engineering or phd

Should Engineers Get a PHD? 11 Truths!

Should engineers get a PhD? Depends on what you want to achieve in your career. There are ups and downs to pursuing a PhD in engineering.

To figure it out, start by asking yourself what kind of career you’re after. Your decision will be based on factors like:

• Your interests
• How much money you want to make
• The lifestyle you desire
• Your other career options

We’ll chat about these four pointers, and then dive headfirst into 11 extra tips to help you size up the pros and cons of pursuing a PhD in engineering.

Important Note: I’ll be generalizing each factor I discuss, so keep in mind that there are always exceptions. And don’t forget that some superstar engineers will fly high whether they have a PhD or not. Success can come either way!

What really interests you in engineering?

A PhD can give you a leg up when tackling groundbreaking technological challenges. Without one, you might find it tough to access such work. But if you’re into more typical engineering gigs in the industry, then a PhD won’t be worth the time and money.

Usually, people go for a PhD if they want to become a specialist or researcher, or if they have their sights set on an academic career. A PhD can provide flexibility between industry and academia, letting you explore fresh ideas and spearhead innovative projects.

Here’s my two cents on both academia and industry:

In academia

In this world, your work might not make an immediate real-world splash. It could take years or even decades for your research to be recognized and applied. So, if you’re looking to become an overnight sensation, you might want to think again.

But you know what? To a select few who are passionate about your field, your work will be a big deal. You’ll have the chance to share your unique ideas with like-minded folks and make a difference in your little corner of the world.

And never forget that every small step you take will ultimately contribute to the greater good of humanity.

In industry

Meanwhile, in the industry, your work can make an instant impact. You’ll tackle awesome projects that are directly tied to a company’s goals, making a real difference in people’s lives.

Take, for example, working on R&D for batteries. Batteries are essential for our future, and every tiny improvement can change our lives in a big way.

The downside? Your company might not give you the credit you deserve for your groundbreaking work. But don’t sweat it – there are loads of similar opportunities for PhD holders who are motivated and inventive.

All in all, whether you pick academia or industry, you’ll have plenty of chances to change the world. Just keep cranking out top-notch work, and everything else will fall into place.

How much money do you want to make?

First off, don’t pay for your PhD yourself. If you can’t get funding, it means the market doesn’t see the value in your research.

Even with funding, you might only make $20k to $40k a year, depending on your university. If you’d gone straight into the industry, you could be pocketing $150k or more each year. Then you could invest that salary in real estate, businesses, you name it.

So, if money’s your main concern, you’ll lag behind your peers who jumped straight into the industry. Because while you’re spending 3 to 5 years earning a PhD and living on ramen noodles, they’ll be making bank.

And if you’re thinking about academia after your PhD, buckle up for even more financial hurdles.

Let’s be real: a PhD is a massive investment of time and money. If dollar signs are all you see, don’t bother with a PhD.

Important Note: Engineers with PhDs who start multi-million dollar businesses are exceptions, just like college dropouts who start multi-billion dollar businesses.

PhD stipends from major U.S. universities

Check this shortlist of engineering department stipends from major universities, put together by PhD Stipends :

As you can tell, diving into a PhD in engineering might not make you rich overnight. But, hey, it does give you the chance to work on some mind-blowing research and help shape the world of tomorrow.

Important Note: Don’t forget to weigh in the cost of living when you’re checking out those PhD stipends. Higher stipends usually come with a heftier price tag on everyday life, like in the Bay Area where Stanford is nestled.

What type of lifestyle do you want?

Dreaming of a chill, easygoing life? Academia might not be your jam. You could grind away for years and never snag that elusive academic tenure. Even in the industry, you might land just an ordinary engineering gig, making your PhD feel like a waste.

The professional stress from this uncertain journey can seep into your personal life. Financial struggles might become your constant companion, impacting every corner of your life. But hey, with a PhD, you get the keys to the world’s coolest toys and can work in top-notch national labs and fancy universities.

If you’re down to embrace uncertainty into your golden years, a PhD could be worth the ride. You may trade short-term comfort for the shot at doing what sets your soul on fire in the long run.

Mind you, I use the term sacrifice lightly. If you’re head over heels for your research, nothing else will even matter.

Do you have other options in life?

If you’re still feeling the PhD vibe after all this, ask yourself:

• Do you have any other career options?
• Is there another gig that’s tugging at your heartstrings?

If you said yes to either, hold your horses! Give some serious thought to whether a PhD is really your destiny. I’ve got friends who ditched their PhD programs to start businesses, and now they’re swimming in millions!

On the flip side, I know folks who chased a PhD just to immigrate to the US for a better life. But listen, don’t just follow the crowd. Committing to a PhD is a massive deal and can change your life in a big way.

This is further highlighted by the low number of U.S. students going for a PhD in engineering each year. The data below, from ASEE , includes all engineering fields combined.

Important Note: The number of awarded engineering doctorate degrees is increasing. But the U.S. population is also increasing, and more foreign students are immigrating to the U.S. to pursue a PhD. 

11 Pointers to consider in pursuing a PhD in engineering

Now, here are 11 pointers I’ve gathered from my pals and relatives who’ve gone down the PhD-in-engineering rabbit hole:

#1 Choose a research topic with real-world oomph

Picking the perfect research topic is the key to unlocking your PhD’s potential. Focus on fields that are shining bright, like:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Renewable energy

These areas tend to reel in more funding and have a higher demand in both academia and industry. After all, you still gotta pay the bills and keep a roof over your head.

#2 A PhD hones your thinking skills, not just your specialization

In the real world, you might not use all that fancy research know-how from your PhD. Instead, you’ll rely on your shiny new way of thinking to tackle problems.

So, a PhD isn’t just about becoming the go-to person in a super-niche field. It’s also about learning how to think and tackle the tough stuff.

And, hey, you can pick up these skills outside the hallowed halls of academia too.

#3 Don’t expect a PhD to put you on a pedestal

Sure, a PhD might make some folks go “ooh” and “aah,” but at the end of the day, it’s all about delivering the goods. Your skills and passion for the job are what really count, not the alphabet soup trailing your name.

I’m all about treating everyone equally, regardless of their academic fanfare.

Of course, a PhD can give you a credibility boost when making first impressions. But remember, it’s what you do next that really matters.

#4 A PhD can open doors, but it might close some too

A PhD can help you score high-level gigs at big-shot companies with in-house research and development. But beware – it might also slam some doors shut if you’re deemed overqualified for certain roles.

Choose your career path wisely and take time to think through your future pragmatically.

#5 Dive into a PhD in a subject that ignites your passion

Being passionate about your subject is the secret sauce to staying motivated during your PhD journey. Surround yourself with amazing people who share your interests, or you’ll struggle through the tough times – and trust me, there’ll be plenty.

#6 Don’t chase a PhD for the wrong reasons

Don’t go after a PhD just because “it’s what smart people do” or because you want to add some extra letters to your name.

Let’s get real here: a PhD doesn’t magically transform you into a genius. Heck, some of the brightest minds out there never even set foot in a college classroom!

If you were a regular Joe or Jane before diving into a PhD program, chances are you’ll still be one when you’re done. But hey, you don’t need to be a mega-brainiac to tackle a PhD. If you can snag a spot in a program, you’ve definitely got what it takes to see it through.

#7 Fear not the PhD pursuit

Some folks are scared stiff of the grueling trek to PhD-land. It’s like climbing a never-ending mountain, right?

Well, anything worth chasing is gonna be tough. If it were a piece of cake, everybody and their dog would be doing it!

#8 A PhD isn’t for everyone

To nail that PhD, you need a killer work ethic and a fierce dedication to your field. That’s what’ll help you conquer those hurdles and push through the lonely stretches.

Let’s face it: the PhD life isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Just look at the small number of doctorates awarded each year in the U.S., as reported by ASEE. The data below covers all engineering fields combined:

And if you’re bold enough to take on a PhD, you’re probably an ambitious go-getter. So you’ll no doubt find some other epic challenge to sink your teeth into.

#9 Pick your program and advisor like a pro

The right program and advisor can make or break your PhD ride.

Seriously, you’ll be bending over backward for your advisor for years. They’ve got the power to make your life a living nightmare. Keep your eyes peeled for these red flags:

A bad advisor:

• Is a grade-A jerk
• Makes everything about them
• Squeezes you for free labor and grinds you down
• Fills you with guilt and doubt

A good advisor:

• Is super nice and supportive
• Turns you into a top-notch researcher
• Dishes out awesome life advice
• Hooks you up with conferences and fellowships
• Lets you visit other labs

So do your homework and pick your program and advisor with care.

#10 Weigh the impact on your loved ones

I’ve known people who juggled family life and a PhD. Sure, it was a bumpy road, but they made it work.

Keep in mind that a PhD can take ages, and your biological clock won’t wait around for you to finish.

#11 Industry jobs for PhD grads

Dreaming of a PhD to score an industry job? From what I’ve seen, here are a couple of paths for PhD graduates:

• Work in well-funded government labs, doing the research thing.
• Join big-league companies like Google, Apple, or IBM that can afford to splash cash on research.

If that doesn’t float your boat, a Master’s degree might be all you need for other engineering gigs in the industry.

Important Note: During recessions, R&D departments usually hold steady. R&D is a long-haul investment for a company, after all.

If an R&D project kicks off during a slump, it’ll wrap up just as the economy bounces back. That way, the company comes out stronger on the other side.

“Should engineers get a PhD” wrap up

Deciding to pursue a PhD is a deeply personal choice that deserves some serious soul-searching.

Don’t let peer pressure sway you. Take a good, hard look at the pros and cons, and make the call that’s right for you.

Now, I’ve met engineers who’d never trade their PhD experience for the world. But others reckon it was the worst decision they ever made.

At the end of the day, a PhD is all about the journey, not just the fancy certificate and those three little letters you get to tack onto your name.

Do you think a PhD in engineering is worthwhile? Will it be even more valuable down the road?

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Author Bio: Koosha started Engineer Calcs in 2019 to help people better understand the engineering and construction industry, and to discuss various science and engineering-related topics to make people think. He has been working in the engineering and tech industry in California for well over 15 years now and is a licensed professional electrical engineer, and also has various entrepreneurial pursuits.

Koosha has an extensive background in the design and specification of electrical systems with areas of expertise including power generation, transmission, distribution, instrumentation and controls, and water distribution and pumping as well as alternative energy (wind, solar, geothermal, and storage).

Koosha is most interested in engineering innovations, the cosmos, sports, fitness, and our history and future.

