Start Earlier. Build More. Go Further.
The Lally Graduate Pathways strengthens the connection between RPI’s School of Engineering and the Lally School of Management. It helps engineering students explore how a future Lally graduate degree can complement their technical education and prepare them to work at the intersection of technology and management. The program is also open to undergraduate students from every RPI school and major.
More Than Academic Planning
Start building your professional network while exploring how business connects with your field of study. Graduate Pathways brings you into the Lally community early, with opportunities to:
- Connect with Lally alumni and employers
- Participate in company visits and networking events
- Attend professional development workshops and guest speaker events
- Explore Lally student clubs and professional organizations
- Access industry-standard resources such as Bloomberg and FactSet
- Build relationships with a cohort of students from across RPI
These experiences help you explore career paths, learn from professionals, and see how a Lally graduate degree could support your leadership goals.
Why Choose Graduate Pathways?
Through early advising, professional development, networking, and exposure to Lally’s graduate programs, students can explore their options and begin planning a pathway toward an M.S. or MBA while completing their undergraduate degree.
A distinctive advantage of pursuing graduate study through Lally is the opportunity for eligible students to share up to six credits between their undergraduate and graduate degrees. Graduate Pathways advising helps students plan ahead and preserve undergraduate free-elective space so qualifying graduate courses may count toward both degrees, providing greater flexibility and potentially reducing the time and cost required to complete a Lally M.S. or MBA.
You do not need to choose an M.S. or MBA program when you join. Graduate Pathways gives you time to explore your options and plan ahead.
Your Pathway at a Glance
- Join Graduate Pathways: Become part of a cohort of RPI students from across majors and schools.
- Stay connected through MGMT 4550: Participate in the 0-credit Graduate Pathways Seminar each fall and spring.
- Explore and plan: Learn about Lally’s graduate programs and work with advisors to map your academic pathway.
- Apply for admission: During your junior year, apply separately to your selected Lally M.S. or MBA program.
- Begin graduate coursework: Eligible students can begin graduate coursework during their undergraduate studies and share up to six credits between their undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Based on academic performance, Graduate Pathways students may qualify for merit-based tuition awards when they transition into a Lally graduate program.
Graduate Pathways Timeline
| First & Sophomore Years | Join Graduate Pathways, explore options, and attend events. |
| Junior Year | Select a program, finalize your academic plan, and apply for admission. |
| Senior Year | Begin eligible graduate coursework and share up to six credits. |
| Graduate Year | Complete the remaining M.S. or MBA requirements. |
Explore Your Graduate Options
The MBA provides broad preparation in management, strategy, and leadership, while Lally’s specialized M.S. programs allow you to build deeper expertise in a specific business field.
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- M.S. in Business Analytics
- M.S. in Quantitative Finance and Risk Analytics
- M.S. in Supply Chain Management
- M.S. in Information Technology
Explore each program to find the graduate path that best complements your RPI undergraduate degree and career goals.
Plan Ahead and Save
Planning early can help reduce the time and cost of earning your Lally graduate degree. Eligible students can share up to six graduate credits between their undergraduate and graduate degrees, reducing the number of credits remaining after completing their bachelor's degree.
Graduate Pathways students may also qualify for merit-based tuition awards of up to 50% of tuition charges during their additional two semesters of graduate study, conditional upon academic performance.
Who is Graduate Pathways for?
Graduate Pathways is open to RPI undergraduates from every major and school who want to complement their field of study with business and management skills. Whether you already have a Lally M.S. or MBA in mind or are just beginning to explore, you can join early to build connections, consider career possibilities, and plan your next steps.
Graduate Admissions Eligibility
To remain eligible for graduate admission, students must:
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
- Complete at least 15 credits of 4000-level coursework by the end of junior year
- Participate in MGMT 4550, the Graduate Pathways Seminar, each fall and spring
- Receive confirmation from the Graduate Pathways Program Coordinator that program participation and academic requirements have been completed
FAQs
No. Graduate Pathways gives you time to explore Lally’s graduate programs and determine which option best aligns with your interests and career goals. You will formally apply to your chosen graduate program later.
No. Graduate Pathways is designed for RPI students from across majors and schools. The program is intended to complement your undergraduate field of study, not replace it.
MGMT 4550 is the 0-credit Graduate Pathways Seminar and serves as the central hub for program communication, advising, professional development, and activities. Students register for the seminar each fall and spring until they are formally admitted to a Lally graduate program.
No. The seminar meets only a few times each semester for important program activities, guest speakers, and professional development. Most ongoing communication takes place through the course LMS.
Eligible students can apply up to six graduate course credits toward both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. At the undergraduate level, these credits apply toward free electives. Planning ahead with an advisor is important so you preserve the necessary elective space.
Typically, students begin graduate coursework later in their undergraduate studies, often during senior year, depending on their academic plan. Early advising through Graduate Pathways helps you plan for this opportunity.
No. Participation in Graduate Pathways is conditional. Students formally apply to their chosen Lally M.S. or MBA program during junior year and must continue to meet the program’s academic requirements.
You can discontinue your participation. Graduate Pathways is designed to give you early access to information, experiences, and advising so you can make an informed decision about graduate study; participation does not lock you into completing a Lally graduate degree.
No. There is no cost or financial commitment to participate in Graduate Pathways.
Peggy McDermott, Program Coordinator for the Graduate Pathways Program, can assist with questions about the program and academic planning.
