mit mechanical engineering phd requirements

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Our graduate students are the biggest pool of talent on campus — and the engine of MIT’s innovation.

Whether you’re headed for an academic research career, or you want to develop an innovation that will transform the future, you should know one thing: deep technology and science-based engineering are at the heart of everything we do.

Traditionally a leader in engineering and science graduate programs, MIT also boasts internationally prominent programs in mathematics, architecture, management, and the humanities. These students will be your partners. 

The Office of Graduate Education is the hub in the decentralized admissions network that extends across all five of our academic schools. (They also host a great blog about grad student life at MIT.)

In the MIT School of Engineering, students apply directly to academic departments or interdisciplinary programs . There is no cap on the number of graduate students admitted. 

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• Interdisciplinary PhD in Mechanical Engineering and Statistics

Requirements: Students must complete their primary program’s degree requirements along with the IDPS requirements. Statistics requirements must not unreasonably impact performance or progress in a student’s primary degree program.

Grade Requirements:  B+ in all required coursework (see options below) PhD Earned on Completion: Mechanical Engineering and Statistics

IDPS/Mechanical Engineering Chair : Themistoklis Sapsis

MIT Statistics + Data Science Center Massachusetts Institute of Technology 77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 617-253-1764

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• Interdisciplinary PhD in Aero/Astro and Statistics
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Doctoral Degrees

A doctoral degree requires the satisfactory completion of an approved program of advanced study and original research of high quality..

Please note that the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctor of Science (ScD) degrees are awarded interchangeably by all departments in the School of Engineering and the School of Science, except in the fields of biology, cognitive science, neuroscience, medical engineering, and medical physics. This means that, excepting the departments outlined above, the coursework and expectations to earn a Doctor of Philosophy and for a Doctor of Science degree from these schools are generally the same. Doctoral students may choose which degree they wish to complete.

Applicants interested in graduate education should apply to the department or graduate program conducting research in the area of interest. Some departments require a doctoral candidate to take a “minor” program outside of the student’s principal field of study; if you wish to apply to one of these departments, please consider additional fields you may like to pursue.

Below is a list of programs and departments that offer doctoral-level degrees.

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FUTURES IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Explore graduate school with mit’s department of mechanical engineering.

Launched in 2020 by MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Futures in Mechanical Engineering program encourages and supports individuals interested in pursuing a graduate degree in mechanical engineering; particularly those who have historically been underrepresented in our field. 

Each year we share information about our graduate program and advice on how to apply via virtual event(s) and timely emails. Prospective undergraduate students in mechanical engineering are invited to utilize the resources on this site and join our email list to receive a small number of emails in advance of our Graduate Application Deadline which is December 15, 2023.

While we will share information about MIT’s mechanical engineering graduate program in particular, our goal is to encourage more women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue advanced degrees in mechanical engineering across the board.

Connect with MIT Mechanical Engineering

The MIT Mechanical Engineering Graduate Office provides comprehensive support for prospective students.  The MechE Graduate Webpage and the “ Applying for Admissions ” page are key resources for prospective students.

Our Graduate Office Team Dan Shea, Una Sheehan, Saana McDaniel (Graduate Academic Administrator), and Laura Zaganjori (not pictured) are always happy to answer any questions as you prepare to apply to our program.

Contact the Grad Office team at [email protected]

MIT’s Virtual Graduate Fair: November 15, 2023

MIT Virtual Graduate Fair

Wednesday, november 15, 2023, noon-2:00pm edt.

MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering is one of many departments participating in the first annual “MIT Virtual Graduate Fair” sponsored by the Office of Graduate Education . Tap into the Mind + Heart of MIT and join us for a virtual showcase of MIT’s graduate programs, summer research and post doctoral opportunities!

On-Demand Video Resources

Video on-demand: overview of graduate school at mit's department of mechanical engineering.

Not sure if graduate school in mechanical engineering (or MIT specifically) is right for you? In this video,  Dr. Dawn Wendell shares about the structure and supports of the MIT Mechanical Engineering graduate program and reflections on why one might choose to pursue graduate school.

