You can choose between Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Master of Science (M.S.), master of Engineering (M.Engr.) degrees in Mechanical Engineering.

You can choose between two different tracks for the M.S. degree: M.S. (thesis) and M.S. (creative component). The table below outlines the basic differences in the degree tracks.

You can also use this flow chart to see whoch degree option best suits your educational and career goals.

We also offer the following interdepartmental degrees:

M.S. and Ph.D. in the interdepartmental programs of Human Computer Interaction and Biorenewable Resources and Technology.

M.Engr. in Systems Engineering.

Program	Ph.D.	M.S. Thesis-based	M.S. Creative Component	M.Engr. Course-based
Typical Student	Course and independent research based; highest level of achivement in engineering	Student seeking in depth research for industry or to prepare for PhD study	Student seeking experience associated with independent study under supervising faculty member	Student seeking additional education beyond Bachelor's with a career in the industry
Financial Assistance	Generally offered as a research or teaching assistantship for tuition and stipend	Generally offered as a research assistantship for tuition and stipend	Generally not offered	Generally not offered
Distance Education Option	Typically not offered	Typically not offered	Yes, but must return to campus for project presentation	Yes

Funding at ISU for graduate students is available in the form of fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships. All qualified applicants will be considered for assistantships, scholarships, and fellowships. However, a limited number of fellowships are available, and early applications will be preferred.  The majority of our graduate students are supported in the form of assistantships and/or fellowships.

Research and Teaching Assistantships

Research Assistantship: A research assistantship is provided by a faculty member (major prefoessor) from his or her research grant or contract.  Students on research assistantships are expected to perform research and other related activities as directed by their major professor towards the fulfilment of the grant requirements.

Teaching Assistantship: A teaching assistantship is given by a department to the student to assist in teaching responsbilities.  For example, this can include grading or running the lab portion of a course. Some advanced students are given the responsibility of teaching a course.

Master's applicants will be considered for

• 1/2 time research or teaching assistantship with a stipend typically up to $1600 per month
• 50% tuition scholarship
• automatic in-state tuition rate for remaining tuition

Doctoral applicants will be considered for

• 1/2 research or teaching assistantship with a stipend up to $2000 per month
• 100% tuition scholarship

 

Scholarships and Fellowships

The Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering and the University also provide fellowships and scholarships to outstanding applicants, including outstanding under-represented minority and women applicants.  Many of these fellowships typically provide financial supplements to a research or teaching assistantship and can range from

• ISU Scholarships, Grants, and Loans
• George Washington Carver Doctoral Fellowship
• Graduate Minority Assistantship Program (GMAP)
• ISU Funding Resources
• College of Engineering Graduate Fellowship Opportunities.

Typically this funding comes from a research grant that a faculty member has received.  You would be expected to perform research in collaboration with the faculty member and/or other researchers to accomplish the goals of the research grant.

The concurrent BS/MS classification offers an opportunity for well qualified ISU juniors and seniors to begin their work on an MS degree before completing their BS degree. This program also allows the student the opportunity to receive a graduate assistantship.

As a graduate student with an assistantship, the student can be considered for various graduate scholarships.  Eligible graduate assistants receive a graduate tuition scholarship.

Concurrent BS/MS classification does not change any of the rules for either the BS or MS degrees; in particular, it does not reduce the number of credits that are required for either the BS or MS degree. It does however allow the student to get a head start in completing their MS degree.

Once the student enters the BS/MS program, they can continue on for or switch to a Ph.D. degree

Program Requirements

• Upto two semesters of concurrent enrollment are allowed
• Students must take at least 3 credits of graduate coursework (500 level and above ME courses or qualified 400 level and above in other majors labeled non-major graduate credit) each semester during concurrent enrollment
• Students can count up to 6 credits of 500 level courses in Mechanical Engineering for both the B.S. and M.S. degrees.
• Concurrently enrolled students will pay graduate tuition and fees and are eligible for graduate assistantships

Admission requirements

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2. Students with lower GPA can appeal to the Director of Graduate Education.
• Students must be within 18 credits of completing the requirements
• An ME professor must agree to serve as your major professor

Application Procedure

1. Documents to be submitted to the Graduate Programs Office (2019 Black)
• Completed Cocurrent Enrollment Request form available at http://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/forms/files/ConcurrentEnrollmentGUG.doc.  Obtain signatures from the Undergraduate Department Chair and Dean of the Undergraduate College (in 110 Marston).
• Meet with your undergraduate advisor and complete the Undergraduate Advisor’s form (M E departmental form). Submit this form to the M E department graduate secretary.
• a short resume which includes related work experience, honors, awards, membership in professional societies, publications if any, and extracurricular activities (submit to the department as a pdf file by email to megradappiastate.edu)
2. Documents to be submitted to the Admissions Office
• Complete a graduate application at https://www.applyweb.com/apply/isu/.  Be sure to check the concurrent enrollment program box.
• Identify 2 ME faculty members to provide letters of recommendation on the online application
• Provide a statement of purpose that highlights ability, motivation and experience related to your chosen research field as well as career goals as part of the application

No decision will be made until a major professor has been identified.  Official action taken on your application will be communicated to you by the Admissions Office. Upon acceptance, you will be classified as a graduate student. To check on the status of your application, email the M E department graduate programs secretary at megradinfoiastate.edu.

