requirements for phd in engineering

PhD Requirements

• Graduate Programs
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The Ph.D. degree is achieved through an intensive program of coursework and independent research in any one of the following areas: (1)  Chemical and Environmental Engineering, (2)  Electrical and Computer Engineering, (3)  Fluids and Thermal Sciences, (4)  Materials Science, (5)  Mechanics of Solids and Structures  and (6)  Biomedical Engineering. Each Ph.D. student must be affiliated with one of these research groups, and the faculty in that group will play a central role in defining this program and evaluating student progress. 

New Ph.D. students are strongly encouraged to arrange meetings with individual faculty members in their groups during their first semester in residence and to select a research advisor shortly thereafter. At that point, the student, with the approval of his or her advisor, shall devise an appropriate program of study ensuring breadth of knowledge as well as depth of knowledge in a major area that supports the planned dissertation research. The normal residence requirement for the Ph.D. degree is the equivalent of three years of full-time study beyond the Bachelor's degree (i.e. 24 tuition units). At least two semesters beyond the Master's degree must be spent exclusively in full-time study at Brown, although most engineering Ph.D. students spend four to five years in residence at Brown.

General Requirements

The specific requirements for the Ph.D. vary between the different groups. However there are some general requirements that cover all Ph.D. candidates.  These can be summarized as:

• Residency Requirement : (University Requirement). The student must complete three years full-time study beyond the bachelor’s degree (i.e. 24 tuition units).  Two semesters beyond the bachelor’s degree must be spent exclusively in full-time study at Brown University.
• Research Thesis : The student must write and present (“defend”) a Ph.D. dissertation.  The thesis must embody the results of original research and significant creative thought and give evidence of high scholarship.  The dissertation and the oral defense must be approved by the faculty advisor, one other member of the engineering faculty, and one additional reader outside the School, or within the School but outside the research group, as appointed by the Director of the Engineering Graduate Programs in consultation with their faculty advisor.
• Course Requirements:  Students in the Ph.D. program typically take a comprehensive series of courses in the area of their expertise, as well as several other courses in mathematics, physics, engineering and other related disciplines. There is also ENGN 2980: “Reading, Research and Design”, which can be taken for course credit. The number and choice of courses is made in close consultation with the student's advisor who must approve the student's choice at the beginning of each semester.  Each research group can define specific courses, which are considered essential for their Ph.D. students.
• Preliminary Examination:   This is a comprehensive examination covering the student’s main area of expertise and  must be taken no later than the sixth semester of graduate study for a student entering with an Sc.B., and no later than the fourth semester of graduate study for students entering with an Sc.M. The exact timing and format of the exam varies between the different research groups.  The details are outlined in the sections below.  The results of the examination are presented to the Graduate Committee, along with the student’s academic record, and the recommendations of both the group representative and the student’s Ph.D. advisor.  The Graduate Committee then decides whether to certify the student as a Candidate for the degree of Ph.D. in Engineering. In the event of a failing grade, the Graduate Committee will decide whether to re-examine the student, require remedial action, or to request their withdrawal from the graduate program.
• Minor Study:  Ph.D. candidates are required to demonstrate proficiency in at least one area outside their main expertise.  As with the preliminary examination, the number of minor areas of study, and the method by which proficiency is demonstrated is defined and administered by each of the research groups.
• Other requirements:  Some of the research groups in the division have additional requirements including research proposals, progress summaries.  These are outlined in the following section.

Specific Requirements

Progress review.

An in-depth faculty review of the student’s progress at the end of the 2nd semester in the program. This report is shared with the student in writing.

Preliminary Examination

Before the end of the 5th semester in residence, the student will prepare and present a proposal for his or her thesis research, consisting of a written document followed by an oral examination of approximately two hours duration presented to a faculty committee of not fewer than three members including the advisor. The document and presentation should describe a plan for original research, including scientific or technological motivation, background on the relevant literature, statement of objectives, preliminary research results, and research plan with description of methods. The document should be submitted to the committee no later than two weeks prior to the oral portion of the exam.  During the presentation, the student will be expected to demonstrate a sound grasp of the fundamental concepts and methodologies of the field, not limited to the specific research proposed. The committee reports to the Engineering Graduate Committee on the outcome of the examination, which covers the document, oral exam, and a review of the student course work and research progress to date.  If the performance is unsatisfactory, the committee will also make on recommendation on whether or not the examination may be repeated after a certain time has elapsed.

The student will, in consultation with their advisor, select one minor area of study satisfied by passing at least two courses forming a cohesive subject, but distinct from the student’s main discipline.  Proficiency is demonstrated by receiving grades of B or higher in the courses constituting the minor.

An oral presentation of approximately 40 minutes duration to a forum of faculty and graduate students summarizing their research progress by the end of October in their 3rd semester (second year in residence). Their academic advisor and at least two other members of the faculty will formally evaluate this presentation and make a recommendation to the Engineering Graduate Committee regarding the student's ability to continue in the Ph.D. program and to undertake doctorate-level research.  Students normally prepare for this examination by completing ENGN 2980, and by conducting independent research during the summer months.

With the approval of their academic advisor, students must choose a Preliminary Examination Committee consisting of four examiners.  These examiners will conduct an oral examination of the student no later than the end of the sixth semester in residence. Two examiners must be in the student's major research area(s).  The two other examiners must be in minor areas outside the student's immediate research area. The Preliminary examination will presume that students are prepared in two minor areas outside the student’s main expertise. 

Minor Areas

Students are prepared in two minor areas outside the student’s main expertise by completing courses in each of the chosen minor areas, in consultation with their advisor.  These areas will be represented by two examiners in their oral preliminary examination.

An in-depth faculty review of the student’s progress at the end of the second semester in the program. This report is shared with the student in writing.

Before the end of the fifth semester in residence, the student should take the  preliminary exam , which establishes Ph.D candidacy. The students should prepare a written document describing a plan for the student’s own Ph.D. research, including scientific or technological motivation, background on the relevant literature, statement of objectives, preliminary research results, and research plan with description of methods. The research proposal should be submitted to the committee who are expected to provide feedback. 

The student should then schedule an oral presentation and defense of the research proposal.  The committee members and any other interested faculty should participate in the presentation and exam.  During the presentation, the student will be expected to demonstrate a sound grasp of the fundamental concepts and methodologies of the field, not limited to the specific research proposed.   The advisor and graduate director will work with the candidate to define which fundamental areas the student should be able to show proficiency in during the oral examination.  The committee reports to the Engineering Graduate Committee on the outcome of the examination, which covers the written proposal, the oral presentation, the oral exam, and a review of the student course work and research progress to date.  

As a guideline, the proposal should be 15-25 pages long (1.5 spacing, not-including cited references), and should be professionally formatted in a manner similar to a research publication.   The document must be submitted to the exam committee at least two weeks prior to oral defense.  For the oral proposal defense, the students should be prepared to present for 30 minutes and the entire exam should last less than two hours. 

The student will, in consultation with their advisor, select one minor area of study satisfied by passing at least two courses forming a cohesive subject, but distinct from the student’s main discipline. 

This portion is the official written portion of the preliminary exam taken in their fourth semester.  This exam consists of two parts to be taken in two three-hour sessions.  In the morning session, the students will be examined on thermodynamics and kinetics (paralleling the course work in ENGN 2410 and ENGN 2420).  In the afternoon session, the students will be examined on mechanical properties and crystallography (paralleling the course work in ENGN 2430 and ENGN 2490).

Students complete the oral portion of their preliminary exam through a presentation of their proposed research in their 5th semester.  In preparation for this presentation, they will be responsible for reading and understanding a number of seminal papers (typically on the order of 10) critical to the completion of their thesis research.  These papers will be chosen in consultation with the student’s adviser and another faculty member chosen by the student and his adviser. During the presentation, the student will be expected to demonstrate understanding of the important scientific and technical issues in his proposed research, as well as an understanding of the relevant issues contained in the assigned papers. 

Each student must show proficiency in two minor areas of study.  Proficiency is demonstrated by receiving grades of B or higher in the courses constituting the minor. Two courses are required to fulfill the minor, of which at least one must be a 200-level course.  The choice of appropriate courses for the minor areas will be determined by the Materials Science graduate student representative.  The sequence ENGN 2010 and ENGN 2020 may be used to fulfill the minor requirement in the area of applied math.

Progress Review  

The progress review is administered during the second semester in residence for students entering with the master's degree and during the third semester in residence for students entering with the bachelor of science degree.  It includes a one-half hour oral presentation of independent work by the student, based either on a project in progress or on completed work, and a review of progress in the academic program of study by the examination committee.  The committee’s recommendation to the Engineering Graduate Committee following this review as to whether or not a student will be allowed to continue will be based on an evaluation of the research presented and achievements in formal course work. Since students enter the graduate program with diverse backgrounds, this Review also should establish whether or not deficiencies exist in a student's preparation and, if so, he or she will be so advised.  The subsequent program can then be planned to correct any deficiencies prior to the taking of the Preliminary Examination. 

In the fifth semester an oral examination of approximately two hours duration is designed to test the student's knowledge of the major field of study as well as knowledge of two minor fields selected by the student and the research advisor. The student is expected to demonstrate a sound grasp of the fundamental concepts and methodologies of the major field, and to demonstrate a proficiency in specific topics in the minor areas.  The examination committee consists of a major area examiner, one examiner in each to the two minor areas, the Graduate Representative, and the student’s research adviser. This committee reports on the outcome of the examination to the Engineering Graduate Committee; if the performance is unsatisfactory, it also makes on recommendation on whether or not the examination may be repeated after a certain time has elapsed. 

The Preliminary Examination will presume that the student has a level of knowledge in each of two minor areas corresponding to successful completion of two graduate courses in each of the minor subjects. Possible minor subjects include applied mathematics, materials science, physics, biology, geology or another discipline in engineering or science. If applied mathematics is to be one of the minor areas, two courses beyond ENGN 2010 and ENGN 2020 or equivalents should have been successfully completed. 

Research Group Procedures

Each group administers their respective Ph.D. program and defines the details of coursework, the preliminary exam and other requirements (e.g. progress review). These requirements, along with the details of each group’s administration of the preliminary examination are outlined in the following sections. 

Milestones for Progress

PhD Admissions

Earn your doctorate at duke.

Completing a PhD program in engineering is hard. Really hard. But after years of preparation, frustration and celebration, a Duke doctorate stands out from the crowd.

Between field-defining faculty and a web of industrial, entrepreneurial and public-policy connections, with a Duke Engineering PhD, you can just about go anywhere and do just about anything your heart desires.

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Phd students per tenure-track faculty member, of our phd students received an nsf or other prestigious fellowship, in new research awards won in fy22, best graduate biomedical engineering program.

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PhD (Doctoral) Admissions Overview

Our research-intensive program cultivates the next generation of leaders in academia and industry. Electrical Engineering doctoral students work alongside faculty, fellow students, and researchers who are leaders in their disciplines.  

Application Timeline & Deadlines

Click on the links below to read about each step of the application process:

Did You Know?

• A master's degree is not required prior to applying to the PhD program in Electrical Engineering. • Applications are reviewed on an annual basis for autumn quarter start only. • December 7, 2023 is the application deadline for Autumn 2024-2025. • Typical completion time for the PhD degree is 5-7 years. • All PhD students who maintain satisfactory academic progress receive full financial support for the duration of the doctoral program.

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program is designed to build an interdisciplinary community of Stanford graduate students dedicated to finding creative solutions to the world's greatest challenges. The program awards up to 100 high-achieving students every year with full funding to pursue a graduate education at Stanford, including the M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. To be considered, you must apply to Knight-Hennessy Scholars and separately apply to the Electrical Engineering department.

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Home  |  Graduate  |  PhD

Dartmouth Engineering PhD Degree Program

Dartmouth engineering PhD students acquire technical depth in their chosen area of concentration while also gaining breadth of knowledge in related fields. Graduates are skilled not only in engineering, but also in problem-solving, communications, risk-taking, leadership and innovation that generates human-centered impact.

In addition to courses in applied mathematics and engineering, PhD students undertake a multi-year research project, usually part of a larger multidisciplinary project. These research projects are negotiated with a faculty mentor who sponsors the student in the program.

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Dartmouth offers a diversity of concentrations with collaborative synergies between engineering disciplines. Graduate students are expected to propose a plan of study that supports their interests on a path unconstrained by disciplinary boundaries. At the time of graduation, PhD students may elect one of the six program areas to be reflected as a "concentration" on their transcript, upon verification by the Thayer registrar that they have satisfied the courses for that program area.

PhD students may elect to focus their coursework and research in one or more of the following program areas:

• Biological & Chemical Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Electrical & Computer Engineering
• Energy Engineering
• Materials Science & Engineering
• Mechanical, Operations & Systems Engineering

PhD Industry Research Option

The industry research option is for:

• people working in industry who wish to conduct research at their company while pursuing an engineering PhD with a faculty advisor
• students performing their dissertation research in industry after completing residency requirements at Dartmouth.

Explore the industry research option

"Students in our Innovation Program take classes at Tuck School of Business. They learn about contracts and patents. They attend conferences for entrepreneurs. They start building a professional network while they’re still students."

—Professor Doug Van Citters

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Students interested in entrepreneurship can augment their PhD in engineering with the PhD Innovation Program (PhD-I) , which adds courses in technology business practices and taking research discoveries to market. Students in this program meet all PhD requirements, including passing an oral qualifying exam and defending a thesis proposal, along with additional PhD-I requirements.

Engineering in Medicine

The MD-PhD combines a PhD in engineering sciences with an MD from Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth . Students must apply to the Geisel School as well as to Thayer, indicating their specific interests.

The Medical Physics Education Program is available to PhD students in engineering and the physical sciences. This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP) and prepares graduates for a career in clinical medical physics.

Students can take advantage of Tuck School of Business, Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship, and thought leaders and industry contacts within Dartmouth's extensive alumni network.

Engineering Management

PhD students interested in business administration and management may obtain an Engineering Management Certificate by completing any three of the following courses in addition to their PhD requirements:

• ENGM 180.1 : Accounting and Finance
• ENGM 181 : Marketing
• ENGM 183 : Operations Management
• ENGM 185 : Topics in Manufacturing Design and Processes
• ENGM 186 : Technology Project Management
• ENGM 188 : Law for Technology and Entrepreneurship
• ENGM 190 : Platform Design, Management, and Strategy
• ENGM 191 : Product Design and Development

Candidates may enroll in other engineering management courses or, for additional tuition, courses offered by Tuck School of Business .

Interested PhD students may serve as teaching assistants for courses that have a problem session, tutorial, or laboratory component. In special cases, a student may participate in the design and development of a special topics course or laboratory exercises for a lecture course. Students become eligible for these positions following completion of the oral qualifying exam and the completion of ENGG 295 : Undergraduate Teaching. More formalized teacher training, offered through the Dartmouth Center for the Advancement of Learning , is also available to engineering PhD students.

Learn how Dartmouth Engineering's graduate programs could be a great fit for you. Connect with faculty, staff, and students, and navigate the application process.

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Graduate Engineering: The Dartmouth Difference

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The foundation for doctoral engineering degree work is undergraduate preparation in science, mathematics, and engineering principles. Applicants must hold a bachelor's or master's degree to be considered for the program. Students admitted to the program who are not prepared to complete the first-year requirements are advised to enter the MS program and petition to be admitted to the PhD program. Students who have prior graduate training may be considered for advancement to candidacy after completing one or two terms of the first-year doctoral program.

Graduate Course Equivalence and Credit form (.pdf)

The PhD program of study is developed based on each student's background and professional interests in consultation with the advisor and first-year advisory committee. Students are required to take 8–10 courses, reflecting the distribution shown below. Up to half these courses may be taken in science departments outside of engineering. Students with prior graduate credits may transfer up to half of their courses to count toward this requirement. In addition to engineering and applied mathematics, PhD students also participate in required seminars and workshops.

Please note: The information below reflects requirements, effective as of Fall 2023 .

Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate a significant contribution to engineering knowledge and professional expertise in the chosen area of study by performing original research.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate their research orally.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively present their research in written form.
• Students will acquire technical depth in their chosen area of concentration while also gaining a breadth of knowledge in related fields.
• Students will acquire the ability to identify, specify, and formulate complex engineering problems beyond those typical of undergraduate academic training, and be able to solve complex engineering problems by using advanced engineering methods and techniques.

Required Coursework

Academic honor.

All PhD students, upon matriculation, are required to attend a series of workshops in ethics and sign a statement that they agree to abide by the honor principles established by Dartmouth. See Graduate Academic and Conduct Regulations for a full statement of academic honor.

Residency & Program Duration

Students in the PhD program are expected to spend at least nine terms in residence, three of which will take place after successfully completing the oral qualifying examination. Students who are registered and enrolled in two or more courses per term are considered full-time and as being "in residence." Students typically take approximately four to five years to complete the requirements for the PhD.

The PhD program can also be undertaken part-time: students interested in this option should contact the Senior Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education .

Additional Requirements for the PhD Innovation Program

See PhD Innovation Program Requirements for details.

During the first year of the PhD program, students prepare for formal candidacy by taking courses and participating in faculty-directed research projects . See notes for new PhD students (.pdf) and the Typical Thayer PhD Process (.pdf) . Each student works with a faculty advisor and two additional engineering faculty members. This group helps each student develop a first-year program of study, which the student emails to the Thayer registrar during the first week of the term. A typical first-year program of study includes:

• Graduate-level courses completed with an average grade of B or higher (can be a combination of Dartmouth courses and courses taken at another institution beyond BS or BE degree requirements) (6 courses)
• ENGG 296 , ENGG 297 , or ENGG 298 : Graduate Research completed with an average grade of B or higher (3 terms)
• ENGG 700 : Responsible & Ethical Conduct of Research (1 term)

At the end of each year, students meet with their faculty advisor to review grades, goals, achievements and future plans in research, formal coursework, and extracurricular activities. This meeting, and a corresponding written report, is required for every year that a student remains registered in the PhD program. Following the first-year meeting, before the fall of second year, the advisor provides the Thayer registrar a written report describing a student's annual performance. Following a positive outcome of this first annual meeting, the student is expected to complete the oral qualifier examination before the end of the Fall term. The second annual meeting should occur at the end of the student's second year, and a successful outcome of this would allow the student to progress to the PhD thesis proposal presentation before the end of the third year. Students who are not progressing in a normal manner are transferred to the MS program with the understanding that they may later request to be reconsidered as PhD candidates.

The remaining PhD program plan includes the rest of the required engineering courses, plus participation in the following seminars and workshops:

• ENGG 195 : Seminar on Science, Technology & Society
• ENGG 197 : PhD Professional Workshops
• ENGG 198 : Research-in-Progress Workshop

Prior to advancement to candidacy, students must:

• Pass the oral qualifying exam (ENGG 194)
• Maintain an average grade of B or higher in both coursework and research
• Receive a letter in support of their candidacy from their research advisor

Once advanced to PhD candidacy, students work with a special advisory committee to make sure that all degree requirements are met.

Technical Proficiency

The oral qualifying exam ( ENGG 194 ), a set of questions put forward by an oral examination committee to the candidate, normally takes place before or during the fifth term of the student's program, or in exceptional circumstances early in the sixth term. The exam is open to the faculty, but not to the general public.

The committee tests the candidate's knowledge of principles and methods underlying the field in which advanced work is to be performed. The exam covers material selected by the candidate's advisor in consultation with the examining committee and includes coverage of mathematical techniques appropriate to the research area. The structure of the preparation for the exam is flexible. The student prepares a description of the planned exam, obtains signatures of the advisor, committee members, and the director of the MS and PhD programs, and submits this to the registrar (103 MacLean or [email protected] ) at least one month prior to the exam date.

The examination committee consists of four members—the chair plus three Dartmouth faculty examiners, with at least two of the examiners from Thayer. A Thayer faculty member other than the student's advisor chairs the committee. This chair is assigned by the director of the MS and PhD programs.

The examination committee gives the student a pass, fail, or conditional pass result. Students who fail may retake the oral examination—one time only—within the following three months. Upon passage of the exam or fulfillment of the conditions of the conditional pass (before the assigned deadline) and with a letter of support from the advisor, the student is admitted to PhD candidacy pending a vote by the Thayer faculty.

• Oral Qualifying Exam Guide (.pdf)
• Oral Qualifying Exam Form (.pdf)

Technical Breadth

The faculty advisor helps the candidate plan a demonstration of technical breadth, which is approved by the Graduate Program Committee. The plan details one of the following options:

• A set of courses, taken for credit, outside or secondary to the candidate's principal area of specialization
• A focused set of courses, taken for credit, which creates a secondary emphasis in specialization and may involve independent study or research
• Presentation of a research proposal or an oral examination in an area outside the main area of specialization: The candidate might present a research seminar on the topic with an examination committee of three faculty members probing the candidate's depth of knowledge of the secondary area. This option may be combined with the ENGG 197: PhD Professional Workshops . Students who do not pass may be permitted to take the oral examination—one time only—within the following three months.
• A creative design project, completed within a time limit of approximately 30 days, in an area outside the main area of specialization: The project is defined and the candidate's performance is evaluated by a committee of three faculty members appointed by the program director. The committee gives the student a statement of need, and the student proposes a means of satisfying that need in an effective, elegant, and economic manner. The project should display the candidate's ability to conceive and evaluate alternative solutions; carry out analytical evaluations at levels of approximation suited to the problem and the time limit; and recognize situations in which experimental work is needed. If the time limit prohibits experimentation, the candidate should devise the appropriate experiments and demonstrate how the expected results would aid in the design. Within the 30-day time limit, the candidate submits a written report plus an executive summary. Following an oral presentation of the project, the committee examines and evaluates the candidate's performance in the project. Students who do not pass may be permitted to revise and resubmit the report—one time only—within the following three months.

Specialization & Thesis Proposal

The candidate demonstrates mastery of an area of specialization by writing and defending a thesis proposal within the first 18 months of candidacy. A thesis committee, approved by the director of the PhD program, advises the candidate on the proposed thesis research and administers the defense of the thesis proposal defense. The PhD examination committee consists of a minimum of three full-time Dartmouth faculty members of which a minimum of two must be from Thayer (including the dissertation advisor) and an external member with a faculty equivalent research appointment outside of Dartmouth. The external member may participate in meetings in person or via video conference. The candidate's proposal—a presentation of the proposed thesis research—explains the scope and importance of the proposed research and plans for its completion. The defense presentation should be understandable, at least in a general way, to students and faculty not in the subject area.

Two weeks before the defense, candidates must:

• submit the thesis proposal in writing to their committee
• submit an electronic copy of the thesis proposal notice to the Thayer registrar for distribution to the faculty and for posting

Students who do not pass may be permitted to present the proposal—one time only—within the following three months.

• Thesis Proposal Form (.pdf)
• Thesis Guidelines (.pdf)

Professional Competence: PhD Professional Workshops

The candidate demonstrates professional competence by completing ENGG 197: PhD Professional Workshops , which is offered each Winter term by the faculty and outside experts. The workshop emphasizes skills in completing competitive proposals, business funding, patenting, research team organization, teaching, résumé and CV creation, and job search techniques. Each candidate completes a competitive research proposal or a business plan for critique by two expert referees selected from among faculty, outside experts, and/or corporate representatives. Candidates who have submitted a competitive research proposal to a funding agency or a business plan to a venture capitalist or financial institution prior to completing the workshop may petition to have the proposal or business plan fulfill this requirement.

Original Research

Candidates demonstrate their significant contribution to engineering knowledge and professional expertise in the chosen area of study by performing original research. The PhD examination committee consists of a minimum of three full-time Dartmouth faculty members of which a minimum of two must be from Thayer (including the dissertation advisor) and an external member with a faculty equivalent research appointment outside of Dartmouth. The external member may participate in meetings in person or via video conference. The research is reviewed through all of the following means:

• Presentation: Demonstrated by the elements of the research presented at a professional meeting with the candidate as first author.
• Dissertation: Demonstrated by a written abstract followed by detailed explanation of the research, approved and signed by the PhD thesis committee. A hard copy and a pdf of the final dissertation must be submitted to the Thayer registrar for archiving. Copyright to the dissertation is held by the Trustees of Dartmouth College.
• Oral Defense: Demonstrated by a presentation of the dissertation in a forum open to the public. The candidate is responsible for giving final, signature-ready copies of the thesis to each committee member to review at least two weeks prior to the defense. The candidate must submit an electronic notice of the defense to the Thayer registrar two weeks in advance for distribution to the faculty and for posting.
• Paper: Demonstrated by the elements of the research accepted for publication with the candidate as first author.

Dissertation Archiving

A hard copy and a pdf of the final dissertation must be submitted to the Thayer Registrar for archiving. Copyright to the dissertation is held by the Trustees of Dartmouth College.