Video On-Demand: Strategies for Grad School and Fellowship Applications

Are you seeking advice on how to develop the content and structure of your application to graduate school or graduate fellowships? In this video, Dr. Svetlana Boriskina, Principal Research Scientist and Manager of the MechE Communications Lab shares insights from her vast experience advising students in this area.

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Graduate study in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics includes graduate-level subjects in Course 16 and others at MIT, and research work culminating in a thesis. Degrees are awarded at the master’s and doctoral levels. The range of subject matter is described under  Graduate Fields of Study . Departmental research centers’ websites offer information on research interests. Detailed information may be obtained from the Department Academic Programs Office or from individual faculty members. For more information about MIT AeroAstro graduate degree programs, email [email protected] .

Master of Science (SM)

The Master of Science (SM) degree is a two-year graduate program with beginning research or design experience represented by the SM thesis. This degree prepares the graduate for an advanced position in the aerospace field, and provides a solid foundation for future doctoral study. The  general requirements for the Master of Science degree  are cited in the section on General Degree Requirements for graduate students. The specific departmental requirements include at least 66 graduate subject units, typically in subjects relevant to the candidate’s area of technical interest. Of the 66 units, at least 21 units must be in departmental subjects. To be credited toward the degree, graduate subjects must carry a grade of B or better. In addition, a 24-unit thesis is required beyond the 66 units of coursework. Full-time students normally must be in residence one full academic year. Special students admitted to the SM program in this department must enroll in and satisfactorily complete at least two graduate subjects while in residence (i.e., after being admitted as a degree candidate) regardless of the number of subjects completed before admission to the program. Students holding research assistantships typically require a longer period of residence. In addition, the department’s SM program requires one graduate-level mathematics subject. The requirement is satisfied only by graduate-level subjects on the list approved by the department graduate committee. The specific choice of math subjects is arranged individually by each student in consultation with their faculty advisor.

SM Requirements

• English evaluation Test (for non-native English-speakers if not previously satisfied at MIT)
• Technical writing requirement if not previously satisfied at MIT
• Math requirem ent
• 66 subject units, not including thesis units, in graduate subjects in the candidate’s area of technical interest
• Within the 66 subject units, a minimum of 21 units from AeroAstro subjects
• Classes taken on a pass/fail basis do not count towards degree requirements
• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 4.0
• Term-by-term thesis (16THG) registration and progress evaluation
• Acceptable thesis. View SM Thesis Archive (via DSpace).

Doctoral Degree (Ph.D. or Sc.D.)

AeroAstro offers Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) doctoral degrees that emphasize in-depth study, with a significant research project in a focused area. The admission process for the department’s doctoral program is described previously in this section under Admission Requirements. The doctoral degree is awarded after completion of an individual course of study, submission, and defense of a thesis proposal, and submission and defense of a thesis embodying an original research contribution. The general requirements for this degree are given in the section on  General Degree Requirements . Program requirements are outlined in a booklet titled  The Doctoral Program [PDF] . After successful admission to the doctoral program, the doctoral candidate selects a field of study and research in consultation with the thesis supervisor and forms a doctoral thesis committee, which assists in the formulation of the candidate’s research and study programs and monitors his or her progress. Demonstrated competence for original research at the forefront of aerospace engineering is the final and main criterion for granting the doctoral degree. The candidate’s thesis serves in part to demonstrate such competence and, upon completion, is defended orally in a presentation to the faculty of the department, who may then recommend that the degree be awarded.

Doctoral Program Objectives & Outcomes

AeroAstro’s doctoral program objectives are:

• to produce original research and technologies critical to the engineering of aerospace vehicles, information, and systems.
• to educate future leaders in aerospace research and technology.

Upon graduation, our doctoral students will have:

• a strong foundation in analytical skills and reasoning
• the ability to solve challenging, engineering problems
• an understanding of the importance and strategic value of their research
• the ability to communicate their research with context and clarity

These degrees, for which the requirements are identical, are for students who wish to carry out original research in a focused field, and already hold a master’s degree. AeroAstro offers doctoral degrees in 13 fields. A description of general MIT doctoral requirements appears in the MIT Course Catalogue .

