Three grad students in a machine shop operating a drill

Tomorrow Needs You. Are You Ready?

Receive a graduate education from an accredited institution.

Mechanical Engineering—MS

Our research takes place at the many interfaces of engineering and science. As mechanical engineers, we strive to create products and processes that help humankind. We embrace social, economic, and environmental sustainability. We value collaboration—within our department, with industry, and across universities. Are you ready?

Our Accelerated Master's Program is available for current Michigan Tech students. Explore our Online Master's Program.

Program Overview

Our master's program in mechanical engineering focuses on ground (automotive), sea, or air mobility; energy systems and microgrids; space systems; or biosystems in engineering. Investigate autonomous robotic systems; noise, vibration, and harshness; or nano-to-macro materials systems and simulations—both computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA).

Delivery Options
- Online: MS
- Accelerated: MS
- On-Campus: MS

Mechanical Engineering Program Details

Choose a specific degree option or delivery type to learn more about the mechanical engineering program at Michigan Tech. For international students, Mechanical Engineering is a designated STEM program.

On-Campus Programs

MS, Mechanical Engineering: Thesis Option

This option requires a research thesis prepared under the supervision of the advisor. The thesis describes a research investigation and its results. The scope of the research topic for the thesis should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in 12 months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

The minimum requirements are as follows:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	20 Credits
Thesis research	6-10 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

MS, Mechanical Engineering: Report Option

This option requires a report describing the results of an independent study project. The scope of the research topic should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in twelve months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

Of the minimum total of 30 credits, at least 24 must be earned in coursework other than the project:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	24 Credits
Report	2-6 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

MS, Mechanical Engineering: Coursework Option

This option requires a minimum of 30 credits be earned through coursework. A limited number of research credits may be used with the approval of the advisor, department, and Graduate School. See degree requirements for more information.

A graduate program may require an oral or written examination before conferring the degree and may require more than the minimum credits listed here:

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	18 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Accelerated MS, Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's + 1 Year = Master's Degree

Our accelerated master's degree program is a faster, easier way for Michigan Tech students to earn a master's degree. Up to nine approved credits from your bachelor's degree can be applied towards your accelerated master's degree. Consult your graduate program director for your individualized plan. If you're thinking about pursuing a master's following your bachelor's this option may be the right choice for you.

Additional Accelerated Master's Program Details

Online Programs

MS, Mechanical Engineering (Online)

Realize your career goal in design, simulation, manufacturing, testing, or one of the many other facets of the mechanical engineering discipline. Students in the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering program can choose from a broad spectrum of mechanical engineering applications. 30 credits (10 courses) can be completed in as few as five semesters.

See Online Mechanical Engineering MS

Accelerated MS, Mechanical Engineering (Online)

For Michigan Tech students with a Bachelor's degree, fast-track your career or speed progress toward advanced studies through an online Accelerated Master's Program. The program allows you to earn both a Bachelor' and Master's in as few as five years.

This online Accelerated Master’s program allows you to count up to 6 approved credits towards both degrees. It is designed for highly motivated students who wish to enter a mid-level position in their careers after graduation or pursue doctoral studies. Set yourself up for success in an increasingly demanding job market with an online Accelerated Master’s from Michigan Tech.

Additional Program Information

Want to learn more about mechanical engineering at Michigan Tech? Visit the department for more information:

Contact

Graduate Director

Wayne Weaver

Graduate Assistant

Cindy Wadaga

Sample Areas of Interest

Select areas of interest to help customize your mechanical engineering MS. Sample areas include:

Design and Dynamic Systems
Energy and Thermo-Fluids
Solid Mechanics
Manufacturing and Industrial

View full listing for this program

Application Process and Admissions Requirements

Applications are reviewed on an individual basis using a holistic approach. Fill out our free graduate application online to apply to any of our programs. Official transcripts and scores are not required for the initial application, although you will need to upload them later.

Graduate School Admissions Process

Applying to Graduate School is free (no application fees) and fast (no official transcripts or test scores are needed to start). The application process involves three easy steps. International applicants are required to pay a non-refundable $10 processing fee per application.

See Admissions Steps

Graduate School Admissions Options

Michigan Tech offers several admissions options in order to meet the educational needs of students from a variety of backgrounds. Students should review the options available to them and apply for the program that will best help them achieve their personal educational goals.

See Admissions Options

Graduate School Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Graduate School as a degree- or certificate-seeking student, you need to:

have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, and
be prepared for advanced study in your chosen field, as demonstrated by your previous degree and your scholastic record.

See additional application requirements, including required materials:

Student Statements

Official Transcripts

Program Specific Requirements

Program Specific

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related technical field - Students with degrees in other fields may be required to take preparatory courses
2 Letters of Recommendation (waived for Michigan Tech undergrads)
Résumé / Curriculum vitae
Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale
GRE not required
No Additional Documents Accepted

International Students

TOEFL: Recommended Score of 90 iBT
IELTS: Recommended Score of 6.5 overall

Michigan Tech requires a minimum 79 overall TOEFL or 6.5 overall IELTS score.

Admissions Decisions

Made on a rolling basis

Recommended Deadlines

Fall Semester: March 1

Spring Semester: August 1

International Student Requirements

International Students must apply and be accepted into a degree-granting program in order to earn a graduate certificate. A non-refundable $10 processing fee per application is required.

See International Applicants

Accelerated Master's Requirements

Our Accelerated Master's Program is available for current Michigan Tech students.

Program Specific

Minimum bachelor's overall GPA of 3.0 at graduation
Résumé/curriculum vitae
No GRE required

Eligible Undergraduate Majors

Biomedical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering

Accredited by HLC

Michigan Tech has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1928. Our Graduate School offers over 125 certificates, master's, and PhD programs to provide our students and the world with what tomorrow needs.

Who You'll Work With

Students work side-by-side with faculty and industry on initiatives that range from nanotechnology to space systems. Our department is one of the largest in the nation, with more than 40 full-time faculty members and 380 graduate students. Our annual research expenditures exceed $13 million, funded by industry, the National Science Foundation, NASA, Department of Energy, Department of Defense, and many others.

Where You'll Work

Cutting-edge laboratories will be your second home. Our extensive facilities include the Alternative Energy Research Building, the Nonlinear and Autonomous Systems Lab, the Human-Interactive Robotics Lab, the Ion Space Propulsion Lab, and the Human-Centered Monitoring Lab—to name a few.

Faculty Spotlight

Gregory Odegard

Gregory Odegard
John O. Hallquist Endowed Chair in Computational Mechanics, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Director of Research

"Nanotechnology, robotics, airplanes . . . mechanical engineering is the broadest discipline."

Computational modeling can be used to facilitate the development of new materials and technologies for a wide range of applications. Odegard focuses on computational design of new polymer composite materials and metallic alloys for the aerospace and power transmission industries.

Program Faculty