How to Get a PhD or DEng in Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineers create the machines that keep modern society running: engines, automobiles, aircraft, steam and gas turbines, electrical generators, HVAC systems, and industrial production equipment. They apply the principles of physics and materials science to advance innovation in manufacturing, agriculture, medical technology, transportation, and other fields that rely on mechanical systems.

A PhD in Mechanical Engineering is a versatile qualification, opening doors to a range of research areas and careers. According to the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), mechanical engineering is the second most popular doctoral discipline in engineering after electrical/computer engineering. A mechanical engineering doctorate, the highest achievement in the field, supports groundbreaking innovation and leads to leadership positions in academic research, industry R&D, and engineering education.

WorldWideLearn.com's guide to the PhD in Mechanical Engineering sets you up to reach the pinnacle of your profession. Plan your approach every step of the way, from focusing your professional goals to finding the doctoral program that will help you achieve them.

A Guide to the PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Begin your preparation for graduate school by gaining perspective on the academic discipline. Knowing your options will help you develop a vision for your educational journey. This overview of the mechanical engineering doctorate introduces you to the available doctorate degrees, to specialized fields within mechanical engineering, and to the career paths waiting for you on the other side.

History of Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering dates back to ancient and medieval civilizations, which pioneered basic mechanical devices such as vehicles and windmills. The discipline as we know it today emerged in the late-nineteenth century. One of the earliest engineering disciplines (after civil and mining engineering), mechanical engineering gained recognition first in 1847, with the formation of the first British professional society, and then in 1880, with the establishment of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). ASME is still the center of gravity in the U.S. mechanical engineering profession, supporting professional development and community among engineers.

To learn more about this broad engineering discipline, visit WorldWideLearn.com's Guide to Majors, where you'll find a specific section devoted to mechanical engineering.

Doctoral Degrees: PhD or DEng in Mechanical Engineering

The PhD is the most common doctorate in mechanical engineering, available at most research universities nationwide. Less common but equally rigorous is the Doctor of Engineering (DEng) a terminal degree designed for practicing engineers.

The PhD in Mechanical Engineering was established in the tradition of science doctorates. The degree emphasizes original research in the fundamental principles of mechanical engineering. Traditionally, candidates developed innovative approaches to engineering research and taught undergraduate courses in order to prepare for careers as university professors. Today, the PhD leads to either an academic or a professional career in industry R&D.

The DEng in Mechanical Engineering is a straightforward professional practice doctorate. The degree requirements are similar, and both degrees are considered terminal qualifications. The doctor of engineering shifts the focus from theoretical innovation to applied research. DEng research typically draws on existing discoveries or insights to solve specific real-world engineering problems.

Learn more about the distinctions among mechanical engineering doctorates at WorldWideLearn.com's Online PhD Degrees and Doctoral Programs resource page.

Specializations

Mechanical engineering doctorates specialize in a feature or application of mechanical engineering. Specializations include:

• Acoustics, Dynamics, and Controls
• Applied Mechanics
• Biomechanical Engineering
• Computer-Aided Engineering and Design
• Electro-Mechanical Systems, including Mechatronics and Robotics
• Energy Systems
• Heat Transfer and Combustion
• Manufacturing
• Ocean Engineering
• Tribology
• Kinematics

As a doctoral researcher, you'll have the opportunity to develop cutting-edge research projects within your specialization. Today's mechanical engineers are advancing the state of the art in specialized fields such as Micro-Electromechanical Systems (MEMS), mechatronics (the intersection of mechanics, electronics, and software engineering), nanotechnology (combining molecular and mechanical engineering), and composite materials research.

Career Track

A doctoral degree in mechanical engineering can lead to either an academic or a professional practice career. The PhD is the more versatile qualification, opening doors to either track. In fact, many PhD graduates split their time between university teaching and industry consulting roles. A leading PhD program estimates that about one third of its graduates go on to academic careers, a third to industry careers, and a third to public or nonprofit research laboratories. A doctor of engineering leads to industry R&D and government research jobs.

WorldWideLearn.com's Career Pathways resource can help you focus your career goals. Use the career planning and assessment tools to define your interests and natural abilities. Your sense of professional direction will serve you well as you move to the next step of the planning process: finding and applying to a PhD or DEng in mechanical engineering.

Plan for a PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Getting a doctoral degree in mechanical engineering requires both a passion for engineering research and a solid plan. The PhD and DEng programs involve four to six years of intensive study and self-directed research. Set yourself up for success by researching programs and preparing a strong application.

Step One: Find the Right Graduate Mechanical Engineering Program

Finding a PhD program aligned with your interests and goals is the key to a successful academic journey. This step-by-step guide takes you through the process of researching doctoral programs. You'll find links to useful online resources for each step.

1. Compile a List of Accredited PhD Programs

There are hundreds of PhD programs in mechanical engineering. Start your search by building a list of high-quality graduate mechanical engineering schools. Approved accrediting agencies conduct regular program evaluations to validate the quality of member institutions. Accreditation offers an important baseline measure of a program's academic quality and the value of the doctoral degree--and it factors into your eligibility for federal financial aid.

The U.S. Department of Education maintains a comprehensive database of all approved regional and national accreditation agencies. The Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) is the leading national accreditor of mechanical engineering doctoral programs. For more information about accreditation, visit WorldWideLearn.com.

Resources

WorldWideLearn.com partners with accredited colleges and universities. Search Degrees by Subject to find an online or campus PhD program in mechanical engineering, or browse a list of university partners.

The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) maintains a database of accredited engineering programs. Browse a list of ABET member institutions in good standing, or search schools by discipline and location.

U.S. News & World Report publishes an A-Z Directory of Engineering Schools in addition to its discipline-specific ranking of graduate mechanical engineering programs.

2. Choose Program Format: Campus or Online

Advances in educational technology have made online PhDs in Mechanical Engineering a viable alternative to campus programs. Each format offers unique advantages. The right option for you depends on your learning style, personal circumstances, and career ambitions.

The online PhD in Mechanical Engineering is a popular choice for mid-career engineers juggling work and family commitments. The online format is self-directed and flexible, making it convenient for adults already managing a full schedule. Many online PhD and DEng in Mechanical Engineering programs take advantage of the work-study synergy by encouraging research related to the student's professional practice. Online students may either use external research facilities or arrange for temporary campus residency to use school facilities.

The campus option remains the most popular choice for students pursuing an academic career. The access to campus research facilities and faculty mentors is critical for aspiring professors. In addition, campus doctoral students have access to teaching and research assistantships, conferences, and other resources for establishing themselves within the academic community.

Resources

Explore your options at WorldWideLearn.com. The Online Degree Programs and Campus Education sections help you find programs with the delivery format that best meets your circumstances and career goals. For campus programs, search Degrees by Location.

3. Explore Academic Programs

This is the most critical stage of your program research. You'll explore each school on your list in depth to identify the doctoral programs most closely aligned to your interests and ambitions.

The following factors will help you identify a program's strengths and focus areas:

• Specializations
• Curriculum and course requirements
• Faculty research topics
• Research facilities
• Special programs: research foundations, government or industry contracts, conferences, publications, etc.

Keep in mind that you will be working closely with a faculty mentor. Identify resident scholars whose research interests match your own and if possible, set up a meeting. Professors are also instrumental in shaping the department's priorities and securing funding for research facility upgrades. A school with faculty members in your field is likely to provide access to the state-of-the-art equipment and resources you need to perform advanced research.

Resources

WorldWideLearn.com helps you gather information about individual academic programs by putting you in touch with school representatives. Fill out an online form indicating your academic program criteria and the system automatically matches you to PhD or DEng programs that meet your specifications. Academic counselors contact you by phone or email to answer your questions about the program, saving you time and allowing you to cover more ground in your research.

School Web sites offer access to information about academic program requirements, courses, faculty research interests, research facilities, and special programs. You'll also find links to research by professors and graduate students.

Academic Journals help you identify the leading scholars and academic programs in your mechanical engineering specialty.

