mechanical engineering phd in michigan

College of Engineering

Mechanical Engineering (Ph.D.)

Mechanical Engineering

Doctor of philosophy, department of mechanical engineering, program details.

• Application process

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Mechanical Engineering .

The components of the doctoral program in Mechanical Engineering involve the student first finding an advisor and forming a committee. Subsequently, the components of the doctoral degree programs consist of a qualifying exam, a comprehensive exam, prescribed course work, research, the dissertation, and a final oral defense and examination.

• Program overview (Office of Registrar)
• Course descriptions (Office of Registrar)

Graduate Handbook

Applications from students are due by the following dates and will be reviewed beginning:

• December 15 for Fall enrollment
• September 15 for Spring enrollment (Only a very small number of financial aid offers are available to Spring applicants.)

Applications are all considered for financial aid and assistantships. Applications received by the above dates will receive the maximum consideration for this financial aid and assistantships.

• Applicants to M.S. programs should have earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, or a closely related field prior to the term for which they are applying.
• Applicants can enter directly into a Ph.D. program after earning their B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, or a closely related field prior to the term for which they are applying - this is called the Direct Admit Ph.D. program.
• Applicants who have earned a M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, or a closely related field prior to the term for which they are applying can also enter the Ph.D. program.

Applicants must complete the following:

• Upload electronically with your Michigan State University application
• An official copy of your TOEFL Scores for applicants from countries where the official language is not English. Applicants should have all test scores sent from the testing agency directly to Michigan State University; Office of Admissions; Hannah Administration Building; 426 Auditorium Road, Room 250; East Lansing, Michigan 48824-2604. The Mechanical Engineering department code for the TOEFL is 68. Click here for the  English Language Proficiency Minimum Requirements
• A "Statement of Financial Proof and Affidavit of Support" if you are an international student and can provide for your own support as a graduate student. Visit the  International Applicants  page for information.
• A copy of your resume
• A written personal statement describing how your background and life experiences - including social, economic, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges - motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Your Personal Statement should be concise, and no more than 2 pages when formatted in Times New Roman 12-point font with 1-inch margins and single line spacing.
• A written academic statement explaining your reasons for seeking a graduate program degree. The following statement must be included: "My intended area of specialization in the graduate program in Mechanical Engineering at Michigan State University will be in ___________________________." Your Academic Statement should be concise, and no more than 2 pages when formatted in Times New Roman 12-point font with 1-inch margins and single line spacing.

Current Research Groups  are:

• Biomechanics Engineering Group
• Dynamic Systems and Controls Group
• Fluid-Thermal Science and Engineering Group
• Solid Mechanics, Design, and Manufacturing Group

Completion requires an application fee. Requirements and fees are not waived.

The graduate application fee is $65 for domestic students and $75 for international students.

Upload/enter additional application materials/information and request letters of recommendations using the  graduate student education portal  which you access with your MSU applicant ID and password. The portal also allows you to check the status of your application and send e-messages to the department.

• Three (3) letters of recommendation are requested through the  graduate student education portal . 3.
• Official academic record from all previous universities attended. The applicant's record should exhibit outstanding achievement as indicated both by grade point average (GPA) and the quality of courses over his or her entire academic career. Competitive applicants for financial aid and assistantships are in the top 10% of their BS class and have at least a 3.5 GPA on a scale of 4.0.

IMPORTANT: You must make sure that all the above documents: application, exam scores, financial proof, and recommendations use exactly the same first and last names. One of the largest single causes for incomplete applications is an applicant's use of multiple forms their name including reversal of last (family) name and first (personal) name on application documents. Admissions cannot correctly process documents if different forms of your name are used on documents submitted. Be consistent. The Mechanical Engineering Department's address is:

Graduate Program Department of Mechanical Engineering 428 S. Shaw Lane, Rm. 2555 East Lansing, MI 48824-1226 USA

For more information, please email the Mechanical Engineering Graduate program at [email protected]  or Dr. Lik Chaun Lee at [email protected]

For more information regarding International Admissions, visit The Graduate School Website

Annual cost information and a budgeting tool is available at the MSU Tuition Calculator

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Graduate Admissions

All mechanical engineering graduate students apply online through the Rackham Graduate School. Please view Rackham’s Checklist for Completing Your Application . We accept applications for fall only, with the exception of Change of Program and SUGS applicants (see left) .   Please refer to the menu on the left for more information regarding required documents.

