2023-2024

Mechanical Engineering, Master of Science

Department of Mechanical Engineering

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

This program assists students who wish to further their engineering education and acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle challenging contemporary engineering problems. The plan of study features courses, on classical and contemporary topics, that prepare students on how to use traditional and modern engineering analysis, characterization and design tools to generate efficient and economic engineering solutions for dynamically evolving societal environments.

  • To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.

    Read the full policy here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 30
Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Optional
Thesis Thesis may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Oral Defense Oral Defense may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Research Individualized research is required.
Progression Plan Link View Program of Study
Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan Optional

Purpose Statement

The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering aims to educate mechanical engineers in advanced topic related to fluid mechanics, heat transfer, advanced materials, dynamics and controls, and applied mathematics. Through coursework and research, students are exposed to modern theories and techniques required to tackle modeling, analysis, and characterization of advanced mechanical systems. Upon completion of the program, students acquire knowledge and skills that provide them with a high level of versatility toward practicing successfully in the contemporary mechanical engineering environment, advancing their existent careers, or pursuing further studies in a doctoral program. Many mechanical engineers with advanced degrees are at the forefront of technological advances, researching, designing, creating, and testing nearly everything. Students’ exposure to the diverse topics covered in the coursework and research enhance their competitiveness in the local, regional, and global job markets. Our graduates can practice in many industries, including automotive, robotics, bioengineering, wind energy, solar energy, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Solve, analyze, evaluate, and interpret results of complex mechanical engineering problems.
  • Analyze and critically evaluate information from the scientific literature on mechanical engineering.
  • Conduct mechanical engineering research, apply mechanical engineering concepts and tools to research problems, and interpret results of mechanical engineering research.
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively mechanical engineering theories and methodologies and the results of a research study.

Graduate Admission Information

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

    • GRE® Revised General Test
    • BS degree in Engineering or completion of prerequisite courses (see department website for details)
    • 3 letters of recommendation
    • Personal statement or essay
Master's Requirements

  • This Master’s degree requires 30 units distributed as follows:

    • Graduate-level mathematics or statistics: (3 units)
    • Engineering Computational Techniques: (3 units)
    • Engineering coursework: (12 units)
    • Research: (6 units)
    • Graduate Seminar: (2 units)
    • Electives: (4 units)

    Take the following 30 units:
  • Graduate-level Mathematics or Statistics (3 units)
    • Coursework in applied mathematics in a relevant topic such as linear algebra, partial differential equations, or applied mathematics modeling (3 units)
  • Engineering Computational Techniques (3 units)
    • Select a course such as ME 525, ME 554, or ME 599 - Advanced FEM and CFD, in consultation with your advisor.
  • Graduate Seminar (2 units)
  • Additional electives in consultation with your advisor. (4 units)
  • Notes
    • A maximum of two courses, up to 6 units, may be at the 400-level.
    • Students selecting the thesis option are required to complete 18 unit of formal letter-graded coursework. No 400-level coursework may apply toward this requirement.
    • Students selecting the coursework option must complete 24 units of formal letter-graded coursework.
    • A maximum of 6 credits can be taken online for this degree.

  • Since the Mechanical Engineering MS program emphasizes interdisciplinary topics, students may wish to take courses outside of their primary emphasis area. Some courses may require prior completion of prerequisite courses.

    If you choose to complete a thesis:

    • You are responsible for finding the chair and members of your advisory committee before completing 9 units of coursework.
    • You must submit a plan of study that lists all coursework intended to satisfy the MS degree requirements by the first month of the semester in which you take your 10th credit. The elective and math/statistics courses are selected in consultation with and acceptable to the student's graduate committee and its chair.
Additional Information

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

  • This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree.

  • Program Fee Information

  • Program fees are established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). A program fee of $450 per semester has been approved for this program.