General mechanical engineering publications include:

• • International Journal for Computational Methods in Engineering Science and Mechanics
  • Machining Science and Technology
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Structures

Specialized American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) journals include:

• • Applied Mechanics Reviews
  • Journal of Applied Mechanics
  • Journal of Biomechanical Engineering
  • Journal of Computational and Nonlinear Dynamics
  • Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering
  • Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement, and Control
  • Journal of Electronic Packaging
  • Journal of Energy Resources Technology
  • Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power
  • Journal of Engineering Materials and Technology
  • Journal of Fluids Engineering
  • Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology
  • Journal of Heat Transfer
  • Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering
  • Journal of Mechanical Design
  • Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics
  • Journal of Medical Devices
  • Journal of Nanotechnology in Engineering and Medicine
  • Journal of Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering
  • Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology
  • Journal of Solar Energy Engineering
  • Journal of Thermal Science and Engineering Applications
  • Journal of Tribology
  • Journal of Turbomachinery
  • Journal of Vibration and Acoustics

4. Evaluate Program Quality

Finally, narrow down your list of doctoral programs by comparing the quality of the educational experience.

Take into account the following factors in evaluating program quality:

• Reputation
• Selectivity
• Graduation Rate
• Job Placement Statistics
• Career Support Resources

Aim for a final list of six or more schools that meet your quality expectations without overreaching your own competitiveness as an applicant. Doctoral programs evaluate applicants on the basis of academic record, recommendations, test scores, research interests, and work experience.

Resources

Rankings offer an easy way to gauge the reputation and selectivity of different PhD programs in mechanical engineering. The major rankings include:

• U.S. News & World Report, Best Engineering Graduate Schools. For a specialized assessment, see Best Engineering Specialty Rankings: Mechanical.
• The National Research Council, Assessment of Research Doctorate Programs.
• The Center for Measuring University Performance, The Top American Research Universities, 2008 Annual Report.

Academic Data Sheets offer a frank look at a doctoral program's selectivity, job placement, graduation rate, and other key statistics attesting the value of the degree. Ask admissions counselors for these key metrics or find them on the school's website.

Campus Visits can help you decide among top PhD programs on your list. Tour campus facilities and meet with potential faculty mentors and peers to get a sense of what the educational experience is like for a doctoral candidate.

Step Two: Apply to PhD Programs in Mechanical Engineering

Once you've arrived at a final list of doctoral programs, you're ready to set the application process in motion. Plan to encounter the following requirements along the way:

1. Complete Prerequisites

Campus-based and online PhD in Mechanical Engineering programs generally require:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering. If your degree is in another field, you may need to supplement your undergraduate education with prerequisite courses in math, science, or engineering.
• Qualifying exams such as the GRE and the TOEFL (for non-native speakers of English)

WorldWideLearn.com's Education Resources Guide offers resources to help you complete program prerequisites. Find information on online courses and test preparation.

2. Prepare Application Materials

Gather and submit the following application materials:

• Faculty or professional letters of recommendation
• Academic transcripts
• Test scores
• Personal statement of research interests

Programs may ask you to submit applications by mail or email. Prepare your application early--in addition to ensuring that all your materials make it to the admissions committee on time, you could gain an admissions advantage as an early applicant.

3. Secure Financial Aid

Finally, line up funding for your educational journey. Most PhD programs in mechanical engineering offer a financial aid package to offset some of the expense. Cover the remainder of your expenses through funding from government and private sources.

Financial aid resources include:

• Scholarships and grants through public, private, and academic program sources.
• Loans through the federal government or private lenders.
• Tuition waivers, teaching and research assistantships, and work-study programs through the academic programs.
• Tuition grants through a corporate sponsor.

For more information, visit the WorldWideLearn.com resource page on graduate education funding.

Step Three: Join the Academic Community

With your doctoral applications complete, you're one step away from becoming a full member of the academic community. Start building relationships now by joining professional associations, attending conferences, and reading journals in your specialty area. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is the primary professional association for mechanical engineers.

A PhD in Mechanical Engineering is a ticket to the upper reaches of the engineering profession. The degree not only prepares you for an illustrious career in the field, but also affords access to a community of leading researchers who share your passion for cutting-edge design. To make the most of the opportunities ahead, plan your educational path now. You'll emerge from the PhD program with the insight, expertise, and connections to lead the next generation of mechanical engineering innovation.

Sources

• Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
• American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Engineers
• National Research Council, Assessment of Research Doctorate Programs
• National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
• Old Dominion University, Doctor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering
• Penn Engineering, PhD in Mechanical Engineering
• The Center for Measuring University Performance
• U.S. Department of Education, Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs
• U.S. News & World Report, Best Engineering Schools