PhD students typically enter with full support from either a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) or an external fellowship.

Tuition for the academic year is covered by a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA), which includes instruction, insurance coverage, use of instructional facilities, and healthcare service through the College infirmary.

Students admitted with a GRA receive a monthly stipend. The stipend amount for 23/24 is $3333 per month ($40,000 per year).

Students who obtain an external fellowship that fully funds their PhD—such as from NSF, DOD, NASA, or DOE—will receive an additional yearly stipend from Thayer for the duration of their PhD.

Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA)

PhD students typically enter with full funding support from either a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) or an external fellowship. GRAs, funded by contract research, are available to well-qualified candidates enrolled in degree programs with thesis requirements. Most PhD funding includes full tuition cost coverage plus a monthly stipend. GRAs also include health care coverage for those who opt for college insurance. As with all graduate students, Thayer's commitment to financial assistance will continue as long as a student remains in good academic standing and is making normal progress in fulfilling degree requirements.

Graduate research assistants are expected to devote 20 hours per week to research when enrolled in two non-research courses, 30 hours per week when enrolled in one, and essentially full time between terms and when enrolled only for research. They are expected to be in residence full time, including between terms.

Since graduate research assistants are not regular employees of Dartmouth, they do not earn vacation time per se. However, College holidays apply to them. In addition, they may anticipate one-half week of time off for each academic term of appointment, to be arranged with their faculty advisor.

Although responsibilities are defined in terms of hours per week, the emphasis is on the quality of the student's performance. Continuation of any appointment into succeeding terms is conditional upon satisfactory performance and progress toward degree requirements.

Students who accept GRAs may not engage in any additional employment without prior approval of the director of the MS and PhD programs. Such employment is usually limited to 10–12 hours per week.

Fellowships & Grants

There are a number of scholarship, fellowship & grant programs offering financial awards that are available to PhD graduate students.

Fellowship & Grant Programs for PhD Students

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

General info.

• Faculty working with students: 31
• Students: 91 Ph.D., 50 M.S.
• Students receiving Financial Aid: 100% of Ph.D. Students, 10% of M.S. students
• Part time study available: No
• Application terms: Spring, Fall
• Application deadlines: Spring: October 2; Fall: December 14
• Learn about our PhD program at mems.duke.edu/phd .
• Email the PhD program

Program Description

Graduate students in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science (MEMS) work in close collaboration with world-renowned faculty on state-of-the-art, interdisciplinary research programs. The low faculty-to-student ratio provides a close-knit scholarly community while an active Graduate Student Committee provides peer mentorship and support. The graduate curricula are uncommonly flexible whereby the students can define the academic path that best suits their professional goals. 

Learn more about our faculty, research, and student projects at the departmental website: http://mems.duke.edu/

Concentrations/Research Specialties

PhD in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

• Aerospace Engineering
• Dynamics, Controls & Robotics
• Materials Science & Biomaterials
• Mechanics, Design & Computing
• Thermal Fluids & Energy
• Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

Application Information

Application Terms Available:  Spring, Fall

Application Deadlines:  Spring: October 2; Fall: December 14

Graduate School Application Requirements See the Application Instructions page for important details about each Graduate School requirement.

• Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts required with application submission; official transcripts required upon admission
• Letters of Recommendation: 3 Required
• Statement of Purpose: Required (See department guidance below)
• Résumé: Required
• GRE Scores: GRE General (Optional)
• English Language Exam: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test required* for applicants whose first language is not English *test waiver may apply for some applicants
• GPA: Undergraduate GPA calculated on 4.0 scale required

Statement of Purpose

Write a statement (single-spaced, 12-point font) addressing the questions below.

1.    Please describe your past research experience at your college/university, REU, or relevant industry experience (500 words max). What questions were you working to address? What experimental, computational, or theoretical skills did you learn? 

2.    For any grades lower than a B, please explain the circumstances of this grade and any steps you took to make sure you learned the material (50 words max).

3.    Why are you interested in pursuing a PhD? And why at Duke? Which faculty members and research areas are you interested in and why? (200 words max)

4.    Earning a PhD is a challenging and intense experience. Please share a past experience where you have had to overcome challenges and how you addressed the challenges (200 words max).

5.    (Optional) Duke MEMS is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. How will you contribute to this community (100 words max)? Possible examples include past leadership roles in student groups, volunteer work, demonstrated ability to work with teams, teaching and tutoring experience, etc.

6.    (Optional) Please describe your current career goals (100 words max). Duke MEMS prides itself in the success of our PhD students in industry and academia. Many students do internships in industry or national labs during their PhD. In addition, the new Thomas Lord Engineering in Service to Society Fellowship provides funding for PhD internships in government, policy, and non-profits.   

Writing Sample None required

Additional Components Masters: Providing a recorded video response is required. The video recording platform is available within the online application.

PhD: Providing a recorded video response is optional. For international students, completion of a video can potentially negate the need for a live language interview later on in the application process. If you choose to include a video, the video recording platform is available within the online application.

We strongly encourage you to review additional department-specific application guidance from the program to which you are applying:  Departmental Application Guidance (PhD)

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Doctor of Philosophy Requirements

Students must comply with the requirements for the Interdisciplinary Engineering (ITDE) program, outlined in the  graduate catalog . Students work with their research advisory committee to identify courses for their degree plan.

• On the degree plan, a total of 96 hours is required beyond the bachelor’s degree ; of which is required a minimum of 48 hours of 600/700 level course work (other than 691 and 685 hours). At least 50% of the 48 hours must be in a technical engineering field.
• For students with a master’s degree , a total of 64 hours is required; of which is required a minimum of 24 hours of 600/700 level course work (other than 691 and 685 hours). At least 50% of the 24 hours must be in a technical engineering field.
• Additional courses beyond the minimum will be determined by the student’s chair/committee in consultation with the Director of Interdisciplinary Engineering Programs.
• Successfully complete ITDE 710 – Research Lifecycle, MATH 601, STAT 601 (or equivalents).
• A written qualifying exam, with the option to additionally conduct an oral qualifying exam, developed and administered by the student’s committee and chair(s), within 2 semesters of matriculation to the Ph.D. ITDE program.
• To request review of the qualifying exam, submit a copy of the exam and the qualifying exam form (signed) to the Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering office.
• The committee may, at their discretion but with approval from the Director of Interdisciplinary Engineering, choose to accept the student’s successful passing of another degree program’s qualifying exam to satisfy this requirement.
• Deadlines for completing the preliminary exam are established by the Graduate and Professional School and must be strictly followed.
• A final exam, composed of a written dissertation and an oral defense of the completed research, administered by the student’s committee and chair(s).

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Chemical Engineering, Ph.D.

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Chemical engineering is part of a rapidly expanding field that requires interdisciplinary engineers educated in both the molecular and medical sciences. For every discovery made in the health and industrial sectors, a chemical engineer finds a way to develop and implement it on a large scale.

The Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering program at the School of Engineering prepares you to fulfill that role. Our curriculum offers an advanced course of study to refine your research skills, and we teach you the problem-solving skills to surmount any problem along the way.

Our Ph.D. program in Chemical Engineering is designed to outfit you with expert knowledge of the field’s core fundamentals as well as the latest research in its subtopics. By doing so, we further your specialization beyond a master’s degree, helping you achieve superior competence in a minor topic within chemical engineering.

Admission Requirements

A BS degree in chemical engineering or a related field of science or engineering is generally required for admission to graduate study. If you earned a bachelor’s degree from a foreign institution, you must submit TOEFL scores. Submitting graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are optional. Applicants with degrees in other fields or from other colleges may be admitted with undergraduate or graduate deficiencies as evaluated by the graduate adviser. You will need to have had at least one course in differential equations.

Find out more about  Admission Requirements .

Urban Science Doctoral Track

Each doctoral candidate must complete a minimum of 75 credits of academic work past the bachelor’s degree, including a minimum of 36 credits of dissertation research, to complete the Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering program. A minimum of 30 graduate credits beyond the bachelor’s degree (not including Ph.D. dissertation and non-dissertation research credits) are required in chemical engineering or related subjects. Of the 30 credits, 12 are to be taken as part of the required graduate core courses in Chemical Engineering and 18 are taken as electives. For electives: at least 3 electives (9 credits) are to be chosen from approved CBE courses, 6000-level and above. The remaining electives need to be selected in consultation with and with the explicit approval from the chemical engineering graduate adviser. In addition to the required coursework, attendance is required at departmental colloquia.

Students must also pass a comprehensive qualifying examination in chemical engineering and present a doctoral dissertation. The qualifying exam is given once a year. Additional details on the qualifying examination will be provided by the graduate adviser.

To meet graduation requirements, students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, excluding dissertation credits, and must not obtain a grade of C or lower in more than two required core courses.

A student who has earned graduate level credits and/or been awarded an MS degree should consult with the graduate adviser for course registration and possible credit transfer.

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• Ph.D. Guidelines
• Committee Form
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• PhD Exit Survey

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The Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering can be done in conjunction with a Ph.D. (for the M.S./Ph.D. option) or alone. Degrees are granted after completion of programs of study that emphasize the application of the natural sciences to the analysis and solution of engineering problems. Advanced courses in mathematics, chemistry, physics, and the life sciences are normally included in a program that incorporates the engineering systems approach for analysis of problems. Students must have a bachelors degree in one of the accredited engineering curricula or satisfy the equivalent of a bachelors degree in engineering as determined by the department concerned for admission to this program.

For more information, please see Graduate Handbook 7.1 .  A printable version of the curriculum can be found here .

Though the vast majority of students in our program earn the Ph.D., the D.Eng can be earned in rare cases. Degrees are granted after completion of programs of study in professional engineering emphasizing technical, sociological, environmental, and economic problems involved in the design, construction, and operation of engineering structures, processes, and equipment. Studies include courses in the engineering sciences necessary to the engineering interpretation of the latest scientific developments, as well as courses in design, operation, humanities, and economics to provide bases for the analysis and solution of problems in professional engineering. Students must have a BS degree in one of the accredited engineering curricula or satisfy the equivalent of a BS degree in engineering as determined by the department concerned.

Ph.D. in Systems Engineering

The Ph.D. is an advanced graduate degree for students wishing to contribute to knowledge creation through independent, original, cutting-edge research. 

The PhD in Systems Engineering provides a springboard for careers as an academician, as a researcher, as a consultant or in management/leadership within a university, institute, industry or government setting. SIE doctoral programs include three components:

• Coursework and Teaching to gain fundamental and advanced knowledge, as both student and GTA
• Research conducted in a collaborative environment leading to a doctoral dissertation and scholarly papers
• Engagement in UVA’s intellectual life

See below for information on the Systems Engineering PhD program, or download the SIE Graduate Handbook .

Admissions Criteria

The deadlines for PhD applications with financial aid requests are January 5 for fall semester and September 29 for spring semester. All SIE faculty are eligible to advise students enrolled in the SE PhD program. We accept applications from candidates with degrees from all engineering and some affiliated backgrounds. In some cases, candidates who do not have engineering or similar credentials will be offered conditional admission, which will require them to take selected undergraduate coursework in addition to the coursework required for their PhD. 

All candidates are evaluated by one or more of the SIE research subgroups. Some students are admitted directly into a specific research group with a specific advisor. Other candidates are admitted into a subgroup and are then connected with an advisor during the first year. 

Most accepted PhD students receive financial aid. Funding offers take the form of GRAs, GTAs and/or various fellowships. SIE is committed to acquiring the resources to fund PhD students for five years, contingent upon satisfactory progress toward the degree. The department’s default stipend for PhD students is $35,000 per year. 

Funded offers also include tuition and health insurance. Some PhD students are funded by third-party entities (e.g., their employer or government or military agencies), and a small number of students are self-funded. 

Join our vibrant community of graduate students!

Engineering School Requirements

Engineering School requirements for the PhD degree are described on the UVA Graduate School of Engineering’s information webpage . The page also addresses admission requirements, rules and regulations pertaining to financial assistance and outside employment, and other matters. The portion of the Engineering School’s website devoted to current graduate students contains many helpful resources, including required forms.

Time limit: All requirements for the PhD degree must be completed within seven years after matriculation to the program.

Coursework, Professional Development and Engagement

SIE has three general classes of PhD requirements: coursework, professional development, and academic engagement. These are described below. 

