Culminating Experience

Understanding your path to a graduate degree starts here. From required coursework and credit hours to research, thesis or dissertation components, these guidelines are designed to help you plan your studies and stay on track toward graduation.

Whether you’re pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree, you’ll find the key information needed to navigate your program, maintain academic progress and successfully meet all degree requirements

Master's Program

You will complete a 30-credit degree through one of two culminating experience options: the thesis or non-thesis (coursework/capstone) path. You will select your option in consultation with a faculty advisor after beginning your program.

The thesis option is best if you plan to pursue a Ph.D. or research career, want deep specialization in a technical area, and are interested in faculty-mentored research. The non-thesis option is best if you plan to enter industry after graduation, prefer structured coursework over research, and want flexibility across technical areas.

Learn your graduation requirements for the M.s. in Mechanical Engineering

Forms

M.S.M.E. Thesis Option

Master of Science Plan of Study

Appointment of Master's Thesis Committee Form

Proposal Defense Report for Master's Thesis

Master's Thesis Checklist

Defense Report for Master's Thesis

Graduate Learning Outcomes Survey

Master's Thesis Submission and ETD Form

M.S.M.E. Non-Thesis Option

Master of Science Plan of Study

Find the Right Fit for You!

Contact Your Advisor

This is where your graduate experience starts to take shape. You’ll choose a thesis or non-thesis path based on how you want to apply your degree, whether that’s through in-depth research or advanced coursework designed for industry readiness.

You’ll make this decision with guidance from your faculty advisor as you progress through your program.

Doctoral Program

In our Ph.D. program, you can focus your advanced research in one of five key areas: automotive engineering, biomedical engineering, computational modeling and simulation, materials science, or manufacturing and precision engineering. If you have already earned a master’s degree in a related discipline, you can take advantage of our Advanced Standing Option to streamline your path to a doctorate and dive right into high-impact research.

Learn your graduation requirements for the Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

Doctoral Program Forms

Doctoral Plan of Study

Doctoral Qualifying Exam Application

Exam Report of Comprehensive/Qualifying Examination for Doctoral Students

Instructions to Complete Qualifying Exam Report