Mechanical Engineering
Master of Science
Online
Course Delivery
30
Total Credits
$995
Credit Hour
2 Years
Minimum Duration
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering program draws MSU's connections to the industry as well as the extensive expertise of our faculty. With two high-demand tracks of study Thermal Fluids Science and Engineering, and Mechanics, Dynamics, and Manufacturing the program offers students the flexibility to tailor their education to their career goals. Additional advanced topics covered in the program include additive manufacturing,
The two mechanical engineering tracks currently available are:
- Thermal Fluids Science and Engineering
- Mechanics, Dynamics, and Manufacturing
Program Outcomes
The Mechanical Engineering Department will offer a world-class educational experience for graduate students that is enhanced by modern technology and is accessible to all segments of society. By completing the program, students will gain expertise in a contemporary area of interest to them as well as engineering leadership skills to help them push their own knowledge and their discipline forward.
- To gain expertise in a focus area of contemporary interest
- To develop engineering leadership with the advanced knowledge in a concentration of interest
- To use the mechanical engineering graduate education as an impetus for personal and professional growth
- To achieve a noteworthy level of workplace responsibility
- To think independently and take ownership in identifying problems and determining effective solution strategies
Career Outlook
Graduates will be prepared for a variety of careers across the field of mechanical engineering. Additionally, MSU College of Engineering alumni earn highly competitive salaries, with the average salary for masters-level engineering student exceeding $109,000, according to PayScale. Common career options for graduates include engineering manager, senior mechanical engineer, project engineer and more.
A Top-Ranked Education
- 63 Best Online Master's in Engineering Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- 63rd among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #8 Best Online Master's in Business Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
Dr. Lik Chuan Lee
Associate Professor
Dr. Lik Chuan Lee is an Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department. His research focus is in computational mechanics, biomechanics, numerical methods, patient-specific computer simulations and cardiovascular modeling.
Course Information
Core
ME 465- Computer Aided Optimal Design (3 Credits)
ME 800 - Mechanical Engineering Analysis (3 Credits)
ME 810 - Advanced Classical Thermodynamics (3 Credits)
ME 812 - Conductive Heat Transfer (3 Credits)
ME 814 - Convective Heat Transfer (3 Credits)
ME 820 - Continuum Mechanics (3 Credits)
ME 821- Linear Elasticity (3 Credits)
ME 830 - Fluid Mechanics I (3 Credits)
ME 860 - Theory of Vibrations (3 Credits)
ME 861 - Advanced Dynamics (3 Credits)
ME 812 - Conductive Heat Transfer (3 Credits)
ME 814 - Convective Heat Transfer (3 Credits)
ME 820 - Continuum Mechanics (3 Credits)
ME 821- Linear Elasticity (3 Credits)
ME 830 - Fluid Mechanics I (3 Credits)
ME 860 - Theory of Vibrations (3 Credits)
ME 861 - Advanced Dynamics (3 Credits)
Learning Experiences
Total credit requirement: 30 credits
Students must complete a minimum of 21 credits (7 courses) in classes at the 800 level or above.
Students may earn a maximum of 9 credits from courses outside of Mechanical Engineering and a maximum of 9 credits from courses in any department at the 400 level.
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
Four-year undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering or closely related field Applicants without a degree in mechanical engineering must, during the course of study, show proficiency in three of the following courses: ME 332 Fluid Mechanics, ME 451 Controls, ME 410: Heat Transfer, ME 461 Vibrations, and ME 423 Intermediate Mechanics of Deformable Solids. - 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
- CV/Résumé
- Taken the TOEFL (Only required if English is not your native language)
- A written personal statement
Your academic statement should describe your plans for graduate study, career goals, and how the program will help you meet your objectives (2 pages). Your personal statement should concisely describe how your background and life experiences influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree (2 pages). - 3 letters of recommendation
Applicants should request letters of recommendation through the graduate education portal. Once their contact information is entered, the MSU application system will reach out to the letter writers. - Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete university graduate application and pay the application fee.
- Submit all materials to the application portal.
- GRE scores are not required for domestic students, but they may help to bolster your application. GRE test scores must be provided directly from the Educational Testing Service. The GRE department code is 1203.
Key Dates
This program accepts rolling applications. Students can start the program in any semester. We recommend applications are submitted at least one month prior to the start of the semester to allow time for processing.