The SE program require relevant coursework to help students access foundational knowledge in their discipline while striking a balance between depth and breadth. All PhD students must take at least six credits of graduate coursework at UVA beyond the master’s degree. All PhD students, including those entering with an ME/MS from another institution, must complete at least six credits of SIE coursework. Students who earn an ME or MS degree at UVA en route to a PhD in SE may use SE credits from their master’s degree to meet this requirement. A minimum of 30 credits beyond the BS program is required for all Engineering School PhDs. The following requirements should be met: 

• Mandatory Courses: SYS 6001 and 2 semesters of SYS 7096
• Nine credit hours of foundation courses : 3 courses selected from SYS 6003, SYS 6005, SYS 6007, and SYS 6021.
• Twelve credit hours of methodological courses : Students must take four courses from at least two of the methodological areas listed here . The courses listed in each of the areas are only exemplars as course offerings change from year to year. Other courses in these areas may be used to fulfill methodological requirements as approved by the student’s doctoral advisory committee. Additionally, certain courses are listed in multiple areas. In these cases, the student must decide which area the course satisfies for their plan of study. Each course may only satisfy one area for the student’s plan of study.
• Nine credit hours of research elective courses : These can be any 6000 and 7000 level courses that are chosen in consultation with the advisory committee to support the student’s research program.

Special Circumstances 

Prerequisites: The student who does not have the prerequisites (i.e., calculus, linear algebra, probability and statistics, computer programming) should take articulation courses. These courses cannot be used to satisfy the degree requirements. 

Equivalent Courses: The student who, prior to enrolling in our graduate program, has already taken a course equivalent to a core course may petition the graduate program director for the substitution of the core course by an elective course. Students that received automatic bulk transfer credits that are applied towards SEAS’s credit requirements must complete the SE Coursework Petition Form to receive credit towards their degree program requirements. The form will need to be completed to have graduate courses taken while enrolled in a previous graduate program evaluated towards SIE Foundations courses to determine if they can be used to fulfill any of your course requirements. Other transfer coursework taken in another STEM program will count towards the methodological and/or research electives. 

Transfer Credit: PhD students who have earned a master’s degree in a STEM field will receive an automatic bulk transfer of 24 graduate course credits toward SEAS’s total graded coursework credit requirement. PhD students who have earned a master’s degree in a non-STEM field will receive an automatic bulk transfer of 12 graduate course credits toward SEAS’s total graded coursework credit requirement. Students who receive a bulk transfer of credit may not transfer any additional credits toward the PhD degree. PhD students, that didn’t earn a master but took graduate level course, may transfer a maximum of 6 graduate course credits into their program of study. Only courses with a grade of B or better that have not been applied toward another degree may be transferred. The request for credit transfer must include the following documents: a completed Request Approval of Transfer Credits form , a description of course content and level, and an official transcript. The documents are provided to the SIE Student Services Coordinator to facilitate processing of the request. If the student is already admitted into a UVA program, then the request for credit transfer must be preapproved before the course is taken. 

Professional Development and Academic Engagement

The ultimate goal of an SE PhD is to give students the best possible preparation for their careers in research, government, or industry. The following professional training requirements help students prepare for the full spectrum of career choices: 

• GTAs : Students typically serve as a GTA at some point over the course of their MS or PhD. GTAs will enroll for three credits (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory, or S/U, basis) of SYS 6097 or SYS 9997 in a section corresponding to their supervising instructor. Receipt of one or more U grades for graduate instruction may endanger a student’s eligibility to serve as a GTA in future semesters. More information about the Engineering School’s language-skills requirements for international students serving as GTAs can be found  here .
• Research Dissemination : Students will disseminate their research via journal and conference papers. Before scheduling the final defense, students must have at least one first-authored paper with their research advisor published or accepted by a journal or peer-reviewed conference paper approved by their advisory committee. To aid in supporting student travel to conferences, all SIE PhD students are able to apply to receive a travel grant if their research adviser or fellowship is unable to fund their travel, conference registration, and lodging. To receive a travel grant, the student must be the primary author presenting a peer-reviewed publication. Additionally, their advisor must write a statement that there are no research funds to support travel. See the Doctoral Student Travel Grant section below for more information. 
• Seminars and Defenses : SIE is committed to providing members of our community with the opportunity to learn from a wide range of scholars and practicing engineers through seminars. These seminars are organized as (a) our weekly Graduate Colloquium and (b) Distinguished Speakers invited by our faculty on an ad-hoc basis. As an essential component of graduate education, PhD students should register for at least two semesters (preferably in their first year) of SYS 7096 with zero credit hours. Students are expected to attend and participate actively in scheduled SIE and UVA seminars and student thesis/dissertation defenses. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, it is expected that seminars and defenses are held in person at the university. 
• Academic Engagement : Doctoral students are valued members of SIE’s community of scholars. They are expected to be good citizens by engaging in departmental and school-wide events (e.g., milestone defenses, symposiums, workshops, social events). 

Doctoral Student Travel Grant

Each SIE PhD student is eligible to apply for a one-time travel grant of up to $1,500 to present their research at a peer-reviewed conference once during their tenure at UVA. To receive a travel grant, the student must be the primary author presenting a peer-reviewed publication. Additionally, their advisor must write a statement that there are no research funds to support travel. The one- time grant can be requested by using the SIE PhD Student Travel Fellowship Request Form . The request should be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to the conference date.

The three main milestones toward completion of an SE PhD are the qualifying exam, the dissertation proposal, and the dissertation defense. 

The typical timeline for the completion of the PhD in SIE is listed below. This timeline assumes that students enter the PhD after first completing a master’s degree. However, SIE also routinely accepts students directly into the PhD program without first requiring them to complete an MS. For these students, it may be valuable to extend the initial timeline by one year, in which case students can delay the qualifying exam until the end of their second year. The rest of the timeline then proceeds as shown below.

Engineering School policy allows a leave of absence (an action students can take after the completion of a semester, indicating that the student plans to be away from the university for at least one semester) for parental leave or serious personal or family illness; this requires notification to and approval from the appropriate department or program and the Office of Graduate Programs. When considering these options, students are urged to talk with their advisor, their program’s graduate director and the Engineering School’s graduate registrar. These individuals are committed to helping students find and navigate their best possible paths. Students must first obtain the approval of their advisor and the graduate director of the student’s program.

Typical timeline for doctoral students entering with a master’s degree .  Students entering without an MS may need one extra year before taking the qualifying exam. Different research groups offer qualifying exams at different times of year.

• Establish a working relationship with the faculty advisor(s)
• Begin coursework
• Identify a research area and doctoral committee
• Prepare a plan of study*
• Pass the qualifying exam (August)

Year 2 

• Finish coursework
• Establish research
• Present and defend dissertation proposal (March–June)

Year 3 

• Continue research
• Submit a paper for publication
• Attend and present at a research conference

Years 4-5 (as needed)

• Complete research
• Publish additional papers or proceedings
• Defend dissertation

*The plan of study form is for departmental use only. Students should file the form with an SIE student services coordinator and maintain a copy for themselves to access it whenever they convene their committee and/or complete a requirement. Official tracking for SEAS and SIE requirements are done using the student's academic requirements report in SIS.

Qualifying Exam

The principal objective of the qualifying exam (also referred to as the comprehensive exam and PhD exam) is to assess a student’s research aptitude and confirm that they have the skills necessary to make a substantive contribution in their field. The exam also provides an opportunity for students to receive early, individualized feedback regarding their strengths and weaknesses in research and foundational knowledge. 

The goal of the qualifying exam is not to directly assess any content in required courses but to provide a comprehensive use of the foundational principles and methods in research. Thus, students must have already specified the required coursework they will take for their program before taking the qualifying exam. Required coursework varies by concentration, the student’s anticipated dissertation topic, and the recommendation of the student’s committee members. 

Successful students will demonstrate that they can:

• Understand, interpret and critically evaluate relevant literature.
• Analyze data (via experiments, observations, surveys, simulation, etc.) and draw meaningful conclusions.
• Apply technical/engineering tools, concepts, coursework and/or approaches to gain insight on real-world problems.
• Effectively communicate results in both oral and written formats.
• Answer questions and respond to critical feedback when sharing, defending and revising their ideas.

The examination consists of two parts, written and oral. The following guidelines apply.

Committee Composition

The examining committee will include three to five members. At least two of the committee members must be from the candidate’s main research area. At least three of the members must be faculty members with non-zero percentage appointments in SIE. External (non- SIE) or courtesy faculty may be a part of the committee but do not count toward the program requirement. In most instances, the qualifying committee contains many of the same members as the student’s dissertation advisory committee. However, this is not mandatory. 

The chair of the qualifying exam committee should be from the student’s home program but cannot be the student’s advisor. The chair will be responsible for collecting and delivering feedback to the student, as explained below. 

Committee Creation and Preliminary Scheduling

Students should work with their advisor to identify a qualifying exam committee and schedule their exam to take place no later than the end of their second year in the SIE department. Some students may be ready earlier, and if the committee is amenable, they may take the exam after completion of the required coursework for their program. The student should send a completed Recommendation and Certification of Doctoral Advisory Committee form to SIE student services coordinator by the end of the semester preceding the examination. The form should be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the date of the written exam component. 

The faculty recognizes that preparing for and taking the qualifying exam can be one of the more stressful periods of the PhD program. However, framing the exam as a research aptitude assessment is intended to make it such that “preparing for the exam” and “doing research” can be one and the same. Students should meet with each of their committee members prior to beginning t

Structure and Format of Exam

Students will work with their individual examination committees to identify dates for the written and oral components of the exam. They should then work backward from those dates to complete the activities summarized below. 

Once the written exam date has been selected, students should prepare a two-page document that (i)outlines their research area and explains how it will advance knowledge in their PhD discipline and (ii) provides a preliminary reading list (e.g., research papers, book chapters, policybriefs) organized by topic to be used in their qualifying exam. They should circulate thesematerials to their committee members no later than one month before their scheduled exam date.Committee members will have one week to respond to the student with suggested modificationsto their proposed reading list. The student will then circulate the final reading list to the wholecommittee no later than two weeks before the scheduled exam date. It is recommended thatstudents start this process early so they can have a thoughtful, engaged dialogue with thecommittee and prepare a comprehensive reading list.

The student’s examination committee will then prepare their questions based upon the research overview and finalized reading list. They will forward the questions to the advisor and other committee members before the exam with adequate time for everyone to evaluate the exam as a whole before it begins. 

The student will work on the exam for up to seven days; however, individual faculty may specify time limits for their own individual questions. Students will submit their solutions to the examination committee at the end of the exam period. Each committee member will score their own questions using the a-e criteria of the SIE Qualifying Exam Assessment Form. Each committee member should complete their own scoring prior to the oral exam. 

The oral exam will consist of two parts: 1) a brief prepared presentation summarizing the questions and the student’s responses to the questions and 2) follow-up questions from the committee. There is no stipulated duration for the oral exam. However, a one-hour oral exam period is recommended with approximately 30 minutes devoted to presentation and 30 minutes allotted for questions. Once the oral exam has concluded, each committee member will re-score their question, again using the a-e criteria and the SIE Qualifying Exam Assessment Form (see Table 4-4). The chair is responsible for collecting and organizing feedback from the committee and then communicating it to the student after the exam. A key objective for the exam is to give students individualized feedback on their unique strengths and weaknesses.

Exam Outcomes

The outcome of the exam is determined collectively by the examination committee choosing from four options: pass with distinction, pass, pass with remediation, or fail. The committee weighs both parts of the exam (written and oral) at its discretion when determining the outcome. The chair is responsible for communicating the outcome of the exam and delivering feedback from the committee to the student after the exam. 

Students who do not pass, or pass with remediation, can retake the examination within six months. After two unsuccessful attempts, the student is dismissed from the PhD program. 

• Engineering School’s Recommendation and Certification of Doctoral AdvisoryCommittee : This form is due to an SIE student services coordinator at least two weeks before the scheduled examination.
• Engineering School’s Report on Ph.D. Exam and SIE Ph.D. Qualifying Exam Assessment : These forms are sent to the chairperson of the committee by the SIE student services coordinator to be completed and returned to them after the exam.
• Academic Requirements Report from SIS: The student brings one copy for each committee member to the oral exam.

Note: A student must have approval from the academic advisor for forming their committee.

Dissertation Proposal

Formulation of a dissertation proposal is a key step toward completion of the PhD This milestone allows a student’s committee to make three important determinations:

• To assess whether the student’s knowledge of their chosen area and their understanding of relevant literature is adequate to complete a PhD.
• To recommend coursework, approaches/techniques and other resources that would facilitate or enhance the proposed work.
• To evaluate whether or not the proposed work, if completed, would constitute an acceptable basis for a doctoral dissertation.

