Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Lacey, USA
MSc
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 1,386 / per credit
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) program is designed to give engineering, mathematics, and science graduates an opportunity to explore advanced and emerging topics in mechanical engineering.
Why Saint Martin's University?
- Curriculum tailored to both recent graduates and engineers with professional experience
- Students obtain enhanced engineering analysis and design skills tailored to professional objectives
- Evening and summer courses accommodate working professionals
- Teaching and research paid assistantships are available and encouraged
- Faculty have real-world experience in the subjects they teach
- Classes are held in the most environmentally friendly and energy-efficient building with LEED Platinum Certification in the Western Hemisphere
Degree Pathways
For the research-oriented student, a thesis option is offered, which requires a research project and thesis to be completed with a faculty member. For the profession-oriented student, a non-thesis option is offered, which requires more coursework.
Thesis Option
The thesis option requires students to complete
- all required MSME Core courses,
- a total of 24 credits (including the MSME Core) of non-thesis coursework,
- at least six credits of thesis (MME 599), and
- a successful thesis defense.
If a student begins a thesis but fails to complete it, up to two thesis credits can count toward the coursework of an MSME degree.
Coursework must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 3.00 (‘B’). Students must complete all work within seven years from the start of the program. Directed study (MSME 596) is limited to two credits per semester and six credits in total. A maximum of eight credit hours of equivalent coursework from other institutions may be transferred into the program if approved by the program director.
Similarly, a maximum of eight credit hours of approved courses may be taken from the Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE), Master of Science in Computer Science (MCS), and Master of Engineering Management (MEM) programs at Saint Martin’s University. A combination of transferred, MSCE, MCS, and MEM credits counting toward an MSME cannot exceed eight.
Non-thesis Option
The non-thesis option requires students to complete
- all MSME Core courses and
- a total of 30 credits (including the MSME Core) of non-thesis coursework.
If a student begins a thesis but fails to complete it, up to two thesis credits can count toward the coursework of an MSME degree.
Coursework must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 3.00 (‘B’). Students must complete all work within seven years from the start of the program. Directed study (MME 596) is limited to two credits per semester and six credits in total. A maximum of eight credit hours of equivalent coursework from other institutions may be transferred into the program if approved by the program director.
Similarly, a maximum of eight credit hours of approved courses may be taken from the Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE), Master of Science in Computer Science (MCS), and Master of Engineering Management (MEM) programs at Saint Martin’s University. A combination of transferred, MSCE, MCS, and MEM credits counting toward a MME degree cannot exceed eight.
Federal Aid
Federal financial aid is available for graduate students who will be enrolled at least half-time and are citizens, or eligible non-citizens, of the USA. Most federal aid for graduate students is in the form of direct loans.
Graduate Assistantships
Saint Martin’s University offers a limited number of graduate assistantships to graduate students. Contact the Office of the Provost for more information.
Degree Concentrations
Students have many options to meet the requirements of the MME or MSME degree. Five forward-looking concentrations of study are described below. Students can pursue more than one concentration: two are “achievable” without adding time to their studies, while three concentrations add a semester or two.
A student must satisfactorily pass five of the courses of a concentration for successful completion. If you intend to complete a concentration, you must declare that concentration with the Office of the Registrar at least two semesters prior to the expected completion of studies.
Bioengineering
Bioengineering and biomechanics are forecast to be one of the major growth areas in mechanical engineering in the foreseeable future. This concentration provides students with a solid background in the essentials of relevant biology and their physical context across multiple scales, seen through the prism of mechanical analysis. Students will be exposed to the rich design solutions in nature that are the 21st-century driving forces in robotics, optimization, and mechanical design, as well as being exposed to new and emerging opportunities to improve medical care.
Design and Entrepreneurship
The concentration offers students a project-based opportunity to explore innovation in products and organizations from a number of different vantage points. The courses approach new product development from design, innovation management, and financial management perspectives in a project-based setting.
Fluid Mechanics and Energy Systems
Fluids, such as liquids and gases, are all around us. Understanding and controlling their behavior is important in a variety of engineering applications. Tightly coupled with fluid mechanics is the study of energy systems, which are vital as we seek to power modern technology in economical and environmentally friendly ways. This concentration prepares students to contribute to these exciting fields by giving them a theoretical foundation reinforced through applications.
Intelligent and Dynamic Systems
We are embarking on a new era of intelligent machines. Designing them often requires an understanding of dynamic systems, control theory, machine (artificial) intelligence, and computation. This focus prepares students to contribute to this emerging field.
Numerical Analysis
Computers continue to revolutionize engineering analysis and design across a wide range of application areas, enabling the simulation, prediction, and optimization of complex engineering systems. Effective application of computers to the engineering analysis and design of mechanical structures requires an understanding of the numerical methods that undergird large-scale simulation and optimization. These methods and their application are the focus of this concentration.
- Students will develop an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- Students will develop an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
- Students will develop an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences\
- Students will develop an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environ- mental, and societal contexts.
- Students will develop an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- Students will develop an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- Students will develop an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
For the research-oriented student, a thesis option is offered, which requires a research project and thesis be completed with a faculty member. For the profession-oriented student, a non-thesis option is offered, which requires more coursework.
Thesis option
The thesis option requires students complete
- the required MSME Core courses,
- a total of 24 credits (including the MSME Core) of non-thesis coursework,
- at least six credits of thesis (MME 599), and
- a successful thesis defense.
Non-thesis option
The non-thesis option requires students complete
- the required MSME Core courses (see below) and
- a total of 30 credits (including the MSME Core) of non-thesis coursework.
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