Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering
Rochester Institute of Technology, USA
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 41,424 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* $41,424 - $54,974 | based on credits taken
Key Summary
About: The Master of Engineering (ME) in Mechanical Engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology prepares graduates to design engineered systems using core mechanical engineering knowledge, skills, and tools. Students work independently and with industry leaders while meeting professional and ethical responsibilities. The terminal, non-thesis ME suits part-time students and those updating technical skills; a capstone (design project, leadership course, or industrial internship) replaces a thesis, and ME courses transfer into the Master of Science (MS).
Career Outcomes: Graduates move into roles such as design engineer, manufacturing engineer, systems engineer, aerospace engineer, automotive engineer, product development engineer, project manager, test engineer.
The mechanical engineering master prepares graduates to support the design of engineered systems through the application of the fundamental knowledge, skills, and tools of mechanical engineering. Students will work independently as well as collaboratively with leaders in the industry while demonstrating the professional and ethical responsibilities of the engineering profession. Ultimately, graduates will enhance their skills through formal education and training, independent inquiry, and professional development.
The ME in mechanical engineering is intended to be a terminal degree program designed for those who do not expect to pursue a doctoral degree, but who wish to become a leader within the mechanical engineering field. This program is particularly well-suited for students who wish to study part-time, for those interested in updating their technical skills, or for those who are not focused on a research-oriented master of science degree, which requires a thesis. A conventional thesis is not required for the program. In its place, students complete a capstone experience, which may be a design project leadership course or a well-organized and carefully chosen industrial internship. A research methods course may also fulfill the capstone experience; however, this option is primarily intended for students who are considering transitioning to the MS program in mechanical engineering. (Courses taken within the ME program are transferrable to the MS program.)
Industries
- Automotive
- Manufacturing
- Defense
- Aerospace
The program requires 30 credit hours. In addition to the two required courses, students choose three courses from nine different focus areas and four elective courses. All full-time equivalent students are required to attend graduate seminars weekly for each semester they are on campus. Up to three courses may be taken outside the mechanical engineering department. Students may complete the program's requirements within one calendar year with summer study. Students may also augment their education through cooperative education employment opportunities. Although co-op is not a requirement of the program, it provides students an opportunity to gain valuable employment experience within the field.
Mechanical Engineering, ME degree, typical course sequence
First Year
- MECE-707 Engineering Analysis
- MECE-709 Advanced Engineering Mathematics
- MECE-795 Graduate Seminar
- Graduate Focus Courses
- Graduate Electives
Second Year
Choose one of the following:
- MECE-730 Design Project Leadership*
- MECE-777 Graduate Internship†
- MECE-792 Project with Paper‡
- MECE-795 Graduate Seminar
- Graduate Focus Course
- Graduate Electives
Graduate Seminar (MECE-795) is a 0 credit course required for all full-time and full-time equivalent students.
* Design Project Leadership (MECE-730) is reserved only for students enrolled in the accelerated BS/M.Eng. program.
† Graduate Internship (MECE-777) is an option for all ME students and students enrolled in the accelerated BS/M.Eng. program.
‡ Project with Paper (MECE-792) is an option for all ME students and students enrolled in the accelerated BS/M.Eng program.
Focus areas
- Automotive systems
- Business
- Controls
- Manufacturing
- Mechanics-Design/Materials
- Product development
- Sustainability
- Thermo/Fluids Engineering
- Vibrations engineering
RIT awards more than $37 million in merit scholarships and assistantships to graduate students each year. Scholarship awards range from 10% - 40% of tuition. Awards are based on an applicant's academic excellence. Many things are considered when awarding scholarships - undergraduate grades, graduate placement test scores, and your research and work experience all factor in.
Graduate assistantships are offered to full-time matriculated graduate students to serve as teaching, research, or administrative assistants. Graduate Assistants receive wages (determined by the department making the appointment) in exchange for work performed. Many graduate assistants also receive tuition remission (i.e., tuition support) in addition to receiving wages for assistantship duties.
Graduate students can be awarded both scholarships and assistantships. These funding opportunities are the same for both US and international applicants.
Optional Co-Op
Cooperative education is paid work assignments with corporations and organizations around the U.S. and abroad. Co-op allows students to spend one or more semesters employed in a full-time, paid position related to their academic program before they graduate. Many students use co-op earnings to help finance their education.
Work-Study
Graduate students studying full-time may apply to work part-time on campus. RIT has more than 9,000 jobs available yearly, and students typically work 10 – 20 hours per week. International students studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa may work up to 20 hours per week on campus and 40 hours during break periods.
Most of our programs offer "rolling" application review - there is no specific deadline for applications; applications will be accepted and reviewed throughout the year.