Ph.D./Sc.D. Requirements

• Qualifying Field Evaluation, completed within three terms of entering the department. (See below for more information.)
• Completion of Research Process and Communication (RPC) Course
• Formation of a thesis committee and first meeting confirmed by filing a virtual Doctoral Record Card within 2 regular terms of admission to the doctoral program.
• Five graduate-level subjects in the major concentration with a minimum of 60 units and three graduate level subjects for the minor concentration (minimum 30 units), as approved by the student’s thesis committee
• Math requireme nt
• Minimum cumulative 4.4 grade point average
• Thesis proposal and defense within 3 regular terms of admission into the doctoral program.
• Successful thesis submission and defense within 4 regular terms of passing the thesis proposal defense. View the doctoral thesis archive (via DSpace.)

See the AeroAstro Doctoral Program Guide for additional guidelines and the PhD Quick Guide for a complete overview.

Doctoral Qualifying Field Evaluation

A student seeking entrance to the department’s doctoral program must complete a course-based evaluation in their chosen field of study . Information about the doctoral program and the doctoral qualifying process can be found in the department’s Doctoral Program Guide .

Field Evaluation Process Timeline

Thesis proposal and defense examples.

The following are a few examples of successfully written and defended thesis proposals by doctoral candidates within AeroAstro. These may be downloaded and examined as part of your preparation for the Thesis Proposal Defense, a required part of our doctoral program.

• Xun Huan – A Bayesian Approach to Optimal Sequential Experimental Design Using Approximate Dynamic Programming – 2013 – Proposal – Defense
• Ashley Carlton – Scientific Imagers as High-Energy Radiation Sensors – 2017 – Proposal – Defense
• Maria de Soria Santacruz Pich – Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves for RBR Applications – 2013 – Proposal – Defense

Interdisciplinary Programs

The department participates in several interdisciplinary fields at the graduate level, which are of special importance for aeronautics and astronautics in both research and the curriculum.

Aeronautics, Astronautics, and Statistics

The Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Statistics provides training in statistics, including classical statistics and probability as well as computation and data analysis, to students who wish to integrate these valuable skills into their primary academic program. The program is administered jointly by the departments of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Economics, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, and Political Science, and the Statistics and Data Science Center within the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society. It is open to current doctoral students in participating departments. For more information, including department-specific requirements, see the  full program description  under Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs.

Air Transportation

For students interested in a career in flight transportation, a program is available that incorporates a broader graduate education in disciplines such as economics, management, and operations research than is normally pursued by candidates for degrees in engineering. Graduate research emphasizes one of the four areas of flight transportation: airport planning and design, air traffic control, air transportation systems analysis, and airline economics and management, with subjects selected appropriately from those available in the departments of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Economics, and the interdepartmental Master of Science in Transportation (MST) program. Doctoral students may pursue a Ph.D. with specialization in air transportation in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics or in the interdepartmental Ph.D. program in transportation or in the Ph.D. program of the Operations Research Center (see the section on Graduate Programs in Operations Research under Research and Study).

Biomedical Engineering

The department offers opportunities for students interested in biomedical instrumentation and physiological control systems where the disciplines involved in aeronautics and astronautics are applied to biology and medicine. Graduate study combining aerospace engineering with biomedical engineering may be pursued through the Bioastronautics program offered as part of the Medical Engineering and Medical Physics Ph.D. program in the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES) via the Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology (HST). Students wishing to pursue a degree through HST must apply to that graduate program. At the master’s degree level, students in the department may specialize in biomedical engineering research, emphasizing space life sciences and life support, instrumentation and control, or in human factors engineering and in instrumentation and statistics. Most biomedical engineering research in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics is conducted in the Human Systems Laboratory.