6 thoughts on “Should Engineers Get a PHD? 11 Truths!”

The most insightful comparison I’ve found on this topic so far. Thank you.

Glad you found the article helpful 🙂

Thanks for that nicely summed up article – not too long and covers the important points on everybody’s mind! 🙂

Glad you enjoyed the read 🙂

Thank you, I have just been searching for info about this subject for ages and yours is the best I have found out till now. However, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you positive about the source?

I tried to capture all angles of the experience, so do your best to apply the lessons to your personality and reasons for pursuing the degree.

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The advanced technical expertise to succeed

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What is the Doctor of Engineering

Johns Hopkins University’s Doctor of Engineering program provides professional engineers with the advanced technical expertise they need to succeed in industry and the public sector.

How is the program structured?

The core of the Doctor of Engineering program is students’ selection of and dedication to a project that directly applies to their current company or agency.

Meet with the Program Director

Dr. Ashutosh Dutta is available to speak with intersted students and their employers.

What are the benefits to employers?

Graduates of the Doctor of Engineering program are more highly trained, creative employees.

What Can You Do with a PhD in Engineering?

As technological advancements drive innovation across industry sectors, the value of a doctoral degree in engineering has never been more apparent. 

To navigate Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Engineering career opportunities, you’ll need a deep understanding of what the degree entails and how it can be leveraged in various industries. Take an in-depth look at the potential career paths, salary expectations, and industry demands for individuals who have achieved the highest level of academic excellence in engineering.

What Is a PhD in Engineering?

A PhD in Engineering is considered the pinnacle of academic achievement in the engineering field. It involves several years of advanced study and intensive research, culminating in a dissertation that contributes new knowledge to the field. 

Candidates for a PhD in Engineering develop a strong foundation in both theoretical and applied aspects of their chosen specialization, which can range from electrical and mechanical engineering to biomedical and environmental engineering.

Specializations Within Engineering

• Electrical engineering: This field focuses on the technology of electricity, especially the design and application of circuitry and equipment for power generation and distribution, machine control, and communications.
• Mechanical engineering: This field deals with the design, analysis, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems.
• Civil engineering: This field encompasses the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings.
• Chemical engineering: This field involves turning raw materials into valuable products through chemical processes, often related to industries like pharmaceuticals, energy, and environmental management.
• Biomedical engineering: This field combines engineering principles with medical and biological sciences to design and create equipment, devices, computer systems, and software used in healthcare.

PhD programs encourage engineers to push the boundaries of scientific research, leading to innovations that drive industries forward and improve the quality of life globally. Through rigorous research, PhD students in engineering gain unparalleled expertise and a unique skill set that prepares them for a range of careers in academia, industry, and beyond. The degree not only enhances a candidate’s technical abilities but also develops critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills, which are crucial in high-level positions across sectors.

Why Earn a PhD in Engineering?

Earning a PhD in Engineering is a strategic decision that can significantly elevate a professional’s career trajectory. This advanced degree is designed for those who aspire to lead in innovation, influence future technologies, and contribute to academic knowledge. 

Compelling reasons to pursue this prestigious degree include the following:

• Leadership opportunities: A PhD in Engineering equips individuals with the skills necessary to take on leadership roles in research, academia, and industry settings.
• High-level research: This degree provides the platform to conduct groundbreaking research that can transform industries and improve societal outcomes.
• Academic credentials: Earning a PhD is often essential for those aiming to teach at the university level and influence the next generation of engineers.
• Competitive edge: In a market where advanced technical skills are increasingly valued, a PhD distinguishes individuals as experts in their field.
• Potential for Innovation: PhD holders often drive innovation, applying their research to solve complex problems in new, innovative ways.

Potential Careers with a PhD in Engineering

A PhD in Engineering opens up a diverse array of career paths, each offering unique opportunities to apply advanced skills and knowledge. 

Academic Careers

• University professor: Professors not only teach future engineers but also conduct research and publish their findings, contributing significantly to their fields.
• Research scientist: These professionals primarily focus on conducting experiments and studies to advance knowledge in engineering, often working in university labs or research institutions.

Industry Careers

• Senior engineer: This role involves leading complex projects, developing new technologies, and innovating solutions to engineering problems.
• Research and development manager: Managers in R&D oversee the development of new products and technologies, ensuring projects meet scientific and commercial benchmarks.
• Chief technology officer: As a top executive, a CTO shapes the technological direction of a company, making strategic decisions that impact the organization’s future.

Government and Nonprofit Careers

• Policy advisor: These professionals use their expertise to help shape policies that govern technology and engineering practices, often working with governmental bodies.
• Program manager for governmental research grants: They oversee large-scale research projects funded by government grants, ensuring that projects align with governmental goals and regulations.

Entrepreneurship

• Tech company founder: PhD holders can leverage their advanced knowledge and research skills to start tech companies, driving innovation in the marketplace.
• Consultant: Expert consultants provide specialized knowledge and strategic advice to businesses, helping to solve specific engineering problems or improve processes.

These careers illustrate the vast potential of a PhD in Engineering, highlighting how individuals can leverage their advanced training and research capabilities in various impactful ways. Whether in academia, industry, government, or entrepreneurship, PhD holders in engineering are well-equipped to lead and innovate in their respective fields.

Where Do PhD in Engineering Professionals Work?

Professionals with a PhD in Engineering are found across a wide range of environments, each offering unique opportunities and challenges. Their advanced skills and in-depth knowledge allow them to adapt to various work settings:

• Academic institutions: Many PhD holders in engineering choose academic careers, working as professors, lecturers, or researchers in universities and colleges.
• Corporate research and development: Large technology firms often employ PhD engineers to lead innovative projects and develop new products.
• Government agencies: Federal and state agencies hire PhD engineers for expertise in public infrastructure projects, environmental regulation, and policy development.
• Private research institutes: These organizations focus on specific technological advancements and employ PhD engineers to push the boundaries of what is scientifically possible.
• Startup ventures: Entrepreneurial PhD holders might start their own companies or join startup teams to bring innovative ideas to market rapidly.

PhD in Engineering Careers Salary Information

Beyond salaries for engineers with bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees , salaries for PhD in Engineering holders vary widely depending on the field of specialization, location, and type of employment. 

Average Salary

• National average: According to Payscale, the median annual salary for someone with a PhD in Engineering is approximately $148,000 as of 2024.
• Entry-level vs. experienced: Entry-level positions for PhD holders may start lower, around $90,000 annually, but with experience, professionals can earn upwards of $200,000 annually, especially in managerial or specialized roles.

Highest PhD in Engineering Career Salaries

• Chief technology officer: CTOs can earn a median salary of around $110,000 to $250,000 per year, depending on company size and location.
• Engineering research manager: Managers in research positions can expect salaries in the range of $90,000 to $170,000 annually.

PhD in Engineering Career and Job Growth Information

The job market for PhD in Engineering holders is influenced by the continual advancement of technology and the growing need for innovation across multiple sectors. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides insights into the projected growth and demand for engineering professionals with a doctoral degree .

• Overall growth: The BLS projects that employment of engineers will grow by about 7% from 2022 to 2032, reflecting significant opportunities in specific advanced fields.
• High-demand fields: Areas such as industrial and mechanical engineering are expected to see the strongest growth rates.
• Technological innovation: Rapid advancements in areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, and renewable energy continue to drive demand for highly skilled engineers capable of leading cutting-edge research and development projects.

These growth rates indicate not only the resilience of engineering careers but also the expanding opportunities for those with advanced degrees to influence future innovations and technological developments.

Preparing for a Career with a PhD in Engineering

Earning a PhD in Engineering is just the beginning of a lifelong journey in this dynamic field. Preparing for a successful career with this degree involves continuous learning and skills development:

• Advanced technical skills: Continuous updates to one’s knowledge in specific engineering disciplines are crucial, especially with the rapid pace of technological change.
• Professional networking: Building strong professional networks through conferences, seminars, and professional associations can open up new opportunities and collaborations.
• Interdisciplinary knowledge: As engineering increasingly intersects with other fields like data science, healthcare, and environmental science, understanding these areas can provide a competitive edge.
• Soft skills development: Leadership, communication, and project management skills are vital for career advancement, especially in roles that involve leading teams or managing large-scale projects.

By actively engaging in these areas, PhD holders in engineering can enhance their career prospects and stay relevant in a rapidly evolving job landscape.

PhD in Engineering Careers FAQ

What are the top industries hiring phds in engineering.

• Technology sector: Companies in software, hardware, and electronics frequently seek PhD engineers for their expertise in innovation and development.
• Biomedical and healthcare: With advancements in medical technology, PhD engineers are increasingly in demand to develop new medical devices and systems.
• Environmental and energy: Companies focused on sustainability and renewable energy solutions often recruit PhD engineers to lead research and development in these critical areas.
• Automotive and aerospace: These industries require sophisticated engineering solutions, making them prime employers of PhD-level engineers.

How important is industry experience for PhD holders?

• Critical for career advancement: While academic prowess is valuable, practical industry experience is often crucial for career advancement, especially in roles outside academia. It enhances problem-solving skills and understanding of real-world applications.
• Bridging theory and practice: Gaining industry experience helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, making PhD holders more effective and innovative in their roles.

Can I switch industries easily with a PhD in Engineering?

• Highly adaptable skills: The advanced research skills and technical knowledge acquired during a PhD program are often transferable across different industries.
• Need for additional training: While switching industries is feasible, it may require additional training or certifications, depending on the specific demands of the new industry.

Discover More About PhD in Engineering Programs

A PhD in Engineering is more than just an academic achievement; it is a gateway to a range of prestigious and impactful careers across various industries. From leading cutting-edge research in biomedical engineering to driving innovations in renewable energy, the opportunities available to PhD holders are both diverse and rewarding. 

By staying informed about industry trends, continuously developing their skills, and leveraging their specialized knowledge, individuals with a PhD in Engineering can look forward to a dynamic and fulfilling career path that not only advances their personal ambitions but also contributes significantly to societal progress.

Whether you are considering embarking on this educational journey or are seeking to maximize your career potential with a PhD, the engineering field offers a robust platform for both professional growth and significant contributions to global challenges.

• Current Students

Doctor of Engineering in Engineering

Program summary.

This online program provides a deep understanding of advanced engineering and high-level leadership principles, helping you prepare to direct high-performing research divisions or companies. This D.Eng. incorporates the rigor of a Ph.D. but shifts the focus of career progression from academic research to leadership in an industrial or commercial setting.

Learn in person

during a 5-day on-campus residency

Application deadline

Credits and costs, elevate your advanced engineering and leadership skills.

