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.

DegreeCourse workDissertationTotal HoursLocation
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

What Experts Say

“This unique Ph.D. program integrates the disciplines of mechanical manufacturing and industrial engineering, partners with innovative local manufacturers to align with industry trends, and includes commercialization of emerging technologies to create the next generation of technology-driven entrepreneurs.” 

— Tony L. Gillette, Staff Industrial Engineer at Tesla, Austin, TX.

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 us for general questions about your application, funding opportunities, and more. If you have specific questions after reviewing the program details, contact the program's graduate advisor.

Application Deadlines

DEADLINESU.S. CITIZEN INTERNATIONAL
DEADLINES
Fall - Priority
U.S. CITIZEN
February 1
INTERNATIONAL
February 1
DEADLINES
Fall - Standard
U.S. CITIZEN
August 1
INTERNATIONAL
June 1

Priority Deadline: Ensures full consideration for admission and eligibility for certain funding opportunities, including scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships, and guarantees that your application will be considered in the initial review.
Standard Deadline: Represents the last day a complete application can be submitted, but does not guarantee admission consideration. After the priority deadline, applications are reviewed on a rolling, space-available basis until the program is full, at which point, applications will close.

For important information regarding deadlines and decision timelines, review the Application Policy Information page.

Admission Requirements

The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international webpages.

  •   Review important information about the online application.

    • $55 nonrefundable application fee, OR
    • $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials

    Review important information about application fees.

  • Applicants with a Bachelor's and Master's Degree

    • 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.
    • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale in all completed undergraduate coursework.
    • A competitive master's degree GPA.

    Applicants with a Bachelor's Degree Only

    • 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.) 
      • These applicants will be required to complete an additional 24 semester credit hours of mechanical, manufacturing, or industrial engineering master’s level courses when admitted.
    • A copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted.
    • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale in all completed undergraduate coursework.

    Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.

  • GRE

    • official GRE (general test only) required
      • applicants may request a waiver of the GRE requirement if they meet one of the following conditions:
        • recently completed a Master’s degree in a relevant engineering field from an accredited institution, or
        • previously took the GRE, but the score has expired within the past year

    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.

    • resume/CV outlining education, work experience, scholarships/grants, publications/presentations, and other accomplishments. This should provide evidence of research potential, such as:
      • Undergraduate research projects
      • Internships with a research component
      • Publications or presentations
    • 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 highlighting research aptitude and 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.

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