master of Engineering Management (MEM) or Master of Information Systems Management (MISM) programs.

International student in class explaining coursework

Launch Your Graduate Journey with WashU's Spring Connect

Join us at WashU, one of the nation's top-ranked universities, for an immersive academic experience designed for students with bachelor degrees or students who have have completed all non-thesis undergraduate courses prior to the start of the program. This program allows students to earn 9 credits of coursework prior to enrolling in a formal master's-level program.

Spring Connect Program Highlights

  • Dual Admission Pathway: Students who meet specific admission standards are eligible for first-priority/preferential admission to approved master’s programs (MEM, MISM) at WashU's McKelvey School of Engineering.
  • Transferable Credits: The credits earned during the Spring Connect Program can be directly applied toward future master’s degree requirements.
  • Accelerated Graduation: Complete your master's degree in just one academic year (two semesters) after finishing the Connect Program.
  • Immersive Campus Life: Experience WashU’s vibrant, world-class campus while developing an innovative mindset, sharpening your academic English, and boosting your future competitiveness.
  • Comprehensive Support: Gain access to academic, professional, and cultural resources designed to support your smooth transition to graduate studies.

In partnership with KSE Global, WashU's Spring Connect Program is your gateway to advanced study and professional success in either WashU's Master of Engineering Management (MEM) or Master of Information Systems Management (MISM) programs. WashU's McKelvey Engineering offers cutting-edge engineering programs and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community.


WashU students conversing on steps

Spring Connect Program Details

Focused on preparing students for either WashU's MEM or MISM graduate degrees, this one-semester residential program allows students to take three (3-credit) graduate-level courses. These courses count toward the MEM or MISM degree program requirements.

  • Duration: one semester (January 12 – May 6, 2026)
  • Target Audience: students with earned bachelor degrees or students with all non-thesis undergraduate courses completed by the start of the connect program (and scheduled to graduate from their undergraduate program by July 2026)
  • Housing: Students will locate suitable housing on their own, which includes WashU’s on- and off-campus housing (subject to availability)
  • Admission Offer: Dual admission offer to WashU (Spring Connect program + First-priority/Preferential MEM or MISM degree admission offer)
  • Curriculum: Three 3-credit graduate-level courses (9 credits total) in Engineering Management and Information Systems Management
  • Credits: Transferable to future master’s degree requirements
  • Graduation Timeline: Students can apply for Fall 2026 to either the MISM or MEM master’s degree programs during the Spring Connect program

Over the course of one semester, you'll gain exposure to the mindset of innovation, sharpen your academic English and build a competitive edge for your future—all while learning and enjoying WashU's vibrant, world-class campus.

Apply

Who Should Apply to WashU's Spring Connect?

  • Students with earned bachelor degrees or students with all non-thesis undergraduate courses completed by the start of the connect program (and scheduled to graduate from their undergraduate program by July 2026)
  • Students looking to explore graduate-level topics in innovation and emerging technologies
  • Individuals eager to improve academic English and engage in a U.S. university experience
  • Future leaders aiming to shape their career success

Admission Requirements

Academic: Cumulative university GPA of 2.75 or above

Language Proficiency: Accepted English Proficiency Tests and Minimum Scores:

  • TOEFL iBT: Minimum score of 90
  • IELTS Academic: Minimum score of 6.5
  • GATEWAY English Test: Minimum score of 495
  • Duolingo: Minimum score of 125

Exemptions: Applicants may be exempt from submitting English proficiency test scores if they meet any of the following criteria:

  • Citizenship-Based Exemption: If you hold citizenship from one of the following countries or regions, you may be exempt from submitting an English proficiency test score: Australia, Cameroon, Canada, Commonwealth Caribbean nations, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Kenya, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Zambia, or Zimbabwe.
  • School-Based Exemption: If you have completed at least two years of study (before your Connect Program matriculation) within the last five years at an English-medium institution in one of the countries listed above (in the "Citizenship-Based Exemption" section), you may be exempt from submitting an English proficiency test score.
  • Degree-Based Exemption: If you have earned a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from a non-United States institution in a country where the official language is English (based on the CIA World Factbook), you may be exempt from submitting an English proficiency test score.
  • Work-Based Exemption: If you have two years or more of continuous full-time work experience in the U.S. within the last four years (as well as a current resume and an employment letter on company letterhead, stating the dates of employment for verification), you may be exempt from submitting an English proficiency test score. Completed two or more years of study at an English-medium academic institution in an English-speaking country within the last five years.

Note: All exemption requests are subject to review and approval by Washington University.

 

Admission Materials

  • Completed and submitted Spring Connect application: APPLY
  • All undergraduate transcripts (unofficial) must be in English and contain the applicant's name, institution and all grades received.
  • Current resume
  • Personal statement (250–500 words)

Apply


Requirements for Accelerated Admission

  • Achieve a cumulative university GPA of 2.75 or higher
  • Earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in the Spring Connect program
  • Complete an admission interview with WashU's McKelvey Engineering

Note: First-priority/Preferential admission offers into either the MEM or MISM program will be issued after acceptance into the Spring Connect program.

Aerial view of Brookings Hall, the East End, Forest Park, the Medical Campus and downtown St. Louis

Important Dates

  • Spring 2026 application deadline
    • October 31, 2025 for students who need to apply for a F1 visa
    • November 20, 2025 for students who do not need to apply for a F1 visa
  • Spring Connect program begins: January 12, 2026

Spring Connect at Washington University in St. Louis 

Located in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri, WashU offers you the chance to learn and grow in a dynamic city brimming with culture, history and friendly Midwestern charm.

a small group of students sittin in the grass on the WashU campus

Start off the new year at WashU!