Master's Program

Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)

Essay Option

Students writing an essay will successfully complete a coordinated sequence of eight courses and graduate research, and submit a master’s essay (sometimes known as a “thesis”). The degree typically requires three to four semesters of study.

There are two options to complete the essay:

• Conduct Laboratory Research
  • Work with world-renowned engineering professors by conducting original research to produce an essay worthy of publication.
  • Learn more about laboratory research here!
    • View the 2021 Master’s Expo presented on November 15, 2021.
    • View the 2021 Master’s Expo PowerPoint slide (365 MB) and Acrobat .pdf file (2.9 MB).
• Work in a Cooperative Educational Environment (Co-Op)
  • To broaden the practical training for master’s students, the Institute for Nanobiotechnology (INBT) teams with companies to provide an immersive master’s industry “co-op” experience in a professional working environment. Goals and objectives are developed for the student in conjunction with faculty and INBT academic advisors, which will be used to complete the master’s essay.
  • Learn more about the Co-Op program here!

All-Course Option

Students completing an “all-course” degree will successfully complete a coordinated sequence of ten courses. 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.

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. You, too, can join this elite group with an admission to our master’s degree program!