Research and develop new products or processes that can benefit industrial, governmental, or military entities.

Analyze and synthesize critical information within your discipline and, where appropriate, across multiple disciplines.

Communicate and effectively disseminate research findings through technical reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed papers.

Lead high-performing research and development teams, divisions, and corporations. 

Customize Your Course List

The engineering degree program offers an extensive selection of electives from more than 20 disciplines, allowing you to customize your learning to reflect your previous experience and/or desired career-advancement path. You will also learn through independent research in your chosen discipline.

To graduate from Penn State's 45-credit online Doctor of Engineering in Engineering program, you must maintain a grade-point average of 3.0 or better in all course work including:

• at least 9 credits of required core courses
• at least 6 credits of research and statistics methods
• at least 15 credits of technical electives
• at least 15 credits of praxis research

Doctor of Engineering in Engineering Praxis Research

The D.Eng. program is flexible enough to provide opportunities for both discipline-specific and cross-disciplinary research. A doctoral committee consisting of a minimum of three faculty members (with three members on graduate faculty at Penn State) will oversee the research. When pertinent to the student’s praxis topic area and personal circumstances, an additional member can be added as a “special outside industry member” from the associated industry, military, organization, or governmental function. This doctoral committee will require demonstration of analytical and critical thinking, consistent with the expectations for a doctoral research program.

The program culminates with a 15-credit praxis research project focused on applied research executed in a real-world industry environment. You will identify an industry problem and use applied research methods to develop and present a proposed solution.

Required Courses (select 9 credits)

If students have previously taken one of the professional core courses, they may request a substitution.

Traditional and contemporary leadership theory is analyzed to determine effective strategies for leading projects and innovation within an engineering context.

Develop competencies for leading new product/process development or participating in corporate spinouts using entrepreneurial skills within a corporation.

Covers the essential concepts and skills needed to make effective contributions on projects, on time and within budget.

Explores cultural differences and impact on business practices and team dynamics working on virtual project teams with global partner universities.

Research and Statistic Methods (select 6 credits)

This research methods course focuses on the development of competencies required to become a successful professional researcher in engineering fields.

Descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, power, estimation, confidence intervals, regression, one- and 2-way ANOVA, Chi-square tests, diagnostics.

Analysis of research data through simple and multiple regression and correlation; polynomial models; indicator variables; step-wise, piece-wise, and logistic regression.

6 credits of statistics or STAT 500 ; matrix algebra

Analysis of multivariate data; T-squared tests; partial correlation; discrimination; MANOVA; cluster analysis; regression; growth curves; factor analysis; principal components; canonical correlations.

STAT 501 and STAT 502 ; matrix algebra

Identification of models for empirical data collected over time. Use of models in forecasting.

STAT 462 or   STAT 501  or STAT 511

Electives (select 15 credits)

You can customize your learning to match your past experience and future goals by selecting 15 credits from a comprehensive list of technical electives. Review the following course pages to see a sampling of electives offered in each area. Not all courses listed are eligible to satisfy the Doctor of Engineering elective requirements, and students will work with their adviser to finalize their academic plan.

• Additive Manufacturing and Design
• Artificial Intelligence
• Data Analytics
• Ecosystem Management and Administration
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering Management
• Financial Engineering
• Geographic Information Systems
• Homeland Security – Base Program
• Homeland Security – Agricultural Biosecurity and Food Defense option
• Homeland Security – Counterterrorism option
• Homeland Security – Cyber Threat Analytics and Prevention option
• Homeland Security – Intelligence and Geospatial Analysis option
• Homeland Security – Public Health Preparedness option
• Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics
• Industrial Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering – Thermal Sciences
• Mechanical Sciences
• Nuclear Engineering
• Project Management
• Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems
• Software Engineering
• Systems Engineering

Praxis Research (15 credits)

Provides Doctor of Engineering students with the opportunity to identify an applied research problem and develop a praxis research project to address the problem/question. Students will investigate the literature relevant to the selected area(s) of interest. Students will develop and implement a comprehensive praxis research project to address the problem. Students will also disseminate the results in both a scholarly presentation (final oral exam) and praxis (final praxis research document).

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

Advance Your Career

You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.

Job Titles Related to This Degree

The following roles are often held by people with this type of degree:

• Engineering Director
• Project Development Director
• Research and Development Director
• Research and Development Engineer
• Research Engineer

Employment Outlook for Occupational Fields Related to This Degree

Estimates of employment growth and total employment are provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and are subject to change. While these occupations are often pursued by graduates with this degree, individual outcomes may vary depending on a variety of factors. Penn State World Campus cannot guarantee employment in a given occupation.

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Engineers, all other, career services to set you up for success.

From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.

• Opportunities to connect with employers
• Career counselor/coach support
• Occupation and salary information
• Internships
• Graduate school resources  

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Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.

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Learn more about this program

Ready to take the next step toward your penn state doctorate, costs and financial aid.

Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.

Graduate Tuition

Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

Financial Aid and Military Benefits

Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities , as well.

To view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements, select “World Campus” as the location on the  tuition site .

Residency Experiences

As a Penn State World Campus Doctor of Engineering in Engineering student, you will fulfill major program milestones during a campus residency.

Residency Requirement and Program Milestones

The online Doctor of Engineering in Engineering program requires you to spend a total of five days on campus. Major program milestones include the qualifying exam, comprehensive exam, and praxis defense. The full residency requirement can be met by attending a single five-day campus residency or multiple shorter on-campus residencies that combine to a minimum of five days. 

Immediately prior to each fall semester, the D.Eng. program will hold an optional two-day orientation on the Penn State University Park campus that can count toward part of the residency requirement. Residency days can also be obtained through visits to campus for research meetings with praxis faculty, students, and researchers; attendance in lab group meetings; on-campus workshops; and organized D.Eng. program–specific professional development activities that will be offered at least once per semester for those in the program and to the broader community. Some of these days may also be spent in fulfillment of major program milestones, including your qualifying exam, comprehensive exam, and praxis defense.

Set Your Own Pace

Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals. Many students take one or two courses per semester.

Our online courses typically follow a 12- to 15-week semester cycle, and there are three semesters per year (spring, summer, and fall).

Looking to fit your education into a busy life?  You can complete courses at your own pace while maintaining your professional and personal responsibilities. Most students take just one online course per semester. 

Looking to earn your degree as quickly as possible?  If you take two courses per semester, it's possible to complete this degree more quickly. Most graduate-level programs recommend a slower pace, and you should consult with your adviser if you would like to take three or more courses in a semester. 

Convenient Online Format

This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.

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Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.

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Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse? Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, and application instructions.

How to Apply to Penn State

Apply by October 4 to start January 13

Application Instructions

Deadlines and important dates.

Complete your application and submit all required materials by the appropriate deadline. Your deadline will depend on the semester you plan to start your courses.

Spring Deadline

Summer deadline, fall deadline, steps to apply, 1. review the admission requirements..

For admission to the Graduate School, you must hold either (1) a master of science or master of engineering degree in a suitable engineering or related technical field from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a master’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates. Students should have earned at least a 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in their master’s program.  

2. Gather your required materials.

Applications are submitted electronically and include a nonrefundable application fee. You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:

Official transcripts from each institution attended,   regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Penn State alumni do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State but must list Penn State as part of your academic history. If you are admitted, you will be asked to send an additional official transcript. You will receive instructions at that time.

GPA and Test Scores  — All applicants are expected to have earned a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.

Statement of Professional Goals — This statement should be concise and well-written. It should reflect your academic interests, research/praxis plan, and motivation, as well as how these further your career objectives. Please include the following sections in your statement:

Academic Interests (about half a page) — Discuss your academic interest in this D.Eng. program. In addition, propose a course work plan (i.e., review the program’s electives and discuss which courses would be most effective to help reach your praxis research and professional goals).

Praxis Research Interests and Rationale (about 1 page) — The praxis research should apply what you come to the program with and will learn in this program (methods/technology/theory) to research and solve a significant/complex problem from your work. The goal of this section is to describe to the admissions committee a problem you have identified and the research plan, goals, and deliverables, and how these will be supported. In other words, this section should reflect your ability to effectively communicate the maturity of your research aspirations.

This section should include:

• Problem motivation (i.e., background of the problem/how do you know this is a problem that should be addressed via the praxis?)
• Problem statement/hypothesis (i.e., one or two sentences stating what specific problem this praxis research is going to solve)
• Project purpose (i.e., describe how the praxis research will generally address the problem)
• Project plan goals (i.e., a bulleted list of what will be analyzed, designed/researched, and implemented)
• Project deliverables (i.e., what could ultimately be delivered as the solution to this problem, in addition to the required written praxis)

Career Objectives (about half a page) — This section should communicate a synergy between the education and praxis research accomplished in this program with your career/professional goals.

English Proficiency  — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the  Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page . Visit the  TOEFL website  for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.

References (3)  — References should provide academic and professional perspectives. You will need to initiate the process through the online application by entering names, email addresses, and mailing addresses of three references. Upon submission of your application, an email will be sent to each reference requesting they complete a brief online recommendation regarding your commitment to success in an online program. Please inform all recommenders they must submit the form in order for your application to be complete.

At least one reference should be from your employer indicating they support the praxis topic and specifying what resources you will have access to in support of the topic, e.g., allocated time, lab support, data. This reference letter would ideally come from the immediate or area supervisor of the applicant.

Program-Specific Questions/Materials

Résumé or Vitae — Upload your résumé or vitae to the online application.

Writing Sample — Provide a published or unpublished paper, thesis, or another scholarly writing sample.  This sample must be in English.

Interview — You will be asked to participate in an interview, either via internet-based video conferencing or in person.

3. Create a Penn State login account.

To begin the online application, you will need a Penn State account.

Create a New Penn State Account

If you have any problems during this process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected] .

Please note: Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application or create a new Penn State account. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.

4. Read the application instructions.

You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.

• Choose Enrollment Type: "Degree Admission"
• Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus

Checking Your Status  You can  check the status of your application  by using the same login information established for the online application form. 

Technical Requirements   Review the technical requirements  for this degree program. 

5. Complete the application.

Admissions help.

If you have questions about the admissions process, contact an admissions counselor at  [email protected] .

Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.

Visit the Engineering Design and Innovation Site to explore the D.Eng. program student handbook and other guidance about the program and learn more about the College of Engineering.

