How to Get a PhD in Engineering

The discipline of engineering brings together creative ingenuity and technical knowledge--in fact, the term engineering is related to the Latin ingenium, which means "clever invention". Specifically, engineers apply mathematical and scientific principles to design structures, machines, processes, and critical infrastructure such as computer networks, telecommunications systems, bridges and highways, and more.

Engineering requires both creativity and technical skill. The PhD in Engineering, the highest qualification in the field, challenges students to develop both qualities. In the course of your graduate research, you can deepen your knowledge of underlying scientific and mathematical principles and apply them to solve specific design problems. The general engineering doctorate gives you a solid foundation from which to tackle problems in civil and structural design, electronics, software, energy, and many other fields.

This guide to a PhD in Engineering gives you an overview of the program and the application process. Learn your options, clarify your goals, and help transform your world through innovative design.

A Guide to the PhD in Engineering

A doctoral degree in engineering represents the pinnacle of engineering education. The PhD program in general engineering helps you build a foundation in mathematics and science knowledge from which you can forge a path in an applied specialty. The general engineering degree opens doors to a range of careers in the academic, public, and private sectors. You can train the next generation of technical innovators as an engineering professor, or advance the state of the art yourself as a research and development engineer.

To find your place in this vast discipline, survey your options. Use this overview of the engineering PhD to develop a sense of your ambitions.

History of Engineering

Engineering has a rich and varied history dating back to ancient times, when the principles of civil engineering, the oldest engineering discipline, were first being developed. The field gathered steam in the nineteenth century with the development of industrial-age specializations such as mechanical, chemical, and electrical engineering. Aeronautical engineering came into prominence through the turn of the twentieth century, with aerospace arriving in the mid-20th. The past fifty years have seen rapid innovation in electronics, computer technology, and biomedical engineering. Today, the fastest growing disciplines are environmental and biomedical engineering, with expected job growth of 20 to 25 percent in the decade ending in 2016, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Specializations

Engineering touches nearly every aspect of modern civilization. A PhD in General Engineering offers the opportunity to tackle design problems in specific fields, such as construction, electronics, computer programs, or manufacturing. A comprehensive list of engineering specializations includes:

  • Aerospace
  • Agricultural
  • Biomedical and biotechnology
  • Chemical
  • Civil
  • Computer software and hardware
  • Systems
  • Electrical and electronics
  • Environmental
  • Health and safety
  • Industrial
  • Marine engineering and naval architects
  • Materials engineering, including polymers research
  • Mechanical
  • Mining and geological
  • Nuclear
  • Petroleum

For more information about these engineering sub-disciplines, consult WorldWideLearn.com's Guide to Majors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook also offers a detailed assessment of each engineering specialization, including a definition, educational and licensing requirements, career outlook, and salary data. Use these resources to help you clarify your research interests. Because each PhD program offers a different set of specializations, an understanding of your interests can help you identify the best doctoral programs for you.

Career Track

A doctoral degree in engineering is a versatile qualification that van lead to careers in academia, corporate research and development (R&D), and government research.

Academic careers focus on research and teaching. As a university professor, you conduct groundbreaking scholarship in theoretical or applied engineering. Some research universities maintain close relationships with industry partners, allowing professors to participate in the development of a marketable product. Other universities focus on fundamental issues in engineering research. Professors advance new approaches and methods of engineering, leaving the applied product development to industry researchers.

Private-sector careers focus on applied R&D and product development. PhD graduates qualify for both lead research and senior management roles.

Public-sector careers emphasize applied research into areas of national importance, such as the environment, energy, atmospheric science, aerospace and aviation, and civil engineering. You can work as an engineer at a government lab, a manager at a federal agency, or as an expert consultant in policy and patent decisions. Government agencies that employ engineers include:

  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  • Department of Homeland Security
  • Department of Transportation
  • Department of Defense
  • Department of Energy
  • Department of Agriculture
  • Department of the Interior

Together, federal agencies and government labs employ an estimated 100,000 engineers.

Preparing for an Online or Campus PhD in Engineering

A campus-based or online PhD program in engineering typically takes about four to six years of intensive study and research. To get the most out of your educational journey, plan your program carefully. The following steps can help you prepare for a doctoral program, from researching schools to submitting applications and joining the academic community.

Step One: Find the Right Graduate PhD in Engineering Program

The secret to success in graduate study is finding the perfect fit between your academic objectives and the PhD program. With hundreds of campus and online PhD programs in engineering available to you, identifying the right school can be a challenge. Follow these steps to find the right engineering doctorate for you.

1. Create a List of Accredited Programs

Begin your search by surveying all of your options and creating a comprehensive list of accredited schools that offer online and campus-based PhD programs in engineering. Accreditation is a great feature to look for in the graduate schools you research. It ensures the value of your degree, the quality of your education, and your eligibility for some federal financial aid programs. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes a number of regional and national accreditation agencies. The major accrediting body of engineering doctoral programs is the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Read more about the accreditation process at WorldWideLearn.com.

Resources

Kick off your research by exploring online directories and accrediting agency member lists.

WorldWideLearn.com represents a selection of accredited doctoral programs in engineering. Search Degrees by Subject to find an online or campus PhD program in engineering, or browse a list of university partners.

The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) offers a searchable database of accredited engineering programs. Browse a list of ABET member institutions or search schools by discipline and location.

U.S. News & World Report publishes an up-to-date A-Z Directory of Engineering Schools.

