Degrees Offered
Purdue University's School of Mechanical Engineering is shaping its academic programs around the grand challenges of the 21st century. There are multiple options to fit your needs:
Master of Science Degree Information
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME)
Students who are admitted to the Master’s program may choose to complete either the thesis option or the non-thesis option.
Thesis Option. The thesis option is highly recommended because it includes conducting independent research and a publishable report (or thesis). Outstanding performance in the thesis option Master’s, provides students with a distinct advantage when applying for a Ph.D. program or employment. Admission to the Ph.D. requires that the student provide evidence of the ability to perform independent research.
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The thesis option requires a minimum of 21 graduate semester hours of technical and quantitative course work and a thesis. Research credits acquired through the thesis research registration of ME 698 fulfill the remainder of the requirement for a total of 30 credit hours. Independent project work may not be counted toward the 21 credit hours of coursework. Research is always completed under the supervision of the Chair (Major Professor) or Co-Chairs of the Advisory Committee. Only in special cases is this option available to distance education students.
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All Master’s Plans of Study must contain a minimum of six (6) hours of applied mathematics; at least three (3) of which must be taken directly from the Mathematics Department.
Non-thesis Option
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The non-thesis option also requires 30 semester hours of graduate course work (which includes 15 credit hours from ME, 6 credit hours of Math, with at least 3 credits being directly from the math department, and 9 credits from within or outside of ME), not more than 6 credits of which may be completed as independent project work (ME 597). Independent project work may be completed under the supervision of the Chair of the Advisory Committee (Major Professor) or any other member of the faculty, including members of the Advisory Committee. The more predictable time frame for completion of course work available through the non-thesis option allows students to more accurately plan a graduation date. Students completing the Master’s degree by distance education will, in general, be completing the non-thesis option.
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All Master’s Plans of Study must contain a minimum of six (6) hours of applied mathematics; at least three (3) of which must be taken directly from the Mathematics Department.
What to get a PhD after completing your Master's?
The School of Mechanical Engineering has an internal PhD application that students can fill out and submit to the Grad Office to be considered for continuation in the PhD program in Mechanical Engineering. The application is free of charge and should be submitted in the semester you intend to graduate with the Master’s degree.
Professional Master's
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME)
This full-time on-campus program from Purdue Mechanical Engineering blends 21 credits of technical specialties with 9 credits of management and/or professional development classes. It's perfect for:
- current undergrads who want a graduate degree, but still want to jump into industry quickly;
- domestic and international students who want an engineering degree that is more practice-oriented;
- busy professionals, who want specialized expertise to advance in their careers.
Completion of the Professional Master's Program typically takes one calendar year -- fall, spring, and summer semesters (longer if you choose to take it part-time). While this is an on-campus program, up to 25% of your classes can be completed in a distance format, when available. Graduates receive an MSME (Master's of Science in Mechanical Engineering). No thesis is involved, and it does not provide a path to a doctoral degree. Students are ineligible for teaching/research assistantships or fellowships.
Learn more about the Professional Master's program here.
Online MSME
You can get a Master's Degree from Purdue University Mechanical Engineering entirely online. Your course materials and lectures are accessible online any time, so you aren't restricted by specific class times. You get the same quality education from the same faculty who teach on-campus, but on your schedule.
Learn more about the online MSME program.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree Information
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- The Ph.D. Plan of Study includes a minimum of 21 credit hours beyond the Master’s degree, not more than 3 credits of which may be completed as independent project work (ex: ME 597 or ME 697); a minimum of ninety course and research credits (including the Master’s degree credits) is required for graduation.
- All Ph.D. Plans of Study must contain a minimum of nine (9) hours of applied mathematics; at least six (6) of which must be taken directly from the Mathematics Department.
- Your Major Professor or you may feel that additional courses not included on the Plan of Study should be taken to strengthen your background in a particular area.
Direct Ph.D. Program in Mechanical Engineering
Incoming Students: The student must have a strong interest in Graduate Studies leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The student must have:
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Cumulative GPA ≥ 3.60 in the baccalaureate degree from an accredited program
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GRE recommended scores of 156 Verbal, 161 Quantitative Reasoning and 4.0 Analytical Writing
Students presently in MSME Program: A graduate student who enters the Master’s program, but later decides to pursue the Direct Ph.D., must submit a written request to the ME Graduate Office. The letter needs to contain information explaining how the student’s credentials meet the requirements for the program, and the specific reasons for making the request should be explained. Any research experience, teaching experience or presentations, publications, GRE scores, and/or GPA, and long-term faculty or research position interests can be included to enhance the nomination.