For questions about the program, contact: Dr. Sven Bilén [email protected]

For general questions about Penn State World Campus, contact: World Campus Admissions Counselors Phone: 814-863-5386 [email protected]

Learn from the Best

Taught by respected Penn State faculty with strong academic credentials and real-world experience, the online D.Eng. program can position you for advancement to the highest-level leadership positions in research and engineering in both the private and public sectors.

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• Knowledge Base
• Applying to graduate school
• Master’s vs PhD | A Complete Guide to the Differences

Master's vs PhD | A Complete Guide to the Differences

Published on November 27, 2020 by Lauren Thomas . Revised on May 10, 2024.

The two most common types of graduate degrees are master’s and doctoral degrees:

• A master’s is a 1–2 year degree that can prepare you for a multitude of careers.
• A PhD, or doctoral degree, takes 3–7 years to complete (depending on the country) and prepares you for a career in academic research.

A master’s is also the necessary first step to a PhD. In the US, the master’s is built into PhD programs, while in most other countries, a separate master’s degree is required before applying for PhDs.

Master’s are far more common than PhDs. In the US, 24 million people have master’s or professional degrees, whereas only 4.5 million have doctorates.

Table of contents

Master’s vs phd at a glance, which is right for you, length of time required, career prospects, costs and salaries, application process, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about master's and phd degrees.

The table below shows the key differences between the two.

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A PhD is right for you if:

• Your goal is to become a professor at a university or some other type of professional researcher.
• You love research and are passionate about discovering the answer to a particular question.
• You are willing to spend years pursuing your research even if you have to put up with a lot of dead ends and roadblocks.

A master’s degree is the better choice if any of the following apply:

• You want to continue studies in your field, but you’re not committed to a career as a professional researcher.
• You want to develop professional skills for a specific career.
• You are willing to pay a higher upfront cost if it means finishing with your degree (and thus being able to work) much faster.
• You want the option to study part-time while working.

The length of time required to complete a PhD or master’s degree varies. Unsurprisingly, PhDs take much longer, usually between 3–7 years. Master’s degrees are usually only 1–2 years.

Length of a master’s

Master’s degrees are usually 2 years, although 1-year master’s degrees also exist, mainly in the UK.

Most of the degree consists of classes and coursework, although many master’s programs include an intensive, semester-long master’s thesis or capstone project in which students bring together all they’ve learned to produce an original piece of work.

Length of a PhD

In the US, a PhD usually takes between 5 and 7 years to complete. The first 2 years are spent on coursework. Students, even those who choose to leave without finishing the program, usually receive a master’s degree at this point.

The next 3–5 years are spent preparing a dissertation —a lengthy piece of writing based on independent research, which aims to make a significant original contribution to one’s field.

Master’s degrees tend to prepare you for a career outside of academia, while PhDs are designed to lead to a career in research.

Careers for master’s graduates

There are two types of master’s degrees: terminal and research-intensive. The career prospects are different for each.

Terminal master’s degrees are intended to prepare students for careers outside of academia. Some degrees, known as professional degrees, specifically prepare students for particular professions; these include the Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), and Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees.

Other master’s degrees, usually Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Sciences (MS or MSc) degrees, do not necessarily lead to a specific career, but are intended to be a final degree. Examples include an MS in Communications or MS in Data Analytics.

In research-intensive master’s programs, students take coursework intended to prepare them for writing an original piece of research known as the master’s thesis . Such programs are usually intended to prepare for further study in a doctoral program.

Careers for PhD graduates

As research degrees, PhDs are usually intended to lead to an academic career. A PhD can be thought of like an apprenticeship, where students learn from professional researchers (academics) how to produce their own research.

Most students aspire to become a university professor upon the completion of their degree. However, careers in academia are highly competitive, and the skills learned in a doctoral program often lend themselves well to other types of careers.

Some graduates who find they prefer teaching to producing research go on to be teachers at liberal arts colleges or even secondary schools. Others work in research-intensive careers in the government, private sector, or at think tanks.

Below are a few examples of specific fields and non-academic careers that are common destinations of graduates of those fields.

• Computer Science
• Lab Sciences

Many government jobs, including economists at a country’s central bank, are research-intensive and require a PhD. Think tanks also hire economists to carry out independent research.

In the private sector, economic consulting and technology firms frequently hire PhDs to solve real-world problems that require complex mathematical modeling.

Graduate students from the humanities are sometimes hired by museums, who can make use of their research and writing skills to curate exhibits and run public outreach.

Humanities PhDs are often well-suited to research and grant-writing roles at nonprofits. Since so much of research is funded by grants, PhD students often gain a lot of experience applying for them, which is a useful skill in the nonprofit sector.

There are a wide range of non-academic research jobs for lab scientists with doctorates in subjects like chemistry, biology, ecology and physics.

Many PhD graduates are hired by pharmaceutical companies that need to perform research to create and test their products. Government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), also hire lab scientists to work on research projects.

Job prospects after graduation vary widely based on the field. In fields like management, computer science, statistics, and economics, there’s little underemployment—even graduates from less well-known programs can easily find jobs that pay well and use the skills they’ve gained from the PhD.

However, in other fields, particularly in the humanities, many PhD graduates have difficulty in the job market. Unfortunately, there are far more PhD graduates than assistant professor roles, so many instead take on part-time and low-paid roles as adjunct instructors. Even non-academic careers can sometimes be difficult for PhDs to move into, as they may be seen as “overqualified”  or as lacking in relevant professional experience.

Because career options post-PhD vary so much, you should take the time to figure out what the career prospects are in your field. Doctoral programs often have detailed “placement” records online in which they list the career outcomes of their graduates immediately upon leaving the program. If you can’t find these records, contact the program and ask for them—placement information should play an important role in your choice of PhD program.

Although PhDs take far longer to complete, students often receive a living stipend in exchange for being a teaching or research assistant. Master’s degrees are shorter but less likely to be funded.

Both master’s degrees and PhDs lead to increased salaries upon graduation. While PhDs usually earn a bit more than those with a master’s degree, in some fields, the wages are identical, meaning that no financial benefit is gained from going on to a PhD.

Cost of a master’s

The upfront cost of a master’s degree is usually higher than a doctoral degree due to the lower amount of financial aid available. However, increased salaries also arrive faster than with a doctoral degree, because people graduate much earlier from a master’s program.

Some master’s students do receive stipends for their degrees, usually as compensation for being a teaching or research assistant. In addition, many people complete master’s degrees part time while working full-time, which allows them to fund their living costs as well as tuition.

The cost varies significantly by school and program. Public schools are usually cheaper than private ones. Some master’s degrees, such as MBAs, are notoriously expensive, but also result in much higher wages afterwards that make up for the high cost.

The master’s wage premium , or the extra amount that someone with a master’s degree makes than someone with just a high school diploma, is 23% on average. Many universities provide detailed statistics on the career and salary outcomes of their students. If they do not have this online, you should feel free to contact an administrator of the program and ask.

Cost of a PhD

PhDs, particularly outside the humanities, are usually (though not always) funded, meaning that tuition fees are fully waived and students receive a small living stipend. During the last 3–5 years of a PhD, after finishing their coursework (and sometimes before), students are usually expected to work as graduate instructors or research assistants in exchange for the stipend.

Sometimes students can apply for a fellowship (such as the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Program in the United States) that relieves them of any obligations to be a teaching or research assistant. Doctoral programs in the US tend to be better funded than in the rest of the world.

Sometimes, PhD degrees can be completed part-time, but this is rare. Students are usually expected to devote at least 40 hours a week to their research and work as teaching or research assistants.

The main cost of doctoral programs comes in the form of opportunity cost—all the years that students could be working a regular, full-time job, which usually pays much better than a graduate school stipend.

The average wage premium for PhDs is 26%, which is not much higher than the master’s degree premium.

In the US, the application process is similar for master’s and PhD programs. Both will generally ask for:

• At least one application essay, often called a personal statement or statement of purpose .
• Letters of recommendation .
• A resume or CV .
• Transcripts.
• Writing samples.

Applications for both types of programs also often require a standardized test. PhDs usually require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), which tries to measure verbal reasoning, quantitative, critical thinking , and analytical writing skills. Many master’s programs require this test as well.

Applying for a master’s

Master’s degrees programs will often ask you to respond to specific essay prompts that may ask you to reflect upon not just your academic background, but also your personal character and future career ambitions.

Northwestern University’s Kellogg Business School requires Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) applicants write two essays, one about a recent time they demonstrated leadership and the second about their personal values.

Who you should ask for your letters of recommendation varies by program. If you are applying to a research-intensive master’s program, then you should choose former professors or research supervisors. For other programs, particularly business school, current work supervisors may be a better choice.

Some professional master’s programs require a specific test. For example, to apply to law school, you must take the Law School Admissions Test, or LSAT. For business school, you must take either the GRE or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).

Applying for a PhD

When applying for a PhD, your resume should focus more on your research background—you should especially emphasize any publications you’ve authored or presentations that you’ve given.

Similarly, your statement of purpose should discuss research that you’ve participated in, whether as an assistant or the lead author. You should detail what exactly you did in projects you’ve contributed to, whether that’s conducting a literature review, coding regressions, or writing an entire article.

Your letters of recommendations should be from former professors or supervisors who can speak to your abilities and potential as a researcher. A good rule of thumb is to avoid asking for recommendations from anyone who does not themselves have a PhD.

If you want to know more about college essays , academic writing , and AI tools , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

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A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

This depends on the country. In the United States, you can generally go directly to a PhD  with only a bachelor’s degree, as a master’s program is included as part of the doctoral program.

Elsewhere, you generally need to graduate from a research-intensive master’s degree before continuing to the PhD.

This varies by country. In the United States, PhDs usually take between 5–7 years: 2 years of coursework followed by 3–5 years of independent research work to produce a dissertation.

In the rest of the world, students normally have a master’s degree before beginning the PhD, so they proceed directly to the research stage and complete a PhD in 3–5 years.

A master’s degree usually has a higher upfront cost, but it also allows you to start earning a higher salary more quickly. The exact cost depends on the country and the school: private universities usually cost more than public ones, and European degrees usually cost less than North American ones. There are limited possibilities for financial aid.

PhDs often waive tuition fees and offer a living stipend in exchange for a teaching or research assistantship. However, they take many years to complete, during which time you earn very little.

In the US, the graduate school application process is similar whether you’re applying for a master’s or a PhD . Both require letters of recommendation , a statement of purpose or personal statement , a resume or CV , and transcripts. Programs in the US and Canada usually also require a certain type of standardized test—often the GRE.

Outside the US, PhD programs usually also require applicants to write a research proposal , because students are expected to begin dissertation research in the first year of their PhD.

