Online Doctorate of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics (PhD)

Mechanical engineering students and faculty in a lab.
The mean annual salary for mechanical engineers is $91,500 with the top 10% earning $133,900 (US BLS). Boost your career with an online ME degree from an accredited university.

Research Intensive. Nationally Recognized.

Join one of the nation's largest mechanical engineering departments and work with scholars to achieve technological, environmental, industrial, and societal sustainability. Our graduate program is ranked #38 by US News and World Report. Eighty percent of our PhD graduates go to work in industry. This distance-learning, research-based PhD maintains the high standards of Michigan Tech graduate education.

#2 Public colleges where grads make six figures
Money Magazine, 2017

#6 Early career earnings
Money Magazine, 2017

#20 Mechanical engineering colleges
College Factual, 2020

#30 Online mechanical engineering MS
Master's Programs Guide, 2019

Customize Your Online Education

Choose a mechanical engineering–engineering mechanics focused area of study to get the most out of your accredited PhD degree. Areas include:

  • Design and Dynamic Systems
  • Autonomous Systems
  • Intelligent Systems
  • Molecular Dynamics Modeling
  • Alternative Fuels and Renewable Energy
  • Combustion
  • Mechanics of Multiscale Materials
  • Hybrid Electric Vehicles and Systems

See all mechanical engineering interest areas.

"I can assure online students that they will be able to go toe-to-toe with any on-campus student in terms of the topics I teach. I'm extremely committed to ensuring that any student who succeeds in my class will be able to use their new skills confidently and properly regardless of on-campus or online."

Gordon Parker
Gordon Parker
John and Cathi Drake Chair Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Advance Your ME-EM Career

Enhance your mechanical engineering career by opening new job opportunities with an advanced degree. Commit to growing your knowledge areas and to becoming an expert. Employers recognize advanced training—a PhD may qualify you for leadership opportunities, project management responsibilities, or the chance to work on more complicated or sophisticated projects. Stand out by graduating from the #2 public university where grads make six figures (Money Magazine).

  • $15.3M
    our annual expenditures for ME research
  • 8
    focused research thrusts
  • $0
    applying online is always free
  • 100%
    online mechanical engineering-engineering mechanics PhD degree