Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (Ph.D.)
Ph.D. Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Program Overview
This doctoral program incorporates new disruptive technologies such as the ones associated with Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0, including artificial intelligence, advanced robotics and automation, additive manufacturing, cybersecurity, data analytics, augmented and virtual reality, digital twins, and cyber-physical systems. Additionally, the program combines elements of commercialization and entrepreneurship into the conventional graduate-level engineering course work and research. Such combined skills will enable students to pursue careers in academia, industry, research, and/or governmental positions. The curriculum emphasizes marketable skills that will make Texas State-trained graduates qualified for a broader range of positions since it includes courses specifically focused on disruptive technologies, domain courses, and courses dealing with commercialization and entrepreneurship.
Course Work
The required courses are selected in a way that all students, regardless of their engineering background, acquire the fundamental skillsets that are expected from the graduates of the program. To give the students entering with an M.S. degree in an engineering degree breadth of exposure to skills and knowledge that complements their specialty, they choose one elective course from an ample list of possible courses in areas such as computer science, material science and engineering, and commercialization.
| Degree | Course work | Dissertation | Total Hours | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Degree Ph.D. (Entering with a master's) | Course work 31 | Dissertation 24 | Total Hours 55 | Location San Marcos |
Degree Ph.D. (Entering with a bachelor's) | Course work 55 | Dissertation 24 | Total Hours 79 | Location San Marcos |
Program Details
This doctoral program allows students to develop advanced training and knowledge in their engineering discipline (mechanical, manufacturing, or industrial engineering), disruptive technologies, and other areas such as quantitative and qualitative research analysis, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
Program Mission
The educational objectives of the program encompass three main areas:
- application of disruptive technologies in the fields of mechanical, manufacturing, and industrial engineering
- conventional discipline-specific technical knowledge and skills
- professional skills, all of which are critical for marketable employment in academia, industry, and the government sector
Career Options
Graduates of the program are well prepared for positions such as:
- faculty members of colleges and universities
- researchers in the industry sector and national labs
- technical team members and leaders in government agencies
- entrepreneurs in technology-based startup companies
Program Faculty
Program faculty have interests in many areas such as Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0, including:
- artificial intelligence
- advanced robotics and automation
- additive manufacturing
- cybersecurity
- data analytics
- augmented and virtual reality
- digital twins
- cyber-physical systems
- micro and nano manufacturing
- polymer nanocomposites
- human-robot interaction
- database analytics for web-based optimization
Contact The Graduate College for general questions about getting started with your application, funding your degree, and more. If you have program-specific questions after reviewing the program details, we encourage you to contact the following individuals.
Graduate Advisor
Dr. Bahram Asiabanpour
ba13@txstate.edu
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Application Deadlines
| DEADLINES* | U.S. CITIZEN | INTERNATIONAL |
|---|---|---|
DEADLINES* Fall - Priority | U.S. CITIZEN March 15 | INTERNATIONAL March 15 |
DEADLINES* Fall - Standard | U.S. CITIZEN June 15 | INTERNATIONAL June 1 |
*For fall 2025 only, this program’s deadline is flexible for those not requiring an F/J visa. A flexible deadline means applications received after the standard deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis with no guarantees for admission consideration. While this program has a flexible deadline for admission consideration, class availability may be limited the closer you apply to the deadline. For specific dates, read the Flexible Application Deadlines page.
| Funding Information For scholarship, fellowship or assistantship consideration, applications must be completed by the deadline above. |
Admission Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
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Application
- completed online application
Review important information about the online application.
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Application Fee
- $55 nonrefundable application fee, OR
- $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
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Transcripts & GPA
- baccalaureate degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, or a closely related discipline from a regionally accredited university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- master’s degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, or a closely related discipline, from an accredited college or university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a U.S. Master’s degree. Master’s degrees following a three-year Bachelor’s degrees may not be equivalent; please contact Graduate Admissions if you are unsure.)
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- competitive GPA in all completed graduate course work
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
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Test Scores
GRE
- the applicant must have an official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test result report submitted to the The Graduate College
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
- minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores. -
Documents & Other Requirements
- resume/CV outlining education, work experience, scholarships/grants, publications/presentations, other accomplishments
- statement of purpose outlining the applicant’s personal history and goals that are relevant to obtaining this doctoral degree and explaining why the applicant wants to purse this degree at TXST
- three letters of recommendation evaluating the applicant's skill and potential for the degree program, preferably from academic sources
- top ranked applicants who meet the minimum preferred credentials will be interviewed by the Ph.D. program director and other committee members via online tools such as zoom or Microsoft teams
Review important information about documents.