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Should You Get Your PhD in Engineering?

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Is it worth it to continue the academic track towards an engineering PhD, or are you be better off going into the industry, paying back those student loans?  The answer depends on what you want from your engineering career.

Do You Enjoy Research?

The greatest advantage of the PhD is that it gives you experience in carrying out detailed research. Your Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees are focused on learning things that are already known, but the PhD teaches you to find out new things, to carry out experiments, to report data, and learn from your mistakes.

Ideally, you become a subject matter expert in your chosen focus. That puts you in a great position for jobs that require that specific expertise, or where research skills are highly valued.

Preet Anand, CEO of technology company BlueLight , says that you need to think about what role you want. “A PhD is incredibly important for anyone involved with scientific innovation and research. However, if your aspirations are to be involved with implementation and quickly moving into the business side, a PhD is probably not effective from a time-ROI perspective. It’s especially not helpful if you’re working in software, where the speed of innovation in industry is quicker than the speed of academia.”

Forensic engineer Robert McElroy specializes in technical failure analysis related to automobiles, heavy trucks, and all types of industrial vehicles, and is an internationally recognized expert on the causes of industrial and transportation accidents. He stresses that his PhD has both commercial and technical benefits. “As a serial entrepreneur and forensic engineer, without the PhD, I could never have accomplished what I have been fortunate enough to achieve.”

An Engineering PhD Opens Doors…

Karen Thole, Department Head of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering at Pennsylvania State University and member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers , explains that the usefulness of PhDs in industry quite depends upon the industry itself.  “Many high tech industries continue to develop “tools” to help their engineers determine better designs.  The development of such tools generally requires a graduate level understanding.  And, a company’s tools are what set apart the competition.  For example, there are several companies that make gas turbine engines with the basic architecture being the same.  What sets companies apart, however, are those that do their own tool development such as predictive codes, design codes, standard work practices, etc.  As tools improve, it helps to advance technology and develop better engines.  To improve the tools, however, it requires a high level of understanding of the physics, which is where PhDs come in.  The more technologically advanced the company, the more it takes some sort of research center, which generally employs PhDs.”

“I have yet to find a jobless, homeless PhD in engineering.”

Naturally, this means that some industries have far more demand for PhDs than others. “The aerospace industries as well as the high tech electronics industries both look for PhDs,” says Thole. “They’re generally the ones which require ME and EE disciplines.”

David Gantshar, CEO of engineering recruiters Shepherd Search Group Inc. notes that the value of a PhD often depends on the character of the senior management. Companies founded or led by PhDs tend to have more respect for those who have been through the same academic training. “A PhD is highly valued in some circumstances and not necessary at other times,” he says. “For a vice president of engineering or another senior executive position, it can be a big plus, especially if the company president himself has a PhD. The PhD degree reflects intense and successful research and would be valued in an R&D environment. If the president of the organization has one, he/she will value those individuals that are “on par” academically and offer credentials similar to those around the table. However for a senior engineering or manager’s position, it is rarely required.”

… Unless It Closes Them

However, one problem faced by many PhDs is that they’re often regarded as “too academic,” and therefore not suited to the pace and pressures of commercial engineering.

Credit: NASA

Whether or not that’s true, it’s certainly a perception you have to battle with, as Gantshar notes. “It really depends on the organization. Some companies might see a Ph.D. as too research oriented and would identify the engineer as insufficiently hands-on. We have seen many instances where a PhD has actually worked against a candidate in these circumstances and the individual with less academic credentials is selected based upon these perceptions.”

What About Non-STEM PhDs?

If you’re thinking of going into the management role, then it may be worth considering a PhD which proves your business credentials. Combined with your engineering experience, it can give you a major advantage over other managers.

Sonja Fisher recently completed her PhD in business. “It has been very helpful,” she says, with evident pride. “I am getting opportunities left and right. I seem to be more in demand since getting my PhD.”

Should You Get Your PhD?

If you’re looking for a research role, a job requiring very specific expertise or a position in a company that’s known for innovation or R&D, then a PhD can pay great dividends. According to the latest Engineering Income and Salary Survey , on average, you’ll earn about 35% more than an engineer with a Bachelor’s degree – typically about $30,000 a year. That’s a huge payoff for those few years of research.

Equally importantly, a PhD will give you a level of job security that a lesser degree won’t give you. “I have yet to find a jobless, homeless PhD in engineering.  That’s my simple answer,” grins Thole. Not only that, but it opens up new opportunities. “The PhD really allows you to tailor your own career a bit more.  Generally companies want their PhDs to seek out new ideas and think bigger about the field.  So, it presents more opportunities to do what you want.”

Source: Engineerjobs.com

Ph.D./Sc.D. Program

The Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Science degrees in Chemical Engineering are identical; students may choose for themselves the appellation they prefer. This traditional, research-based doctoral degree program provides a thorough grounding in the fundamental principles of chemical engineering, as well as an intensive research experience.

The Doctor of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering are identical degree programs. Degree candidates may choose to be called a “doctor of philosophy” or a “doctor of science”.

The degree requires that you complete:

• the core curriculum in chemical engineering
• one chemical engineering H Level class
• the departmental biology requirement
• a minor program of related subjects outside of chemical engineering
• written and oral doctoral qualifying examinations
• the writing and oral defense of a thesis on original research

The core curriculum is:

• Numerical Methods in Chemical Engineering 10.34
• Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 10.40
• Analysis of Transport Phenomena 10.50
• Chemical Reactor Engineering 10.65

The departmental biology requirement is fulfilled by completing an undergraduate subject equivalent to MIT 7.01x, either at MIT or at your undergraduate institution. Examples of minor programs for some recent doctoral students include applied mathematics, control theory, physical, organic or analytical chemistry, mechanical structure, power systems, process metallurgy, nuclear engineering, management, economics, music, ancient history and philosophy.

The normal duration of the degree program is five to six years. (Including an intermediate M.S. CEP degree normally has little effect on the duration.) A master’s degree is not required for entrance into the doctoral program, nor is the M.S. CEP required.

For incoming, first-year graduate students, academic advisors are members of the Committee for Graduate Students. When you select a research topic and begin your thesis, the research supervisor becomes your academic advisor. In general, students choose research advisors at the end of their first Fall semester at MIT. Should you wish to choose a research advisor from a department other than Chemical Engineering, you will also need to choose a co-advisor from the Chemical Engineering faculty.

Prior to Registration Day (Fall and Spring semesters), your subject selection must first be approved by your advisor before the Graduate Officer can authorize registration on Registration Day. Advisor approval should also be obtained for any subsequent subject add/drop actions during the term (no additional authorization by the Graduate Officer is required).

H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering

College of engineering, ph.d. in operations research.

The core strength comprising the discipline of Operations Research (OR) at Georgia Tech resides in the Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE). One of the largest programs in the country, approximately half of the entire ISyE faculty is directly responsible for the OR program through teaching and research activities that span virtually every topic and sub-discipline related to the field's basic methodologies of optimization, stochastics/applied probability and simulation. Most important, the OR faculty in the School currently counts among its members some of the most important figures in their respective concentrations, also making the program one of the strongest anywhere.

Students pursuing a degree in Operations Research (OR) are exposed to a host of research activities in the School. As one would expect from a program as large as ours, the range and depth of these activities are substantial. Depending upon your taste, your background, or your career intentions, you can engage in research that spans from the most fundamental/theoretical to work that places greater emphasis on applications. No matter your inclination, as an OR student, you can generally find several faculty doing work in your chosen concentration.

Students are attracted to our OR degree from a variety of academic disciplines and specializations. Most prominent are applicants from mathematics/mathematical sciences, theoretical computer science, and various engineering majors such as electrical and industrial engineering. However, it is not uncommon to also find qualified students from fields such as physics, economics, and statistics.

New Ph.D. students are admitted for each Fall semester only, and the admissions process is coordinated by the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies. Decisions on applicants to our various Ph.D. programs are determined jointly by a committee of faculty members, potential faculty research advisors, and the Associate Chair. All applicants must select and apply to a specific degree program, although it is possible in some cases to switch programs after enrollment.

A prior Master's degree is not a requirement for admission into our Ph.D. programs, and students can earn an M.S. degree typically within the first two years of Ph.D. study. For those unsure about applying to a Master's program versus a Ph.D. program, please note that students in our Master's programs are not guaranteed admission into a Ph.D. program here; we do offer a simplified application scheme. If you are interested in research and a Ph.D. degree, you should apply to a Ph.D. program directly.

Application Requirements

• Transcripts : Transcripts of prior academic work are required, as is evidence of an earned Bachelor's degree. Applicant transcripts should demonstrate strong academic preparation and capability, especially in advanced mathematics and computing coursework. Those with less preparation in mathematics and engineering are expected to use coursework at Georgia Tech to quickly establish proficiency. 
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) : Scores from the general test are required, and strong performance on the quantitative section is expected. Scores from the Mathematics Subject Test are not required, but can help a student demonstrate proficiency in advanced mathematics.  **The GRE is optional for the 2024 admissions cycle for Ph.D. applicants.**   However, if you decide not to submit GRE scores, the rest of your academic record should make up for the lack of the test score. If you have GRE test scores and wish to submit them for Fall 2023, they will be accepted and considered.  
• Statement of Purpose : The written statement of purpose should describe clearly why the applicant wishes to pursue the Ph.D., including research and career goals. While the statement should describe past experiences, it should also identify clearly the research area of interest to the applicant and the members of our faculty that might serve as research advisor(s).
• Resume: A resume outlining academic experience, research experience and accomplishments, industry experience, specific skills, and outside interests of the applicant is required.
• Letters of Reference:   Three (3) credible letters of reference are required that attest to the preparation of the applicant and the likelihood for success in a Ph.D. program. At least two (2) letters should be from faculty members.  

Each year, we receive many more applications from qualified students than we have the capacity to admit into our programs. To help admitted students learn more about our programs and meet potential research advisors, we hold an invitation-only Ph.D. Applicant Visit Day annually in early March.  

• Requirements
• Check Status

Career Paths

ISyE produces well-rounded graduates who go on to make an extraordinary mark on the world through their leadership in engineering and technology. With broad skill sets and innovative minds molded by the number one school of industrial engineering in the country, our graduates are out changing the world and paving the way for future generations..