If you have any questions about Mechanical Engineering Graduate Admissions, please contact us at [email protected] .

Apply Now Grad School Guide Learn More

Graduate Application Deadlines (Ph.D., MSE, SUGS, JI-SUGS)

The ME Department accepts external Ph.D. and Masters applications during the  Fall term only . Applications for the Fall term will open in early September.  If you are NOT a current U-M student and apply for the winter term, your application is not eligible to be evaluated and your application fee is not refundable.

*Students applying for Fall PhD admission are strongly encouraged to submit their application by December 1st. Applications received slightly after Dec. 1st will be reviewed, but with potentially lower priority.

Decision Deadlines

We ask that all applicants allow us to provide decisions within the time frame listed below. The ASO will inform the Rackham Graduate School of all application decisions for the Mechanical Engineering (ME) graduate program. Rackham provides the final application decision via e-mail to applicants who were recommended for admission by the Mechanical Engineering Department.

Providing Evidence of Financial Support  (non U.S. students only):

• If recommended for admission by Mechanical Engineering, the Rackham Graduate School will notify applicants to submit the Affidavit of Financial Support along with required financial documents (e.g., bank statement).
• Please do not submit any financial documents until requested by Rackham.  Financial documents and immigration documents will not be kept if they were submitted during the application period.
• Financial document deadlines:  May 15 for the Fall term and November 15th for the Winter term. If financial documents are not received by these dates, Rackham will withdraw offers of admission.

Visit Rackham’s website for information regarding:

• Minimum Requirements to Apply
• The Fall 2025 PhD application fee is currently waived for all U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents.
• Tuition & Funding
• The Statement of Purpose should be about 1 to 3 pages in length.
• Personal Statements may be up to 2 single-spaced pages in length, and the 500-word limit does not apply.
• UM ME does not require the GRE for the Ph.D. application. GRE scores will not be used during the application review process.
• UM ME will not require the GRE for the Fall 2025 Master’s application. GRE scores will not be used during the application review process.
• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL/IELTS) is required of all non-native speakers. The University of Michigan requires a minimum TOEFL score for admission: 84 for the Internet Based TOEFL. (For other English test minimum scores, please refer to the Rackham web site .)
• All applicants must upload a scanned copy, front and back, of their official transcript/academic record issued by the Registrar or Records Office, to ApplyWeb for each bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree earned or in progress. The scanned copy of the official transcript is used for initial review by the graduate program faculty.
• If you are attending or have graduated from a Non-U.S. institution, review the  Required Academic Credentials from Non-U.S. Institutions  for requirements by country.
• An official transcript must be submitted to Rackham only after an offer of admission is made.
• See Rackham’s  detailed instructions  on how to submit transcripts/academic records to the Rackham Graduate School.
• Application Process
• Checking the Status of Your Application
• Immigration Documents

Deferrals are available for up to one year under special conditions . Typically, circumstances such as employment, enrollment at another institution, funding, or indecisiveness regarding enrollment are not appropriate justifications for requesting deferred enrollment.

To request a deferral, send an email to [email protected] . International students cannot defer admission to Spring or Spring/Summer terms. There are not enough credits to maintain the F1 visa status.

Mechanical Sciences and Engineering, PhD

Rebekah awood, graduate program coordinator, related resources.

• Department of Mechanical Engineering
• College of Engineering and Computer Science

Dive into Research in Our Doctoral Program

The program is a full time, research-based degree with a strong orientation toward the interfaces between the science of mechanical engineering, bioengineering, and the emerging fields in which mechanical engineering intersects with the materials sciences, automotive engineering, optical engineering, and advanced energy technologies.

