M.S. & Ph.D. in mechanical engineering

Advance your education in mechanical engineering with versatile graduate degrees that prepare you for industry or academic positions.

Program at a glance

Degrees offered

  • M.S. in mechanical engineering
  • Ph.D. in mechanical engineering

Application deadlines

  • Fall Semester: January 5
  • Spring Semester: September 1

Note: Late applications may be accepted on a rolling basis. Please contact Matteo Aureli for information.

Admissions requirements

  • Minimum GPA: M.S. 3.0 Ph.D. 3.25
  • GRE strongly recommended
  • Minimum TOEFL: 550 (PBT) or 79 (IBT)

About our graduate program

The Mechanical Engineering Department represents one of the broadest areas within engineering.  Graduate students are exposed to fundamental and emerging research topics that reflect the diversity of our faculty's research interests and potential applications.

Learn more about our research

 

Admissions requirements for the M.S. and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering

Incoming students should have a background in the core areas of mechanical engineering, including statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, dynamic systems and control, fluid mechanics, and solid mechanics. If you don't have background in one or more of these areas, faculty can help identify the additional courses you should take before completing our program.

GPA

M.S. applicants: A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0

Ph.D. applicants: A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.25 

GRE

M.S. and Ph.D. applicants: GRE is highly recommended, but not required, to apply. Candidates with a combined GRE verbal and quantitative score of at least 300 and quantitative scores above 155 are especially encouraged to apply. 

TOEFL

For international applicants to both the M.S. and Ph.D. program: A minimum TOEFL of 79 or IELTS of 6.5 

Letters of recommendation

M.S. and Ph.D. applicants: Three letters of recommendation. The letters should be from faculty or other established professionals.

Please note you do not need to upload letters. Your recommenders will be notified by email after you complete your online application.

Statement of purpose

M.S. and Ph.D. applicants: A statement of purpose (approximately 1-2 pages), describing research interests and career goals. Candidates are expected to clearly indicate their research interests as well as the faculty members they are interested in working with.

How to apply

You can start your application through The Graduate School website, which provides detailed instructions on the application process.

Deadline for applications and fellowship consideration is:

  • January 5 for fall semester enrollment
  • September 1 for spring semester enrollment 

Note: Late applications may be accepted on a rolling basis. Please contact Matteo Aureli for information.

 

Courses and curriculum

Requirements for the M.S. in mechanical engineering

We offer two degree options for master's students:

  • Plan A: Includes 30 credits of graduate-level coursework and a research thesis
  • Plan B: Requires 30 credits of graduate-level coursework

All master's degree candidates are initially accepted into Plan B, but may be invited to complete Plan A in cooperation with a faculty research advisor. Admitted students are assigned a faculty advisor who will help you outline an individual program of study tailed to fit your background and interests.

Requirements for the Ph.D. in mechanical engineering

In the Ph.D. program, you work closely with a thesis advisor to determine your  course of study and dissertation topic. Near the end of your first year of coursework, you must pass a qualifying examination to demonstrate mastery of a wide range of topics in mechanical engineering.

Next, you establish a dissertation committee to aid your progress. You are required to take a comprehensive examination, during which you are examined on both your completed work and your proposed work towards completing your dissertation. Finally, during the Ph.D. defense, after all other requirements are met, you are examined on the dissertation itself and possibly on related topics. In addition to the dissertation, the degree requires a minimum of 60 graduate credits, comprising 40 credits of coursework and 20 credits of dissertation research. 

 

Find a faculty advisor

Your faculty advisor plays a key role in your graduate education. All incoming students are assigned an initial faculty advisor who will help you outline your course of study tailored to fit your particular background and interests. You must declare your permanent faculty advisor by the end of your second semester. 

Research assistantships are awarded by individual faculty. Students should contact faculty members with research programs that interest them to learn about available assistantships as early as possible

 

Program cost and scholarships

Program cost

Information about graduate student tuition and fees is available on The Graduate School website.

Graduate assistantships

Our department offers both teaching and research assistantships to master's and Ph.D. students. Awards are made on the basis of scholarship and promise for outstanding achievement. Your GPA, GRE scores, statement of purpose and letters of recommendation are all factors when awarding assistantships. You do not need to submit a separate application to be considered for available teaching assistantships, but you should contact faculty directly to learn about available research assistantships.

Nuclear power fellowship

Graduate students in mechanical engineering with research interests in nuclear power may be eligible to apply for a nuclear power fellowship, funded by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 

College of Engineering graduate assistantships

Details on graduate research assistantships funded by the College of Engineering are available on the College website.

Funding resources from the Graduate School

The Graduate School maintains lists of additional funding opportunities from both University and external sources

Funding resources for international students

Information about scholarships and financial aid for international students is also available on the Office of International Students and Scholars website.