The ME Admissions Committee approves changes from the MSME to Direct PhD requests. The Committee will consider the most updated information available at that time in making a decision on the request. The student must have:
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Cumulative GPA ≥ 3.60 in the baccalaureate degree from an accredited program
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Must have completed at least 12 credit hours of graduate coursework at Purdue with a minimum GPA of 3.80;
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GRE recommended scores of 161 Quantitative Reasoning and 4.0 Analytical Writing;
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The request must include a written endorsement by the student’s Advisory Chair;
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The request must be submitted to the Graduate Office before the first semester after the student has completed at least 12 credit hours of graduate coursework (all graduate coursework is considered in the 12 credit hour limit, not just POS coursework.) For example, if a student completes 12 credit hours in the fall semester, the request must be submitted at the end of the fall semester immediately after grades post; so if approved, the change of degree program will be effective for the spring semester.
Optional MS Degree: Students enrolled in the Direct Ph.D. program have the option of seeking a Master’s degree “along the way” to the Ph.D. This option is available when the student meets the School of Mechanical Engineering’s and Purdue Graduate School’s requirements for a Master’s degree. The student will file a Master’s Plan of Study and register for Master’s candidacy. The Master’s plan may be for a non-thesis option and must satisfy ME’s requirements for a non-thesis Master’s degree. Not more than 3 credit hours may be completed as independent project work (ex: ME 597 or ME 697) between the D-PhD Plan of Study and Master’s along-the-way Plan of Study, combined.
Area Examinations: The Direct Ph.D. student must appear in the area examinations no later than the third semester (excluding summer sessions) of graduate studies at Purdue. The student will be given a maximum of two chances to pass the area exams. In the first attempt, the student must appear in all the required exams in the same semester. Any student unable to pass all the required area exams in two attempts will be dismissed from the Direct Ph.D. program. If desired by the student and the Major Professor, a DPhD student failing the PhD area examinations may petition the ME Admissions Committee to convert from the Direct Ph.D. to the Master’s Degree program, if the student doesn’t already have a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering degree.
Direct PhD Plan of Study: Students are expected to file a Ph.D. Plan of Study and have it approved before the end of the first semester of graduate study. The Plan of Study for a Direct Ph.D. student includes a minimum of 36 credit hours of graduate coursework in addition to thesis research hours. Not more than 3 credit hours may be completed as independent project work (ex: ME 597 or ME 697) between the D-PhD Plan of Study and Master’s along-the-way Plan of Study, combined. At least three (3) courses or nine (9) hours from among the twelve courses must be in applied mathematics, with 6 credits required to be from the Math department. The Graduate School Database (Plans of study) and Purdue Banner systems will identify the student as a “PhD” student rather than Direct PhD.
Stipend Levels for Students Admitted to Direct PhD Program: The admitted student initially will be given the same stipend as the student admitted to the MS Program. The student’s stipend level will be adjusted to the PhD level after the student passes all area examinations. The new stipend level will become effective in the semester following the semester of passing the area exams.
Combined BSME + MSME: The 5-Year Plan
The Combined BSME/MSME Program is an integrated five-year degree program in which qualified students can receive a BS and an MS in Mechanical Engineering. The program provides a seamless transition from the BS to MS programs for Purdue students where graduate courses taken as undergraduate electives are counted toward both the BS and MS degrees, thereby reducing the overall time required for the MS degree. This program is only available at the West Lafayette campus.
Learn more about the Combined BSME/MSME Program.
Combined MSME + MBA (Dual Degree Program)
This residential program gives students opportunity to earn MSME degree from Mechanical Engineering and MBA from the Krannert School of Management concurrently. Students will complete MSME degree requirements first, then start MBA studies. Up to 15 credit hours from engineering can be dual counted to MBA.
Learn more about the MSME+MBA Dual Degree Program.
ME Graduate Office
516 Northwestern Ave. (4th floor of Wang Hall)
West Lafayette, IN 47907
MEgradoffice@purdue.edu
(765) 494-5730
Virtual office hours available every Tues/Wed/Thurs