To lessen financial concerns, all PhD students receive full funding in the form of appointments as a graduate student instructor, a research assistant, or both. The appointments provide a monthly stipend, health insurance, and a tuition waiver. Students are guaranteed full funding for up to five years provided they maintain good academic standing and adequate progress toward their degree.

The  PhD Student Handbook from the College of Engineering and Computer Science explains policies and procedures for PhD students.

The PhD program is a part of the Rackham School of Graduate Studies of the University of Michigan. While located, administered, and offered by UM-Dearborn, the program observes the standards for admissions, registration, degree requirements, awarding of degrees, and other policies and regulations of the Rackham Graduate School.

Where a PhD in Mechanical Sciences and Engineering Will Take You

Our graduates have found successful careers as faculty members, scientists at national labs and leading universities, and conduct advanced research at major corporations. Whether you see yourself developing advanced technology, conducting innovative research, or leading in industry, academia, or government, your PhD in Mechanical Sciences and Engineering from UM-Dearborn can get you there.

Program Details

What you’ll study.

UM-Dearborn’s Mechanical Sciences and Engineering PhD program trains you to conduct original and innovative research in the engineering field, educate future generations, and play a leading role in developing cutting-edge technologies while working in industry, academia, and government. In our program, you’ll also explore advanced knowledge of the foundational principles of mechanical sciences, engineering, and your chosen specialization.

Practical Skills You’ll Gain

You will learn how to conduct high-quality scientific research and report your results in publications and presentations. You will gain teaching experience by serving as graduate student instructors in labs and recitations.

Admission Requirements

The minimum requirements for admission to the program include:

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related field with a minimum GPA (grade point average) at or equivalent to 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. Candidates with other engineering degrees or degrees from non-engineering fields are considered with the understanding that they have to complete remediation coursework upon admission.
• at least three letters of recommendation (must be on letterhead and indicate the student's research potential),
• an academic statement of purpose indicating the intended field or fields of research, and
• a personal statement that describes the background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational or other opportunities or challenges, that motivate the decision to pursue a Ph.D. degree at the University of Michigan-Dearborn

The expected backgrounds of successful applicants will far exceed the minimum requirements. We target students with:

• Strong background in natural sciences and mathematics
• GPA higher than 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and a degree from a university with a recognized high quality of graduates
• Demonstrated interest in research or prior R&D experience
• Demonstrated commitment to Ph.D. studies and a subsequent career in academia, research, or industrial R&D
• Proficiency in the English language and good communication skills

Ready to Apply?

Estimate your cost of attendance per semester.

Application Deadlines

This program operates on a strict deadline. All application and materials must be submitted by February 1 for Fall consideration and August 1 for Winter consideration. Please plan ahead to meet all deadlines and optimize your chances of acceptance.

Graduate Scholarships

Learn about scholarship opportunities for new and continuing graduate students.

Related Programs

Automotive systems and mobility, deng, mechanical engineering, mse, bioengineering, mse.

Become a part of the UM-Dearborn community and put your dreams to work for you.

• Expectations

Ready to take the next step?

As a Michigan Engineering Ph.D. student, you’ll have the opportunity to build a one-of-a-kind educational experience centered around your research interests.

The first step as a prospective student is to find your passion and build your application. Use this section to learn about everything from funding opportunities to the kinds of world-changing research you can pursue as a Michigan Engineering doctoral student.

Please note that Michigan Engineering is no longer requiring the GRE as part of the Ph.D. application process. Additionally, students with financial need may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Click this link to see if you qualify before November 30, 2022 @ 11:59 PM EST*.

*Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, & Robotics deadline for application fee waivers: November 14, 2022 @ 11:59 PM EST. Please note that it will take up to 2 business weeks to receive a decision. Please plan accordingly.

Research & Advisors

What’s your area of interest?