2. Decide on a Campus or Online Doctoral Program Format

Advances in educational technology and digital communications have made online doctoral degrees in engineering a viable alternative to the traditional campus degree. Each program format has advantages. The right format for you depends on your learning style, life circumstances, and career goals.

The online degree is a good choice for adults balancing work and family responsibilities. The online PhD in Engineering involves self-paced study and independent research. The online PhD works well for mid-career engineers who already have access to a research lab. Many programs require periodic campus visits to afford students access to campus facilities and promote a sense of academic community.

The campus option may be a better choice if you aspire to an academic career and do not have access to research facilities. Academics take advantage of a range of campus resources--they collaborate closely with faculty, teach undergraduates, and develop deep ties within the academic community.

Resources

WorldWideLearn.com helps you identify online degree programs and campus education options. To find a campus PhD program near you, search campus degrees by location.

3. Explore Academic Programs

Each engineering doctorate offers a unique landscape of opportunity, with different program requirements, faculty experts, research facilities, and industry relationships. Find the best match to your interests by exploring individual programs in depth.

The following factors can give you a sense of the program's academic resources and specialties:

  • Faculty research topics
  • Research facilities
  • Specializations
  • Curriculum and course requirements
  • Special programs: foundations, conferences, publications, and research centers
  • Relationships with industry leaders or government agencies

Resources

WorldWideLearn.com takes some of the legwork out of program research by putting you in touch with program representatives. Fill out an online form indicating your academic program criteria, and the system identifies the education partners that meet your requirements.

School Web sites offer a general overview of the academic program. You can find information about faculty research, graduate student dissertation topics, research facilities, special events, PhD degree requirements, and more.

Academic journals help you identify leading scholars and programs in your field of interest. Publications include:

  • IEEE journals (electrical and electronics engineering specialties)
  • International Journal on Computer Science and Engineering
  • Journal of Environmental Engineering
  • Computational Mechanics
  • Journal of Engineering Materials and Technology
  • ASCE Journals (civil engineering specialties)
  • Journal of Biological Engineering
  • International Journal of Chemical Engineering

This is just a partial list of titles--you can find journals on every engineering specialty.

4. Evaluate Program Quality

Finally, produce a list of six to ten schools to which you plan to apply. Narrow down your candidates by evaluating the quality and selectivity of each program.

Factors that may come into play in your assessment include:

  • Reputation
  • Selectivity
  • Graduation Rate
  • Job Placement Statistics
  • Career Support Resources
  • Student Body Profile

Resources

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

School data sheets report key statistics on graduate student demographics, selectivity, and job placement data.

Campus visits give you a firsthand look at research facilities, and enable you to meet with potential faculty advisors and other graduate students.

Step Two: Apply to a PhD Program in Engineering

Once you've arrived at a shortlist of schools, you're ready to prepare your applications. Follow these steps to make sure you cover all the bases. WorldWideLearn.com's Education Resources Guide offers a handbook to the applications process, with information on test preparation courses, financial aid resources, and more.

1. Complete Prerequisites

Most PhD programs in engineering require:

  • A bachelor's or master's degree in engineering. If your degree is in another field, you may have to supplement with basic undergraduate coursework before continuing on to the PhD in Engineering.
  • Standardized tests such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and the TOEFL (for non-native speakers of English)

2. Prepare Application Materials

Doctoral applications in engineering typically require:

  • Faculty or professional letters of recommendation
  • Academic transcripts
  • Test scores
  • Personal statement of research interests
  • Work experience and past research projects, if applicable

3. Arrange Financial Aid

You can find a number of financial aid programs to help you pay for your doctoral education. Sources include:

  • Scholarships and grants
  • Teaching and research assistantships
  • Corporate sponsorship
  • Federal and private loans
  • Tuition waivers and work-study programs

For more information about funding a PhD degree, visit the WorldWideLearn.com resource page on graduate education funding.

Step Three: Join the Academic Community

With your applications in the mail, you're well on your way to becoming part of a community of engineering innovators. Build relationships within the academic community by following these steps:

1. Join professional and academic organizations

Engineering associations provide networking opportunities and a range of support resources for engineering graduate students. Major engineering associations include:

  • Institute of Electric and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
  • National Academy of Engineering (NAE)
  • American Society for Engineering Education
  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
  • American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

This is a partial list--you can find a national organization that represents each engineering specialty.

2. Attend conferences

Universities and engineering associations host conferences in order to facilitate the exchange of ideas and research findings. These events offer the perfect opportunity to learn more about the field and to start building relationships with your future peers and mentors.

3. Subscribe to academic journals and industry publications

Get a sense of current research trends by reading engineering journals in your field. Journals also introduce you to your peers, helping you identify and establish relationships with the leaders in your intended specialty.

The American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) offers information on conferences, publications, and other resources for graduate students in engineering.

A PhD in Engineering offers access to a rich and exciting world of technical innovation. As a graduate student, you have the opportunity to work with leading engineers and conduct your own research using state-of-the-art equipment. Planning your academic path now sets you up to take full advantage of your engineering doctorate.

 

Sources

  • MakingtheDifference.org, Engineering Jobs in the Federal Government
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics, Engineers
  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), Search All Accredited Programs
  • American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), Visitor's Guide to ASEE
  • American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), ASCE Continuing Education
  • National Academy of Engineering
  • National Research Council, Assessment of Research Doctorate Programs
  • Santa Clara University, Graduate 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