Selection of a PhD committee is an important component of the dissertation proposal process, insofar as the committee is responsible for helping the candidate navigate their path to the PhD. The PhD committee approves a candidate’s plan of study, including coursework, teaching, dissertation proposal and the final dissertation. SIE faculty place high value on interdisciplinarity and crosscutting collaborative research. Accordingly, we are firmly committed to letting each student work with their research adviser to select a committee that best supports their scholarly and professional development. PhD candidates must adhere to both the committee composition rules set by SEAS as well as by the department. The requirements are outlined below: 

• SEAS Requirements: The final dissertation committee must include a minimum of three Engineering School faculty with a minimum of four UVA faculty and a minimum of five total members; one of the UVA members (the external member) must be from outside SIE. At least three of the dissertation committee members must have non-zero appointments in SIE.
• SIE Courtesy faculty member policy: Courtesy faculty members appointed by SIE may serve as the primary adviser of a PhD student. Courtesy faculty members that are not the primary adviser can count towards either an internal or external member.
• SIE Committee composition rules: Final committee composition should consist of no fewer two SIE faculty members with greater than 50% appointment. The committee chair should also have a primary appointment in SIE.

Finally, it is strongly recommended that the dissertation proposal committee consist of all five faculty members that would be on the final defense; however, it is acceptable for a dissertation proposal committee to have four instead of five members, in which case the fifth person is added before the final defense. 

The dissertation proposal consists of both a written document and an oral presentation. The written document should discuss the proposed work, contributions, preliminary results to date, and research timeline in a concise manner. Proposal documents should not exceed 15 single- spaced pages (or 30 double-spaced pages). The bibliography and any appendices (appendices are not required to be read by the student’s committee) are not included in this page limit. Significant departures from these guidelines must be approved in advance by the student’s proposal committee. The written proposal document must be submitted to the committee at least two weeks in advance of the proposal presentation.

All members of the committee evaluate the proposal and generate a preliminary assessment of the candidate’s achievement of the following research skills: a) identifying relevant problems of interest, b) interpreting existing literature, c) generating hypotheses, d) collecting data (via experiment, observation, modeling and/or simulation), e) interpreting results and drawing conclusions, f) communicating results (in oral and written formats), g) answering questions and defending their work, and h) commenting/critiquing on the work of others. 

The oral defense of a dissertation proposal is advertised within SIE and Engineering School. All interested parties are welcome to attend. The candidate gives a brief overview (20 to 30 minutes) of their proposed dissertation research, then takes questions from the audience and their committee. The committee then deliberates and decides whether the candidate has passed. The committee also reviews the student’s transcript and plan of study to recommend additional coursework or other relevant training if necessary. In this way, the emphasis of the dissertation proposal will be on supporting student growth, rather than just deciding who passes/fails. Candidates who fail the exam must take it again within six months. The chair of the candidate’s committee takes the lead in identifying an appropriate format and timeline for the second-chance defense. Students who do not pass on their second attempt are dismissed from the PhD program. 

It is the candidate’s responsibility to email the SIE student services coordinator their announcement information which consists of the committee members list with the chair and advisor identified, the meeting date, time, and location information, and the dissertation proposal title and abstract at least two weeks before the proposal. The SIE student services coordinator will provide the chairperson with the relevant forms ( Dissertation Proposal and Admission to Candidacy and Dissertation Proposal Assessment ) for the proposal defense. It is the candidate’s responsibility to bring their transcripts and plan of study. Each committee member is responsible for completing a research skills assessment and submitting it to the committee chair. The chair collates the feedback, submits an aggregated assessment form to the SIE student services coordinator (who sends it to the Engineering School registrar) and circulates the feedback to the candidate and their advisor within two weeks of the proposal. 

Finally, reiterating from Section 4.4 and Table 4-2, SIE students typically complete their proposal milestone at the end of Year 2, or the end of Year 3 if they enter the PhD without an MS. A revised Recommendation and Certification of Doctoral Advisory Committee form should be submitted to the SIE student services coordinator no later than two weeks before the scheduled proposal if the student has revised their committee since their qualifying exam and/or have added the fourth committee member. Proposal defenses are typically scheduled from March through June. 

Final Defense

The final dissertation defense is the culminating step of the PhD process. The main objective of this milestone is to confirm that the completed research constitutes a meaningful contribution to the body of knowledge in the student’s field of study. A secondary objective is to ensure that the written quality of the final document is adequate to highlight the value of the work and make it accessible for an educated audience. Often, there are intermediate meetings with the committee between the proposal and the defense to Students are eligible to defend their dissertation once they have completed all other requirements, including the publication requirement. The final defense committee must have five members (see Section 4.4.3). There is no required format for the dissertation. Rather, the candidate should work with their committee to prepare a satisfactory document. The candidate should circulate the final dissertation to their committee no later than two weeks before the oral defense date. Final defenses are advertised within the SIE and Engineering School. All interested parties are welcome to attend. The candidate gives a brief overview (30 to 35 minutes) of their dissertation research. The candidate then takes questions from the audience and their committee. The committee deliberates and decides about whether the candidate has passed. 

It is the candidate’s responsibility to email the SIE student services coordinators their announcement information which consists of the committee members list with the chair and advisor identified, the meeting date, time, and location information, and the dissertation defense title and abstract at least two weeks before the final defense. The SIE student services coordinators will provide the chairperson with the relevant forms( Report on Final Examination and Thesis and Dissertation Assessment ) for the final defense. The chairperson will return the completed forms back to them after the final defense. 

PhD candidates must apply for graduation in SIS at the beginning of the semester in which they’re expected to graduate. In addition, after successful completion of the final defense, the candidate must submit the dissertation via Libra  (see Graduation Procedure ) and complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates .

Administrative Forms

It is important that graduate students submit administrative forms related to degree requirements in a timely manner to the SIE student services coordinators. These forms can be found on the Engineering School’s webpage for current engineering graduate students.

The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only.  The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found here .

Doctoral Program

Main navigation.

The Ph.D. degree is intended primarily for students who desire a career in research, advanced development, or teaching; for this type of work, a broad background in mathematics and the engineering sciences, together with intensive study and research experience in a specialized area, are the necessary requisites.

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is conferred on candidates who have demonstrated to the satisfaction of their department or school

• substantial scholarship
• high attainment in a particular field of knowledge
• and the ability to do independent investigation and present the results of such research.

They must satisfy the general requirements for advanced degrees, the program requirements specified by their departments, and the doctoral requirements for candidacy, as outlined in the Stanford Bulletin.

PhD Admissions information

For Current Stanford Students

The ME Student Intranet has detailed information about processes and requirements for the ME PhD .

“ Two of the biggest lessons I’ve learned over the years are ... ”

Applying to the PhD Program - School of Engineering Education - Purdue University

Applying to the ENE Ph.D. Program

How to apply, application timeline, application faqs.

• Application Glossary (Help with Word Definitions)

To apply to be admitted into the ENE Ph.D. Program, you must go through the Purdue Graduate School application process , which is all done electronically. After reading through this information, contact our Graduate Coordinator  with any additional questions.

• Fall (August) Admission Deadline:    December 15 .  Most common and recommended pathway into the program. 
• Spring (January) Admission Deadline:   September 15 .  First  consult  with us to determine if you are a good candidate for an off-cycle application.

After you  apply , you will receive email updates until a decision is made. The timing of admissions decisions varies depending on the circumstances.

If you are currently in a degree program that will not be completed at the time of application, you must supply a completion of degree certificate for that degree. Each certificate must be in the official language of the institution. If this language is not English, a certified translation must also be supplied. This certificate should be a formal letter from your University that states what degree you will be receiving and the date you will receive it. Note that you will still be obliged to submit an original document that verifies the awarding of the degree once the degree is actually awarded.

International applicants must submit original language transcripts and certified official English translations of their transcripts that are not in English, as well as proof of any degrees received. This proof can take one of two forms:

• statement on your official transcript that states the degree awarded and the date on which it was awarded, or
• a copy of your diploma stating the degree awarded and the date it was awarded
• Fill out our request for information form so that we can email you when Purdue representatives are at your university, notify you of funding opportunities and our Open House, and remind you of important application dates.
• Plan to attend our Open House in October.
• funding opportunities .-->Explore funding opportunities. Many prospective students are pleasantly surprised to learn that in contrast to undergraduate studies, graduate programs typically provide tuition remission and a monthly stipend for high-quality students. There are also many opportunities to apply for a graduate fellowship  through the Purdue Graduate School.
• Examine the School of Engineering Education's research site  to learn what faculty members are involved in and identify areas of mutual interest.
• The National Engineering Education Research Colloquies
• The Research Agenda for the New Discipline of Engineering Education
• Discipline-Based Education Research: Understanding and Improving Learning in Undergraduate Science and Engineering )
• American Society for Engineering Education
• The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine: A Framework for K-12 Science Education
• The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine: Science and Engineering for Grades 6-12
• Visit our faculty web pages to obtain contact information for faculty that interest you. Contact them to arrange a time to talk or perhaps visit the campus.
• Browse abstracts of completed doctoral dissertations and --> alumni profiles to see examples of what our recent graduates have accomplished.
• Browse our student testimonials  (YouTube playlist) or explore the Engineering Education Graduate Student Association and the Purdue chapter of the American Society for Engineering Education.
• Learn about our College of Engineering and the rankings of our undergraduate and graduate programs.

September–November (in the year preceding enrollment): 

• Identify three people for writing recommendation letters.
• If you are an international applicant, take the TOEFL and have your scores submitted to Purdue University.
• Come to our Open House in October . Each fall, we host an open house for prospective students to learn about our program and meet our faculty and students.
• Identify  three references  and obtain their email and contact information. Supply this information during the electronic application process.  More
• Pay the  application fee  with a credit card.  More
• Order  two official paper copies of transcripts   from all institutions that you have attended.  More

November (in the year preceding enrollment):

• Initiate your application so that all components are completed by December 15.

December (in the year preceding enrollment; see glossary for more details):

• Submit online your 300- to 500-word  statement of purpose . 
• Submit online a  research statement . 
• Submit online a copy of your  curriculum vitae (CV) . 
• Submit online a  teaching statement . 
• Ensure that all supporting materials (transcripts, reference letters, exam scores) have been received by our graduate office by December 15 if you would like to be considered for all financial aid opportunities. We will continue to accept any missing application materials through January 1. Once we have received your complete application package, you will be considered for whatever funding is available at that time.

Need more help? See our glossary for word definitions.

February–April: 

• Look for emails from the Graduate Coordinator about how your file is progressing through the review process. During this period, you may also be receiving competitive offers. Take time to evaluate not only the gross monthly stipends but also the cost of living in other geographic areas .
• Visit Purdue University

May–June: 

• Accepted students should visit our community links here (City of West Lafayette) and here (Lafayette-West Lafayette Convention & Visitors Bureau) and begin making arrangements for living in West Lafayette. You will receive orientation materials over the summer.

Two weeks before the fall term begins (August):

• Accepted students should be ready to start school (have a place to live, be in town, etc.). There will be an orientation before the first week of school.

What is the cost of attending Purdue?

See http://www.purdue.edu/bursar/tuition/calculator/index.html

How is funding decided, and am I eligible?

All applicants, whether they are domestic or international, are eligible for funding. Once you submit a formal application, it will be reviewed by our graduate committee. If you satisfy the formal requirements for admission, the committee can recommend your admission. Within our program the admission decision and funding decision are separate. Not all students who are recommended for admission are offered funding. The faculty reviewers decide whether or not an applicant would be acceptable for funding and are responsible for making any offers. You may contact those faculty members that you are interested in working with to discuss options.

How can I check the status of my application?

There are two offices involved in the collection of application materials, the Graduate School and the Engineering Education Graduate Programs Office. You apply using the electronic application system through the Graduate School. The Engineering Education Graduate Office then downloads this information to our own tracking system. Once the Engineering Education Graduate Programs Office has received transcripts and an applicant file is complete, we review the file. Although the Graduate School system does have a mechanism to check the status of your application, it is not regularly updated. If you wish to check the status of your application, please send an inquiry to [email protected] . We send status updates when your application has moved forward in the process or if we find that you are missing information.

What is Engineering Education's minimum score requirement for the TOEFL exam?