Do you know what area you are interested in exploring? Below you can search for faculty working in research areas that interest you. You can reach out to them to learn more as well. There are two ways to begin your search:

Curated links to faculty in each department, filterable by general research categories. Click the department links to see the main research areas.

Aerospace Engineering

• Applied Physics

Biomedical Engineering

Chemical Engineering

• Civil & Environmental Engineering
• Climate and Space Sciences & Engineering
• Computer Science & Engineering
• Design Science
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Engineering Education Research
• Industrial & Operations Engineering
• Macromolecular Science and Engineering
• Manufacturing
• Materials Science & Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

• Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering
• Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences
• Scientific Computing
• U-M Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI)

Because research can span many departments and disciplines, use U-M’s experts.umich.edu database to search based on topics that most interest you. This site will help to identify faculty members and learn more about their work through research publications and websites.

Questions for your potential research advisor(s)

Talking with a potential advisor may seem overwhelming and intimidating. To help initiate conversation and get all your questions answered, please feel free to utilize the questions below. Of course, please feel free to ask your own questions as well. Faculty and staff are here to help make your journey as smooth as possible.

• How many graduate students are you currently advising?
• How many graduate students have graduated under your advisement in the last five years? And where are they now?
• How long do your graduate students usually take to finish?
• Is there, or how much funding is available for your students?
• What are the requirements for this funding? I.e. teaching requirements?
• Do you have specific research in mind for your new Ph.D. student(s)?
• How many of your students have gone into academia vs industry?

Success & Realistic Expectations

Understanding where your academic goals will fit in at U-M

Earning a Ph.D. is extremely rewarding, but not a simple undertaking. There is a big difference between taking courses as an undergrad and creating significant and original research as a Ph.D. There are many things to consider before applying for a Ph.D.

about the subject matter and have a deep interest level

in doing research

as a requisite to entering these fields

Earning a Ph.D. deserves some serious thought and realistic expectations. Here are a few things to consider if you decide to take this journey.

• Most research is done independently and requires a lot of internal motivation.
• Having passion and drive for research is a must-have to be successful.
• Experimentation, feedback, and failure will all be a part of your research. So an open mind and the ability to receive constructive feedback, and not being afraid to fail will be necessary to achieve success.

Michigan Engineering and Rackham Graduate School offer wonderful workshops and experiential learning opportunities ranging from leadership to multi-disciplinary design projects. Here you can customize your own unique combination of credentials that will set you apart from the competition. Below are examples of opportunities to develop your professional skill set while getting your Ph.D.

Professional Competencies

Graduate Student Organizations

Meet people and practice your purpose – join a graduate student organization today!

Professional Society’s Student Chapters

Professional societies offer educational opportunities and connections with others in your field.

Project Teams

Project Teams offer the opportunity to become part of a diverse, collaborative, and engaging community of students from across the university.

Diversity Focused Organizations

Build your supportive and inclusive culture through diversity focused organizations.

Immersed | Practice your Purpose

Find experiential learning opportunities to help you find your niche, connect with people who share your passion and gain hands-on experience that’ll set your resumé apart from the stack.

Professional Development

Rackham Graduate School - Professional development

Rackham Graduate School – Professional development

Professional development – Interdisciplinary learning and community building related to professional interests.

Center for Entrepreneurship

Programs that help you learn to solve daily-life problems through innovative products and services.

Michigan Engineering Professional Education

Michigan Engineering Online & Professional Education

Offering professional education certificates and online graduate degrees.

Multi-disciplinary Design Program

Students representing 11 different colleges and schools from across the University work together on professional design projects.

Tauber Institute for Global Operations

Experience a multidisciplinary, action-oriented education to solve operations challenges at top companies around the world.

NextProf - Future Faculty Workshops

NextProf – Future Faculty Workshops

Workshops designed to strengthen and diversify the next generation of academic leaders.

Additional Graduate Certificate Programs

Change your career trajectory, no matter where you are or when you make time for class.

