Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) distance education program is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or a closely related field who wish to pursue a graduate degree in mechanical engineering. It is a 30 credit hour degree program that does not require a thesis, final oral exam or on-campus residency.
Admission Requirements
- Overall grade point average (GPA) is at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from an accredited institution.
- Undergraduate major is in a technical area which satisfies the prerequisites for graduate coursework in MAE. If you do not hold a BS degree in ME or AE, see the section below, Admission Requirements for Non-Majors.
- Three satisfactory letters of recommendation.
Admission Requirements for Non-Majors (for MS)
Applicants with accredited BS degrees in other areas of engineering, physics, and math may be admitted to our department. If admitted, students are often expected to take 1 to 3 remedial courses to make up for deficiencies depending on their background. These courses are typically taken in the first two semesters alongside first-semester courses or before the student begins taking graduate courses. Alternatively, you can enroll in online courses as a Non-Degree Seeking student to meet enrollment requirements and show success at the graduate level before applying to the program. See MAE Graduate Admission FAQ for more
English Proficiency: TOEFL or IELTS scores (no more than two years old) are required for international applicants unless they have successfully (cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher) completed at least one year of full-time study in a degree program at a regionally accredited four-year US College or university. The Graduate School also accepts Duolingo English Test examination results. A minimum score of 110 is required for full admission to NC State.
Degree Requirements
- Completion of 30 credit hours of graduate-level courses at the 500 or 700 level with an overall grade-point average of 3.0
- Completion of a minimum of six MAE courses
- Completion of three credits of MAE 586 – Project Work in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering
- The remaining three courses may consist of any department-approved graduate-level MAE or non-MAE electives.
MSME distance education students are permitted to take and attend courses on campus. However, approval must be obtained from the Director of Graduate Programs prior to registering. Under no circumstances can more than three courses taken on campus be applied to satisfy the off-campus student’s degree requirements. All requirements for the degree must be completed within six years of enrolling in the first course appearing on the NC State graduate transcript. Admitted students must comply with the Graduate School regulations for continuous enrollment or must request a leave of absence not to exceed one year. Find out more about the degree requirements.
Course Registration
It is preferable to seek admission to the MSME program as soon as possible to ensure integration into the advising process. However, a person does not have to be admitted to a degree program to enroll in an online credit course. Prior to applying to Graduate School, a qualified individual may enroll in Engineering Online courses as a Non-Degree Studies (NDS) student. The NDS classification is designed for individuals who wish to undertake academic work but who are not currently admitted to a degree program. If the student is admitted to the MSME program, a maximum of twelve hours taken as an NDS student or from another institution may apply toward the 30 credit hour requirement. Students register for online courses through Engineering Online. Those who wish to take only a few courses and not pursue a degree do not need to apply for formal program admission to NC State University. However, students who wish to earn the MSME degree must formally apply for admission to the Graduate School. When completing the online application, please be sure to select the “Distance Track” version of the degree.
To register for an Engineering Online course, complete the registration form on the Engineering Online website. Students cannot register through the University MyPack Portal system for Engineering Online courses.
Course Offerings
A list of distance education courses available for each semester can be found on the Engineering Online website. Full-time employed individuals may only enroll in two online courses per semester. It is highly recommended that new students enroll in only one course during their first semester.
The following courses will be available through the Engineering Online program in various semesters.
| MAE 501 Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics | MAE 545 Metrology for Precision Manufacturing |
| MAE 504 Fluid Dynamics of Combustion I | MAE 550 Foundations of Fluid Dynamics |
| MAE 505 Heat Transfer Theory and Application | MAE 551 Airfoil Theory |
| MAE 513 Principles of Structural Vibration | MAE 553 Compressible Fluid Flow |
| MAE 518 Acoustic Radiation I | MAE 561 Wing Theory |
| MAE 521 Linear Control & Design for MIMO Systems | MAE 562 Physical Gas Dynamics |
| MAE 533 Finite Element Analysis I | MAE 573 Hydrodynamic Stability and Transition |
| MAE 535 Design of Electromechanical Systems | MAE 589 Design for Strength and Endurance |
| MAE 537 Mechanics of Composite Structures | MAE 589 Mechanical Design Engineering |
| MAE 538 Smart Structures and Materials | MAE 589 Nanotechnology |
| MAE 539 Advanced Materials | MAE 742 Mechanical Design for Automated Assembly |
| MAE 541 Advanced Solid Mechanics I | MAE 776 Turbulence |
| MAE 543 Fracture Mechanics | MAE 789 Aerothermodynamics |
For a list of distance education courses approved for the fall, spring, or summer semester, visit the Engineering Online website.
Course Logistics
Online courses are the same as on-campus courses in terms of content, requirements, and academic rigor. On-campus class lectures are captured, digitized, and placed on the Internet for distance students to access at any time and from any location. Students must, however, follow the on-campus class schedule in terms of submitting homework and taking exams. Course assignments, lecture notes, and handouts are made available to distance students on the course website. All in-class exams must be proctored.
Contact Information
- For more information about the MSME program available online, contact:
Dr. Katherine Saul, Director of Graduate Programs
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Telephone: 919. 515.1273
Email: ksaul@ncsu.edu
Department website: http://www.mae.ncsu.edu - For more information about the registration process, course offerings and course logistics, contact:
Dr. Linda Krute, Director of Distance Education Programs
College of Engineering
Telephone: 919.515.5440
Email: linda_krute@ncsu.edu
Engineering Online website: https://www.engineeringonline.ncsu.edu