Assistantships and Tuition Scholarship for BS/MS students

Students admitted to the BS/MS program will be eligible for a at least a ¼ time research assistantship. In some cases, students may qualify for a ½ time graduate assistantship.  Eligible graduate assistants receive tuition scholarship funds to help defray the cost of a graduate program of study.  Master’s students on a half-time graduate assistantship generally pay 50% of the in-state tuition plus university fees.

If you are INQUIRING about our graduate program, please find more information on our Web site (www.me.iastate.edu) or contact our Graduate Programs Assistant Amy Carver at megradinfoiastate.edu. She also can be reached via instant message at ISUmegradinfo on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m.

If you are APPLYING to our graduate program or have already applied, please read the following information carefully. We respectfully ask that you refrain from calling or sending e-mail unless it is absolutely essential. The time we spend responding to these inquiries greatly slows our applications processing.

To help guide you through the application process, we have compiled the following list of frequently asked questions. We hope this information will help you better understand the process and ease any concerns you may have about how your application materials are reviewed and processed.

Where do I begin my online application process?

1. Complete your Iowa State Graduate Application online (paying by credit card) at www.applyweb.com/apply/isu/. Contact the institution(s) you have attended and have them send your official transcripts to
   Office of Admissions
   100 Enrollment Services
   Iowa State University
   Ames, IA, 50011-2011 USA
   Note: Once you click the Submit button on your online application, you have officially completed the process and will receive a confirmation page.
2. Select three people with whom you have worked, either professionally or educationally, to complete letters of recommendation for you. 
3. Submit a current résumé and a one-page statement of purpose that highlights your ability, motivation, and experience related to your chosen research field as well as your career goals. Submit these documents electronically to megradappiastate.edu.
4. Submit your official GRE scores directly to us through the Educational Testing Service. Our school code is 6306. If you need more information about taking the GRE, please visit www.ets.org. You can submit all application materials prior to submitting your GRE scores.

Iowa State has a shared application process, which means certain items are sent to the Iowa State Office of Admissions and other items are sent to the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Programs Office. More information regarding the application process itself can be found at www.admissions.iastate.edu/apply/pdf/intl_gr_how.pdf

 

 

What materials do I send to the Office of Admissions?

Submit these materials electronically:

• Application
• Application fee
• Official GRE scores (sent by testing services)
• Official TOEFL scores (sent by testing services)
• We prefer you use the online letter of recommendation process. Include your recommenders’ names and e-mail addresses on the application form, and they will be sent instructions on how to submit their letter electronically.

Submit these materials by mail:

• http://typo3.eng.iastate.edu/?id=Financial statement (international applicants only)
• Official academic transcripts

Mail admissions envelope to:
Office of Admissions
100 Enrollment Services
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2011 USA

 

 

What supplemental materials are required and where do I send these?

For us to promptly consider your application, the following supplemental material must be submitted electronically (preferably PDF or Microsoft Word) to megradappiastate.edu:

Include your name and admission term in the subject line as it appears in your application form.

(for example: Firstname Lastname, Fall 2009)

• A short résumé or vita (two pages or less) that describes your related project or work experience, honors, awards, publications, membership in professional societies, and extracurricular activities.
• A one-page statement of purpose that highlights your ability, motivation, and experience related to your chosen research field as well as career goals
  Note: This statement can be completed as part of the electronic application.

What should I do if my references/recommenders insist on sending their letters of recommendation by postal mail?

To avoid delays in processing your admission, we encourage and prefer that your references use the electronic system. Letters of recommendation may be sent directly to

Graduate Programs Office
Department of Mechanical Engineering
2025 Black Engineering
Iowa State University
Ames, IA, 50011-2161 USA

 

Who determines my admission into the program?

Graduate programs staff members answer e-mail messages and phone calls regarding your admission, but they do not determine admissions criteria and are not involved in admissions decisions. Admission into the program is determined by our Graduate Studies Committee (consisting of faculty) that reviews your completed application package. (For more information on the review process, please see "Have I been admitted?")

Note:  Individual faculty cannot comment on an applicant's chances for admission, so we ask that you do not contact faculty directly regarding your admission status.

 

Who determines if I receive financial assistance (or assistantships)?

Graduate programs staff members answer e-mail messages and phone calls regarding financial assistance, but they do not determine financial aid criteria and are not involved in financial aid decisions. Your financial assistance opportunities cannot be determined before our Graduate Studies Committee reviews your completed application package and faculty review your complete application. (For more information on the review process, please see "Have I been admitted?")

 

What is the deadline to apply for graduate studies in mechanical engineering?

Fall semester applications must be received by January 10, and  spring semester applications must be received by July 10. We do NOT recommended that you wait until the deadline date to submit your online application as this may delay the process.

 

May I defer payment of the application fee until after I am admitted?

The application fee is required in order for us to process your application. Unfortunately, we cannot waive or defer the fee.

Note: If you are a U.S. Citizen AND are a member of an underrepresented minority group, please contact our Graduate Programs Assistant Amy Carver at megradinfoiastate.edu to ask about fee deferral options. She can also be reached via instant message at ISUmegradinfo on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m.

 

How do I know if you have received my application?

To see if the Office of Admissions has received your application, check your personal log at www.applyweb.com/cgi-bin/ustat?. You can also send an inquiry to the Office of Admissions regarding the status of your application at www.admissions.iastate.edu/forms/statuscheck/gr_statuscheck.php.

Due to the high volume of applications received in the Office of Admissions and our Graduate Programs Office during December through February, you may not receive acknowledgement that we have received your applications or supporting materials. However, if we do not receive the necessary academic records (and graduate examination scores, if required) within a reasonable time after your application is received, we will send you an e-mail notifying you that your application is incomplete and prompting action. If you receive this e-mail, you must complete this action to be consider for admission into our program.

What are the minimum GRE and TOEFL scores required for admission?

There are no cut-off scores for the GRE examination, as the scores are evaluated within the context of your entire application package. Because admission is competitive, we have provided the recommended guidelines below based on our experience.

• TOEFL score: Guideline is a minimum of 570 (paper-based) or 230 (computer-based) or 79 (iBT).
• GRE score: Guideline is a minimum of 700 (Quantitative) and 3.5 or 700 (Analytical).

 

Can the TOEFL score be waived?

TOEFL scores are required of international students whose native language is not English. This University requirement cannot be waived.

Note: For the purpose of applying to Iowa State, English may be considered your native language if you have been raised in an environment where English is the only official language of your locality and nation and English is the language used in your home. If your native language is not English, you must submit scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

This requirement is waived if you have earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a country where English is the only official language.

 

What are your GRE and TOEFL school (and department) codes?

The university requires official results be sent directly by the Educational Testing Service. You can find out more information about and register for the GRE at www.ets.org. Our school code is 6306. Note: All official GRE and TOEFL scores come to the Office of Admissions, so you do not need a department code.

 

Have you received my GRE and/or TOEFL scores from ETS, and may they arrive after the application deadline?

We highly recommend you arrange to have your scores sent before the application deadline. However, it is acceptable for your GRE and TOEFL score reports to arrive after the application deadline as long as it is during the review process, which is one to two weeks after the application deadline. If your reports arrive within the above timeframe after the deadline, your chances of being admitted or receiving financial assistance will not be affected unless final admission  decisions have all been made. You can send an inquiry to the Office of Admissions regarding the status of your application at www.admissions.iastate.edu/forms/statuscheck/gr_statuscheck.php.

Note: The Office of Admissions uses only official scores to process your application. Copies of scores will not be considered.

 

I received a communication stating that my GRE and TOEFL scores have not yet been received, but I sent copies with my mailed documents. Why have they not been accepted?

In most cases, this means that we have not yet received your official GRE and/or TOEFL score report from ETS. If you have already requested ETS to send your official scores, you need not take any further action.

Note: The Office of Admissions uses only the official scores to process your application. To expedite your application’s processing, we request that you send photocopies of your official GRE and TOEFL results.

 

What is a GPA and what if my institution does not report grades this way?

 

On the application, you are asked to indicate your GPA at each institution attended.  You should provide the GPA attained and the maximum grade attainable in the grading system used at your institution.  For example, most US schools have a 4-pt. grading system where A=4, B=3, 2=C, D=1, F=0.  If your GPA score on that scale was 3.00, you would list it as 3.00/4.00.  Other examples of GPAs on grading scales used in other countries are 80/100; 8/10; 2nd Division, Upper/1st Division; etc.  A simple conversion to the 4.0 scale would be useful for application processing - It does not have to be exact – an estimate is acceptable.  Note that while the department committee will use this estimate to review applicants, note that Admissions Office will evaluate your grades based on the information on your official transcript.

Have I been admitted? (What is the status of my application?)

Once your application package is complete, the contents are catalogued and forwarded to our Graduate Education Committee. All applications are held for review until after the application deadline—there are no early decisions. Please contact megradinfoiastate.edu if you have an extenuating circumstance that requires an early decision.

The Graduate Studies Committee begins reviewing applications shortly after the application deadline. You will receive a notification when review begins to verify that your application is under consideration. Depending on the number of applications received, the review process can take up to two weeks. Once we have reviewed all the applications, you will be informed via e-mail as to the committee’s decision (Qualified or Denied).

The application packages of applicants who are deemed qualified for admission by the committee will be forwarded to the faculty for admission and assistantship consideration.  Offer letters will be sent electronically around the first two weeks of March for fall semester applications and around the first two weeks of October for spring semester applications.

 

What are my options if not admitted/denied admission?

Your completed application may be reconsidered for the next concurrent semester after your original application semester (for example, if you applied in fall, you can be reconsidered in spring). You will be sent an e-mail asking if you would like to be reconsidered. You may also send additional information at this time. For example, additional transcripts from other schools you may attend prior to admissions. Note: Your application is valid only for one year.