About PhD Program,
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University is where innovation thrives and the impossible is made possible. This is where your passion for problem-solving and hands-on learning can make a real difference in our world. Whether you’re helping improve the environment, creating safer automobiles, or advancing medical technologies, and athletic performance, the Department of Mechanical Engineering gives you the tools and talent to blaze your own trail to an amazing career.
When it comes to hands-on learning, we’re all hands on deck. You’ll hit the ground running as you work alongside a diverse group of highly skilled professors and wicked-smart classmates to create tomorrow’s breakthroughs today. Along with a formal curriculum, you’ll be engaged in research projects, labs, and informal clubs working directly on groundbreaking engineering projects applying the principles you’ve learned firsthand.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Admission requirements are determined by both the Graduate College and the individual graduate programs. Below are the general criteria for graduate admission at Iowa State University:
Degree requirement
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university before beginning graduate studies. This is a fundamental requirement, and appeals to waive it are not considered.
International degrees
International degrees must be equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher and granted by a college or university recognized by the Ministry of Education in that country.
Note: 3-year degrees from India, Bangladesh, Canada (excluding Quebec), Nepal, and Pakistan are not accepted. Degrees from other countries are evaluated individually.
Minimum GPA
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (equivalent to a B grade) is required for admission.
English proficiency
Applicants must meet the English proficiency requirements set by both the Graduate College and the specific graduate program they are applying to, prior to enrollment.
GRE/GMAT
While Iowa State University does not have a university-wide requirement for the GRE or GMAT, most graduate programs require one of these tests. Applicants should review the specific requirements of their intended program.
These criteria help ensure that all admitted students are prepared for success in their graduate studies.
PhD Funding Coverage,
When a graduate student is hired on an assistantship, their tuition is assessed at the resident tuition rate. Any enrolled student will be charged tuition and fees. Students on assistantship are responsible for paying their fees and any remaining tuition not covered from the assistantship. Find the total cost of attendance here.
All qualified applicants will be considered for these funding options. We use the admission application for assistantships, so a separate application is not required for assistantships. Master of Engineering students are not eligible for assistantships.
The majority of our graduate students are supported through research assistantships and/or fellowships. Most offers of admission include an offer of financial assistance. Teaching assistantships are determined by the Graduate Committee. If a faculty member has funding and space in their research group, they may make offers for research assistantships from the group of applicants deemed eligible by the Graduate Committee.
- A research assistantship is provided to students from a faculty member (major professor) from his or her research grant or contract. Students on research assistantships are expected to perform research and other related activities as directed by their major professor towards the fulfillment of the grant requirements.
- A teaching assistantship is given to the student from the department to assist in teaching responsibilities. This can include grading or running the lab portion of a course. Some advanced students are given the responsibility of teaching a course.
- All assistantships are contingent on satisfactory performance of assigned duties and progression towards degree as well as availability of funds.
- Master’s applicantswill be considered for 1/2 time research or teaching assistantship with a stipend of $2350 per month, 50% tuition scholarship, and graduate assistant tuition rate (in-state tuition rate) for remaining tuition.
Application Requirement,
Statement of purpose
Online recommendations
English proficiency requirements
Official English Language Test Scores
Graduate Records Examination (GRE) requirements
academic records
transcripts
Letters of recommendation
Application Deadline,
Feb 07, 2025
Application Fee,
- Domestic applicants (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, refugees, asylees, DACA, or undocumented individuals): $60 (nonrefundable).
- International applicants: $100 (nonrefundable).