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$995
$995
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering program draws MSU's connections to the industry as well as the extensive expertise of our faculty. With two high-demand tracks of study Thermal Fluids Science and Engineering, and Mechanics, Dynamics, and Manufacturing the program offers students the flexibility to tailor their education to their career goals. Additional advanced topics covered in the program include additive manufacturing,
The two mechanical engineering tracks currently available are:
- Thermal Fluids Science and Engineering
- Mechanics, Dynamics, and Manufacturing
Program Outcomes
The Mechanical Engineering Department will offer a world-class educational experience for graduate students that is enhanced by modern technology and is accessible to all segments of society. By completing the program, students will gain expertise in a contemporary area of interest to them as well as engineering leadership skills to help them push their own knowledge and their discipline forward.
- To gain expertise in a focus area of contemporary interest
- To develop engineering leadership with the advanced knowledge in a concentration of interest
- To use the mechanical engineering graduate education as an impetus for personal and professional growth
- To achieve a noteworthy level of workplace responsibility
- To think independently and take ownership in identifying problems and determining effective solution strategies
Career Outlook
Graduates will be prepared for a variety of careers across the field of mechanical engineering. Additionally, MSU College of Engineering alumni earn highly competitive salaries, with the average salary for masters-level engineering student exceeding $109,000, according to PayScale. Common career options for graduates include engineering manager, senior mechanical engineer, project engineer and more.
A Top-Ranked Education
- 63 Best Online Master's in Engineering Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- 63rd among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #8 Best Online Master's in Business Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
Dr. Lik Chuan Lee
Associate Professor
Dr. Lik Chuan Lee is an Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department. His research focus is in computational mechanics, biomechanics, numerical methods, patient-specific computer simulations and cardiovascular modeling.
Course Information
Core
ME 465- Computer Aided Optimal Design (3 Credits)
ME 800 - Mechanical Engineering Analysis (3 Credits)
ME 810 - Advanced Classical Thermodynamics (3 Credits)
ME 812 - Conductive Heat Transfer (3 Credits)
ME 814 - Convective Heat Transfer (3 Credits)
ME 820 - Continuum Mechanics (3 Credits)
ME 821- Linear Elasticity (3 Credits)
ME 830 - Fluid Mechanics I (3 Credits)
ME 860 - Theory of Vibrations (3 Credits)
ME 861 - Advanced Dynamics (3 Credits)
ME 812 - Conductive Heat Transfer (3 Credits)
ME 814 - Convective Heat Transfer (3 Credits)
ME 820 - Continuum Mechanics (3 Credits)
ME 821- Linear Elasticity (3 Credits)
ME 830 - Fluid Mechanics I (3 Credits)
ME 860 - Theory of Vibrations (3 Credits)
ME 861 - Advanced Dynamics (3 Credits)
Learning Experiences
Total credit requirement: 30 credits
Students must complete a minimum of 21 credits (7 courses) in classes at the 800 level or above.
Students may earn a maximum of 9 credits from courses outside of Mechanical Engineering and a maximum of 9 credits from courses in any department at the 400 level.
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
Four-year undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering or closely related field Applicants without a degree in mechanical engineering must, during the course of study, show proficiency in three of the following courses: ME 332 Fluid Mechanics, ME 451 Controls, ME 410: Heat Transfer, ME 461 Vibrations, and ME 423 Intermediate Mechanics of Deformable Solids. - 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
- CV/Résumé
- Taken the TOEFL (Only required if English is not your native language)
- A written personal statement
Your academic statement should describe your plans for graduate study, career goals, and how the program will help you meet your objectives (2 pages). Your personal statement should concisely describe how your background and life experiences influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree (2 pages). - 3 letters of recommendation
Applicants should request letters of recommendation through the graduate education portal. Once their contact information is entered, the MSU application system will reach out to the letter writers. - Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete university graduate application and pay the application fee.
- Submit all materials to the application portal.
- GRE scores are not required for domestic students, but they may help to bolster your application. GRE test scores must be provided directly from the Educational Testing Service. The GRE department code is 1203.
Key Dates
This program accepts rolling applications. Students can start the program in any semester. We recommend applications are submitted at least one month prior to the start of the semester to allow time for processing.
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$995
$995
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
The MSU Value Promise
You can be ensured a return on your investment at Michigan State University.
As one of the top research universities in the world, Michigan State University has advanced the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years.
MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community.
MSU has been offering online degree programs for over 20 years. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.
MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.
MSU actively collaborates with campus and external partners to innovate across all dimensions of graduate education. We create and support networks that increase collaboration and improve educational opportunities for our online students.
MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.
Continuing education can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals. With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.