Engineering Education applicants must have the minimum TOEFL score required by the Purdue Graduate School .  However, Engineering Education graduate work involves a great deal of reading and writing in English and applicants should be ready to demonstrate they have the English proficiency necessary to be successful.

Can any part of my application be mailed in as a paper copy?

Your statements, resume and letters of recommendation all must be submitted electronically through the online application system. The ENE Graduate Programs Office has never experienced trouble with downloading these materials; therefore there is no real benefit to mailing additional copies. If you have updates to your Statement of Purpose or resume, you can send the updated version to [email protected] , and we will add it to your file.

What is the difference between "Statement of Purpose" and "Research Statement"?

The " Statement of Purpose " communicates your long-term career plans and how obtaining a PhD would support this plan. The " Research Statement " communicates your research interest and any prior research experience(s).  

Can I be admitted to a PhD program with only a BS?

This is possible. If you wish to be considered for this option, you should be very clear in your Statement of Purpose on your research and career goals relative to your Ph.D. studies.

Can I gain admission to the School of Engineering Education without an engineering background?

We have had students admitted into our graduate program whose academic background was not in engineering (e.g., physics, mathematics, sociology, education). There are no formal pre-requisites for admission; however, it is not uncommon for such students to be given a conditional admission, where the condition involves the passing of a certain number of background courses that typically do not count towards meeting degree objectives. Our review process is essentially faculty-driven, so it's a good idea to communicate with faculty in your prospective area of interest to see if your circumstances are favorable for admission. Students without engineering backgrounds should keep in mind that they will be required to take nine credits of engineering courses at the graduate level and honestly self-assess if their past educational background will support them in being successful in graduate engineering courses.

What is the expected duration of the PhD program?

An Engineering Education PhD degree requires 90 credit hours. The expected duration of the degree is unique to each student and is greatly dependent on their research focus; however, if a graduate student enrolls in 9 to 12 credits a semester, it is likely they will complete the minimum required courses within four semesters. This estimate does not include thesis or research work. The national average for a PhD degree is more than five years.

When do I need to confirm my enrollment?

We ask all admitted students to confirm they will enroll for the Fall term by July 1. It is possible to confirm enrollment later than that, but early notification helps us project class enrollment and more efficiently allocate instructional resources.

What is the mailing address for the ENE Graduate Office?

Engineering Education Graduate Programs Office School of Engineering Education Purdue University ARMS 1300 701 W. Stadium Ave. West Lafayette, IN 47907-2045

Updated March 13, 2024

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PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering

The Civil and Environmental Engineering PhD program at Northeastern University is flexible and may be adapted to any subject area in civil and environmental engineering. The Graduate School of Engineering also offers an interdisciplinary Doctor of Philosophy degree involving substantial work in two or more academic departments or disciplines ( Interdisciplinary Engineering, PhD ).

• Program Details
• Degree Requirements
• Degree Requirements - Advanced Entry
• Admissions Information
• Tuition & Financial Aid

Innovative Curriculum

Students admitted to the program are involved in cutting edge research, often interdisciplinary, in all areas of civil and environmental engineering. Awarding of the Doctor of Philosophy degree is based on ability to formulate, execute, and communicate original research as well as have strong performance in course work.

For more information on the structure and requirements of the doctoral program, please see the  Graduate Catalog or contact the Civil and Environmental Engineering Associate Chair for Graduate Studies.

• Ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems.
• Ability to explain and apply engineering principles.
• Ability to identify, motivate, formulate, and solve important problems, through original, independent, use-inspired scholarly research.

Funding is available for graduate students focused on research in the form of graduate research assistantships, graduate teaching assistantships, and fellowships.

• CEE Chair’s Select Stipend for Professional Development Awarded for merit, incoming Ph.D. students have the opportunity to receive for their personal professional development one-time  stipend funds of $5,000. These funds provide agency for the students to pursue significant professional development at key junctures in their program.
• CEE Professional Development Fund Once enrolled, all Civil and Environmental Engineering PhD students have the opportunity to apply to receive funds for reimbursement of allowable professional development expenses. These funds provide agency for the students to pursue additional professional development during their program.
• PhD Network Travel Funding Match The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering provides matching funding to the Ph.D. Network and research project for travel support, up to $500/student per year.
• CEE Department Graduate Awards and Ceremony Departmental awards for excellence in research, teaching, and leadership, with monetary honorariums, are awarded to selected MS and PhD students at the conclusion of each academic year at the CEE Graduate Awards Ceremony.

The department offers  Graduate Fellowships  to PhD and MS/PhD applicants. These prestigious Graduate Fellowships include integrated research and teaching to foster a comprehensive graduate education. All applicants are considered automatically for the fellowship program. It is strongly recommended that applicants interested in funding within the department via fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

• Tyler McCormack, PhD'24
• Nicholas Briggs, PhD'22
• Andrew Summerfield, PhD'21
• Nishant Yadav, PhD'23
• Sadia Khan, PhD'22
• Cassie Nickles, PhD'21
• Learn more.
• Scholarship Report

Experiential Learning

Northeastern combines rigorous academics with experiential learning and research to prepare students for real world engineering challenges including industry experience as part of the co-op program or an internship. The Cooperative Education Program , also known as a “co-op,” is one of the largest and most innovative in the world, and Northeastern is one of only a few that offers a Co-op Program for graduate students. Through this program, students gain professional experience employed in their field of interest as part of the academic curriculum. Northeastern has over 3,000 co-op employer partners in a wide variety of organizations, from large companies to entrepreneurial start-ups. Students can also participate in the university’s Experiential PhD program .

CEE PhD Workshop

To celebrate the outstanding work of our students, each year a workshop for PhD students is hosted by the department that includes a research expo, professional development presentations, panel discussions on academic and industry careers, and related topics.

Academic Advising

The Academic Advisors in the Graduate Student Services office can help answer many of your questions and assist with various concerns regarding your program and student record. Use the link below to also determine which questions can be answered by your Faculty Program Advisors and OGS Advisors.

• Graduate Student Services

Admissions & Aid

Ready to take the next step? Review degree requirements to see courses needed to complete this degree. Then, explore ways to fund your education. Finally, review admissions information to see our deadlines and gather the materials you need to Apply.

Student News

COE Research Expo Displays Promising Work of PhD Students

The College of Engineering held a research expo to highlight the work of PhD students. Participants presented their research to a panel of judges and gained critical presentation and communication skills. They also displayed their research during the poster showcase and students were recognized with awards.

Engineers Without Borders Experience Leads to Pursuit of an MS in Engineering and Public Policy

Melanie Marino, MS in Engineering and Public Policy, and PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering, was drawn to advance her education in public policy after a trip with Engineers Without Borders to Tanzania, which required working with the local government to help a village with an unreliable supply of electricity.   

Sustainability and Data Sciences Laboratory Invited to Present at United Nations HQ

The Sustainability and Data Sciences Laboratory presented at a United Nations event on disaster risk reduction, highlighting the importance of data-driven climate resilience and resilient infrastructure.

PhD Spotlight: Sadia Khan, PhD’22 – Civil and Environmental Engineering

Originally from Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sadia Khan graduated from Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and served as a lecturer at the University of Asia Pacific in Dhaka. She joined the civil and environmental engineering PhD program at Northeastern in 2017. Under the guidance of Professor Edward Beighley, civil […]

EE PhD Model Program

Electrical Engineering is a broad field which draws from disparate areas of knowledge, and so instead of providing rigid course expectations the faculty suggest EE students and their advisors consider the following courses as part of their program, depending on which aspect of EE their research is most aligned with.  Programs will also often contain courses from SEAS, statistics, mathematics, physics, computer science or chemistry.   This description of the Electrical Engineering PhD course guidelines augments the school-wide PhD course requirements . Students should make themselves familiar with both.

The EE faculty strongly recommend all Ph.D. students also attend to professional skills such as writing and giving presentations.  Classes include  ES 297 Professional Writing for Scientists and Engineers  and ES 301 SEAS Teaching Practicum. Other resources include the GSAS Center for Writing and Communicating Ideas , the Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning , and the  SEAS Graduate Council 's Professional Development series.

The course lists below form a starting point for a discussion with the faculty about areas of interest. Students should work in close consultation with their advisors to develop an appropriate program plan that is consistent with the PhD Program's overall course requirements . Courses provide the background knowledge that is often needed to successfully complete research and allow students to learn more broadly about a field or related fields in a structured fashion.

Computer Engineering - suggested courses include

• ES 202 Estimation and Control of Dynamic Systems
• ES 250 Information Theory
• ES 255 Statistical Inference with Engineering Applications
• CS 283 Computer Vision
• CS 243 Advanced Computer Networks
• CS 244 Networks Design Projects
• CS 246 Advanced Computer Architecture
• CS 247r Advanced Topics in Computer Architecture
• CS 249r Advanced Topics in Edge Computing
• CS 252r Advanced Topics in Programming Languages
• CS 261 Research Topics in Operating Systems
• CS 262 Introduction to Distributed Computing
• CS 265 Big Data Systems

as well as other courses listed under Devices and Circuits below

Control and Robotics - suggested courses include

• ES 252r Advanced Topics in Robotics Research
• ES 259 Advanced Introduction to Robotics
• ES 201 Decision Theory

as well as other courses listed under Devices and Circuits

Devices and Circuits - suggested courses include

• CS 248 Advanced Design of VLSI Circuits and Systems
• Physics 223 Electronics for Scientists
• AP 195 Introduction to Solid State Physics
• AP 218 Electrical, Optical, and Magnetic Properties of Materials
• AP 295a Introduction to Quantum Theory of Solids
• AP 295b Quantum Theory of Solids
• MIT 6.341 Discrete-Time Signal Processing
• ES 273 Optics and Photonics
• ES 274 Quantum Devices
• AP 216 Electromagnetic Interactions with Matter
• AP 217 Applications of Modern Optics
• Physics 285a Modern Atomic and Optical Physics I

Photonics - suggested courses include

• AP195 Introduction to Solid State Physics
• Physics 143b Quantum Mechanics II
• Quantum Science and Engineering (QSE 200/ES200)
• Chemistry 242 Quantum Mechanics for Physical Chemistry
• Physics 251a Advanced Quantum Mechanics I
• Physics 232 Advanced Classical Electromagnetism
• ES 151 Applied Electromagnetism
• ES 173 Introduction to Electronic and Photonic Devices
• ES 277 Microfabrication Laboratory
• AP 218 Electrical, Optical and Magnetic Properties of Materials
• AP 225 Introduction to Soft Matter
• AP 284 Statistical Thermodynamics
• AP 291 Electron Microscopy Lab
• Physics 262 Statistical Physics

Signals and Information Processing - suggested courses include

• MIT 6.450 Principles of Digital Communications
• Statistics 210 Probability I
• Statistics 211 Statistical Inference I
• CS 223 Probabilistic Analysis and Algorithms
• Statistics 220 Bayesian Data Analysis
• MIT 6.262 Discrete Stochastic Processes
• Math 112 Introductory Real Analysis
• Math 136 Differential Geometry
• AM 201 Physical Mathematics I
• ES 220 Fluid Dynamics
• MIT 6.255J Optimization Methods

Note that, for Program Plans in Engineering Sciences, Physics 223  Electronics for Scientists  is considered to be a 200-level SEAS-equivalent technical course.

In Electrical Engineering

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PhD—Doctoral Study

Earn Your Doctorate from a Globally-Ranked Program

The Duke Civil Engineering & Environmental Engineering PhD program offers you opportunities to develop your research skills in close collaboration with our world-renowned experts in:

• Environmental toxicology
• Computational mechanics
• Geomechanical modeling and characterization
• Risk engineering

And, it's all just a part of Duke's uniquely interdisciplinary environment.

How to APPLY

• Application instructions
• Application deadlines—all Duke and Duke Engineering PhD programs
• About the Application Review Process

Excellent Outcomes

Our graduates go on to great things. About 34% of Duke CEE PhD grads go on to academic careers, many at some of the world's pre-eminent research institutions. About 44% go on to careers and leadership roles in industry and government.

More about where Duke CEE PhD grads go »

Study Tracks

At Duke CEE, you can choose your path from among these study tracks :

• Computational Mechanics and Scientific Computing
• Engineering Environmental Geomechanics and Geophysics
• Systems, Risk and Decision
• Hydrology and Fluid Dynamics

Degree Requirements

• 30 units of coursework
• 2 semesters of teaching assistant experience
• Dissertation and defense
• Final examination

How to Apply

By choosing Duke, you join an engaged, diverse and welcoming community that values and supports you. Apply online:

• Fall semester admission deadlines

How to apply

Program Details

Those considering a PhD in civil and environmental engineering should be individuals interested in specialized research. We provide opportunities for students to publish with their faculty adviser, to present research at professional conferences, and to explore their field in a highly collaborative, cross-disciplinary working environment.