Today, the aerospace sector has returned to its original roots of innovation and entrepreneurship, driven not exclusively by large government or corporate entities, but by small and mid-size firms. These are experimenting with, and launching electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing and electric Short Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL and eSTOL) vehicles, cutting-edge CubeSat missions, and new drone-enabled services that offer data analytics in agriculture, renewable energy and in other sectors. Students in Aerospace Engineering and related fields have expressed a strong desire to hear from and learn about how to launch their own ventures and initiatives in aerospace. Responding to this need, AeroAstro is proud to launch a new Certificate in Aerospace Innovation in collaboration with the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship. To learn more, please visit the website for Certificate in Aerospace Innovation .

Computational Science and Engineering (SM or Ph.D.)

The  Master of Science in Computational Science and Engineering (CSE SM)  is an interdisciplinary program for students interested in the development, analysis, and application of computational approaches to science and engineering. The curriculum is designed with a common core serving all science and engineering disciplines and an elective component focusing on specific disciplinary topics. Current MIT graduate students may pursue the CSE SM as a standalone degree or as leading to the CSE Ph.D. program described below. The  Doctoral Program in Computational Science and Engineering (CSE Ph.D.)  allows students to specialize at the doctoral level in a computation-related field of their choice through focused coursework and a thesis through a number of participating host departments. The CSE Ph.D. program is administered jointly by the Center for Computational Science and Engineering (CCSE) and the host departments; the emphasis of thesis research activities is the development of new computational methods and/or the innovative application of computational techniques to important problems in engineering and science. For more information,  see the program descriptions  under Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs.

Joint Program with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

The  Joint Program with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)  is intended for students whose primary career objective is oceanography or oceanographic engineering. Students divide their academic and research efforts between the campuses of MIT and WHOI. Joint Program students are assigned an MIT faculty member as an academic advisor; thesis research may be supervised by MIT or WHOI faculty. While in residence at MIT, students follow a program similar to that of other students in their home department. The  program is described in more detail  under Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs.

Leaders for Global Operations

The 24-month  Leaders for Global Operations (LGO)  program combines graduate degrees in engineering and management for those with previous postgraduate work experience and strong undergraduate degrees in a technical field. During the two-year program, students complete a six-month internship at one of LGO’s partner companies, where they conduct research that forms the basis of a dual-degree thesis. Students finish the program with two MIT degrees: an MBA (or SM in management) and an SM from one of eight engineering programs, some of which have optional or required LGO tracks. After graduation, alumni lead strategic initiatives in high-tech, operations, and manufacturing companies.

System Design and Management

The  System Design and Management (SDM)  program is a partnership among industry, government, and the university for educating technically grounded leaders of 21st-century enterprises. Jointly sponsored by the School of Engineering and the Sloan School of Management, it is MIT’s first degree program to be offered with a distance learning option in addition to a full-time in-residence option.

Technology and Policy

The Master of Science in Technology and Policy is an engineering research degree with a strong focus on the role of technology in policy analysis and formulation. The  Technology and Policy Program (TPP)  curriculum provides a solid grounding in technology and policy by combining advanced subjects in the student’s chosen technical field with courses in economics, politics, quantitative methods, and social science. Many students combine TPP’s curriculum with complementary subjects to obtain dual degrees in TPP and either a specialized branch of engineering or an applied social science such as political science or urban studies and planning. See the  program description  under the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society.

EDUCATION @ MIT MECHE

Pursue your vision in a meche graduate program.

Earning a graduate degree from MechE hones your engineering skills through project-based learning, arming you with the technical acumen, creative spirit, and real-world experience to make a difference in the areas that matter to you most.

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MIT Graduate Admissions Policy Update

The department of Mechanical Engineering will not require GRE tests for applications for graduate admission for 2024, nor will we use GRE scores as a basis for evaluating candidates for admission in the 2024 application process.

We offer 9 Graduate Degrees

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (SMME)

Master of Science in Ocean Engineering (SMOE)

Master of Science in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (SMNAME)

Master of Science in Oceanographic Engineering (SMOGE, joint MIT/WHOI degree)

Master of Engineering in Manufacturing

Mechanical Engineer’s (ME) Degree

Naval Engineer’s (NE) Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Science (ScD), which differs in name only (this includes the joint MIT/WHOI degrees)

Dual degree with Leaders for Global Operations (LGO) Program in MIT Sloan School of Management (Please go to the following website: https://lgo.mit.edu/ to learn more about applying through LGO.)

