How to Get a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering

From designing basic engines to creating next-generation nanotechnology, mechanical engineers are on a quest to improve how we live and work. Mechanical engineering plays an integral role in most facets of modern life: technology, manufacturing, health care, the environment, transportation, agriculture, climate control, and more.

A master's degree in mechanical engineering qualifies you to take part in this vast design effort. By bringing together ingenuity and technical skill, mechanical engineering graduates assume leading roles in R&D, academic scholarship, technical sales, and management. Master's degree programs cater to continuing and returning students alike, with options for working professionals to earn a master's degree online.

WorldWideLearn.com prepares you to make the most of the graduate education resources available today. Plan your master's degree step by step by identifying programs, defining your goals, and establishing yourself as part of a community of engineering scholars.

Guide to Master's Degrees in Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineers are experts in the study of physics as it relates to practical design.

The core of the discipline consists of:

• force
• motion
• thermodynamics
• fluid dynamics
• material science

Master's degree programs typically build on these fundamentals with applied training in specific technologies such as:

• robotics
• composite materials
• nanotechnology

Some graduate mechanical engineering programs incorporate business training to prepare graduates for management roles.

Professional and Academic Master's Degrees

Master's degrees in mechanical engineering come in several varieties to meet diverse career goals. Your options range from the academic Master of Science to the business-oriented Master of Engineering Management.

• Master of Science (MS): The MS in mechanical engineering degree is the standard academic credential, leading to a career in either scholarly research or industry R&D. The curriculum focuses on the application of science and math principles to engineering problems and culminates in a research project. Aspiring academics typically proceed directly into a PhD in mechanical engineering upon completion of the MS.
• Master of Engineering (MEng): The Master of Engineering is a professional master's degree designed to meet the needs of students heading directly into (or already working in) industry. The program emphasizes advanced coursework rather than research and features a flexible curriculum targeted to specific industry applications of mechanical engineering expertise.
• Master of Engineering Management: The MEM is a relatively new degree bridging the professional engineering master's and the MBA. The curriculum prepares graduates for technical leadership roles, with courses in business fundamentals (marketing, finance, intellectual property) as well as R&D management.

Specializations in Mechanical Engineering

All mechanical engineering master's degrees encourage students to specialize their study in some way, either by selecting advanced elective courses or by pursuing targeted research in their area of interest. Specializations generally focus on a specific design problem or industry application.

• Mechatronics and Robotics automates electrical and computerized systems using mechanical, electrical, and software engineering principles.
• Dynamics and Controls targets the control of dynamic processes in engineering systems. Sub-fields include acoustics and noise control, vibrations, control systems, and sensors.
• Environmental Mechanical Engineering applies mechanical principles to solve environmental problems such as groundwater remediation, waste treatment, etc.
• Fluid and Solid Mechanics emphasizes the mechanics of fluids and solid materials such as ceramics and polymers.
• Manufacturing Processes encompasses all the mechanical processes and problems involved in industrial production, including metal formation, tribology, machining, CAD design, robotics, etc.
• Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) focuses on the micron-scale mechanical components of technologies such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and microfluidic biomedical devices.
• Oceanographic Engineering applies mechanical engineering to the development and exploration of the ocean.

These specializations represent the main areas of mechanical engineering, but you'll find that each graduate program features a unique selection of topics.

Career Tracks for Mechanical Engineers

Most mechanical engineering graduates head into industry research labs, taking jobs as project, design, or testing engineers. Other career paths include:

• Academic research and teaching, with a PhD in mechanical engineering
• Technical consulting
• Sales
• Engineering management

A mechanical engineering master's degree is a versatile credential for jobs in a range of promising industries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, emerging technologies feature the best opportunity for mechanical engineers. High-demand areas include environmental engineering, clean energy, biotech and medical research, industrial robotics, materials science, and nanotechnology.

Plan for a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering

A sense of your career trajectory will help you plan your master's degree in mechanical engineering. Take the following steps to achieve your professional goals.

Step One: Find the Right Graduate Mechanical Engineering Program

Finding a mechanical engineering program is not difficult: most universities offer this versatile and classic engineering qualification. Finding the right program among hundreds of options, however, takes careful research.

1. List Accredited Programs

Begin by surveying your graduate mechanical engineering program options. Look for master's degree programs accredited by a recognized accreditation agency such as ABET (formerly known as the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology). Accreditation reflects the quality of the program and impacts the value of the degree as a professional credential. It's also a requirement for federal financial aid programs. The U.S. Department of Education Web site posts a database of approved accreditation agencies.

Resources

WorldWideLearn.com offers a starting point for your program research. Search Degrees by Subject for links to accredited campus and online master's degrees in mechanical engineering.

ABET, the premier authority on engineering and technology degree programs, maintains an online database of accredited engineering programs. Search accredited member schools by discipline and location.

2. Choose A Program Format: Campus or Online Master's Degree?

Advances in educational technology have made it possible to earn a master's degree online--even in applied technical fields such as mechanical engineering. Distance graduate education programs host lectures and discussions online. Some programs incorporate temporary campus residencies or local internships to satisfy academic research requirements.