Doctoral (PhD) students admitted to the program can expect to have tuition and stipend support for the duration of their studies, contingent on demonstrated progress toward their degrees. The typical doctoral program is five (5) years.

Through programs like PhD Plus , students learn essential skills for their professional careers. Professional interests most often are realized through research and technology development careers.

Benefits for PhD Students

• Direct admission to a research group
• 100 percent financial support during the duration of your studies, plus national and international travel opportunities
• Dedicated career development support, such as our innovative PhD Plus program
• Representation in SAGE , our graduate student association

Day One Mentorship

Advising and early introduction to research and to your research community are hallmarks of the Duke CEE PhD experience. We believe in mentorship from Day One!

The process of finding your research adviser begins before you are admitted. Once you apply, our faculty may contact you. We then invite highly qualified applicants to interview. You'll meet our faculty and see their labs before a formal offer is made.

Once you are admitted, we help you assemble your Advising Team. Your team will include your research adviser, your departmental adviser, the director of graduate studies, a five-member dissertation committee, and the department chair.

Our Day One matching of students with research advisers and our strong mentorship program helps to keep the time to Ph.D. at an average of 4.5 to 5 years, while giving you a team of expert collaborators to guide you toward your goals.

Authentic Opportunities to Learn Mentorship Through Mentoring

In preparation for your role as a research mentor, Duke Engineering actively encourages and supports efforts by its PhD students to mentor undergraduates in research work.

Our PhD students can register to serve as a mentor and post a research project to a university-wide directory of research opportunities for undergraduates: Muser .

As mentors, our PhD students build professional mentoring relationships with undergraduates, while increasing undergraduate involvement in research—one of the hallmarks of a Duke Engineering education.

Welcoming, Inclusive Community

By choosing Duke, you join an engaged, diverse and welcoming community that values and supports you. You'll notice the importance we place on faculty-student interaction. And you have representation in SAGE , our graduate student association.

World-Class Research

Duke CEE faculty members are engaged in a wide range of efforts to improve the resilience of engineered structures, develop advanced computer models of complex natural phenomena and investigate approaches to predicting, monitoring and managing human impacts on air, water, land and global cycles--and environmental effects on human health.

Our faculty engineering researchers work closely and collaboratively other Duke faculty in physics, chemistry, computer science and in the nearby Duke University Nicholas School of Environment . This breadth of expertise is reflected in all our research programs listed below. Click to find out more and read researcher biographies:

Research Areas

A great location.

Our engineering campus is next to one of the nation's leading academic medical centers. Plus, the Duke campus is just miles from Research Triangle Park (RTP) , home to more than 200 major private tech companies and public agencies – including a large U.S. Environmental Protection Agency laboratory, a USDA Forest Service research station, and a location of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

Plus, you'll enjoy a mild climate, acclaimed restaurants, a thriving arts scene and an affordable cost of living. Your Duke degree can take you anywhere in the United States and beyond. Some students choose to remain in our Research Triangle region, which is consistently ranked among the best places to live in the United States.

Visit Duke's website dedicated to all things Durham .

We Accept Students Without CEE Undergraduate Backgrounds

Admitted students with academic backgrounds outside of civil and environmental engineering may need to take some CEE undergraduate level courses in order to be prepared for graduate level coursework. Some of these courses may be counted towards the MS or PhD degree requirements. Please consult with the director of graduate studies.

This department offers study tracks across both civil and environmental engineering. Each track is associated with a sequence of regularly-offered core courses that parallel the research interests of our faculty.

Duke CEE provides a customized, flexible educational experience tailored to meet your needs in your chosen sub-discipline. In our program, you will progress from introductory classes to specialized coursework. As you learn, your focus will gradually shift from coursework to learning important leadership and research skills.

• 30 course credits (15 credits from core courses based on study track and 15 course credits related to the student’s area of research)
• Strongly encouraged to participate in the department's  Graduate Colloquium
• Establish and meet with Preliminary Exam Committee (PEC)  [Download Committee approval form ]
• Complete Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training
• Pass the Research Proposal Defense [Download Outcome Form]
• Complete a Teaching Assistantship - TA guidelines
• Complete and defend a dissertation - [Download Defense forms , dissertation guidelines , evaluation rubric ]
• Pass a final examination

In addition to fulfilling departmental course requirements, students are encouraged to take advantage of the variety of courses across the university to broaden their education. Such courses do need to be approved by a preliminary exam committee before the preminary exam is taken, and by the adviser after this exam. 

Students who are pursuing a PhD may, after completing the credit requirements for the MS degree, formally apply for an MS degree. Typically an MS thesis, a defense and an MS exam are required. Full tuition payment for a total of five (5) or six (6) or semesters is required.

Students Entering with Master of Science (MS) Degree Completed

Students entering the PhD program with an MS degree, can, with approval of the Preliminary Exam Committee (PEC), the director of graduate studies, and the dean of The Graduate School, transfer up to 12 relevant course credits from the previous institution. Full tuition payment for a total of five (5) semesters is then required.

Admissions Profile

The Pratt School of Engineering requires a minimum GPA of 3.2 from an undergraduate program in order to gain admission to the PhD program. A minimum TOEFL score of 90 on the Internet-based test is also required. Average GRE scores and UGPA from recent admitted applicants are:

• GRE Quantitative: 161
• GRE Verbal: 160

Preliminary Examination

• A written test based on core courses taken by the student
• A five-page minimum written research based proposal by the student, on a topic of their choice, which can be started at any time during their stay at Duke
• An oral defense of the research proposal and follow-up questions to their answers on the written exam   

The Preliminary Exam Committee (PEC) of three (3) faculty members meets with the student during their first few semesters to review their background, and make certain that they take courses such that they are prepared for the written portion of the preliminary exam. The preliminary exam itself is administered by faculty members in the student's study track.

The oral examination will normally be held before the end of the student's third semester from matriculation.   

Students must ultimately pass each of the three (3) components of the preliminary exam, but are allowed to retake any portion of the exam, depending on the support of the faculty.

Students become PhD candidates upon passing a Preliminary Exam, to be administered by their PhD Committee.

Graduate Colloquium

In addition to the course credits listed and discussed above, each graduate student in the department is encouraged to participate in the departmental seminar called Colloquium on Mechanics and the Environment.

A colloquium consists of a series of seminars and is offered in both the fall and spring terms. The faculty of the university, visiting scientists, and senior graduate students give the seminars. Additionally, workshops for PhD students focused on helping them prepare for the preliminary exam may be organized as part of these colloquia.

The faculty strongly encourages all graduate students to attend as many Graduate Colloquium seminars as possible, as exposure to novel ideas, research methodologies, and results from broadly or even remotely related fields is enriching and stimulating, and develops a critical sense of what constitutes an effective presentation.

Research Proposal Defense

The purpose of this defense is to evaluate a student's readiness before proceeding with doctoral-level research.

A committee must be identified and approved by the director of graduate studies and The Graduate School at least 30 days in advance.

Part 1: Research Proposal

The student must submit a Research Proposal, in written form, to all members of the committee.  This document:

• Defines the objectives of the proposed research
• Includes a survey and analysis of pertinent literature, with a focus on what is apparently missing in the literature and the student's anticipated contributions
• Describes the research tasks to be completed including theory development, data collection, analysis, and documentation
• Suggests a schedule for completion of the research

The goal of this proposal is to successfully provide the groundwork for all future doctoral research. This Research Proposal should be made available for review by members of the committee at least seven (7) days prior to the scheduled oral presentation.

Part 2: Oral Defense

The student must provide an oral defense of the Research Proposal detailed in Part 1. This should take the form of an oral presentation given to all members of the committee, with the presentation designed to take approximately half an hour. The committee will evaluate the oral defense, as well as the student's readiness to undertake the proposed research.

The committee will rely on both parts of the Research Proposal Defense, as well as grades in graduate courses at Duke, to evaluate the student's potential to successfully complete the doctoral research program.

The outcome of Part 2 of the Research Proposal Defense is to be determined by vote of the members of the PhD Committee. Only two outcomes are possible: 1). The student passes and may continue with the proposed doctoral research; or, 2). The student fails. Students who fail the exam may apply, with the consent of the committee and the director of graduate studies, for the privilege of a second examination to be taken no sooner than three (3) months after the date of the first exam. Successful completion of the second exam requires the unanimous vote of all PhD Committee members.

Failure on the second examination renders the student ineligible to continue in the PhD program.

Teaching Assistantships – Training Provided

All PhD students complete two semesters of Teaching Assistantship (TA) prior to graduation. We provide training before you enter an undergraduate classroom for the first time .

It is expected that you will complete this requirement during your third (3rd) through eighth (8th) semesters. TA assignments will be based on your background and interests, and department needs.

Teaching Assistantships require 10 hours per week on average, and may involve organizing and leading discussion sections, grading homework and quizzes, assisting in the development of course materials and supervising laboratory sessions. More information

The final examination is normally administered by the same committee as the Research Proposal Defense, and successful defense of the dissertation requires at least four (4) affirmative votes, including the affirmative vote of the dissertation advisor. A negative vote by the dissertation advisor means that the student fails.

Details concerning important dates and deadlines, format of the dissertation/thesis, filing of intention to graduate, committee approval, and additional details may be found in the Graduate Bulletin or at The Graduate School website .

Civil and Systems Engineering, PhD

Whiting school of engineering.

Department website: https://engineering.jhu.edu/case/

The PhD program at the Johns Hopkins University  Department of Civil and Systems Engineering   aims to inspire the leaders of tomorrow to take on the challenge of creating and sustaining engineered systems that underpin  our society , from the built environment to public health systems .  Our graduate students work with faculty members who are world-renowned leaders in their fields and contribute to research that has a tremendous impact on society. The graduate program focuses on three fundamental areas of Structural Engineering, Mechanics of Materials, and Systems Engineering. Examples of current projects include fracture and fatigue in materials and structural systems, design of additively manufactured architected materials, earthquake engineering, and applying systems approaches to improving patient flow in hospitals and predicting virus outbreak.

Students graduate from the program with a sense of the responsibility that the civil and systems engineering profession accepts for applying the principles of engineering sciences for the betterment of the built environment and society. Its graduates have an appreciation of professional ethics and the value of service to their profession and society through participation in technical activities, and in community, state, and national organizations.

Both undergraduates and master's students are encouraged to apply to the PhD program in Civil and Systems Engineering. Once accepted to the program, students can pursue an area of interest in  Systems ,  Structures , and/or  Mechanics of Materials . Students do not need a civil engineering degree to apply - students from all technical backgrounds are welcome.

Financial Support

Financial support from the Department of Civil and Systems Engineering for PhD students provides full tuition, health insurance coverage, matriculation fee, and a 12-month stipend for enrollment for the entire duration of the program when PhD students are in a fulltime, resident status.

• Apply online
• Frequently Asked Questions  on the CaSE  Admissions page
• Full-Time Engineering Graduate Admissions

Program Requirements

PhD student requirements for the Civil and Systems Engineering Department include:

• 8 Courses at the 600- or 700-level, completed with a grade of B or better
• Two years/four semesters of graduate seminar courses (Fall semester – EN.560.691 Graduate Seminar , Spring semester – EN.560.692 Civil Engineering and Systems Engineering Graduate Seminar )

Department Qualifying Examination (DQE)

• AS.360.625 Responsible Conduct of Research short course
• EN.500.603 Graduate Orientation and Academic Ethics short course
• Final PhD Thesis Defense and Graduate Board Oral Examination (GBO)

There are a number of Whiting School of Engineering policies related to PhD students.

Typical Timeline for PhD Students

Note :  Teaching is an important component of PhD education and students may therefore be assigned teaching assistant duties during one or more semesters.  

Language/Communication Testing and Placement

All PhD students who do not have a prior degree from an English speaking university must take an English Language Assessment. If it is determined at the assessment that the student needs further English language instruction, they will be required to take AS.370.602 American English Pronunciation or equivalent.

Determination of Permanent Advisor

Students are admitted to work with a specific advisor, the faculty member, listed in the offer letter. If several faculty in the Department of Civil and Systems Engineering expressed a strong desire to work with the student, a nominal advisor will be assigned before the first semester to aid in course selection and provide general advice on PhD degree requirements. In this case, a permanent research advisor, from the faculty who expressed interest, will be selected by the end of the first semester.