No matter how good we are at our Ph.D. topics, having effective interpersonal skills is more important. Building connections, and practicing leadership through involvement in professional and student organizations is a great way to exercise those skills. Erik H. Nuclear Engineering Ph.D. Candidate

Get Answers to Your Questions

Graduate Coordinator Contacts

Message a Graduate Coordinator within your area of interest with specific questions surrounding your area of interest.

For general college admission questions contact [email protected] .

Mirko Gamba, Grad Chair & Master’s Chair

[email protected]

Claire Miller

Climate and Space Sciences & Engineering

Maria Steele

Susan Hamlin

Jason Brummet

Civil & Environmental Engineering

Kayleigh Merz

Computer Science and Engineering

Kristen Thornton

Electrical and Computer Engineering, Engineering Education Research

For questions specific to a faculty member's research, please contact them directly.

Matt Irelan

Industrial & Operations Engineering

Carolina Benn

Macromolecular Science & Engineering

Kathy L Bishar

ISD: Global Automotive and Manufacturing, ISD: Manufacturing

Renee Hilgendorf

Materials Science & Engineering

Nathalie Fiveland

Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering

Garnette Roberts

Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Science

Denise Edmund

Our graduate program coordinators have been immensely helpful during my entire time in graduate school. They are always available and eager to answer students’ questions and assist in navigating important program deadlines and requirements. Overall, they genuinely care about the success of students and help foster a supportive environment for graduate studies in our department. Laura B. Andre, Ph.D Postdoctoral Researcher, Electrical Engineering

Click & drag to navigate

Funding Model

All Ph.D.s are fully funded including a tuition waiver, monthly living stipend, and health insurance.

Talk with your advisor to fully understand the expectations associated with your funding.

Funding Sources

Co-curricular Experiences Funding

RESOURCES AVAILABLE

Rackham Life

Learn about graduate student communities and helpful resources ranging from personal well-being to conflict resolution and grievance support all offered through Rackham Life.

Student Life

Get connected and build relationships through Student Life. Learn how to find like-minded communities, find housing and get active with Student Life.

Engineering Career Resource Center (ECRC)

This unit hosts career fairs and networking events, internships, and professional development opportunities like resume writing and interviewing techniques. Learn more about what the ECRC has to offer.

Teaching and Learning Resources

The College of Engineering provides a number of teaching & learning resources for graduate students. This includes the following:

+ CRLT-E for Student Instructors + Faculty Resources for Online & Hybrid Teaching + Nexus Faculty Resources Blog

Co-Curricular Experience Funding

A funding resource for conferences and professional development.

Michigan Postdoctoral Association provides professional development and socialization for over 200 postdocs in engineering.

M.O.R.E. Workshops

The “Mentoring Others Results in Excellence” group engages faculty and graduate students to foster conversations about mentoring. Specifically, the committee provides faculty with effective tools and practices for mentoring graduate students in an effort to improve retention, productivity, and overall student success.

• International Center

International Student and Scholar Services provides professional expertise and support to international students on enrollment, employment, visas, immigration advisement, funding, and taxes.

Graduate Employees Organization

Graduate Employees Organization is a union representing Graduate Student Instructors (GSI’s) and Graduate Student Staff Assistants (GSSA’s) with their rights and benefits as employees.

Student Wellbeing

Student Wellbeing is one of the top priorities at Michigan Engineering! Find your work-life balance with the Consultation, Assistance, and Resource in Engineering (C.A.R.E.) team who are prepared to assist students with personal, and academic matters.

GradCare is the health, dental, vision, and leave benefits program for graduate students.

Most Ph.D. applications are submitted to Rackham Graduate School where the admissions process is managed as a team with the colleges and departments.* The requirements for each department’s program may vary, therefore refer to the guidelines posted on the department’s website.

You can find help for preparing your application, and tips for what to do after you’ve been accepted on the Rackham Admissions site.

*The only doctoral program not administered by Rackham is the Doctor of Engineering in Manufacturing. Learn more and apply.

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