Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

The major objective of advanced graduate studies in engineering, computer science or data science is to enhance the student’s preparation for a career as a professional in industry, education or research. The doctoral program is designed to strengthen the individual’s ability to apply creative leadership in the solution of important and complex technological problems. Graduates of the doctoral program have assumed positions in industry, government agencies, and educational institutions.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates there were 293,100 mechanical engineers employed across the United States in 2024. On average, about 18,100 openings for mechanical engineers are projected each year. There is great demand for mechanical engineers, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 9% increase from 2024-2034, much faster than average for all occupations.

Faculty members of the Washkewicz College of Engineering are very active in research sponsored by government agencies and industry. Involvement in research activities provides an excellent educational opportunity for students to advance their technical knowledge and professionalism while accomplishing dissertation work. The majority of doctoral students are involved with faculty in sponsored research. All students are expected to be involved in some form of faculty/student research as part of the dissertation work. High-quality research should lead to publication of the project’s contribution to the body of knowledge.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for a doctorate in engineering should hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree with at least one degree in engineering. In exceptional cases, applicants may be considered without an engineering degree if they have a strong foundation in math and science. For computer or data science students, the undergraduate background should be in math, computer science or statistics. Minimum grade-point averages of 3.00 at the bachelor’s and 3.25 at the master’s level are required.

The GRE General section is required of all applicants. Minimum scores at the 80th percentile on the Quantitative section and 3.5 on the Analytical Writing section are usually required depending on the specialization area.

Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the student’s previous academic work are required. Applicants are required to submit a two-page personal statement of their research interests.

If an English language proficiency examination is required, then a TOEFL score of at least 550 on the paper-based exam, 78 on the internet exam (including at least 20 in reading, 21 in listening, 17 in writing, and 20 in speaking), 6.0 on the IELTS exam, 3.8 on the iTEP exam, or 213 on the computer-based exam, is required. Students who do not satisfy these requirements but who do satisfy the University’s TOEFL requirements, will be tested upon arrival at CSU by the English as a Second Language Program. Depending on test results, students may be required to take a writing and/or speaking course.

In addition to the requirements applicable to the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering program, the following are required for admission into the Mechanical Engineering specialization program:

• A GPA of at least 3.25 is required for students entering the doctoral program without a Master’s degree in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
• Students who have a master’s degree in either discipline must have a graduate GPA of at least 3.25
   

Degree Requirements

A short summary of requirements for the Ph.D. includes: 

• 30 hours of coursework beyond the master's degree
• 30 hours of dissertation research
• Successful completion of the qualifying examination
• Successful completion of the candidacy examination
• Successful defense of the dissertation
   

Doctor of Engineering Plan of Study

Examination

Individuals admitted to the program become candidates for the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering degree after:

1. Completing all prescribed course work;
2. Passing the qualifying examination; and
3. Passing the candidacy examination.
    

Qualifying Exam

The purpose of the doctoral qualifying examination is to evaluate a prospective student’s mastery of the subject matters that are fundamental to the chosen engineering discipline/concentration beyond what is demonstrated by the grades obtained prior to entering the doctoral program. The student must demonstrate broad understanding of engineering science and mathematics and special knowledge and readiness to pursue further study in a specific discipline/concentration. The examination must be taken before completion of 24 credits in the graduate program.
 

Candidacy Exam

The purpose of the doctoral candidacy examination is to assess a doctoral student’s maturity and preparation to continue independent research in a specific research topic. The examination should be taken before completing 15 credit hours of doctoral research (xxx895). Students are not permitted to register for dissertation credits (xxx899) before successful completion of the Candidacy Exam. For the candidacy examination, the student must prepare a written dissertation proposal based on a scholarly review of literature in the dissertation area. Prior GAC approval of the student’s dissertation committee (on the Dissertation Proposal Approval Form) and study plan is necessary to conduct the candidacy exam. The dissertation committee administers the doctoral candidacy examination. The exam must involve a public seminar followed by oral examination by the dissertation committee which is closed to the public. Based on the examination results, the student either passes and has the proposal accepted with a general understanding that the successful completion of the work presented results in the award of the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering degree, or fails and has the proposal rejected. The candidacy exam may be taken a maximum of two times, with the second attempt within six months of the first attempt.
 

Dissertation

The dissertation, a concentrated, in-depth, independent study of an appropriate engineering problem, is the most distinguishing feature of doctoral study. At least thirty credits of dissertation work are required, which correspond to at least one year of full-time study. Students cannot take Dissertation (xxx899) credits before successful completion of the Candidacy Exam. The dissertation advisor and advisory committee, after approving a dissertation topic, monitor the student’s progress and approve the final written dissertation after a successful oral defense.
 

Engineering Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Approval Form

Dissertation Defense

One paper from the student’s dissertation research must be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, prior to the dissertation defense. The dissertation defense is a public presentation of the dissertation, followed by an oral examination by the dissertation committee which is closed to the public. The dissertation committee determines pass or failure.

The doctoral program director ensures that all program requirements are satisfied before signing the degree completion (including: course and research credits, successful completion of qualifying, candidacy and dissertation defense exams, publication requirements, and all program assessments). The Notice of Completion is signed by the dissertation committee chair, the department chair of the program of specialization, and the doctoral program director.

Learn more about the Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering program requirements

Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Documents

When a student is admitted, an interim advisor is assigned in his/her specialization to assist the student in completing a preliminary study plan. The interim advisor is usually the person in charge of the specialization area. Before sixteen credits of course work have been completed, the student must propose a dissertation advisor and begin plans for the dissertation.

The students are encouraged to form their dissertation committee as soon as possible, in consultation with their advisor, who normally chairs the committee. The functions of the student’s dissertation committee are: administer the candidacy exam and determine pass/fail; monitor the progress of the student’s research; administer the oral defense and determine pass/fail; and approve the dissertation.

The dissertation committee must include a minimum of five graduate faculty members, including the chair, and including at least one from outside of the Engineering College. Usually, an additional member is added when an off-campus, industrial advisor is involved in the dissertation work. This off-campus project advisor may be a member of the dissertation committee but does not have voting rights, unless he or she holds graduate faculty status. The Graduate Affairs Committee (GAC) of the College reviews the composition of the advisory committee and approves or recommends changes to attain a membership balance that is knowledgeable in all facets of the dissertation topic. Finally, an additional member may be selected by the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies. Any subsequent changes to the dissertation committee membership must also be approved by the GAC.

Research assistantships are provided through sponsored research activities; the number available at a given time is dependent on the research activity within the College. Interested students are encouraged to discuss the availability of assistantships and potential research projects with the program director, department chairs, and faculty as soon as possible.

Teaching assistantships are provided by individual departments to provide assistance with classroom and laboratory courses. Responsibilities can include conducting classroom recitation sessions, setting up laboratory experiments, tutoring students in class work, grading, monitoring tests, and related activities. For further information, students should contact the department chair.

All graduate teaching assistants who are international students are required to pass an English Language Proficiency Examination, which is administered by the University Testing Center. Students are expected to work a maximum of twenty hours per week on their assistantship assignments unless fewer hours are specified under the terms of their contracts.

Information about assistantships is available from the Department of Mechanical Engineering by calling (216) 687-2567, emailing mce@csuohio.edu, or by visiting the link below.

Learn more about Graduate Assistantships

Learn more by requesting information or contacting a program staff member directly.

Apply here!

Program Director

Tushar Borkar

Title: Graduate Program Director
Email: t.borkar@csuohio.edu