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Learning Through Creation

Class 2.00a, Fundamentals of Engineering Design: Explore Space, Sea and Earth, empowers first-year students to build machines early in their academic careers at MIT.

2.009 gets “Wild!”

Six teams of MechE students pitched “wild” products during annual capstone course prototype launch event live from Kresge Auditorium.

A. Michael West: Advancing human-robot interactions in health care

When he isn’t investigating human motor control, PhD Candidate A. Michael West gives back by volunteering with programs that helped him grow as a researcher.

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Department of Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

General institute requirements (girs).

The General Institute Requirements include a Communication Requirement that is integrated into both the HASS Requirement and the requirements of each major; see details below.

Departmental Program

Choose at least two subjects in the major that are designated as communication-intensive (CI-M) to fulfill the Communication Requirement.

The units for any subject that counts as one of the 17 GIR subjects cannot also be counted as units required beyond the GIRs.

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The PDF includes all information on this page and its related tabs. Subject (course) information includes any changes approved for the current academic year.

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When applying to graduate school at MIT, you are applying to a specific department. It’s important that you indicate on the application the degree and program that you wish to pursue. Your application is then evaluated by the appropriate department, and you are notified of the result. Even if your objective is to enter an interdepartmental program, you must still apply through one of the participating departments. All graduate students must have a primary affiliation with and be registered in a single department. DMSE offers two graduate degrees: Master of Science (SM) and Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Science (PhD/ScD).

DMSE graduate students can pursue three interdepartmental programs involving academic training and requirements outside the department: Archaeology and Archaeological Materials, Program in Polymers and Soft Matter, Technology and Policy Program, and Computational Science and Engineering.

How and When to Apply

Required information for your application.

In your application, you will provide the following information:

• Research field(s) of interest
• Personal information
• Names and e-mail addresses of three letter of recommendation writers. (We recommend that you notify your evaluators before October 1 to give them time to prepare and submit their evaluations by December 1 . Once you have submitted your online application, instructions to your evaluator will automatically be generated and emailed to them.)
• Scanned copies of your college transcripts
• For international students, your official TOEFL/IELTS scores (for more information, see “Other Application Information” section below)
• Application fee of $75
• Awards (List any prizes, fellowships, and honors that you have received.)
• Publications (List any technical publication that you have published or are preparing.)
• Presentations (List any talks, seminars, or other types of presentations that you have delivered at a scientific conference or similar events.)
• Research experience (List any research experience that you have had.)
• Teaching and work experience (List any teaching and relevant work experience—for example, internships—that you have had.)
• Other experience (List any other relevant experience that you have had, such as military, volunteering, or travel.)
• Why do you want to study material science and engineering? [150 words]
• Why are you a good fit for DMSE at MIT? [100 words]
• How does earning a graduate degree fit with your professional life goals? [150 words]
• Anything else you’d like to share. Please tell us anything else about yourself that you think we should know. (No word limit)

Application due December 1

Applications for the September admission to the SM or PhD program must be submitted using the online application portal by 23:59 EST December 1. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible and are responsible for ensuring that all admissions credentials are submitted on time. Your application will not be reviewed until all materials have been received.

Other Application Information

For international applicants: ielts/toefl exam or waiver, ielts/toefl exam.

For applicants whose primary language is not English, your IELTS or TOEFL exam scores are required. For IELTS, the minimum score required is 7. Send electronic scores to MIT Graduate Admissions. For TOEFL, the minimum score required for the internet-based test, or iBT, is 100; the minimum score required for the paper-based test, or PBT, is 600. The code for MIT is 3514; DMSE’s department code is 69.

Exam Requirement Waiver

Some students may qualify for a waiver of the IELTS/TOEFL requirement. Describe how you meet one of the following criteria.

