The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a number of master of science (MS) degree programs in Mechanical Engineering.

• MS Mechanical Engineering: Research
• MS Mechanical Engineering: Accelerated Program
• MS Mechanical Engineering: Modeling and Simulation in Mechanical Engineering

The MS Mechanical Engineering degree with a named option in Research takes approximately two years to complete. This program has a significant research component giving students valuable hands-on research experience with mentoring by faculty in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The MS Mechanical Engineering: Research program requires a written thesis and defense. 

The MS Mechanical Engineering degree with named options in Accelerated Program and Modeling and Simulation in Mechanical Engineering each take approximately 16 months to complete. These programs include only coursework. 

All students are mentored by the world-class faculty in the mechanical engineering department at UW–Madison. For a list of mechanical engineering faculty along with faculty research interests, please visit our faculty directory. For more information on research areas, see our page on research in Mechanical Engineering.

Admissions

Students apply to the MS in Mechanical Engineering through one of the named options:

• MS Mechanical Engineering: Research
• MS Mechanical Engineering: Accelerated Program
• MS Mechanical Engineering: Modeling and Simulation in Mechanical Engineering

Funding

Graduate School Resources

The Bursar’s Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Program Resources

MS Research

There are three mechanisms for Graduate Student funding through the university for Mechanical Engineering MS Research students:

1. Fellowships
2. Graduate assistantships: project assistantships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships
3. Traineeships

Funding is awarded based on the qualifications of the student, the number of applicants, the amount of available funding, the number of continuing students receiving support, and the degree program a student is enrolled in. Fellowship and research assistantship funding is only considered for thesis-based MS students. You can apply for funding for research assistantships by contacting individual faculty members directly. Please check our website to look for faculty (only those listed with titles of assistant professor, associate professor, or professor can serve as graduate student advisors). Search for faculty who have research interests that align closely with your own by viewing faculty directory entries, visiting the faculty’s website (linked from the directory page), and reviewing publications by the faculty member. Once you have identified faculty with interests close to your own, you are encouraged to contact them by email to inquire regarding available research assistant positions. The admissions office does not know if a particular professor has research assistant positions available.

Students who apply to the MS Research program will be automatically considered for fellowship opportunities within the department. Admitted students will be eligible to apply for Teaching Assistantship positions. More information, including the application, will be available to students after admission is complete.

MS Accelerated Program and MS Modeling and Simulation in Mechanical Engineering

Students enrolled in the MS Mechanical Engineering named options: Accelerated Program and Modeling and Simulation in Mechanical Engineering are strongly discouraged to pursue positions as Project Assistants, Teaching Assistants or Research Assistants during their time in these programs, as the rigor and accelerated nature of these programs may not accommodate those work time commitments. Students in this program will not receive the tuition remission that is typically part of the compensation package for a graduate assistantship.

Additional Resources

Office of Student Financial Aid

For information regarding student financial aid, scholarships, and more, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid website. 

International Student Services Funding and Scholarships

For information regarding international student funding and scholarships, visit the International Student Services website.

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Review the Graduate School minimum degree requirements and policies, in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Major Requirements

Curricular Requirements

Required Courses

Select a Named Option for required courses. 

Named Options

A named option is a formally documented sub-major within an academic major program. Named options appear on the transcript with degree conferral.

Policies

Students should refer to one of the named options for policy information:

• MS Mechanical Engineering: Research
• MS Mechanical Engineering: Accelerated Program
• MS Mechanical Engineering: Modeling and Simulation in Mechanical Engineering

Professional Development

Graduate School Resources

Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career. 

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a strong understanding of mathematical, scientific, and engineering principles in the field.
2. Demonstrate an ability to formulate, analyze, and independently solve advanced engineering problems.
3. Apply the relevant scientific and technological advancements, techniques, and engineering tools to address these problems.
4. Recognize and apply principles of ethical and professional conduct.