PhD Materials Science and Engineering at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Doctor of Philosophy program in materials science and engineering draws on a fundamental base of knowledge, with underpinnings in physics, chemistry and engineering. The program extends that knowledge to help you address a wide variety of materials-driven challenges, such as energy efficiency, sustainability, functional nanostructures, electronic materials, biomaterials and polymers.

What you will study

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation Required Core (12 credit hours) MSE 523 Structural and Mechanical Properties of Materials (3) MSE 524 Advanced Thermodynamics (3) MSE 525 Fundamentals of Electrical, Optical and Magnetic Materials and Device Applications (3) MSE 561 Phase Transformations, Kinetics and Diffusion in Solids (3) Electives (3-18 credit hours) Research (24-39 credit hours) MSE 792 Research Other Requirement (3 credit hours) MSE 591 Seminar (3) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) MSE 799 Dissertation (12) Additional Curriculum Information Students entering the program with a bachelor's degree are required to complete a minimum of 18 credit hours of elective coursework.

Career pathways

Graduates are prepared for professional careers in materials science and engineering and related fields in industry, government and educational institutions. Career examples: engineer, engineering manager or director, engineering professor, research engineer.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited U.S. or international institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 in an applicable master's degree program. Admission to the materials science and engineering doctoral program is highly competitive. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts personal statement resume or curriculum vitae three letters of recommendation proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. Once the application file is complete, the file is forwarded to the faculty admission committee for evaluation and recommendation.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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