• Are you a student who has attended elementary/secondary schools that provide instruction primarily in English?
• Are you a student who will have received an undergraduate degree from an institution that provides instruction primarily in English?
• Are you a student who has been in the US for three years and will have received a degree from a US institution before entering MIT?

Include a statement requesting the waiver in the supplemental materials page on the online application.

Application Fee Waiver

The Office of Graduate Education offers fee waivers for US citizens and US permanent residents who demonstrate financial hardship, are current or former members of the United States Armed Forces, or who have participated in special fellowship programs, including MIT-sponsored diversity programs (e.g., MIT Summer Research Program, CONVERGE). 

Early September

Application opens.

Completed applications are due.

December to February

Application review happens.

Interviews will be carried out by DMSE faculty members.

Late January to early February

Admission decisions are sent to candidates and invited to visit MIT.

Late February and early March

Admitted applicants visit MIT and the department during one of our visit days opportunities

Admitted students decisions are due.

Other Resources

• The  Council of Graduate Schools  offers helpful resources and information for students seeking graduate study.
• The DMSE Application Assistance Program is a volunteer-based, student-run program that provides assistance to DMSE applicants from underrepresented groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many questions are answered in this section. Before contacting MIT DMSE Graduate Academic Office concerning graduate admissions ( [email protected] ), please review the questions below.

Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required?

Effective the Fall 2024 admissions cycle, the department will not accept GRE scores as supplementary material.

How will I know that you have received all of my application materials?

You will be notified by email when we receive your application. You will also be able to check the status of your application & supplemental materials via the online application. You will receive a final confirmation once all materials have been received and added to the application file (recommendation letters, transcripts, test scores). This confirmation will be sent before January 31. If, on January 31, you have not heard that the application is complete, please email the department.

Can you give me an idea of my chances for admission, based on scores or class rank, for example?

We can make no preliminary evaluation based on one or two qualifications. The Admissions Committee carefully reviews the entire application (recommendations, essay, grades, test scores, previous research experience, etc.) in making its decisions.

I don’t have an undergraduate background in materials science and engineering. Do I have any chance of being admitted?

Yes, while many of our admitted students have an undergraduate background in materials science and engineering, the remaining students have training in fields such as biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, physics, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering.

Does DMSE admit its own undergraduate students to the graduate program?

Yes, we consider our own undergraduates for admission to all of our graduate programs.

Would it help my chances to send my application directly to a specific faculty member?

Admission decisions are made by a departmental committee. The decision is based on overall qualifications, independent of research interest. If you bypass the regular admissions route, you risk having your application misplaced. Please direct all admission related inquiries to  [email protected] .

Should I contact faculty members to try to secure a Research Assistantship before I’ve been admitted?

Students are urged to wait for official admission to DMSE before contacting faculty regarding research assistantships and thesis supervision.

What kind of funding is available to support students in the program?

A number of funding opportunities are available for graduates students at DMSE. These appointments pay tuition, a competitive stipend, and health insurance. Students are encouraged to apply for outside fellowships to help finance their graduate studies. Some domestic students are supported by NSF, NDSEG, Hertz, and Whitaker fellowships, as well as other government and corporate sources. Some international students are supported by their government or a scholarship agency (e.g., Samsung scholarship, ILJU, Royal Thai government) Kwanjeong Scholarship, Canadian NSERC.

Can I take courses on a part-time basis or as a visiting student?

The DMSE graduate program requires on-campus attendance at classes that are offered during the day and generally meet 2-3 times per week. Please refer to the  MIT Office of Graduate Admissions  for information about special student admissions and MIT advanced study program.

How long does it take to earn the doctoral degree at MIT DMSE?

DMSE graduate students normally take about 5 years to earn the PhD.

I already have a master’s degree. Can I apply it to the DMSE PhD requirements?

MIT has a qualifying procedure for the doctoral degree, so even though you have already earned a master of science degree at another institution, if you receive admission here, you would be admitted as a master of science degree student with the option to bypass the master’s degree and go directly into the doctoral program provided that you successfully pass the qualification procedure. Some students admitted in this category may choose to complete another master’s degree in DMSE before working on their doctoral  program.  Specific questions about transfer credits and other matters can be discussed with the Academic Office after admissions letters have been sent. Students applying to the PPSM or Archaeological Materials interdepartmental doctoral program should review those programs’ qualification procedure.