A PhD student will not be able to remain in good standing with their academic and research progress if they do not have a research advisor. A student who is without a research/dissertation advisor for a period of 3 months may be placed on probation or terminated from the PhD program.

Intersession

Intersession (the period between Fall and Spring terms) is an important time for research. Any leave taken during intersession is subject to the policies outlined in the  Leave of Absence Guidelines. Release time (if any) granted in that period must be approved by the advisor.

The DQE is a comprehensive oral exam to determine whether or not the student is properly prepared to continue in the PhD program. All first-year students studying for a PhD take the DQE towards the end of their second semester, typically in May of the first year. This exam evaluates whether the student is prepared to continue in their PhD studies based on their research progress to date and plans for future research, as well as a grasp of the underlying mathematics and engineering concepts.  Possible outcomes of the exam are Pass, Retake, or Fail.  Only an outcome of Pass is considered passing the exam. If the student receives a Retake, they are provided a single retake of the exam, typically in the Fall of the second year. Possible outcomes of this exam retake are Pass or Fail.  If the outcome of the exam is Fail, the student may pursue, with approval from the chair, a MSE degree. Financial support for a student beyond a failed DQE is not typical.

Annual Reviews

Reviews of all PhD students in Civil and Systems Engineering must be performed annually prior to January 31, and are consistent with the WSE policy found in the Graduate Student Academic Review Policy.  The review process follows the format given in the annual review form . The completed form must be submitted to the Academic Program Administrator by January 31. If this annual review is not completed by this date, the student’s funding may be jeopardized.

PhD Thesis Committee

Every PhD student must have a Thesis Committee of at least 3 faculty members. The advisor, in consultation with their student, selects the makeup of the committee, and this information is recorded in the student’s file. The student is encouraged to meet with this committee a minimum of once per year. The thesis committee also typically serves as a subset of the actual GBO examination committee and forms the final PhD defense committee. This committee must consist of a minimum of 2 full-time faculty of the Civil and Systems Engineering Department.

Responsible Conduct of Research

Every PhD student of the Whiting School of Engineering is required to take the Responsible Conduct of Research course (details on the requirement can be found on the WSE Policy on the Responsible Conduct of Research Training webpage). For Civil and Systems Engineering students, this should be completed in the Fall or Spring of the first year of studies. Students who do not complete this requirement prior to Fall of their third year of studies may put their funding in jeopardy.

GBO Examination

The University maintains complete guidelines for the Graduate Board Orals  here.  The GBO committee consists of 5 members, (3 in department, 2 outside) with 2 alternates (1 in department, 1 outside) and is selected by the Department Chair and the Director of Graduate Studies, who will consult with the student’s advisor. The GBO in the Civil and Systems Engineering Department is a Final Exam and therefore held simultaneously with the student’s thesis defense. Both students and advisors should be aware that 4-8 weeks advance notice is needed in order to allow for scheduling the exam with the faculty and with the Graduate Board.

The student should provide a copy of the dissertation to the GBO committee at least 2 weeks prior to the exam. The exact format of each GBO examination is specified by the individual Chair of the GBO committee; however, a typical format is described here. The public thesis defense is conducted (see below) followed by a private examination conducted by the GBO committee. The examination questions may be on any topic of the committee members’ choosing, but many of the questions relate to the student’s research. At the conclusion of the examination, the GBO committee will recommend one of the following outcomes: pass, conditional pass, fail with re-examination, fail (final).

M.S.E. Degree for PhD Students

PhD students may petition for a non-terminal M.S.E. degree following a passed DQE.  If a student fails the DQE, they may petition for a terminal M.S.E. degree. In all instances, the student must have satisfied the M.S.E. degree course requirements.

In instances where the research is highly interdepartmental, the student, with permission of the advisor, may request that the M.S.E. degree be awarded by another department in the Whiting School of Engineering. In such cases, the student must have satisfied M.S.E. degree requirements and receive approval from the awarding department, as well as satisfied M.S.E. degree requirements of the Department of Civil and Systems Engineering and receive approval from our Department Chair. In all cases, the awarding of any JHU M.S.E. degree to a civil and systems engineering PhD student may only occur after the student has completed the DQE.

Thesis Defense

The Thesis Defense, together with the GBO, is the final examination before the conferral of the PhD degree. The student defends their  thesis in a seminar setting that is open to the public. The seminar is followed by a comprehensive examination of the student by the GBO committee.

Ethics : The Department of Civil and Systems Engineering is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of academic and research integrity. Plagiarism, and other forms of unethical conduct, are not tolerated. Students are referred to the JHU Graduate Board Policy webpage and the Whiting School of Engineering's Responsible Conduct of Research Policy for a discussion of ethics and university policies.

Thesis Readers: A committee of at least 3 members is required to read the candidate’s dissertation and sign the Readers Letter confirming that the dissertation meets the standards of a PhD thesis. The letter may be signed at the time of the defense if the thesis is found satisfactory or may be signed at a later time if corrections are required. The Advisor in consultation with the department selects the committee members, at least 2 of whom must be full-time faculty of our department. The 3 readers are also expected to serve on the GBO committee.  Selection of the readers should be done at the beginning of the semester in which the student plans to graduate. It is the student’s responsibility to keep the committee members apprised of all deadline dates.

Scheduling and Pre-Defense: The Defense should be scheduled, at least 4 weeks in advance through the department’s Academic Program Administrator. A complete written dissertation should be given to the GBO committee at least 14 days in advance of the exam. Failure to meet this 2-week deadline will result in rescheduling the PhD defense and GBO exam. A thesis abstract suitable for advertising the defense should be delivered to the Academic Program Coordinator at least 14 days in advance. The date and place of the Defense, along with the thesis abstract, will be circulated by the department at least 5 days prior to the exam.

Post-Defense : Completion of the PhD requirements typically takes 2-8 weeks after a successful defense examination. All data and source codes related to the thesis should be properly archived according to requirements set forth by the Advisor. Any changes or additions specifically requested by the reviewers before or during the defense seminar should be incorporated into the thesis in consultation with the Advisor. A final copy of the thesis must then be made available to the reviewers for inspection no less than 48 hours before the deadline date for filing set by the Graduate Board.

Additional Information:  It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of requirements and deadlines. It is suggested that this information be obtained before the start of the semester of intended graduation. All students should plan the timing of the final defense accordingly (making sure to account for the 4-8 week period following the defense) to satisfy any deadlines related to upcoming graduation or exhaustion of funding.

University requirements for the thesis can be obtained from the Graduate Board website . Information sheets entitled “Dissertation Requirements” are available to student and contain details on the form, cost, and timing for submitting the thesis. Doctoral Theses must be submitted to both the ETD (Library) and the department. The deadline date for filing is set by the Graduate Board Office. This date also applies to filing with the Whiting School Graduate Committee and with the department. A receipt of ETD approval email must be sent to the Academic Program Coordinator and the Graduate Board/WSE Office of Academic Affairs (for M.S.E students).

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How to Apply to Luddy's Master's Program

Applications are accepted for the spring and fall.

Requirements

• All programs require a bachelor's degree and a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
• The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is optional for master's applicants.

Applied Data Science

• Calculus and linear algebra ( resources )

Programming

• Strong background in computing, information technology, or biology.
• Linear algebra
• Statistics or probability theory
• Data structures
• Discrete structures or discrete mathematics
• Biochemistry
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• Mathematics
• Computer programming (e.g., C, C++, Java, Javascript, or Python)
• Medical terminology
• Human anatomy and physiology

Human-Computer Interaction

Successful applicants should have knowledge and skills in one or more of the following areas:

Proficiency in:

• One or more programming languages (e.g., C, C++, Java, Javascript, or Python)
• Programming methodologies, such as system design and architectures or problem and algorithm analysis
• Other computing knowledge, such as artificial intelligence and database administration

Proficiency with:

• Principles and processes of visual communication, industrial design, digital media
• Knowledge and application of 3D animation or modeling tools
• Design methodologies for 2D and 3D product development
• Conceptual modeling, prototyping, and product delivery
• Fundamental concepts of visual communication (e.g., page design/layout)
• Design principles, typography, and color theory
• Application of digital authoring tools for Web or interface design

Social Sciences

Coursework in:

• Psychology (general, cognitive, and behavioral)
• Sociology and anthropology (ethnography)
• Cross-cultural psychology and communication, information management, or information and library science
• Business, product strategy, management, marketing, and related areas

Library and Information Science

• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or 3.2 in the latest graduate degree or representative graduate hours.
• GRE scores are required for applicants not meeting minimum GPA requirements.

Application Deadlines

• January 15 (Early action)
• March 1 (International)
• May 1 (Domestic)
• June 1 (MLIS students)
• August 1 (International)
• October 1 (Domestic)
• November 15 (MLIS students)
• March 1 (MLIS students only)

Application Instructions

The Graduate Admissions Committee will review applications when all required materials are submitted and received and the $70 application fee is paid by the deadlines indicated.

Personal Statement

MLIS Program

Submit a 750-1,500-word personal statement. Your personal statement should indicate the following:

• In what manner do you see yourself as a future library/information leader in your future organization and community?
• What examples can you provide that illustrate how you work as a constructive member of a team to solve problems?
• Provide your perspective on or experiences with technology in information services.

All other M.S. programs

Submit a 500-750 word personal statement in your own words indicating

• Why you’re applying to the program
• Your post-graduation career plans

The  IU Writing Center  provides instructions on how to write a personal statement and avoid plagiarism.

Transcripts

Upload transcripts and/or academic documents for every institution of higher education you attended to the online application. If a transcript is not in English, upload an English translation certified by the college issuing the transcript.   We do not require hard copies of transcripts for application review. You do not need to physically mail any documents for admissions purposes.

Applicants with a bachelor’s , master’s or professional degree from a non-U.S. institution are encouraged to submit an official course-by-course transcript evaluation completed by one of the following credential evaluators:

• World Education Services (WES)
• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)

All transcripts and/or academic documents uploaded with the online application are considered unofficial. Your unofficial transcript will be used for application review and admission. If you are admitted, you must submit your official hard copy transcripts. If you are currently finishing your bachelor’s degree, you must submit a document that certifies the awarding of the degree.

We accept official electronic transcripts submitted directly from the awarding institution.  Those transcripts can be submitted to our admissions team at  [email protected] .

We do not require transcripts from Indiana University campuses.

Three (3) letters of recommendation are required from either academic or professional sources. Recommendation information is submitted though the online application by the applicant and an email request will be sent automatically to the recommender on your behalf.

Master of Library and Information Science applicants only need 2 letters of recommendation.

Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) listing your education, work experience, research, honors, and awards.

Master of LIbrary and Information Science applicants do not need to submit a resume or CV.

Portfolio (HCI only)

Applicants should submit a portfolio of projects (a link to an online portfolio or in PDF format). Applicants also should specify in the portfolio or resume their specific role and contribution to the portfolio projects. Applicants without an HCI-related background or experience should provide samples of projects completed in related areas, academic writing, published papers, software or programs, or any other evidence of scholarship or professional artifacts. There is no set format for the submission of the portfolio. The portfolio is the opportunity for the applicant to demonstrate persuasively the skills, knowledge, and potential ability to engage and contribute in high-quality, creative projects in human-computer interaction.

TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo

Submit proof of English proficiency if your native language is not English. This requirement may be waived if you are a citizen of the United States or a country where English is the official language for higher education, are completing your bachelor’s or master’s degree in the United States or a country that is predominately English speaking .

On-Campus Programs (except Computer Science)

90 TOEFL, 7.0 IELTS, or 130 Duolingo

On-Campus Computer Science Program

80 TOEFL, 6.5 IELTS, or 115 Duolingo

100% Online Programs:

100 TOEFL or 7.5 IELTS

Upload a copy of your test score results in the Documents Section (under Test Score Report upload option) on the online application.  TOEFL test results may also be sent through ETS to IU Indianapolis school code 1325.

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Students completing their degree requirements during any summer 2024 session must apply to graduate by Saturday, June 16, in MyPNW on the Graduation tab. This application is required whether or not you plan to participate in a Commencement ceremony. Information from the application is used to order your diploma.

Summer graduates may participate in the December 2024 Commencement ceremony.

For more information regarding Graduation requirements and Commencement participation, visit the Pre-Graduation Guide for critical deadlines and valuable resources.

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