Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)

All-Course Option

Students completing an “all-course” degree will successfully complete a coordinated sequence of 10-12 courses totalling 30 credits or more. A master’s essay or thesis is not required for this degree, which typically requires three to four semesters of study.

Both options provide students with an intensive exposure to advanced topics in mechanical engineering and strengthens understanding of engineering fundamentals.

Research Option

Students complete a coordinated sequence of 8-10 courses and graduate research, and submit a master’s essay (sometimes known as a “thesis”). These total 30 credits or more.

Internship/Co-Op Option

Students complete a coordinated sequence of 8-10 courses and a six-month co-operative/internship experience, which total 30 credits or more.  Students then submit a master’s essay.  A co-op (or “co-operative”) experience is an internship experience where students spend time working at a company or laboratory, usually outside of Johns Hopkins. Students are usually paid a stipend during the internship, and all students – international and American – are eligible to participate in this program.

To broaden the practical training for master’s students, the Whiting School of Engineering’s co-op/internship office teams with companies to provide an immersive master’s internship experience in a professional working environment. Goals and objectives for the master’s degree are developed for students in this option in conjunction with academic advisors. Learn more about the Internship / Co-Op program here!

NEW!  Home-to-Hopkins
Begin your studies online and finish your degree early!

Starting for students admitted to the Fall 2025 semester and later, students can begin their programs early by participating in the Home-to-Hopkins program!  Students may take up to two courses online at home during the summer before arriving on campus for full-time study at our Homewood Campus!  View this Sample Programs document to see how you can finish your degree early.

Any two of these courses, which are offered in various summer terms – some every summer and some in alternating summers – will be accepted toward a student’s master’s degree, assuming proper grades have been earned, which is B- or higher (one course for entire degree can be graded C+, C, or C-). Click on the link for each course to learn more about it, including course descriptions.

First Year

Advanced Study

  • EN.535.737 Multiscale Modeling and Simulation of Mechanical Systems
  • EN.535.742 Applied Machine Learning for Mechanical Engineers
  • EN.535.782 Haptic Applications

Other 3-credit or 4-credit courses from the Engineering for Professionals program with EN.xxx.xxx course numbers that are upper-undergraduate (EN.xxx.4xx) or graduate (first year – EN.xxx.6xx and advanced – EN.xxx.7xx) can be approved on a case-by-case basis. View the Engineering for Professionals course schedule page for course information.

New students are encouraged to ask their academic advisors or Academic Program Manager Mike Bernard at me-academic@jhu.edu about other EP courses so they can be reviewed and approved for the degree.

The Distinguished Master’s Fellowship

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers fellowships to outstanding Master’s applicants in the form of partial or full tuition waivers for full-time Master’s degree graduate study in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

All applicants to the full-time Master’s program are automatically considered for this fellowship and no additional material is required at the time of application. Fellowship decisions are usually announced in March for Fall applicants and November for Spring applicants.

Learn more about the Distinguished Master’s Fellowship.

Potential Advancement to the Ph.D. Program

A few of our master’s students will, each year, advance to our PhD Mechanical Engineering program to continue their research and education. Advancement to the PhD program can occur within one to three semesters of when our students begin their education with us.

Where do our Master’s Graduates Go?

Most of our master’s students graduate with the master’s degree and begin their careers in a wide variety of engineering and research fields!  Visit our Master’s Alumni page to see where our graduates have made their mark around the world and our MSE Graduate Spotlight page for some recent success stories. You, too, can join this elite group with an admission to our master’s degree program!

Apply for Admission

Visit our Apply for Admission page for application information. We welcome your application for admission!

For more information…

Learn More About Our MSE Program

Ready to Apply?

Because we’re ready for you. Visit our Graduate Admission page to get started on the next step in your professional career.

Graduate Admissions