• Online degrees are ideal for working professionals managing busy schedules. The option to earn a master's degree online facilitates scheduling and remote access to academic resources. Online professional master's degrees tap into students' work experience and lab facilities to create a truly targeted career education.
• Campus programs remain the best choice for aspiring academics and students who rely on access to local campus resources to complete Master of Science research requirements. The campus format offers an immersing academic experience, with opportunities to collaborate with faculty and peers, teach undergraduate courses, and participate in a scholarly community.

The right format for you depends on your career goals, learning style, and access to local campus facilities.

3. Explore Academic Programs

The heart of your program research is looking closely at each program's unique academic resources. Consider the following features:

• Curriculum and Specializations
• Degree Format and Requirements
• Faculty
• Research Labs
• Industry Relationships
• Career Support Services
• Student Life

Prioritize these factors based on your program choices. The presence of faculty in a particular specialization area is crucial for academic scholars and an important feature for all research-focused programs such as the Master of Science. Professional engineers, by contrast, may place more value on a customizable program with a career-focused curriculum and amenities.

Resources

School Web sites feature most of the information listed above. Look for links to graduate degree requirements, course descriptions, research labs, and faculty publications.

WorldWideLearn.com features an interactive search tool designed to assess your academic program criteria and match you with appropriate graduate programs. Fill out an online form indicating your preferences, and school representatives will contact you to answer your questions about the mechanical engineering master's program.

Informational interviews offer an inside perspective on a school's academic experience. Talk with faculty, alumni, and current graduate students to get a sense of the intellectual climate, curriculum and research emphases, local industry connections, and the degree's value in the job market. If possible, visit the school's campus to explore lab facilities and local resources.

4. Evaluate Program Quality

Rank the programs on your list by quality and selectivity. Selectivity is a measure of admissions standards and a general proxy for a school's reputation and quality. Look for a program that admits students with your academic background, taking into account your GPA, test scores, and work experience.

Take into account these factors:

• Reputation
• Selectivity
• Job placement
• Student background

Resources

Rankings give you a general sense of the program's reputation. U.S. News & World Report publishes the most influential ranking, Best Engineering Schools Specialty Rankings: Mechanical.

Admissions Departments supply useful data on selectivity, placement, and student demographics. Information includes:

• Selectivity: average admitted students' GPA and test scores
• Placement: graduation rate, starting salaries, signing bonuses, and employer information
• Student demographics: work experience and country of origin

Step Two: Apply to Graduate Mechanical Engineering Programs

Once you've selected five or six programs, you're ready to put the application process in motion. Application requirements vary from school to school, but generally include some or all of the following steps:

1. Complete Prerequisites

To be eligible for a master's degree in mechanical engineering, you must complete the following prerequisites:

• A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, with a minimum grade point average
• Basic prerequisite courses, if your undergraduate degree is in another field
• Standardized tests such as the GRE; The TOEFL and an English language proficiency exam for International students
• Work experience (required by some master's programs)

2. Prepare Application Materials

The application generally requires a basic information form and the following supporting documents:

• Academic transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Standardized test scores
• Personal statement
• Resume

Other application requirements include a financial aid application and a processing fee.

3. Finance Your Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Financial aid is a common feature of a graduate admissions packet. In addition to applying to the university for funding, submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for federal financial aid programs. Scholarships, fellowships, and grants can reduce the cost of your education significantly. You can also reduce the burden of educational costs by earning a master's degree online while you keep your regular job.

In addition to these cost-cutting measures, you may be eligible for other school financing resources. Options include:

• Federal subsidized Stafford loans
• Tuition grants or loan forgiveness programs through an employer
• Scholarships through civic organizations and private foundations
• Low-interest student loans through banks

Step Three: Build an Academic Network

Enrolling in a graduate program is only the first step to establishing yourself as a graduate student. To truly immerse yourself in the academic experience, position yourself as a scholarly insider and start building relationships with your peers. Resources in this transition include:

• Professional Associations: The major national organization for mechanical engineers is the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). You'll also find associations representing specialization fields, such as the International Federation of Robotics and the Society for Laboratory Automation.
• Journals. You can find dozens of engineering journals representing every area of research. ASME features a list of links to many specialized mechanical engineering journals, such as the Journal of Applied Mechanics, the Journal of Medical Devices, and the Journal of Solar Energy Engineering.
• Networking Events and Conferences: Universities, industry R&D labs, and local chapters of professional associations host regular conferences and networking events to support intellectual and social interaction among mechanical engineers.

Whether you choose to earn a master's degree online or in a classroom, the opportunity to join a community of experts is as much a part of the graduate student experience as the training. Many students find the relationships they build as a graduate student sustain them throughout their engineering career.

Conclusion

A master's degree in mechanical engineering is designed to transform entry-level designers into innovation leaders. You have the opportunity to distinguish yourself through specialized training or independent research, building the expertise and vision designers rely on to advance state of the art technology. Take charge of your future as a mechanical engineer by planning your graduate education step by step.

Sources

• Accredited Engineering Programs, ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology).
• American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
• Best Engineering Schools, U.S. News & World Report (2009).
• Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, U.S. Department of Education.
• "Engineers," Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Education.
• National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE).
• Mechanical Engineering Graduate Education, MIT Engineering.
• Mechanical Engineering, Michigan Tech.
• Programs in Engineering, The Sloan Consortium.