The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) program provides an educational experience focusing on the integration of research and technology development that allows graduates to be successful in deriving solutions to society’s most challenging technical problems. To achieve this goal, the program’s objectives are to discover new scientific principles, apply novel engineering solutions, and develop cutting-edge technology toward achieving efficient and sustainable use of resources; to integrate cross-disciplinary research and teaching that produces engineering professionals equipped to take on the more complex problems that face our state and country; and to establish and grow industry-university partnerships that drive toward and prepare the region for a diverse, knowledge-based economy.

Specific program outcomes are listed below. MSME program graduates will have:

• A good understanding of statistical concepts and an ability to apply this knowledge to achieve engineering solutions that most efficiently use information and resources;
• An ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts to model physical systems and engineering processes to drive knowledge based design;
• An advanced, cross-disciplinary understanding of engineering sciences, and an ability to relate physical concepts from multiple engineering disciplines;
• An ability to identify critical issues, formulate realistic solutions, evaluate alternatives, and carry out independent research to provide novel solutions to technical problems; and
• A demonstrated ability to make novel, significant contributions to the scientific and engineering body of knowledge.

MSME Admission Requirements

Each applicant must have an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.00 scale and a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Applicants that do not have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, for example those having a bachelor’s degree in physics, or those having an undergraduate GPA below 2.75, will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must show equivalent experience and training and have completed the required pre-requisites for the courses. Applicants must present Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for the Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical tests. The minimum combined Verbal and Quantitative reasoning scores must be 300 for the revised GRE test or equivalent scores for general GRE. Applicant not having completed GRE scores may be admitted conditionally, but must complete this requirement prior to finishing the first semester of course work. Applications submitted throughout the year for the following semester and in accordance to Graduate Admissions deadlines will be considered based on qualification and space availability. All application materials must be received by the College of Engineering and Computer Science during the semester prior to the student’s official enrollment in A-State courses. Official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a resume, and a statement of purpose not exceeding three pages are also required for admission. International students require additional proof of English proficiency to meet the admission requirements of Graduate Programs.

Accelerated Masters Program

Undergraduate students seeking admission into the Accelerated Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering program must meet the admission requirements of Graduate Admissions. In addition, applicants must be enrolled in Mechanical Engineering. Students from other majors in the college may also apply but their admission will be considered on a case-to-case basis.

MSME Application Deadlines

Application deadline is April 1st each year to begin study in the Fall semester and October 1st each year to begin study in the Spring semester. Applications are not accepted for Summer admissions.

MSME Degree Requirements

The MSME program will have both thesis and non-thesis options. The thesis option is research-intensive, whereas the nonthesis option is coursework intensive. Upon admission and through the second semester, students can choose whether to do their MSME degrees as a thesis or a non-thesis option. 

Thesis Option

The number of semester credit hours for the MSME degree (thesis option) is 30. Students are required to complete two core courses (ENGR 6023 , ENGR 6043 ) for 6 semester credit hours, a minimum of three 6000 level graduate engineering elective courses for 9 credit hours, two additional approved graduate elective courses for 6 credit hours, one research course (ENGR 6693 ) for 3 credit hours, and two semesters of thesis research for 6 credit hours. The MSME curriculum is structured as a two-year program (four semesters).

Non-thesis Option

The number of semester credit hours for the MSME degree (non-thesis option) is also 30. Students are required to complete two core courses (ENGR 6023 , ENGR 6043 ) for 6 semester credit hours, a minimum of four graduate mechanical engineering elective courses for 12 credit hours, three additional approved 600-level graduate elective courses for 9 credit hours (at least 3 hrs of ENGR; the rest are preferably from those offered within the college), one capstone design course (ENGR 6693 ) for 3 credit hours. The MSME curriculum is structured as a two-year program.