Graduate programs

Receiving NAU credit for courses taken at another institution requires the completion of a transfer credit petition. This petition must be approved by your advisor, ME administrators, and the NAU Office of Graduate and Professional Studies before transferred courses will appear on your transcript.

Please see some instructions useful in correctly completing this petition and then contact the Program Coordinator for further assistance.

The authoritative resource for nearly all the important policies governing graduate study is the NAU catalog. In addition, all university forms related to graduate studies can be found on the graduate college website: https://nau.edu/graduate-college/forms/.  These forms include a checklist that will help you to be sure that you are meeting all requirements for graduation.

• Graduate Assistantships– Graduate Teaching Assistantships and Graduate Research Assistantships are available on a competitive basis and availability varies based on the needs of the program. All admitted and continuing Flagstaff Mountain Campus ME graduate students are automatically considered for assistantships; no additional application is necessary. Currently, there are no assistantships for online ME graduate students.  Graduate assistants receive health insurance, tuition remission, and a stipend. Full-time graduate assistants, working 20 hours a week, receive 100% tuition remission, while part-time graduate assistants, working 10 hours a week, receive 50% tuition remission. Stipend amounts vary by the number of hours worked, the type of assistantship, and your degree program.
• Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP)– Some of the NAU Mechanical Engineering graduate programs are part of the WRGP program, so qualified out-of-state students from the western US may be eligible for in-state tuition.
• Financial Aid– Students may be eligible for additional financial aid and scholarships. See the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies webpage on financing your education for more information.

NAU Mechanical Engineering Master’s and PhD Programs – FAQ

1. What are the admission requirements?

• Application Deadlines

• Statement of Purpose: A personal statement outlining the prospective student’s background that prepares them for this program (including educational and/or work experience) and how this program will help prepare them for their future professional goals.  This statement must be original work, not plagiarized.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV): Detailed resume including academic and professional experiences.
• Recommendations:

MS applicants, provide the contact information for two individuals who could serve as a professional reference (these individuals may be former professors, work supervisors or co-workers, mentors, etc.) and speak about the applicant’s ability to succeed in graduate studies. (optional)

PhD applicants, a minimum of two letters of recommendation provided by professional references (i.e., former professors, work supervisors or co-workers, mentors, etc.) who can speak about the applicant’s ability to pursue doctoral studies.

• Test Scores: All international applicants must take an English proficiency test. TOEFL, IELTS, or are accepted with minimum scores:

International students who completed a high school or university education at an institution in an English-speaking country do not need to take an English test.

For more information about test scores, visit NAU’s International graduate program admission webpage.

• Transcripts: Official transcripts showing a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. A Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or completion of prerequisite courses is required.

Optional:

• The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test score (recommended, if available)

2. What is the MS program structure?

• Credit Requirements: A minimum of 30 units of graduate-level courses distributed as follows:
  • 12 units in Mechanical Engineering,
  • 12 units of additional elective coursework that can focus on engineering but could also include  science, business, or management classes,
  • 6 units of thesis, practice-oriented projector, or fieldwork.
  • For details of the required coursework, see the .
• Thesis/Non-Thesis Options: Students can choose between a thesis or a non-thesis track.
• Course Topics: Advanced topics in fluid mechanics, heat transfer, advanced materials, dynamics and controls, and applied mathematics.

3. How long does it take to complete the MS program?

• Duration: The full-time MS program typically takes about 3 to 4 semesters (one and a half to two years).

4. What career opportunities are available after graduation?

• Industries: Graduates can work in automotive, robotics, bioengineering, wind energy, solar energy, and more. Our graduates have gone on to work at Apple, Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, Sandia National Labs, General Atomics, W.L. Gore, Los Alamos Labs, the U.S. Geological Survey, and more! Our MS students also are often highly competitive PhD programs. Our students have gone onto programs at graduate schools such as Cornell, UC Berkeley, and many others.
• Roles: Positions in research, design, testing, and development of mechanical systems.

5. Are there any financial aid options available?

• Assistantships: Teaching and research assistantships may be available. Please reach out to potential faculty advisors with research interests that align with yours to inquire about these opportunities.
• Scholarships: Various scholarships are offered by the Steve Sanghi College of Engineering and the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.

6. Can I pursue this program part-time or online?

• Part-Time: Yes, the program can be pursued part-time.
• Online Options : Many of our classes are available with an online option.

7. What support services are available for graduate students?

• Advising: Academic advisors help plan your course of study.
• Career Services: The Career Development Office assists with job opportunities and career development.
• Research Opportunities: Access to state-of-the-art labs and research projects.