A sample of companies our Ph.D. graduates launched their careers with

• BHP Billiton
• Norfolk Southern
• Descartes Associates
• GE Global Research
• JP Morgan Chase
• Suntrust Bank
• Delta Technologies
• Capital One
• United Airlines

A sample of academic institutions our Ph.D. graduates launched their careers with

• MIT (Sloan/ORC)
• Carnegie Mellon (Business, Statistics)
• Purdue (Industrial Engineering)
• Harvard (Statistics)
• Iowa (Business)
• Arkansas (Industrial Engineering)
• Texas-Austin (Operations Research)
• Northwestern (IEMS, Business)
• Lehigh (Industrial Engineering)
• Florida (Industrial Engineering)
• North Carolina-Chapel Hill (Operations Research, Business)
• Middle East Technical University [Turkey] (Industrial Engineering)
• Duke (Business)
• Chicago (Business)
• Minnesota (Industrial Engineering)
• University of Chile (Industrial Engineering)
• Texas A&M (Industrial Engineering)
• Virginia Tech (Industrial Engineering)

Prospective Student Resources

New student checklist, graduate orientation resources, graduate handbook, financial aid.

Yes, the IELTS exam is accepted. See here for score requirements:  https://www.grad.gatech.edu/english-proficiency  

Transfer credit is accepted only in rare cases, and must be approved by the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies, ISyE. The review and approval process typically takes place during a student’s first semester in the program. A maximum of six total credit hours are transferrable. 

You may begin your application here: http://www.grad.gatech.edu/apply-now

Applicants should track their status through the CollegeNet online status check found here: https://www.grad.gatech.edu/status-checking

All ISyE Ph.D. students receive some type of funding and this is typically via a graduate assistantship (GRA or GTA). Sometimes students are supported by external fellowships. Please see here for more information on support: https://www.isye.gatech.edu/academics/doctoral/current-students/financial-support  

It is common for Ph.D. students to earn a Master’s degree as they progress through their Ph.D. program of study. That is, appropriate courses taken as part of their Ph.D. program are often applied to satisfy relevant degree requirements for a single Master’s degree. The review and approval process must go through the Associate chair for Graduate Studies.  Ph.D. students will not however be granted multiple Master’s degrees from ISyE. 

No. All Ph.D. students studying in ISyE receive financial support in the form of a graduate assistantship. There is no separate application required.  https://www.isye.gatech.edu/academics/doctoral/prospective-students/financial-support

Yes. ISyE Ph.D. students must be enrolled in the Atlanta campus.

Exceptions are given to applicants from countries where English is the SOLE OFFICIAL language of instruction. An applicant is also exempt if they have studied for at least one academic year at a U.S. college or university. Please visit https://grad.gatech.edu/english-proficiency for further information on the English Proficiency requirements for international students.

Applicants are required to submit a Statement of Purpose describing his or her motivation for pursuing the Ph.D. in ISyE, including a description of current research interests. Additionally, all applicants are required to submit transcripts of prior academic coursework, official GRE exam scores, and three recommendation letters.  

Please review the Georgia Tech English Proficiency Requirements here: https://grad.gatech.edu/english-proficiency .

The best preparation for a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering or Operations Research at Georgia Tech is a technical program in mathematics, industrial engineering, operations research, statistics, or computer science. Students are expected to have strong understanding of calculus, applied probability, statistics, linear algebra, and computing. Also desirable are proof-based mathematics courses.  

Please see our admissions page here for additional information:  https://www.isye.gatech.edu/academics/doctoral/phd-industrial-engineering/admissions

The application deadline for our Ph.D. program is December 15. We offer fall admission only and classes begin in August.

Copies of your transcripts should be uploaded with your online application. If you are admitted to the program and decide to enroll, you will be required to have official transcripts sent to the Office of Graduate Studies.

Graduate Studies Georgia Institute of Technology 631 Cherry St., Room 318 Atlanta, GA 30332-0321

Our goal is to have all Ph.D. applications reviewed and official admissions decisions out by the end of February. 

Please refer to our ISyE Graduate Handbook .

Please visit our website for information related to: Admissions, Curriculum, Specializations, Financial Support, Research Faculty, Placement, etc.  https://www.isye.gatech.edu/academics/doctoral/industrial-engineering

Academic recommendations are strongly preferred. We require a total of three and they should be very strong. 

Academic recommendation letters are strongly preferred.  We ask for three letters of recommendations and they should be very strong.    

Electrical Engineering PhD

The Electrical Engineering PhD program studies systems that sense, analyze, and interact with the world. You will learn how this practice is based on fundamental science and mathematics, creating opportunities for both theoretical and experimental research. Electrical engineers invent devices for sensing and actuation, designing physical substrates for computation, creating algorithms for analysis and control, and expanding the theory of information processing. You will get to choose from a wide range of research areas such as circuits and VLSI, computer engineering and architecture, robotics and control, and signal processing.

Electrical engineers at SEAS are pursuing work on integrated circuits for cellular biotechnology, millimeter-scale robots, and the optimization of smart power groups. Examples of projects current and past students have worked on include developing methods to trace methane emissions and improving models for hurricane predictions.

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PhD in Electrical Engineering Degree

Harvard School of Engineering offers a  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)  degree in Engineering Sciences: Electrical Engineering , conferred through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). Prospective students apply through the Harvard Griffin GSAS. In the online application, select  “Engineering and Applied Sciences” as your program choice and select " PhD Engineering Sciences: Electrical Engineering ​."

The Electrical Engineering program does not offer an independent Masters Degree.

Electrical Engineering PhD Career Paths

Graduates of the program have gone on to a range of careers in industry in companies such as Tesla, Microsoft HoloLens, and IBM. Others have positions in academia at the University of Maryland, University of Michigan, and University of Colorado.

Admissions & Academic Requirements

Prospective students apply through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). In the online application, select  “Engineering and Applied Sciences” as your program choice and select "PhD Engineering Sciences: Electrical Engineering​." Please review the  admissions requirements and other information  before applying. Our website also provides  admissions guidance ,   program-specific requirements , and a  PhD program academic timeline .

Academic Background

Applicants typically have bachelor’s degrees in the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, or engineering. In the application for admission, select “Engineering and Applied Sciences” as your degree program choice and your degree and area of interest from the “Area of Study“ drop-down. PhD applicants must complete the Supplemental SEAS Application Form as part of the online application process.

Standardized Tests

GRE General: Not Accepted

Electrical Engineering Faculty & Research Areas

View a list of our electrical engineering  faculty  and electrical engineering  affiliated research areas , Please note that faculty members listed as “Affiliates" or "Lecturers" cannot serve as the primary research advisor.  

Electrical Engineering Centers & Initiatives

View a list of the research  centers & initiatives  at SEAS and the  electrical engineering faculty engagement with these entities .

Graduate Student Clubs

Graduate student clubs and organizations bring students together to share topics of mutual interest. These clubs often serve as an important adjunct to course work by sponsoring social events and lectures. Graduate student clubs are supported by the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin School of Arts and Sciences. Explore the list of active clubs and organizations .

Funding and Scholarship

Learn more about financial support for PhD students.

• How to Apply

Learn more about how to apply  or review frequently asked questions for prospective graduate students.

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PhD or DEng in Engineering Management

Traditional On-Campus Programs

Click the links below to learn more about our options for doctorate programs in Engineering Management:

Program Overview

The Ph.D. in Engineering Management is designed to prepare rising scholars and researchers to develop unique knowledge that expands the field of engineering management. Engineering management at GW is concerned with interactions among management, policy, and technology development; management for risk and resilience; and the management of design and operations for socio-technical systems.

Students work directly with a faculty advisor to formulate their research focus, write and publish their dissertation, as well as participate actively in professional and research-focused conferences in the field of engineering management and systems engineering.

The Ph.D. program is based on GW’s main campus in Washington, D.C. (Foggy Bottom), which lies in close proximity to a wide array of federal agencies and other organizations with significant engineering management challenges and interests. Faculty and doctoral students have built collaborative relationships that benefit from and support these organizations.

To learn more about our doctoral program, please explore our  EMSE website  to meet our faculty and learn more about our major research themes:

• Technology, policy, and management
• Complex systems design and operation
• Risk, resilience, and decision-making
• Data and models for socio-technical systems

Program Requirements

Please visit the  GW Bulletin  to see a description of the program requirements.

Admissions Requirements

• If applicant has obtained a master’s degree, a minimum grade point average of 3.5 (on a scale of 4.0) is required.
• If applicant has only obtained a bachelor’s degree, the minimum grade point average must be a 3.3 (on a scale of 4.0).

Faculty Advisor & Research Focus

We strongly recommend that prospective doctoral students determine a faculty member in the department with whom they would like to work, as well as the research area of interest.

Download Faculty & Research Factsheet (PDF)

The Doctor of Engineering in Engineering Management is designed for practitioners who wish to apply the knowledge they gain in a technical management environment. Unlike a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), wherein research is focused on foundational work that is published, the D.Eng. requires solving a real-world problem using the latest engineering management concepts and tools. The program culminates in a praxis for use by practicing engineers to address a common concern or challenge.

We strongly recommend that prospective doctoral students determine a faculty member in the department with whom they would like to work, as well as the research area of interest.

Download Faculty & Research Factsheet

Please visit the GW Bulletin to see a description of the program requirements.

Note: GRE and GMAT scores are not required to complete the application packet, but can be submitted to strengthen the application.

• Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, applied science, mathematics, computer science, information technology or related field from accredited institutions
• A minimum graduate level GPA of 3.2

College-level courses in calculus and statistics. Applicants who do not have adequate preparation in mathematics but are otherwise qualified for admission will be required to take an additional course.

5 years relevant professional experience.

Online options

If you are seeking to enroll in a Doctor of Engineering in Engineering Management online, please view the requirements and apply through  Online Engineering Programs .

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PHD in Engineering or an MBA?

So I am getting my Masters of Science in EE at the end of this year. Would it be more beneficial to get a PHD in Engineering, or go for an MBA? I love the technical side of things, but I would like the possibility to get farther up the food chain, or even start my own business.

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PhD Spotlight: Ankit Mittal, PhD’24, Electrical Engineering

Ankit Mittal, PhD’24, electrical engineering, focused his research on developing solutions for robust ultra-low power radio connectivity. Among many other accomplishments, he authored or contributed to 12 journal papers and 10 conference papers.

Ankit Mittal earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Dayalbagh Educational Institute in Agra, India. He worked for several years at NXP Semiconductors in India, leading memory-test chip designs for Near Field Communications (NFC) and high-end electronics, before pursuing a PhD in electrical engineering at Northeastern in 2019.

Mittal, who joined the Energy Efficient Circuits and Systems Laboratory.  Advised by Aatmesh Shrivastava, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, Mittal is passionate about enhancing the energy efficiency of the Internet of Things (IoT) systems so they are able to self-sustain, envisioning a future where IoT devices and systems can be “deployed and forgotten.” His research focus is on developing solutions for robust ultra-low power radio connectivity. Mittal has participated in the development of several research projects led by his advisor, Aatmesh Shrivastava, including those funded by the National Science Foundation’s Resilient & Intelligent NextG Systems (RINGS) grants and Northeastern’s Center for Research Innovation Spark Fund Award.

He participated in numerous interdisciplinary projects for wireless research, publishing in such esteemed journals as Nature Communications and various IEEE journals. Mittal has authored or contributed to 12 journal papers and 10 conference papers. He has led multiple chip tape outs, adopting a holistic design approach influenced by his undergraduate education.

In 2024, Mittal received the 2024 College of Engineering Outstanding Graduate Research Award. Other recognitions include a Best Paper finalist for his is work on low-power sensor systems for precision agriculture presented at the 2023 IEEE CAFÉ conference in Italy; and a Best Paper Award at the 2021 National System Conference in India.

Committed to community service, Mittal has mentored students in Northeastern’s Young Scholars Program and the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, both offered through the Michael B. Silevitch and Claire J. Duggan Center for STEM Education. Also, he reviews research papers for top-tier journals and conferences, and volunteers on the IEEE Boston Section’s Professional Development and Education committee.

Mittal is currently assessing academic opportunities for interdisciplinary research to develop tailored theories for wireless circuits, systems, and applications.

Related Faculty: Aatmesh Shrivastava

Related Departments:Electrical & Computer Engineering

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You are here, cee team wins 2024 alfred noble prize for work on optimizing bridge maintenance.

Structural engineering alum Xu Han ’23 PhD and his doctoral advisor Professor Dan M. Frangopol have been awarded the 2024 Alfred Noble Prize , an esteemed interdisciplinary award from a consortium of professional societies, administered by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

“I feel very humbled for receiving such a prestigious award and am very grateful to people nominating me,” says Han, who is now a postdoctoral research fellow at Texas A&M University.

Frangopol, Lehigh’s inaugural Fazlur R. Khan Endowed Chair of Structural Engineering and Architecture, is a world-renowned expert in bridge safety and maintenance management, structural system reliability, and life-cycle civil engineering.

The award recognizes a technical paper of exceptional merit selected by an intersociety awards committee of five organizations including ASCE, the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers (AIME); the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME); the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE); and the Western Society of Engineers (WSE). The honor is named after a former ASCE president, Alfred Noble (distinct from Alfred Nobel, the namesake of the Nobel Prize), who made significant contributions to canal and railroad tunnel engineering around the turn of the 20th century.

Han and Frangopol were honored for their paper “Life-cycle Risk-based Optimal Maintenance Strategy for Bridge Networks Subjected to Corrosion and Seismic Hazards,” which was published in the Journal of Bridge Engineering in January 2023. The paper describes a study on creating an optimal maintenance strategy for bridge networks facing corrosion and earthquake risks.

“The risk-based life-cycle management strategy focuses on multi-hazards, which is a more and more common scenario facing infrastructure systems nowadays,” says Han. “This research endeavor underscores the importance of conducting multi-hazard life-cycle management for infrastructure systems rather than doing life-cycle management for each individual hazard separately. Hopefully, this paper will bring greater attention to the research topic of multi-hazard life-cycle management and lead to more research work in that regard.”

This is the second time Frangopol has won the Alfred Noble Prize, having received the honor in 2015 with his former doctoral student Mohamed Soliman ’15 PhD. Frangopol is the only individual to have received the award twice since it was established in 1929, according to the ASCE website . He has received numerous other awards from ASCE, which also recently established the Dan M. Frangopol Medal for Life-Cycle Engineering of Civil Structures in his honor.

Read more about Frangopol’s research and achievements here .

“The work with Dr. Frangopol gave me a solid knowledge base in multiple research areas, and more importantly, cultivated a sense of producing more high-quality research inside me, which is crucial in the path of pursuing an academic career,” says Han, who is now working on resilience analysis for communities subjected to natural hazards for his postdoc at Texas A&M.

This year’s Alfred Noble Prize will be formally presented at ASCE’s 2024 Annual Convention, October 6-9, in Tampa, Florida.

Structural engineering alum Xu Han’23 PhD is now a postdoc at Texas A&M. 

Professor Dan M. Frangopol is the inaugural Fazlur R. Khan Endowed Chair of Structural Engineering and Architecture at Lehigh University.

Related News

Lehigh ise launches imopta to foster collaboration with innovative industry, experts from industry, academia converge at lehigh materials symposium, reunion weekend event: 'discovering the universe: james webb telescope and beyond', congratulating the 2024 rossin award recipients.

UVAccelerate

Accelerate your time to completion of a non-thesis Master’s degree by getting started now!

Who can apply?

Current UVA undergraduate and Sweet Briar College engineering science students can apply to a Master of Engineering (M.E.), Master of Computer Science (M.C.S.), or Master of Materials Science and Engineering (M.M.S.E.) degree program in the third year of your undergraduate studies. These programs require 30 credits of coursework (35 credits for biomedical engineering) as part of an approved plan of study, and with the right planning, you may be able to get a head start on taking graduate-level courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree. 

Save time and money by accelerating your time to completion of a master’s degree!

How it works

Interested UVA undergraduate students should apply to UVAccelerate in March of your third year. Once admissions decisions are released, students admitted through the UVAccelerate program will be offered academic advising from graduate program faculty to identify the fastest path to your master’s degree. While applying in your third year of undergraduate studies may seem early, getting an early admissions decision and personalized advising allows you to minimize your time to degree by taking advantage of things like advanced placement credit and undergraduate electives. Some students who participate in UVAccelerate are able to earn a master’s degree in as little as one additional semester beyond their bachelor’s degree.

Benefits to you 

By earning your master’s degree in engineering, you have access to more interesting and challenging job opportunities, accelerated career advancement, and higher earning potential throughout your career. UVA Engineering graduate students report an average starting salary $30,000 higher than bachelor’s graduates in their first job after finishing their degree. UVAccelerate can help you get there as quickly as possible!

How to apply

Complete a graduate application through our online application system starting as early as December 1st . On the Program page of the online application, be sure to check the box indicating that you’re applying through the UVAccelerate program. We also made it easier for you to apply by waiving two of the three required letters of recommendation, making the GRE test-optional, and waiving the $85 application fee for UVA Engineering and BACS undergraduates who apply to UVAccelerate!

Degree Programs and Contacts:

• Biomedical Engineering  (M.E.) |  Don Griffin
• Chemical Engineering (M.E.) |  Gary Koenig
• Civil Engineering (M.E.) |  Jose Gomez
• Computer Engineering (M.E.) | Mircea Stan
• Computer Science (M.C.S.) |  Felix Lin
• Electrical Engineering (M.E.) |  Zongli Lin
• Materials Science and Engineering (M.M.S.E.) |  Leo Zhigilei
• Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (M.E.) |  Gavin Garner
• Systems Engineering (M.E.) |  Robert Riggs  

UVA Engineering Partners with Sweet Briar College on Accelerated Path to Graduate Degree

Through the new UVAccelerate partnership, Sweet Briar engineering students can get a jump start on a Master of Engineering graduate degree.

Frequently Asked Questions

Completing the application.

Can I apply to a different graduate program than my undergraduate major?  

Yes. You are not limited to your undergraduate major and are free to apply to any graduate program of your choosing.

Am I eligible to apply for UVAccelerate in my second year if I plan to complete my program in three years?

No. The program is designed specifically for third-years. If you are a second-year interested in pursuing an M.E., we encourage you to apply for your program of interest during the standard admissions cycle.  

How many letters of recommendation are required as part of my UVAccelerate application?   

Only one letter of recommendation is required; however, you are welcome to submit additional recommendation letters if preferred.

Does my letter of recommendation need to be from a faculty member?   

Your letter of recommendation does not need to be from a faculty member. However, if you request a faculty member write your recommendation letter, consider including faculty with whom you have taken more than one course or worked closely with on projects. For tips on applying to a graduate program, please visit our Graduate Admissions website here .

What is the cost associated with applying to UVAccelerate?   

The UVA Engineering graduate application fee is $85; however, the application fee is automatically waived for all SEAS and BACS undergraduate students applying to the program.

Admissions Decisions

How soon will I be notified of my admissions decision?   

Admissions decisions are typically made within 30 days of the March 1st application deadline. Once a decision has been made, you will receive an email that will direct you to the application portal.

I just received a letter stating that I have been admitted to UVAccelerate. What are my next steps?  

Congratulations! Please log in to the application portal, respond to your offer of admission, and look forward to ‘next steps’ emails from the Office of Graduate Programs. 

Cost and Tuition

How much does the master’s program cost?   

For information regarding Tuition & Fees, please visit the SEAS Graduate Admissions website here .  Some graduate programs do offer scholarships; however, the Master of Engineering program in the Engineering School is self-funded. 

Do I have to pay to take graduate courses as a UVAccelerate student?   

Graduate courses are typically covered by undergraduate tuition. However, this is not the case for all undergraduate students. Please contact Student Financial Services ( [email protected]) to verify that graduate courses will be covered by your tuition and/or financial aid.

Students using VA benefits should contact UREG-Veterans Benefits ( [email protected]) to verify if your benefits will cover the tuition costs for graduate courses.  

Prospective Student Inquiries

Can I be a part-time student in the master’s program?   

Yes. Once you’ve matriculated into the master’s program, you can switch enrollment status from full-time to part-time. 

Can I transfer to a different graduate program within the Engineering School?   

If you're a current UVAccelerate student and you decide to transfer to another program within UVA Engineering before starting the master’s program, you will need to receive approval from both programs. Please contact [email protected] to notify them of your request, and they will assist you with the program transfer process.  

Once you start your master’s program, you may not transfer to a new program within UVA Engineering until you have spent at least one semester in your current program. Any student wishing to transfer after this minimal time period must complete the Request Program Plan Change Form . Graduate Student forms are on the Office of Graduate Programs website here .

Can I work and still pursue a master’s degree?   

Yes. If you cannot take courses on-ground and have matriculated into the master’s program, you may want to consider applying to the Virginia Engineering Online (VEO) program instead. VEO is designed for working professionals looking to receive their Master of Engineering degree online. For more information about this option, please visit the VEO website here .    

Can I take online graduate courses?   

If you are an on-grounds undergraduate student or a master’s student, you will not be able to enroll in online courses. Online courses are offered only to VEO students.  

