test
Mechanical Engineering (Graduate)
Conduct innovative research projects alongside world-class scholars in subject areas such as composite materials, fuel cells, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, drone flight and more.
Mechanical Engineering – Master’s of Science (M.S.) and Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
In the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering department at Montana State, graduate students pioneer knowledge in their field to generate solutions in advanced materials, renewable energy and more. With a variety of degree paths that include a Master of Science (thesis and non-thesis) and Ph.D. options, graduate candidates are able to further their studies in a variety of ways. Mechanical engineering is a diverse field with wide applications, so our candidates work with award-winning faculty on research that spans disciplines and pushes boundaries.
Montana State engineer and assistant professor Chelsea Heveran's concept for creating durable, recyclable structures on Mars and solving some of the most pressing 21st-century infrastructure challenges on Earth was one of only seven entries to win the National Science Foundation's 2026 Idea Machine Competition.
Composite Technologies Research Group
Over the course of three decades, MSU’s Composite Technologies Research Group has
conducted more than 16,000 tests on 500 materials used to make aircraft, wind turbine
blades and other lightweight, durable products.
WICHE Partnered Program
This graduate program honors the WICHE partnership for students from 15 western states. If you’re a resident of a WICHE state, you qualify for tuition significantly less
than standard non-resident tuition. Learn more.
Carnegie Classified
The prestigious Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education® ranks
Montana State University among the Top 5 public, 4-year universities for Very High
Research Activity with a STEM-dominant research doctoral program.
Fund Your Education
The Graduate School at Montana State is dedicated to helping students secure funding during their time at MSU. Some resources the Mechanical Engineering department and Graduate School offer includes:
- The Benjamin Fellowship, given to three new Ph.D. students in the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering
- Internal Fellowship and Funding Opportunities
- External Fellowship and Funding Opportunities
Research Projects
Montana State research in mechanical engineering includes:
- Harnessing design insights from the vibrational motions of honeybees and other insects
- Developing more energy-efficient HVAC systems through integrated building design
- Studying knee injuries in the Neuromuscular Biomechanics Lab
- Making ceramic membranes for converting CO2 into useful products
- Using NRM to study the properties of fluids in motion
Careers after Graduation
Graduate alumni in mechanical engineering embark on a wide range of careers within 10-years of their graduation.
Nearly 60% are working in for-profit and about 21% for government. Top industry employers include US Department of Energy and Los Alamos National Labatory.
Across all career paths the estimated salary of alumni within 10 years of graduation ranges from $90,000 to $150,000+ with an average of $95,000 (source of data Academic Analytics).
Admissions Requirements
Note: no GRE Required.
Each program within the Graduate School at Montana State has its own particular requirements for admission, and the Mechanical Engineering program is no different. To ensure that you start your application on the right foot, please review the admissions requirements for the Mechanical Engineering program. This includes any additional deadlines that the Norm Abjornson College of Engineering may have aside from the Graduate School, which does practice rolling admissions.