Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Turbocharge Your Career

Gain an edge in today’s competitive marketplace by developing your analytic and strategic skills, learning how to apply them to the in-demand field of mechanical engineering.

Clarkson offers an MS degree in mechanical engineering at both our Capital Region Campus (CRC) in Schenectady and in Potsdam, New York. 

Why Earn an MS in Mechanical Engineering From Clarkson?

Whether you’re looking for a more senior position or wanting to take a deep dive into the field, a master’s in mechanical engineering from Clarkson opens the door to expanded opportunities.

We've designed our program with ambitious professionals in mind, providing the information you need to not only build your résumé but also learn about new advancements and technologies. By keeping your skills fresh, you'll be prepared to address today's problems and meet future challenges.

Our advisors will work closely with you to understand your career goals and develop a tailored plan of study. You’ll learn and network with other professionals who are seeking to advance their knowledge and become leaders in their fields.

Payscale Inc. ranks Clarkson in the top 12 Best Master’s Degree Granting Programs by salary potential. And, one in five Clarkson alumni is already a CEO, the owner of a company or in a senior executive position.

What You'll Learn

You'll expand your understanding and application of solid mechanics, thermal fluid systems, materials and energy systems and advance your career opportunities in power systems, emerging energy technologies and product design evolution.

You'll be encouraged to consider MBA electives and non-technical courses to complement your technical expertise with business skills.

Main Campus Degree Requirements

  • A minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate coursework, including at least 20 credit hours of course and seminar work.
  • Satisfactory completion of one of the research or professional experience components listed below.
    • A written thesis based on independent research
    • A comprehensive examination
    • An appropriate, professionally oriented special project
  • Those students who are not fully prepared to pursue graduate work in engineering may be required to take additional coursework for which graduate credit will not be given.

Required Courses

Minimum of 2 ME Graduate Courses:

  • Advanced Thermal Systems (ME517)
  • Advanced Fluid Mechanics (ME527)
  • Stochastic Processes in Engineering (ME529)
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics (ME531)
  • Fluid Mechanics of Aerosol Dis (ME537)
  • Experimental Aerosol Mechanics and Instrumentation (ME538)
  • Advanced Optimal Design (ME543)
  • Advanced CAD (ME544)
  • Continuum Mechanics (ME554)
  • Advanced Mechanical Vibrations (ME555)
  • Advanced Mechanics of Composite Materials (ME557)
  • Applied Dynamical Systems (ME563)
  • Adv. Mod and Sim of Design Systems (ME580)
  • Advanced Welding Metallurgy (ME590)
  • Principles of Physical Metallurgy (ME595)
  • Plasticity (ME633)
  • Advanced Turbulence (ME639)

At least 1 mathematics course:

  • Engineering Analysis (CE556)
  • Engineering Analysis (CH561)
  • Finite Element Methods (ME515)
  • Sets and Topology (MA514)
  • Classical Complex Analysis (MA521)
  • Classical Real Analysis (MA522)
  • Initial and Boundary Value Problems (MA531)
  • Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations (MA550)
  • Numerical Methods (MA577)
  • Numerical Analysis (MA578)
  • Probability (MA581)

No more than 2 courses from:

  • Selected Topics in Materials Engineering (ME591)
  • Selected Topics in Manufacturing (ME594)
  • Selected Topics in Heat Transfer (ME618)
  • Special Topics in Fluid Mechanics (ME628)
  • Selected Topics in Solid Mechanics (ME657)

Capital Region Campus Degree Requirements

With evening courses and part-time study, our Capital Region Campus offers the only engineering program in the capital region designed to meet the needs of working professionals. You’ll learn and network with other professionals who are seeking to advance their knowledge and become leaders in their fields. Coursework is also well-matched to recent graduates who want to benefit from learning alongside experienced professionals. The GRE is not required for acceptance into this program.

Our advisors work closely with students to understand their career goals and develop study plans that enable them to advance. Each student program will include a minimum of 10 graduate courses and an MS graduate project in mechanical engineering (total 30 credits).

Please view the course catalog for details and course summaries for both Potsdam and Capital Region campuses.

Required Courses

  • Elasticity (ME500)
  • Transport Phenomena (ME501)
  • Engineering Analysis (ME502)
  • Mechanical Behavior of Materials (ME506)
  • Fracture Mechanics (ME508)
  • Processing and Selection of Engineering Materials (ME513)
  • Current Approach to Fatigue in Design (ME509)
  • Finite Element Methods in Engineering (ME516)
  • Advanced Dynamics (ME510)
  • Vibrations of Discrete Systems (ME512)
  • Engineering Optimization (ME561)
  • Composites (ME562)
  • Dynamics of a Viscous Fluid (ME563)
  • Compressible Fluid Flow (ME564)
  • Combustion Fundamentals (ME565)
  • Fluid Dynamics of Turbo Machinery (ME566)
  • Advanced Fluid Dynamics (ME572)
  • Flow and Heat Transfer in Multiphase Systems (ME573)
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics (ME574)
  • Thermodynamic Analysis (ME567)
  • Thermal Energy Processes (ME568)
  • Conduction Heat Transfer (ME569)
  • Superconductivity (ME570)
  • Convection Heat Transfer (ME571)
  • Principles of Thermal Systems (ME584)
  • Linear Control Systems (ME560)
  • Engineering Statistics (ME577)
  • Motor Acoustics (ME579)
  • Welding (ME586)
  • Nuclear Engineering and Technology (ME575)
  • Fuel Cell Science and Hydrogen Engineering (ME581)
  • Photovoltaic Engineering (ME582)
  • Turbine Engineering (ME583)
  • Solar Energy Engineering (ME587)
  • Wind Energy Engineering (ME588)
  • Synchronous Generator Engineering (ME589)
  • Disruptive Technology (ME600, elective only)
  • Sustainability (ME601, elective only)
  • Sample Electives:
    • BOE 610, 611, 612, 613, 614, 615
    • Global Supply Chain Management (OM607)
    • Leadership and Organizational Behavior (OS603)

