There are two options, A and B, for fulfilling the requirements for the M.S. degree. Students are admitted into Option A by default. Transfers between options must be approved by the DGS.

Option A (Thesis Plan) A minimum of 24 semester hours of course work and a research thesis are required. The thesis must be actively supervised by a full or associate member of the Graduate Faculty. In no case will independent work, taken as ME 699, ME 780-783 or ME 790, be counted as part of the 24 hours of coursework when 2 the course material is related to the student’s thesis. No more than two special courses such as ME 599, ME 699, ME 780-783 or ME 790 or independent courses/projects may be counted towards fulfilling requirements for the Master’s degree. At least half of all graduate course work must be at the 600 level or above. Instructors of independent course projects must provide the DGS with a course syllabus in order to obtain approval for use of the course toward satisfaction of M.S. requirements.

Option B (Non-Thesis Plan) A minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework is required for this program. This option is only allowed on a case-by-case basis with approval of the DGS, and is intended primarily for students with significant industrial experience and a desire to complete degree requirements on a part-time basis. At least half of all graduate course work must be at the 600 level or above. A final oral examination administered by the student’s committee must be passed to complete degree requirements. 

1. CV
   • Basic information such as full name, date of birth, address, email address, country of citizenship; universities attended, area of study, overall GPA for each; GRE and TOEFL (International students) scores; special skills such as software and/or programming competency.
2. Personal Statement
   • ​Should contain at least one page (single-spaced) of typed information about experience, motivation, goals.
3. Educational background
   • Applicants seeking admission to a graduate program in the Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) as regular students must have been awarded a baccalaureate degree. Admission to the ME graduate programs normally requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering (not necessarily in mechanical engineering), a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0 or 70% on all graduate and undergraduate works. An undergraduate degree in mathematics, chemistry or physics combined with a strong interest in engineering topics may be suitable preparation when certain required undergraduate courses are taken. Exceptions to these requirements may be made if other persuasive evidence indicating the student’s potential of success is available.
   • In addition, all international students (except those with a degree from a U.S. institution) must have a minimum score of 550 (paper) / 213 (computer) / 80 (Internet) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
4. GRE
   • ​Scores of at least 310 (Verbal + Quantitative and at least 160 on the quantitative section) and 3.5 (Analytical). Please note the GRE will no longer be required starting Fall 2024.
5. Three letters of recommendation

Applicants must meet the Graduate School admission requirements.

Application Deadlines

Spring: October 1

Fall: March 15