Graduate Degree Programs

Current graduate students are encouraged to track their progress towards graduation each semester. The following information will outline all the required steps within each respective program.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is designed to give students in-depth study in a particular research emphasis. Doctorate students have more say in crafting their topics and designing their research. In the workforce, doctorate graduates earn more than graduates with only a master’s. They have the flexibility to choose a career in industry, research, or education.

Ph.D. Proposal and Dissertation Defense Summaries Guide

Timeline


1st Semester
Find Faculty Advisor
Submit Program Declaration Form
3rd Semester
Week 1
- Turn in Ph.D. Qualifying Exam Registration Form
Week 13
- Pass Qualifying Exam
4th Semester (or within 1 semester of passing qualifying exam)
Form Supervisory Committee
5th Semester (or within 2 semesters of passing qualifying exam)
Schedule Proposal Defense:
- Provide a copy of your proposal to your committee at least two weeks prior to your defense
- Coordinate the date, time, and location for the defense
- Submit the Ph.D. Research Proposal Abstract Announcement at least one week prior to your defense
After Proposal Defense:
- Turn in Ph.D. Report of Research Proposal Defense
- with Ph.D. Research Proposal Summary
Apply for Milestone Master
6th Semester
Turn in Program of Study Form
- Ph.D. Post-BS Program of Study
- Ph.D. Post-BS Robotics Track Program of Study
- Ph.D. Post-BS Design and Manufacturing Track Program of Study
- Ph.D. Post-MS Program of Study
- Ph.D. Post-MS Robotics Track Program of Study
- Ph.D. Post-MS Design and Manufacturing Track Program of Study
7th Semester
Apply to graduate in CIS or by using the Graduation Application form
- Please visit the Office of the Registrar page for graduation deadlines and instructions for how to apply in CIS
8th Semester
Schedule Dissertation Defense
- Provide a copy of your dissertation to your committee at least two weeks prior to your defense
- Coordinate the date, time, and location for the defense
- Submit the Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Abstract Announcement at least 1 week prior to defense
After Dissertation Defense
- Turn in Ph.D. Report of Dissertation Defense
- with Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Summary
- Complete Dissertation Release

Coursework


Post B.S.Post M.S.
15 Credit Hours - ME EN 6XXX6 Credit Hours - ME EN 6XXX
9 Credit Hours - ME EN 7XXX6 Credit Hours - ME EN 7XXX
15 Credit Hours - Math, Science or Engineering 6XXX/7XXX6 Credit Hours - Math, Science or Engineering 6XXX/7XXX
14 Credit Hours - ME EN 797014 Credit Hours - ME EN 7970

**Courses must be completed with a B- or better with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher

The thesis-track option is a research-oriented degree. Distinguish yourself from the large number of students with bachelor’s degrees by increasing your knowledge, interests, and training with an M.S. Degree.

 

Timeline


1st Semester
Find Faculty Advisor
Submit Program Declaration Form
2nd Semester
Form Supervisory Committee
3rd Semester
Turn in Program of Study Form
- M.S. Thesis Program of Study
Apply to graduate in CIS or by using the Graduation Application form
- Please visit the Office of the Registrar page for graduation deadlines and instructions for how to apply in CIS
4th Semester
Thesis Defense
- Work with your committee to arrange a date and time
- Work with the graduate advisor to schedule a room in MEK
- M.S. Thesis Announcement Template (due 2 weeks prior to defense)
- M.S. Thesis Oral Defense Form
- M.S. Thesis Approval Forms
Complete Thesis Release
- Graduation Overview for Master's Candidates
- Thesis Office

Coursework


Courses
12 Credit Hours - ME EN 6XXX/7XXX
9 Credit Hours - Math, Science or Engineering 6XXX/7XXX
9 Credit Hours - ME EN 6975

**Courses must be completed with a B- or better with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher

The non-thesis option is a degree based on in-depth coursework in a focus area with breadth provided from electives taken in other areas (engineering, math and science). Distinguish yourself from the large number of students with bachelor’s degrees by increasing your knowledge, interests, and training with an M.S. Degree.

 

Timeline


1st Semester
Find Faculty Advisor or use Standard Committee (Director of Graduate Studies and Department Co-Chairs)
Submit Program Declaration Form
2nd Semester
Form Supervisory Committee or use Standard Committee (Director of Graduate Studies and Department Co-Chairs
3rd Semester
Turn in Program of Study Form
- M.S. Non-Thesis Program of Study
Apply to graduate in CIS or by using the Graduation Application form
- Please visit the Office of the Registrar page for graduation deadlines and instructions for how to apply in CIS
4th Semester
Meet with Graduate Advisor to complete exit interview

Coursework


Courses
15 Credit Hours - ME EN 6XXX/7XXX
15 Credit Hours - Math, Science or Engineering 6XXX/7XXX

**Courses must be completed with a B- or better with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher

For undergraduate students interested in pursuing a Master’s degree, the Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a combined degree program intended to foster undergraduate research (thesis option), provide an in-depth educational experience in a specific area of interest (thesis and non-thesis options), and to accelerate progress toward the M.S. degree. Read more about the BS/MS program here.

