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Graduate Program

The Graduate Program in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering continues to rise in national prominence, recognized for its research excellence and commitment to student success. Recent rankings from U.S. News & World Report place the department among the top 70 in the nation, reflecting a trajectory of rapid growth and increasing peer recognition. As a cornerstone of an R1 university with very high research activity, the department boasts world-class faculty, including members of the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Inventors, who drive innovation in energy, materials, health, and space exploration.

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Fast Facts

1,531
Total students (1,258 Undergraduate Students + 273 Graduate)
4
Members of National Academy of Engineering (Current and Emeritus)
11
Society Fellow Recognitions by American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Society of Engineering Science (SES), National Academy of Inventors (NAI), and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
14
National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER and Young Investigator Program (YIP) and Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator Program (YIP) awardees
$13M+
Recently awarded federal research funding
25
Cutting-edge Research Labs / Facilities 
10+
Editors, Associate Editors, Editorial Board Members of leading professional journals

 

Doctor of Philosophy

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering student

Candidates for the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) go beyond the study of established engineering principles to become creators of new knowledge. While building a strong foundation through advanced coursework, doctoral students focus primarily on intensive, individual research that expands the frontiers of mechanical and aerospace engineering. Working alongside world-class faculty, Ph.D. candidates are expected to master the methods of scholarly inquiry and make original, substantive contributions to their field, often resulting in peer-reviewed publications before graduation.

Doctoral Program

 

Master’s Programs

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering students

The department offers a diverse suite of master’s level programs designed to meet the distinct needs of both industry professionals and aspiring researchers.

A professional, non-thesis program (30 credit hours) ideal for working engineers seeking to deepen their technical expertise without interrupting their careers.

Master of Mechanical Engineering (MME)

Thesis and non-thesis tracks for those interested in research or specialized technical depth.

Mechanical Engineering (MSME)
Aerospace Engineering (MSAE)

The world’s only M.S. degree in this field, offered through the Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture (SICSA).

Master of Science in Space Architecture

We offer several dual master’s degrees, allowing you to combine Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering and Space Architecture, or pair an engineering discipline with Engineering Data Science to develop a powerful interdisciplinary skill set.

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace Engineering & Space Architecture
Mechanical Engineering & Engineering Data Science
Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Data Science
MME & Engineering Data Science