Can I visit DMSE?

Prospective applicants are welcome to visit MIT. You can arrange a tour of the campus through the MIT  Admissions Office . Admitted students are encouraged to visit on one of our two weekend-long visits (arrive Thursday early evening and depart Sunday morning) in March to become acquainted with the department, with MIT as a whole, and with Boston and Cambridge. Food and lodging are supplied as is part of the airfare.

Does DMSE have different admissions criteria for the master’s and PhD graduate programs?

The criteria for admissions is the same. The Admissions Committee does not make a distinction in the application evaluation process.

Do I need to complete the “Record of Subjects Taken” in the online application?

No. DMSE does not require applicants to complete the “Record of Subjects Taken” in the online application.

If admitted, can I defer my admission?

On rare occasions, deferral requests are approved for one year. Approved deferrals will only be for admission and not for any departmental financial aid award a student received upon admission. Applicants must contact the department to ask about a deferral before February 1.

Contact DMSE Admissions

Department of Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Academic Office Building 6, Room 107 77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139 [email protected]

Advanced Manufacturing and Design Innovation @ MIT

In just 12 months the MIT Master of Engineering in Manufacturing (MEng) prepares you to not only assume professional leadership positions, but also provides you with the necessary skill set and confidence to affect transformative and innovative change within manufacturing industries.

To apply to the MEng program, you must apply to the  Mechanical Engineering Graduate program  and specify “Master of Engineering in Advanced Manufacturing and Design” on the application. Also, in addition to your statement of objectives, supplemental essays must be completed for your application to be considered. You must also submit a Mechanical Engineering application. Please visit the  MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering Graduate Office  to access the online application. Please visit our  Application Materials page  to review the list of required application materials. 

Applications will be accepted until December 15th.

Approximate Application-Process Timeline

• October through December 15th:  Applications are submitted by prospective students
• The Mechanical Engineering Graduate Office receives all submitted graduate applications and supplemental materials
• December 15th through early March:  Completed applications are circulated to and evaluated by the MEngM application committee members
• Mid-March through April 1:  Admission decisions are made by committee members
• Applicants are notified by email by the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Office of their admission status.
• April 15:  Deadline for applicants to accept or decline admission offer to MIT
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Mechanical Engineer Intern/Co-op Summer 2024 (req#863)

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***This position will start May 2024 and go through Summer 2024. Our hope is that the co-op students that are hired will do multiple co-op rotations with CMTA.***

CMTA has a robust co-op program for college students pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Architectural Engineering.  We offer an opportunity for students to immerse themselves for two or more semesters in the consulting engineering world.  Our co-ops build industry competitive skills in a hands-on environment, all while working on a team, and being trained by Professional Engineers in AutoCAD and Revit.  The skills our co-ops learn allow them to create real construction drawings for real CMTA projects.

Job Description:

This position provides a unique opportunity for hands-on training in mechanical design.  The ideal candidate will possess excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work well with a team, and independently. Our engineers will teach the student co-op how we design and implement energy efficient measures in our buildings. This is a great opportunity to work on some of the most challenging and complex MEP projects, and become an important part of our design team.

Job Functions: (may include but are not limited to)

• Produce detailed layout and equipment details of HVAC systems,
• Produce one-line diagrams/schematics,
• Assist the design team in the process of assembling organized sets of drawings,
• May assist in the data collection and/or field verification, and
• Work in conjunction with designers and engineers to help develop all aspects of a project.

Requirements:

• Pursuing a BSME, preferably a sophomore (2nd year), or junior (3rd year),
• Strong interest in Building Systems Mechanical Engineering,
• CAD experience, preferably AutoCAD,
• Revit experience preferred,
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills,
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel,
• Ability to work both independently and with a team and
• Ability to travel locally for field work.

No sponsorship available for this position.