Admission


B.S./M.S. Requirements
Mechanical Engineering Major at the University of Utah
Get Pre-Screened in third year in the major (thesis or non-thesis master's), or by first semester of final year (non-thesis master's)
Undergraduate GPA - minimum 3.0
1 name of faculty member we could contact for a reference (thesis master's only; list on screening form)

Timeline


B.S. Junior/Third Year
Semester 1 (On-Cycle - Fall/Winter, Off-Cycle - Spring/Summer)
- Find Faculty Advisor (thesis master's only)
Semester 2
- Fill out Pre-Screening Application for BS/MS Program (On-Cycle Deadline - March 15, Off-Cycle Deadline - October 15)(Can apply as late as first semester of senior year for non-thesis master's)
-Meet with BS/MS Advisor after filling out Pre-Screening form
B.S. Senior/Final Year
Semester 1 or 2
-Take 2 technical electives at the graduate level
Semester 2
- Apply to Graduate School (Please visit the Future Students page for deadlines)
M.S. Year* Timeline
Semester 1
- Turn in Request for Graduate Credit Form
-Submit Program Declaration Form
Semester 2
- Form Supervisory Committee (non-thesis can be Mark Fehlberg)
Second to Last Semester
- Submit B.S./M.S. Program of Study
BS/MS Non-Thesis Program of Study
BSMS Thesis Program of Study
(submit to Grad Advisor after registering for final semester or by first week of final semester)

- Apply to graduate in CIS or by using the Graduation Application form
- Please visit the Office of the Registrar page for graduation deadlines and instructions for how to apply in CIS
Final Semester
-Thesis Defense (thesis masters only)
- Work with your committee to arrange a date and time
- Work with the graduate advisor to schedule a room in MEK
- M.S. Thesis Announcement Template (due 2 weeks prior to defense)
- M.S. Thesis Oral Defense Form
- M.S. Thesis Approval Forms

-M.S. Non-thesis-complete exit interview with graduate advisor
*may take longer than a year if part time or thesis research or defense is delayed

Coursework


During B.S.
6 Credit Hours - Approved undergrad-level technical electives for B.S.
6 Credit Hours - ME EN 6XXX (or other graduate-level tech elective upon consultation with your faculty advisor or Director of Graduate Studies)
You may take up to an additional 6 Credit Hours of Math, Science or Engineering 6XXX/7XXX to count towards your MS degree
During M.S.
6 Credit Hours - ME EN 6XXX/7XXX Thesis Master's/15 Credit Hours Non-Thesis Master's
9 Credit Hours - Math, Science or Engineering 6XXX/7XXX (or fewer if additional credits taken during B.S. program)
9 Credit Hours - ME EN 6975 (thesis-Master's only)

**A total of 30 graduate credit hours are needed for the M.S. degree
**Courses must be completed with a B- or better with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher

***Turn in Request for Graduate Credit Form form for the minimum of 6 credits (if you took 4 tech electives total) and no more than 12 credits (if you took 6 tech electives total) of 6XXX courses taken during your BS years. Once these courses have been flagged for graduate credit, you can no longer use them to fulfill undergraduate requirements.

The M.S./M.B.A. program combines students’ applied interests and training in Engineering with the comprehensive business sense developed in a full-time MBA program. The result is a professional comfortable moving between technical and the commercial issues. M.S./M.B.A. graduates will be, with appropriate experience, qualified to direct or manage the transition of new products, processes and systems from the laboratory to the board room. Students must be admitted to both degree programs separately.

MS/MBA Sample Degree Plan. Email ftmba@utah.edu with MBA questions and to verify admission and current degree requirements.  Please also visit the M.S./M.B.A. Engineering Program page

Timeline


1st Semester
Find Faculty Advisor
Submit Program Declaration Form
2nd Semester
Form Supervisory Committee
3rd Semester
Turn in M.S.-M.B.A. Program of Study
Apply to graduate in CIS or by using the Graduation Application form
- Please visit the Office of the Registrar page for graduation deadlines and instructions for how to apply in CIS
4th/5th Semester
Complete exit interview with Mechanical Engineering graduate advisor. See Business advisor regarding any exams or interviews required for graduation with the MBA.

Coursework


Courses
15 Credit Hours - ME EN 6XXX/7XXX
6 Credit Hours - Math, Science or Engineering 6XXX/7XXX
9 Credit Hours - Dual Counted Courses

Math, Science or Engineering courses must be completed with a B- or better with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher