Mechanical Engineering Master of Science Degree
Overview for Mechanical Engineering MS
Why Pursue a Mechanical Engineering MS at RIT?
STEM-OPT Visa Eligible: The STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows full-time, on-campus international students on an F-1 student visa to stay and work in the U.S. for up to three years after graduation.
Dynamic Focus Areas: Choose from a wide range of focus areas, including robotics, nanotechnology, biomechanics, energy systems, and more.
Career Readiness: Gain the skills necessary to secure a rewarding position in either research or industry.
Optional Cooperative Education: Gain valuable employment experience in your field by participating in a co-op.
RIT's master's of science in mechanical engineering produces graduates who are leaders in their respective fields and ready to tackle high-level problems as practicing professionals. Designed for students who desire advanced training in specific areas of mechanical engineering, the master's of science in mechanical engineering acts as a prelude to a career in either research or industry. You can choose to focus on a variety of disciplines, including dynamics, robotics, nanotechnology, biomechanics, energy systems, and more.
RIT’s Mechanical Engineering MS
The mechanical engineering MS prepares you to:
- Practice mechanical engineering in support of the design of engineered systems through the application of the fundamental knowledge, skills, and tools of mechanical engineering.
- Enhance your skills through formal education and training, independent inquiry, and professional development.
- Work independently as well as collaboratively with others while demonstrating the professional and ethical responsibilities of the engineering profession.
- Successfully pursue a graduate degree at the doctoral level, should you choose to do so.
List of Courses for Mechanical Engineering MS
The master's of science in mechanical engineering includes core courses, focus area courses, elective courses, and a thesis. RIT’s mechanical engineering master's requirements mandate that all full-time and full-time equivalent students attend the weekly graduate seminar each semester they are on campus.
Focus Area Courses: You will develop a focus area of study in mechanical engineering related to your technical and professional development interests and goals. Examples of focus areas include automotive systems, business, controls, manufacturing, mechanics-design/materials, product development, sustainability, thermo/fluids engineering, and vibrations engineering.
Independent Study: You may earn a limited number of credit hours through independent study with guidance from a member of the graduate faculty. Areas for independent study include selected topics in applied mathematics, analytical mechanics, nonlinear mechanics, fracture mechanics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, control systems, optimal control, thermal stresses, composite materials, and biomechanics.
Thesis: To complete your mechanical engineering master's requirements, you will prepare and present a formal thesis proposal to your faculty advisor. An acceptable proposal (which includes a statement of work, extensive literature search, and proposed timeline), signed by you and approved by your faculty advisor and department head, is required prior to registering for thesis credits. You will form a graduate thesis committee in coordination with your advisor and present your proposal to the committee for review and approval during the first semester in which you have registered for thesis credit. You are required to deliver a successful written and oral presentation of your thesis.
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Earn your master’s degree without the full price tag. With Master Up you can receive a 30% tuition scholarship for an RIT master’s degree.
Careers and Experiential Learning
Typical Job Titles
| Research and Development Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | Software Engineer |
| FEA Engineer | Packaging Engineer | Thermal Engineer |
Cooperative Education and Internships
What makes an RIT education exceptional? It’s the opportunity to complete relevant, hands-on engineering co-ops and internships with top companies in every single industry. At the graduate level, and paired with an advanced degree, cooperative education and internships give you the unparalleled credentials that truly set you apart. Learn more about graduate co-op and how it provides you with the career experience employers look for in their next top hires.
Cooperative education is strongly encouraged for graduate students in the mechanical engineering master's program.
Featured Work and Profiles
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Satish Kandlikar Recognized as a Top Researcher in his Field by Research.com
RIT mechanical engineering professor Satish Kandlikar has been ranked 31st in the U.S. and 54th globally by Research.com, recognizing his pioneering work in heat transfer and fuel cell technology.
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Curriculum for 2025-2026 for Mechanical Engineering MS
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
Mechanical Engineering MS
The curriculum below outlines the typical course sequence(s) for this program
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| MECE-707 | Engineering Analysis | 3 |
| MECE-795 | Graduate Seminar 1 | 0 |
| MECE Grad Elective I | 3 | |
| MECE Grad Elective II | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| MECE-709 | Advanced Engineering Mathematics | 3 |
| MECE-795 | Graduate Seminar | 0 |
| MECE Grad Elective III | 3 | |
| MECE Grad Elective IV | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MECE-790 | Thesis | 3 |
| MECE Grad Elective V | 3 | |
| MECE Grad Elective VI | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| MECE-790 | Thesis | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
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Two semesters of MECE-795 Graduate Seminar are required of all full-time students
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Admissions and Financial Aid
This program is available on-campus only.
| Offered | Admit Term(s) | Application Deadline | STEM Designated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full‑time | Fall or Spring | Rolling | Yes |
| Part‑time | Fall or Spring | Rolling | No |
Full-time study is 9+ semester credit hours. Part-time study is 1‑8 semester credit hours. International students requiring a visa to study at the RIT Rochester campus must study full‑time.
Application Details
To be considered for admission to the Mechanical Engineering MS program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete an online graduate application.
- Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
- Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college in mechanical engineering, physics, or a related field. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is recommended.
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
- Entrance exam requirements: GRE optional for Spring 2026 and Fall 2026 applicants. No minimum score requirement.
- Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, etc.), if required. Details are below.
English Language Test Scores
International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.
Duolingo (DET): 120
IELTS: 6.5
PTE Academic: 56
TOEFL: 79
International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Deaf and hard-of-hearing test takers with significant hearing loss do not need to take the listening and speaking sections for the TOEFL and IELTS. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.
How to Apply Start or Manage Your Application
Cost and Financial Aid
An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method. View the general cost of attendance or estimate the cost of your graduate degree.
A combination of sources can help fund your graduate degree. Learn how to fund your degree
Research
The faculty and students in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering are engaging in numerous areas of research, which takes place across all of our engineering disciplines and often involves other colleges at RIT, local health care institutions, and major industry partners. Explore the college's key research initiatives to learn more about our research in:
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