PhD in Aerospace Engineering Overview

Advance your expertise in critical areas of aerospace science and technology with 51视频's Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering. Through rigorous training in experimental and computational methods, you'll explore complex topics such as space structures, thermofluid systems, telecommunications and advanced materials.聽

Focus your degree with one of the following concentrations:听

  • Space Mechanics & Engineering
  • Aerospace Dynamics, Controls & Stability
  • Space Communications
  • Aerospace Thermofluid Systems
  • Space Environment
  • Aerospace Systems Engineering
  • Structural Dynamics

Interdisciplinary coursework across departments including Math, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Physics and Applied Physics provides a strong technical foundation. With small cohort sizes and close faculty collaboration, you鈥檒l gain the specialized knowledge and professional development needed to lead in aerospace industries, government research or academic institutions.

For complete聽program details and聽course descriptions, please visit the Academic Catalog.

For program-specific questions and to connect with our current students, please contact the聽Doctoral Graduate Coordinator.

A total of 63 credit hours of graduate level courses are required for the Ph.D. degree.
The Ph.D. degree must involve a traditional research-based dissertation, plus:听
  • A minimum of 30 approved credit hours of graduate-level engineering courses, including associated science and math courses*.
  • A minimum of 21 credit hours of doctoral dissertation.聽
  • The balance of the remaining 12 credits can be a mix of graduate-level engineering courses including associated science and math coursework and dissertation credits at the discretion of the department, faculty advisor and dissertation committee.
  • At least two semesters of the 0 credit research seminar MECH.5011
Core Courses (total courses = 5)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.5550Introduction to Space Physics3
IENG.5432Life Cycle Systems Analysis3
MECH.5870Multidisciplinary Design and Optimization3
XXXX.XXXX
PHYS.5630
MECH.6140
MECH.5200
MATH.5630
XXXX.XXXX
Math Elective - choices include:
Computational Methods in Physics OR
Nonlinear FEA OR
Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations
Computational Mathematics
Other Math-base course with approval of advisor and home department graduate coordinator
3
MECH.5011ASE Doctoral Seminar0
Total
12

Track Courses (see list below, total courses required = 4)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
XXXX.XXXXTrack Course 13
XXXX.XXXXTrack Course 23
XXXX.XXXXTrack Course 33
XXXX.XXXXTrack Course 43
Total
12


Elective Courses (total courses = 2)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
XXXX.XXXXElective 1 (chosen in collaboration with advisor)3
XXXX.XXXXElective 2 (chosen in collaboration with advisor)3
Total
6


Dissertation Research Credits
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
XXXX.XXXXDissertation Research21
Total
21


Additional Credits
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
XXXX.XXXXAdditional credits of either courses or dissertation research12
Total
12

Track Courses

Space Mechanics and Engineering

Aerospace Dynamics, Controls and Stability

Space Communications

Aerospace TF Systems

Space Environment

Aerospace Systems Engineering

Structural Dynamics

Total credits required for the degree = 63
Updated 4/8/25

Faculty Research

The Mechanical & Industrial Engineering faculty conduct research that impacts the following national needs: Energy and Sustainability, Defense and Security, Manufacturing and Industry and Engineering Education. Explore our faculty-led Research Centers and Research Labs below to learn more.

Funding Opportunities

The Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department strives to provide full financial support for all admitted Ph.D. students. The first two years are typically funded through Teaching Assistantships (TA) plus summer research support. Funding for subsequent years is through Research Assistantships (RA).聽

Admissions Requirements

Admissions

All applications are submitted through EngineeringCAS.

  1. An application
  2. An application fee
  3. A statement of purpose
  4. Letters of recommendation
  5. Official transcripts
  6. Official test score report聽 - GRE required for:
    1. Computer Engineering, MSE
    2. Electrical Engineering, MSE
    3. All Ph.D. Programs

Note: All required materials must be received before the application package can be evaluated.聽If you need to introduce new references or add other supporting documents log on to your application, click on 鈥淧rogram Materials鈥 to update your application. Please note the new documents and references will be considered only if your application has not been reviewed for admission.聽聽

International Students: please see the additional application requirements.

Bachelor's to Master's Students: You will not need to apply via the application portal. Visit page to learn about the process to transition to your desired master's program.

1. Online Application application

Applications will only be accepted through EngineeringCAS, an application service for graduate engineering programs. All application documents and test scores need to be submitted through EnginneringCAS.

app-fee 2. Application Fee

The application fee is $75.

3. Statement of Purpose statement

In a separate document, submit a brief statement indicating your immediate and long-range goals, relevant work history, academic honors/awards received, any teaching experience and/or research conducted/published that may be pertinent to your graduate program. Two page recommended maximum.

Note: If you are applying to more than one program, you will need to submit a program-specific statement of purpose with each application package.

4. LOR Letters of Recommendation

Master's applicants need to submit two (2) letters of recommendation. Doctoral applicants will be asked to provide three (3). Recommendations should be from instructors who have taught you, ideally in the field to which you are applying. They may also be from employers or supervisors who are in a position to compare your performance to that of your peers. You will be asked via EngineeringCAS to provide (names and email addresses) referees during the application process and that an automated request will be sent out to your recommenders. You will be able to track the status of your recommendations and send reminders by logging back into your application.

5. TransTranscripts

Provide a complete transcript from the institution that awarded or will award you a bachelor鈥檚 degree. You may also include transcripts from other institutions at which you have taken relevant coursework. Please note that waiting for additional transcripts may delay review of your application.

You have two options for submitting transcripts:

  1. Self Report your transcript to EngineeringCAS. This will expedite your application review. Self-reported transcripts must correspond to the official transcript. The University reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission if false credentials are provided at the point of application.
  2. Send official transcripts directly to 51视频, either through a secure submission or via mail to:

    University of Massachusetts - Lowell
    Graduate Admissions - GPS Center
    839 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor
    Lowell, MA 01854-3941

If you received your degree from 51视频, it is not necessary for you to request a transcript, we are able to provide one for you.

International transcripts must clearly indicate that you have received (or will soon receive) a four-year bachelor's degree, the equivalent of an American bachelor's degree. Please note, the Office of Graduate Admissions reserves the right to have any application credential evaluated. Additional information about international transcripts is available on the . *You will need to provide an official copy prior to your first semester on campus. Self-reported transcripts must correspond to the official transcript.* The University reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission if false credentials are provided at the point of application.

*51视频 will require You to provide a copy of your Official Transcripts & Scores prior to your first semester.

6. OTSROfficial Test Score Report(s)

The following programs require the GRE for admission consideration:

  • Computer Engineering, MSE
  • Electrical Engineering, MSE
  • All Ph.D. Programs

Please have ETS send your GRE scores directly to EngineeringCAS using school code 4530.

A GRE waiver may be available to qualified master鈥檚 degree candidates. Further information can be found at GRE/GMAT/MAT Waiver Forms. You may also self-report your GRE scores.*

International Students:

English Proficiency Tests: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores are required. If you have taken the TOEFL, have ETS send your scores to EngineeringCAS (school code: B887). You may also self-report your scores. If you have taken the IELTS you may self-report your scores on the application.*

The requirements for the tests are as follows:

  • TOEFL - 79 or above
  • IELTS聽 6.5 or above

*51视频 will require you to provide a copy of your Official Transcripts & Scores prior to your first semester.

Get more聽information about standardized tests.

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Phone:
800-656-4723 (U.S. Students)
978-934-2390 (International Students)

Email:听
Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu