PhD Mechanical Engineering at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Doctor of Philosophy program in mechanical engineering provides you with original research and a sound foundation in technical fundamentals, communication and professionalism. To this end, you have access to a broad-based curriculum in design, system dynamics and control; fluid mechanics and aerodynamics; mechanics and dynamics of solids and structures; transport phenomena; thermodynamics; and energy. Modern computational and laboratory facilities are available to support timely research investigations.

What you will study

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation 84 credit hours qualifying exams written and oral comprehensive exams prospectus dissertation All students pursuing the doctorate are required to pass both a qualifying and a comprehensive examination administered by the program committee.

Career pathways

Graduates of the PhD program have a strong background for employment in academic institutions, government laboratories and industrial research laboratories with a focus on mechanical engineering. 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 from an accredited U.S. or international institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. 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. Admission to the mechanical engineering doctoral program is highly competitive, and preferred applicants have an undergraduate or Master of Science degree in aerospace engineering or mechanical engineering.

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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