The Doctor of Philosophy degree with an emphasis on Mechanical Engineering prepares students for a rewarding career as a faculty member in academia or as a researcher in industry, research labs, or government agencies. Direct admit with a B.S. and programs for students with a previous M.S. are both available.

The diverse and multidisciplinary nature of most engineering doctoral topics requires that considerable flexibility be allowed in tailoring the doctoral program of study, consistent with the goals of the topic under study and the unique interests and capabilities of each student. The Ph.D. in ME online degree program offers distance students the opportunity to take classes on a full- or part-time basis and earn the same Ph.D. degree as on-campus students.

The Ph.D. in ME degree is a 63 credit hour program designed to be completed in 4 years by traditional students. Working with a major professor and guiding committee, students will select appropriate core, specialization, and elective courses and develop a research program.

Program of Study

• 1 hour of ME Graduate Seminar (ME 8011)
• 3 hour Math elective (ME 8213 or MA 6313 or MA 6323 or MA 8203 or MA 8463)
• 18 hours of 8xxx level coursework*
• 21 hours of other graduate coursework
• 20 hours minimum of Graduate Research (ME-9000) with major professor or thesis director

*6 hours of "Directed Individual Study" can be used to count towards the 12 hours of 8xxx credits)

The Ph.D. program of study requires students to take 42 hours of course work beyond the B.S. degree. If a student already has an M.S. degree, then up to 21 hours of course work can be used towards the Ph.D. degree.

Students who have entered the ME Ph.D. program are required to take the Ph.D. Qualifying Exams after they have completed 18 graduate course credit hours or within their first 3 years, whichever comes first.