Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization (Ph.D.)
Ph.D. Materials Science, Engineering,& Commercialization
Program Overview
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 (M.S.E.C.) degree. Students gain valuable experience that prepares them for real-world success.
Course Work
The 51-credit-hour 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 | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Degree Ph.D. | Course Work 33 hours | Dissertation 18 hours | Total Hours 51 hours | Location San Marcos |
Degree Ph.D. | Course Work 36 hours (for applicants with bachelor's degree only) | Dissertation 36 hours | Total Hours 72 hours | Location San Marcos |
Program Details
Current M.S.E.C. students are recognized with scholarships and fellowships and in research and entrepreneurial competitions. Graduates have been very successful in pursuing industrial positions and building their own companies.
Program Mission
The Ph.D. in Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization 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 M.S.E.C. 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.
M.S.E.C. 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.
Career Options
While some M.S.E.C. graduates have continued to post-doctoral fellowships and have found faculty positions in academia, most graduates obtain private sector science and technology positions. Several have started their own businesses based on technology they developed while studying at Texas State.
Program Faculty
Students in the M.S.E.C. program study with nationally funded and internationally known researchers utilizing unique state-of-the-art facilities. Many faculty members have industrial and commercialization experience, including management roles at large or small technology companies or defense laboratories. Students will learn from those who have been successful at technical innovation - practitioners of the art of technology development and commercialization.
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.
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Application Deadlines
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For Entry Prior to Summer 2026
DEADLINES U.S. CITIZEN INTERNATIONAL Fall - Priority February 1 February 1 Fall - Standard June 15 June 1 -
Effective for Summer 2026 Entry and Beyond
DEADLINES U.S. CITIZEN INTERNATIONAL Fall - Priority February 1 February 1 Fall - Standard August 1 June 1
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 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
Review important information about application fees.
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Transcripts & GPA
Applicants with a bachelor's and a master's degree:
- Baccalaureate degree 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.)
- A master's degree in biology, chemistry, engineering, materials science, physics, technology, or a closely related field from a regionally accredited 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 3.3 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all completed graduate 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.
Applicants with a bachelor's degree only:
- Baccalaureate degree in biology, chemistry, engineering, materials science, physics, technology, or a closely related field 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.) Students will be required to take leveling courses if background is insufficient. Any required leveling course work must be completed with grades of B or better prior to admission.
- A copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted.
- A minimum 3.3 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all completed undergraduate 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
- Applicants with a GPA of 3.5 or higher are not required to submit GRE scores. GRE scores (general test only) are required only if the applicant’s GPA is below 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) in all completed undergraduate coursework (for those with a bachelor’s degree only) or all completed graduate coursework (for those with both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree).
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.
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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 M.S.E.C. Ph.D. program
- Applicants must indicate a first and second choice of concentration area (Materials Chemistry, Biomaterials, Materials Physics, Materials Technology, Materials Engineering)
- three letters of recommendation evaluating your skill and potential to be successful in the M.S.E.C. Ph.D. program.
Review important information about documents.