Current Student Inquiries

I’m on track to graduate with my undergraduate degree and master’s degree. Can I graduate with both degrees in the same semester?   

Per university policy, you cannot graduate with two degrees in the same semester. If you’re on track to graduate with both degrees, please contact [email protected] , and we will assist you with the next steps. 

I am a current UVAccelerate student that will soon be graduating and (1) have decided to attend another university for graduate school or (2) received a job offer that will impact my ability to matriculate in the fall semester as expected. What steps should I take?  

The program is created to be nonbinding as we are very understanding that plans can change. Please inform your graduate advisor and contact [email protected] once you receive this information so the update to your admissions status can be reflected in our records.

How do I transfer graduate courses I’ve taken as an undergraduate student to my master’s program?  

In the final semester of your undergraduate studies, you will receive an email from the Office of Graduate Programs regarding the process for transferring graduate courses you’ve taken as an undergrad to your master’s program. Please note course credits cannot be counted toward both your undergraduate and graduate record.

Enrollment Inquiries

How many graduate courses can I enroll in as a UVAccelerate student?  

Each school has its policy on how many credit hours an undergraduate student can enroll in each semester. SEAS students are not to exceed the max of 19 credit hours  without special permissions, and BACS students are limited to 15 credits during initial  course enrollment and 17 credits during open enrollment. For more information regarding guidelines for course enrollment, please visit the University Registrar's website here or refer to your school's undergraduate record. 

Please note, most UVAccelerate students take an average of 1-3 graduate-level courses per semester. 

Is the graduate course enrollment process the same for both SEAS and BACS students admitted to UVAccelerate?  

Yes. Enrollment for graduate courses is handled for both SEAS and BACS students by the SEAS Undergraduate Registrar. 

What is the process for enrolling in graduate courses as a UVAccelerate student?  

5000-Level Graduate Courses  

UVAccelerate students planning to enroll in 5000-level courses do not need special approvals to enroll. 

6000-Level Graduate Courses  

UVAccelerate students planning to enroll in 6000-level graduate courses will require special approvals and will need to submit the “Undergraduate Request to Take Graduate Course Form” to the SEAS Undergraduate Registrar by the date provided in the ‘registration next steps’ email. You should expect to receive this email from the Office of Graduate Programs at least two weeks prior to ENU open enrollment.  

Please note, open enrollment will vary depending on the semester in which you plan to take graduate-level courses. We ask that you refrain from submitting the referenced form until you receive communication on the next steps from the Office of Graduate Programs. 

I have been admitted to the program but plan to enroll in graduate courses in my final semester. What steps should I take?  

UVAccelerate provides you with the opportunity to take graduate courses where there is space in your course schedule regardless of semester. If you decide to take graduate courses during one semester and not the other, please reach out to us at [email protected] so we can ensure the most updated information is reflected in our records.  

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• Graduate News >

UB, partners awarded $1.5 million grant to diversify STEM

Haiqing Lin, right, is a co-principal investigator on the $1.5 million U.S. Department of Energy-funded project.

UB to host scholars from underrepresented backgrounds; provide expertise in hydrogen fuel production

By Cory Nealon

Release Date: July 23, 2024

Haiqing Lin

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo and partners have received a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to diversify the nation’s engineering workforce and help minimize the environmental impacts of fossil fuels.

The three-year project, supported by DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, is led by Texas Tech University. Additional universities include Texas A&M University and Howard University.

The project is guided by two objectives.

The first is to equip students from minority-serving institutions – a higher education term to describe universities and colleges that enroll a high percentage of students from underrepresented groups – with skills that can help the nation reduce carbon emissions.

Accordingly, Texas Tech and Texas A&M (Hispanic-serving institutions), along with Howard (a historically Black university), will each send two visiting scholars to each of the other participating universities, including UB, for a month each year over three years.

The second objective is to promote cutting-edge energy technologies that can help reduce carbon emissions.

Specifically, the researchers will focus on tools to extract hydrogen from shale gas reservoirs. Hydrogen has the potential to be a clean and affordable source of energy for vehicles, buildings and other power-hungry sectors of the economy.

Haiqing Lin, PhD, professor and director of graduate studies in chemical and biological engineering, is a co-principal investigator and the project’s lead at UB. He was recently awarded $1.5 million to develop a membrane to separate different elements in the air and support gasification-based hydrogen production.

“This project is a great example of universities with complementary expertise and skillsets working together to help grow and diversify the nation’s engineering workforce and also advance technology that could be critical to reducing carbon emissions,” said Lin.

The project’s principal investigator is Qingwang Yuan, PhD, an assistant professor in the Bob L. Herd Department of Petroleum Engineering at Texas Tech. Additional co-principal investigators are Berna Hascakir, PhD, associate professor in the Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M, and Su Yan, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Howard.

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Two graduate students earn major defense fellowships

Alexander Hedrick and Carly Rowe have each been awarded the Department of Defense honor, which provides three year fellowships to promising young scientists and engineers.

The program, established by Congress in 1989, provides fellowships to up to 500 people across the United States annually and is designed to promote education in science and engineering disciplines relevant to the Department of Defense.

Find out more about our honorees and their research below.

Alexander Hedrick

3rd Year PhD Student

Advisor: Kaushik Jayaram Lab: Animal Inspired Movement and Robotics Laboratory (AIM-RL)

The goal of my research is to advance the capabilities of insect-scale robots. Insects, like many larger animals, are capable of a wide range of abilities like running, walking, jumping, flying, grasping, fitting through tight gaps, and locomoting across different types of surfaces. Inspired by these, many larger scale robots are beginning to execute a number of different actions. However, unlike insects, robots at this scale are typically designed to perform one behavior and fail to accomplish even a close variation of the intended task.  Since insect-scale robots are limited by size, weight, and power restrictions, many designs and solutions that work on larger robots cannot be scaled down to insect size. By leveraging shape-morphing and tuned body compliance, I hope to increase the capabilities of these miniature robots in dynamic, unstructured environments without significantly trading-off for size, weight, or power.

2nd Year PhD Student

Advisor: Greg Rieker Lab: Precision Laser Diagnostics Laboratory

My research focuses on laser absorption spectroscopy using mode-locked mid-infrared frequency combs to simultaneously measure velocity, temperature, pressure, species mole fraction, and mass flux with low uncertainty and high resolution in a scramjet combustor. There are currently no diagnostic tools that can simultaneously measure all of the relevant chemical species that are interacting in the combustor of a hypersonic combustion engine, including water vapor, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and hydroxide. The fluxes of these chemical species are not well known which inhibits computational fluid dynamics (CFD) developers from improving the physics in their models and propulsion engineers from understanding combustion performance. The data provided by the DCS on the chemical species fluxes at different locations in the combustor will inform CFD developers and propulsion engineers and enable the design of sustainable hypersonic engines. My research will aid in fundamental combustion understanding of hypersonic systems, support the study of internal transitional and turbulent wall-bounded flow which is an important pre-requisite for generating sustainable hypersonic flight, and fuel the Air Force’s basic research objective of developing novel measurement techniques that enable accurate and rapid data collection of physical and chemical flow parameters in extreme environments such as hypersonic engines.

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SURE program provides undergraduate students with a taste of graduate school

Published: Jul 23, 2024 7:00 AM

By Joe McAdory

Months from earning a bachelor’s degree, Drew Grose hadn’t considered pursuing education at the graduate school level. He is now.

Auburn University’s Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) provided students with a glimpse of graduate school life – including research and professional development – through a 10-week program hosted by the college’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering .

“Before this project, I had never done research at all, so this allowed me to set up an experiment and determine the end goal,” said Grose, a senior in electrical and computer engineering who was paired with Assistant Professor Clint Snider on the project, “Integrating SolidWorks with MATLAB Electromagnetic Simulations.” “I wasn’t considering it (graduate school) at all, but now I think I would like to pursue a PhD because I really enjoyed the research topic.”

Nineteen undergraduate students — 13 from Auburn and six from peer universities across the Southeastern U.S. — took part in the inaugural program, which paired students, freshmen through rising seniors, with 10 faculty researchers and current Auburn University graduate students.

“The students met with the faculty at the beginning of the program and developed research projects that the students can work on and take ownership of,” said Hunter Burch, assistant professor in electrical and computer engineering, who also serves as the department’s graduate program co-officer. “We teach them (undergraduates) the fundamentals in class, but they don't always see how to apply it.

“They learned how to formulate and solve problems. They learned to try something new, see if it worked and how to communicate the results.”

Kyle Hakel, a rising sophomore in electrical and computer engineering, said research has allowed him to understand that scientists don’t always have to know the answer – but must continue to work hard to figure the answer out.

“I’m glad to have had the opportunity to be a part of research that can have a positive impact on the world,” said Hakel, who paired with McWane Endowed Professor Robert Dean on the presentation, “Nitrate Sensor Interface Board and Relaxation Oscillator Circuit.” “I’ve always enjoyed the process of learning and I always want to learn more, so the research is a good way to do it.”

Snider, who co-organized the program with Burch, said it was important that students were shown “what they could be missing.”

“And not just our students, but undergraduate students from other universities who might consider coming to Auburn for graduate school,” he said. “Some don't have graduate programs, but now they know where one is, and now they're going to go back home and tell their friends what they did all summer. It's outreach to people who didn’t have this exposure and didn’t know what the graduate experience is like. With SURE, we can let them get a taste.”

Elizabeth Dawe, a rising sophomore in computer science and software engineering, said the experience was “really cool.”

“A lot of the research can go over our heads, but the faculty we worked with made it a much simpler experience,” said Dawe, who studied “Enhanced 3D Surface Mapping of Reflective Objects Using Structured Light and Polarization Techniques.” “It was great to connect with professors and older students in electrical and computer engineering. This was an experience I couldn’t have gotten anywhere else.”

The program culminated in a special two-hour poster presentation on Friday, July 19, where each participant had the opportunity to showcase and explain their research before faculty, peers and judges for cash prizes.

Winners from the competition, all in electrical and computer engineering, included:

* Nicholas Stephenson (first place), who worked with Dean to develop sensors to detect nitrogen in waterways from fertilizer runoff.

* Samir Kris (second place), who worked with Professor Mark Halpin to analyze the high-frequency performance of resistor networks for power systems.

* Spencer Plep (third place), who worked with Burch to model the self-interference of propagating very low frequency radio waves in the earth-ionosphere waveguide.

Nineteen undergraduate students made research poster presentations before peers, faculty and judges on Friday, July 19.

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