Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) offers a PhD, Master of Science (MS), or Master of Engineering degree (ME). The PhD program requires a dissertation, but the MS degree has a thesis, report, or non-thesis option. Students can choose a plan of study which includes emphasis areas of Solid Mechanics, Dynamics & Controls, Thermal/Fluid Science, Aerospace, and Manufacturing. Students interested in the BS program should look at the Undergraduate Information listed on the Home Page.
The MAE department requires all graduate applicants to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline. Those students who do not have a BS degree in an appropriate engineering discipline may be admitted provisionally and required to complete some remedial requirements.
What is the process to apply?
Students can apply to the MAE graduate program by submitting an official application to Graduate School.
For PhD applicants, the department also offers a free pre-application This pre-application material is reviewed by the department; and if the student qualifies, the Graduate School application fee will be paid.
The pre-application is available to all non-USU graduates. More information is offered below.
When is the Deadline to apply?
The application deadline for Fall is February 20. For those who want to start Spring semester, applications will be reviewed September 15. All applications will be reviewed and decisions made regarding financial assistance at that time. The department decisions will be e-mailed to you along with a packet of information mailed directly to the address on your application.
What if I don't complete the application in time for February 20 or September 15 deadlines?
Applications completed after the deadline will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis and decisions will be made. However, financial awards and fellowships will only be processed on February 20 and September 15.
How do I complete the free Pre-application?
The pre-application is only for PhD students and can be submitted by completing the form online: pre-application Additionally, students will need to e-mail transcripts, GRE test results, TOEFL scores, resume or CV, and any other pertinent information to mae@engineering.usu.edu REQUIRMENTS for this e-mail include using the subject line: Pre-application Step 2 and make sure that all files are compressed to be less than 5 MB. GRE scores will be required before the pre-application can be considered. The department will review your pre-application and contact you by e-mail if they decide to pay your application fee. Please note that payment of the application fee will not guarantee admission into the program.
When I complete the Graduate School's online application to apply to MAE, what information is required?
Students intending to pursue graduate studies at Utah State University must complete and return an Application for Admission to the School of Graduate Studies. http://www.usu.edu/graduateschool/apply/
Materials required with your application are:
- Official Transcript from each institution (except USU) sent directly to the USU School of Graduate Studies. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a notarized translation.
- Admissions Test for MAE is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test. Scores at or above the 40th percentile are required by the School of Graduate Studies. MAE requires a Quantitative 640.
- Recommendation Letters are required; each of the three letters must address the applicant's potential for success in the proposed graduate degree program. If the applicant has been enrolled in school during the last five years, at least two of the letters must come from persons who are familiar with, and can make an authoritative assessment of the applicant's recent academic progress and success.
- Statement of Purpose is submitted with the online application. This statement could include areas of interest for research in the program, titles and dates of any publications you've written, research and related work experience that has prepared you for this degree, and any other relevant information for reviewing your application.
- International Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must demonstrate competency in the English language. A minimum score required on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is 550 (paper based), 213 (computer based), or 80 (Internet based).
What are the department requirements for admission?
A minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0 for MS applicants and 3.3 for PhD applicants is required for the last 60 credits earned. GRE scores should be Verbal 420 and Quantitative 640. However, the department has the ability to waive a low test score if grade point average, work experience, publications, or other application materials offset a score that is below the minimum required by Graduate School or the department.
All MAE graduate students are expected to be well acquainted with either the FORTRAN or C programming language.