Our graduate-level mechanical engineering programs are designed to pair academic course work with research to solve society’s toughest challenges.
We pride ourselves in working across the boundaries between disciplines and departments to develop new methods and technologies that make a true difference in the world.
Each of our unique graduate degrees offers different curriculum and career trajectory.
The highest degree available. Strong emphasis on research and works extensively with major professor. Typically requires four to five years to complete.
Includes coursework and a research component with opportunities to work directly with faculty. Typically earned in two years.
Coursework only, no research component. Flexible schedules; offered fully online or in person. Can be completed in as little as one year, depending on course load.
Coursework only, no research component. Fully online program. Students can receive the certificate in as little as 9 months by taking two courses per semester.
The concurrent BS/MS classification offers an opportunity for well-qualified Iowa State juniors and seniors to begin working on a master’s degree before completing a bachelor’s degree.
Research degree (Ph.D. and M.S.) app deadline
For 2025 funding consideration:
Spring admission: September 1, 2024
Fall admission: February 7, 2025
For full consideration, all materials must be submitted by the deadline.
Coursework degree (M.Engr.) app deadline
Domestic students: Four weeks before the semester starts
International students: Eight weeks before the semester starts
See the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Student Handbook for approved courses and additional degree requirement details. To help you decide what courses to take, many courses have been grouped by disciplinary area emphasis.
Course descriptions can be found on the Iowa State Course Catalog. Availability of courses will be on the Schedule of Classes. Students should review the ME Grad Student Handbook and Graduate College Handbook for guidelines on courses, such as independent study, transferring courses and minimum needed at Iowa State, undergraduate courses, and credits earned during non-degree-seeking status.
Our graduate students work directly with faculty to investigate challenges and develop solutions in these areas:
Graduate students are encouraged to take courses from across engineering and science disciplines to build a curriculum plan that meets their own research interests and talents.
The doctoral degree is the highest degree offered and recognizes scholarly contributions and impact of the candidate to their chosen field of study. The degree culminates with the successful defense of a dissertation. A minimum of 72 graduate credits must be earned for the Ph.D. degree with the following requirements.
Graduates with a PhD in Mechanical Engineering will be able to:
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| GR ST 5650: Responsible Conduct of Research in Science and Engineering | 1 |
| Mechanical Engineering Core Any 5000 or above level ME course as well as specific non-ME courses approved by the graduate committee. | 18 |
| Mathematics/Statistics Any 3000-level or higher Math or Statistics class (EXCEPT Math 3070 and Math 3170) will count towards this requirement. Non-Math/Stat courses with strong math or statistics content that are approved by the graduate education committee may also count towards this requirement. | 6 |
| Communication A course focused on improving your communication skills. | 3 |
| Total 28 credits | |
| Research credits + Elective Courses (determined by POSC) ME 6990 | 44 |
| Total 72 credits |
The Master of Science (thesis) degree emphasizes graduate research and culminates in the creation of a thesis and associated oral exam. A minimum of 30 graduate credits must be earned for the MS degree with the following requirements.
Graduates with a MS in Mechanical Engineering will be able to:
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| GR ST 5650: Responsible Conduct of Research in Science and Engineering | 1 |
| Mechanical Engineering Core Any 5000 or above level ME course as well as specific non-ME courses approved by the graduate committee. | 9 |
| Mathematics/Statistics Any 3000-level or higher Math or Statistics class labeled “non-major graduate credit” (EXCEPT Math 3070 and Math 3170) will count towards this requirement. Non-Math/Stat courses with strong math or statistics content that are approved by the graduate education committee may also count towards this requirement. | 3 |
| Electives Choose any courses that you feel would round out your education; these can be from Mechanical Engineering or outside the major. | 6 |
| Research credits ME 6990 | 11 |
| Total 30 credits |
The MEng degree is a course-work only professional graduate (master’s) degree that is well suited for working professionals and individuals seeking additional education beyond a bachelor’s degree to become an outstanding engineer. A minimum of 30 graduate credits must be earned for the degree with the below requirements.
Graduates with a Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering will be able to:
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering Core Any 5000 or above level ME course as well as specific non-ME courses approved by the graduate committee. | 15 |
| Mathematics/Statistics Any 3000-level or higher Math or Statistics class (EXCEPT Math 3070 and Math 3170) will count towards this requirement. Non-Math/Stat courses with strong math or statistics content that are approved by the graduate education committee may also count towards this requirement. | 3 |
| Professional DevelopmentChoose one course from the list of approved courses. | 3 |
| Electives Choose any courses that you feel would round out your education; these can be from Mechanical Engineering or outside the major. | 9 |
| Total 30 credits |
Advanced Manufacturing centers on improving the performance of the manufacturing industry through the innovation in manufacturing processes and systems. The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Manufacturing provides students who have strong science, technology, mathematics and/or engineering backgrounds with additional graduate education in advanced manufacturing to address this important local and national need. The objectives of the certificate are to:
Earning the certificate will enhance the competitiveness, technical knowledge, and resulting working efficiency of the students. The certificate also serves as a stepping stone into our professional coursework-only Master of Engineering programs.
Students can receive the certificate in as little as 9 months by taking two courses per semester.
To be considered for admission to the certificate program, the applicant should have a Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field from a college, university, or technical school of recognized standing.
Other degree programs will be considered on an individual basis, but completion of a calculus sequence through differential equations is required. High academic achievement or other persuasive evidence of professional accomplishments is expected for admission to the program.
Admission and application procedures are on the Graduate College website. Students may take up to 9 credits as a non-degree seeking student, so it is possible to begin your studies before formal admittance into the program.
Students will be required to complete 12 graduate credits. For the advanced manufacturing graduate certificate, the students will need to take three courses from the advanced manufacturing list and one from the design innovation list.
Advanced Manufacturing courses (Choose 3 courses):
Design Innovation courses (Choose 1 course):
Continuing on for a Master’s Degree:
If a recipient of a graduate certificate decides to continue for a graduate degree, the person must seek approval from that degree program. Credits earned for the graduate certificate may be used to meet Master of Engineering degree requirements in either Mechanical Engineering or Industrial Engineering.
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Pranav Shrotriya |
Gary Mirka |
