Information for Prospective Students
Degrees Offered
The Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of New Mexico offers the following graduate degrees:
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME)
Plan I (Thesis)
Plan II (Non-Thesis)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Generally, admission to the Ph.D. program requires that the applicant has earned an appropriate M.S. degree and has demonstrated a high potential for research and graduate studies. The evidence of such achievement is, for example, publications in archival journals based on the applicant's Master's thesis work. Exceptional students may pursue a Ph.D. without first earning an M.S.
Faculty Specialties
Mechanical Sciences and Engineering (including Dynamic Systems, Controls, and Robotics)
Engineering Mechanics and Materials (including Solid Mechanics and Materials Science)
Thermal Sciences and Engineering (including Energy/Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, and Heat Transfer)
For additional information, please also visit our departmental Faculty page.
Note: All degree requirements are explained in the ME Graduate Manual.
Application Information
We welcome applications from students who have earned distinguished academic records.
At this website you will find information about the ME Department's admission requirements and application procedures. Please read the requirements carefully and follow the instructions.
The following deadlines apply:
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Domestic Applicants not Requesting Financial Aid (TA/GA positions only) |
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International Applicants and Domestic Applicants Requesting Financial Aid (TA/GA positions only) |
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Fall |
July 1 |
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March 1 |
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Spring |
November 1 |
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August 1 |
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Summer |
April 30 |
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January 1 |
The Graduate Committee in the department makes admission decisions. Applicants must hold (or will have completed by the time they arrive) an accredited (ABET) Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) degree and at least a B (i.e., 3.0 / 4.0) average in their final two years of relevant courses (or their final, earned 60 credit hours) of their last degree. Applicants seeking admission to the PhD Program must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 / 4.0 in their master's degree. Meeting these minimum GPA requirements, however, does not constitute a guarantee of admission to the graduate program. Applicants seeking admission to the PhD program should secure the agreement and support of one of our faculty members to serve as their mentor before formally applying for admission. A large emphasis and weight is given to this kind of support when the applications are considered by the department. Applications without such support are normally not considered favorably.
Applications from individuals with a B.S. degree in other Engineering disciplines, Math, Computer Science, and Physical Sciences (such as Physics or Chemistry) are also considered. To qualify for a graduate degree, applicants are expected to have at least an undergraduate-level exposure to most of the core ME disciplines. Those who are deemed deficient will be asked to take additional (leveling) courses. The ME Department does not offer "provisional," "probationary," or "conditional" admissions. Under normal circumstances, applicants who do not hold a BSME degree should complete the leveling courses before formally applying for the degree program. This can be accomplished while in graduate, non-degree status (please see the information shown below).
Note: Degrees obtained from career/vocational schools do not constitute an acceptable background for admission to the MSME program at UNM.
Application Procedure and Material
Both domestic and international applicants should directly Apply Online.
The online application system will guide you through the process and material required by the University and Department.
Notes:
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test - The GRE scores are required and should be submitted to the University directly by ETS (Institution code: 4845; no department code is needed). During the online application process, please report your scores unofficially for review. The GRE scores are considered for general benchmarking purposes and are examined in the context of all other application requirements; these include the GPA, letters of recommendation, and statement of intent. As such, a minimum required score has not been set.
Three Letters of Recommendation - UNM BSMEs with a GPA of 3.5 (or higher) on their last 60 credit hours of coursework have the option of submitting only two (2) letters of recommendation. The letters must be written by professional references such as instructors and supervisors, not friends and relatives. Letters should be submitted directly by your recommenders through the online system. Specific directions are included within the application system.
Statement of Intent (or Letter of Intent) - This document must be submitted through the online application system. The presence of overlap of applicant's interests with the expertise of one or more of our faculty members is given a significant weight in terms of application acceptance decision. So, this statement should show clear evidence of such overlap.
Updated CV (Resume) - This document must be submitted through the online application system.
Official Transcripts - Follow the instructions on the online application system.
For International Students - The TOEFL or IELTS score is required by the University for all international applicants. Further information and the minimum score requirements can be found at the UNM Global Education Office website.
Financial Support
For tuition rates please CLICK HERE.
Research Assistantships (RA) are available to MS and PhD Students. These assistantships are awarded by individual faculty members who have the necessary research funding. Typically, students who have successfully arranged for an RA appointment have secured it by contacting a faculty member directly.
Research assistants typically receive tuition coverage and a salary (subject to state and federal tax withholding) in exchange for 20 hours of work per week. Some students opt to work fewer hours per week, and their salary and tuition benefits are adjusted accordingly.
Teaching and Grading Assistantships
A few Teaching Assistant (TA) positions are available each semester. The TA positions typically provide recipients with tuition coverage and a salary, requiring 20 hours of work per week. Reduced hours (10 hours per week) may also be available, with salary adjusted accordingly to serve as a Grading Assistant (GA) for a course. TA/GA-ships are offered by the Department; to apply, complete the TA/GA Application Form.
Information regarding other sources of funding and application packets can be obtained at the Office of Graduate Studies Web site.
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Information about MEME Program and Non-degree Status
Master of Engineering in Manufacturing Engineering (MEME)
MEME degree is offered by the Manufacturing Engineering Program (MEP). This program is administratively separate from the ME Department at the University of New Mexico and is housed in the Manufacturing Technology and Training Center (MTTC), located in the South Campus. All inquiries about this degree/program (including admission and advisement questions) should be directed to contact persons listed on the above-linked, MEP's website.
Non-degree Status
Domestic students may enroll as graduate non-degree status before admission. Only up to 12 credits are acceptable for transfer from graduate non-degree to graduate degree status. (PhD students note: At least 18 hours graduate credit course work must be completed at the University of New Mexico after admission to the doctoral program.)
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