At our main campus in Potsdam, you'll find:

  • Extensive research facilities
  • Faculty mentor programs
  • Full scholarships
  • Onsite laboratories
  • Research/teaching assistantships

Most classes at the Potsdam campus take place during the day.

Learn more about the Potsdam campus.

With part-time and evening courses, our Capital Region Campus in Schenectady offers the only engineering program in the Capital Region that meets the needs of working professionals.

We offer:

  • Evening onsite courses
  • Merit scholarships
  • Outstanding adjunct faculty who are professionals from within the industry

Learn about the Capital Region Campus

A complete application consists of the following:

  • Online Application Form
  • Resume.
  • Statement of Purpose.
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation.
  • Official Transcripts.
  • GRE Test Scores.
    • Required.
  • For international applicants, an English proficiency test is required.
    • Minimum test score requirements: TOEFL (80) and TOEFL Essentials (8.5), IELTS (6.5), PTE (56) or Duolingo English Test (115).
    • The English language-testing requirement is not waived based on language of instruction, nor do we accept university certificates. English testing is waived if an applicant has a degree from a country where English is the Native Language. Click here to see the list of these countries.

Prerequisites: 

For the MS program, students must have a BS in engineering or an equivalent field. For the PhD program, students must have a MS degree in engineering or an equivalent field.  Applications from other disciplines will be handled on a case-by-case basis. These students may be required to take additional mechanical engineering courses for which graduate credit will not be given.

A complete application consists of the following:

  • Online Application Form
  • Resume.
  • Statement of Purpose.
  • 2 Letters of Recommendation.
  • Official Transcripts.
  • GRE Test Scores.
    • Not required.
  • For international applicants, an English proficiency test is required.
    • Minimum test score requirements: TOEFL (80) and TOEFL Essentials (8.5), IELTS (6.5), PTE (56) or Duolingo English Test (115).
    • The English language-testing requirement is not waived based on language of instruction, nor do we accept university certificates. English testing is waived if an applicant has a degree from a country where English is the Native Language. Click here to see the list of these countries.

The more abstract problem-solving processes have made me a better engineer. Thinking through problems logically and applying thoughts rationally affords me more confidence when identifying paths forward for difficulties I face in my day-to-day work.

Alicia Stanton '19 MS in Mechanical Engineering, Drug Product Engineer, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Career Possibilities

Jobs for mechanical engineers exist in many sectors, ranging from aviation to manufacturing.

On average, engineers holding a master’s degree in engineering make thousands more upon hire compared to engineers with only a bachelor’s. According to Payscale.com, engineers with a four-year degree make an average annual salary of about $92,000, while engineers with a graduate degree earn an average annual salary of about $100,000 — a difference of about $8,000 per year.

Positions for those with an MS in Mechanical Engineering include:

  • Engineering group manager
  • Mechanical engineering manager
  • Project engineer
  • Senior manufacturing engineer
  • Senior mechanical engineer

Recent Employers

Graduates of the MS in Mechanical Engineering program have found advanced positions through:

  • Amazon
  • Applied Materials
  • APTIM
  • Bechtel Plant Machinery, Inc.
  • Constellation Energy
  • Fluor Corporation
  • GE Global Research
  • General Dynamics Electric Boat
  • GlobalFoundries
  • Glumac, A Tetra Tech Company
  • Goulds Pumps
  • JBT Automated Systems
  • LC Drives
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Mission Technologies
  • Naval Nuclear Laboratory
  • Pratt & Whitney
  • Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
  • Rock Shox
  • TK Elevator
  • Underwriters Laboratories
  • United States Air Force

Welding Experts

When Professor Daryush Aidun and Fatemeh Hejripour ’19, PhD, wrote a paper that was published in the Welding Journal, they did not imagine that they would receive an award from the American Welding Society.

Learn More about Prof. Aidun's Expertise

Scholarships

A limited number of one-year and partial-year tuition scholarships are available for qualified full-time students. A limited number of stipends are also available. Most scholarships and/or stipends are associated with department assistantships or completion of a master’s thesis as part of the qualified applicant’s plan of study.

To learn more about our scholarships and how to apply, contact the Coulter School of Engineering's graduate division at enggrad@clarkson.edu.

  • STEM OPT Eligible

Contact Us

Graduate Admissions
Email: graduate@clarkson.edu
Phone: 518-631-9831

Interested in learning more about the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering? Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions today with your questions.

Find out more about the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in the Coulter School of Engineering

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100% Graduate Placement Rate - Program Specific

Advance Your Career

Sharpen your technical skills and establish yourself as an expert in a growing field with an MS in Mechanical Engineering from Clarkson.