Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization
With a focus on applied research, industrial outreach, and entrepreneurial training, Texas State is uniquely positioned in the region to offer this combination of skills, providing education with relevance with the materials science, engineering, and commercialization (MSEC) degree. Students gain valuable experience that prepares them for real-world success.
Texas State University has made materials science and engineering research, education, and commercialization a priority.
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:
Doctoral Program Director
Dr. Sean Kerwin
msec@txstate.edu
512.245.1839
Roy F. Mitte (RFM), Room 3205
Advisor Support
Kelsie Crumpton
msec@txstate.edu
512.245.1839
Roy F. Mitte (RFM), Room 3205
“Texas State University’s materials science, engineering and commercialization doctoral program provided me with a core understanding of the fundamentals of business and finance as they relate to the science and application of materials in an industrial setting.”
— Marcus Goss, Ph.D. ’15
Course Work
The 55-credit doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) program promotes the translation of innovations from the lab to commercial production and provides the skills to organize and lead interdisciplinary research teams. In addition to providing a strong science and engineering background, the curriculum imparts the business and commercialization skills necessary for effective leadership in the advancement of global discovery and innovation.
Students augment their science and engineering studies with commercialization activities such as technology internships, interdisciplinary boot camps, entrepreneurial course work, and forums. With a small amount of additional course work, students can also obtain a master’s in business administration while working on their doctorate.
| Degree | Course Work | Dissertation | Total Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. | 37 hours | 18 hours | 55 hours |
Current MSEC students are recognized with scholarships and fellowships and in research and entrepreneurial competitions. Graduates have been very successful in pursuing industrial positions and in building their own companies.
Program Mission
The materials science, engineering, and commercialization Ph.D. program at Texas State is an integrated effort leveraging opportunities in the university’s biology, chemistry and biochemistry, physics, engineering, engineering technology, and business school programs.
The MSEC program’s goal is to train graduate scientists and engineers to perform interdisciplinary research while equipping them to emerge as effective entrepreneurial leaders in the advancement of 21st-century global discovery and innovation.
MSEC Ph.D. students conduct research in state-of-the-art facilities with exceptionally qualified faculty. Their research attracts significant external funding and is producing innovative commercial endeavors in civilian, defense, and security applications.
Program Faculty
Students in the MSEC program study with nationally funded and internationally known researchers utilizing unique state-of-the-art facilities. Many faculty members have been managers at large or small technology companies or in defense laboratories, and most have industrial and commercialization experience. Students will learn from those who have been successful at technical innovation — practitioners of the art of technology development and commercialization.
Career Options
While some MSEC graduates have continued to post-doctoral fellowships in academia, most graduates predominantly move to private sector science and technology positions. Several have started their own businesses based on technology they developed while studying at Texas State.
Application Process
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Application Deadline This program has a firm deadline. |
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Funding Information Applications must be complete by the priority deadline to be considered for certain types of funding. Read additional information below. |
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Decision Timeline This program reviews applications on a firm basis. |
Application 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.
Application Fee
- $55 nonrefundable application fee
OR - $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
Transcripts & GPA
- baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
- master's degree in biology, chemistry, engineering, materials science, physics, technology, or a closely related field from a regionally accredited university. Read additional information about background course work.
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- minimum 3.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all completed graduate course work
If your master's degree was earned from an institution outside the U.S., official GRE scores are required. Read additional information below.
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
GRE Scores
- official GRE (general test only) scores not required unless your master's degree was earned from an institution outside the U.S. Read additional information below.
Review important information about official test scores.
*GRE scores not required for fall 2022 and 2023 applicants.
Documents & Other Requirements
- interviews (conducted via phone, internet, or face-to-face) with core doctoral faculty
- resume/CV
- statement of purpose outlining your personal history and life goals that are relevant to obtaining a doctoral degree, and, in particular, why you want to pursue the commercialization aspect of the MSEC program
- three letters of recommendation evaluating your skill and potential to be successful in the MSEC Ph.D. program
Review important information about documents.
TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS Scores
Applicants are required to submit TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS scores that meet 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
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores.
Degree and GRE Requirement
If your master's degree was earned from an institution outside the U.S., the official GRE (general test only) with competitive scores in the verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning sections will be required. Our office will notify you via email should this situation occur.
Background Course Work
You will be required to take leveling courses if you lack sufficient background course work. Any required leveling course work must be completed with grades of B or better prior to admission.
Funding Information
If you are applying for a doctoral teaching assistantship, please submit all of your application materials by March 1.