MS Admissions

MS in Mechanical Engineering

Ranked 14th among public universities by U.S. News & World Report, Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder's MS program delivers hands-on, project-based learning, customizable specialization pathways, and direct access to world-class research, entrepreneurship, and professional development. The MS program is built for recent bachelor degrees graduates', working professionals, career-pivoters, and emerging engineers who need to stay competitive.

What Sets Us Apart

Unlike rigid or narrowly focused programs, Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder combines curriculum flexibility, faculty connection, and access to a collaborative innovation ecosystem.

Flexible Curriculum

Take up to 12 credits (~4 courses) outside ME including but not limited to courses from departments of Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Management, Electrical Engineering and more!

Innovation Ecosystem

Boulder is a top-5 university for startup creation (AUTM) and a Forbes-ranked tech hub. Students have access the New Venture Challenge and CU's startup ecosystem. Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder is also ranked 14th nationwide for recent patent activity (NAI), reflecting a culture of innovation.

Career Outcomes

MS graduates earn approximately on average compared to bachelor's-only peers. Advanced degrees open doors to R&D roles, leadership positions, and specialized engineering careers often reserved for candidates with graduate credentials.

An MS broadens your skill set, keeps you current with industry trends, and positions you as a sought-after specialist in design, robotics, materials science, and more.

Our alumni go on to work at companies such as: Ball Aerospace,ÌýApple, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Boeing, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and more!ÌýYou can learn more about post-graduation career outcomes in this

Faculty Connection

Work directly with globally recognized researchers across air quality, biomedical, materials, robotics, and more.

We hope to see your application during our active application periods!Ìý

MS Degree Overview

MS Professional Dual Degree Mechanical Engineering (MS) and Engineering Management (ME) MS Thesis Bachelor's Accelerated Master's (BAM)
MS Professional

The Master of Science Professional is a degree program that offers possibilities for a wide range of prospective students. This coursework-focused degree program emphasizes both project-basedÌýand curriculum-driven learning. It is intended for working engineers and undergraduates considering, orÌýalready pursuing, a career in industry, but can also be completed with the ultimate goal of matriculatingÌýin a PhD program.

A thesis is not required to earn this degree. If a student plans to earn a master's degree and then immediately continue on to a PhD, they can apply directly to the ; it is not necessary to earn a master's degree separately.

All students apply to the professional MS program ONLY. To switch to the MS Thesis program, please see drop down below about the MS Thesis program. Course requirements and more information about the MS Professional program can be found on our MS Professional Program webpage.

A student who applies to the Professional MS degree in Mechanical Engineering and wishes to also applyÌýthe Master’s of Engineering in Engineering Management degree can at time of application submission. Students can also be admitted first to the ME MS Program and then internally apply to the Engineering Management Program (EMP) after beginning their degree program. Students cannot complete the dual degree program with the MS ME Thesis program, it can only be combined with the MS ME Professional program.Ìý

Enables students to merge their technical master’s degree with a leadership-focused master’s degree. This program is intended for students seeking a strong education in both technical and fundamental topics as well as the unique skills required to be a successful leader in industry and the public sector.

Graduate students in the dual degree program must complete a total of 45 credit hoursÌýof coursework at theÌý5000 level or above. Students must count 21 of those credit hours toward the Engineering Management Program (EMP). In addition, students must countÌý24 credits hours toward the Mechanical Engineering graduate program; 18 of those credits must be taken from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and six of those credits can be taken in other graduate programs at the University of CO Boulder. More information about course requirements and more information about the Dual Degree MS/ME program can be found on our Dual Degree Program webpage.

The Master of Science Thesis is a degree program that is well suited for students pursuing a career in academia or industry with a research component. MS Thesis students may choose from focus areas including (but not limited to) air quality, biomedical, design, energy and environment, materials, mechanics of materials, microsystems, and robotics/control. Students declare the MS Thesis program only after confirmation of a faculty member willing to serve as their thesis advisor. With support from the thesis advisor, students in this program have the option of smoothly transitioning into the PhD program.

For more information on how to obtain an MS Faculty Thesis Advisor, visit the department’s Master of Science Thesis webpage and see Milestone 1

If a student plans to earn a master's degree and then immediately continue on to a PhD, they can apply directly to the ; it is not necessary to earn a master's degree separately.

The BAM program offers currently enrolled Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder undergraduate students the opportunity to receive both bachelor’sÌýand master’s degrees in a shorter period of time. Students receive the bachelor’s degree first, but beginÌýtaking graduate coursework as undergraduates, typically in their senior year. Because some courses are allowedÌýto double-count for both the bachelor’s and the master’s degrees, students receive a master’s degree in less timeÌýand at a lower cost than if they were to enroll in a stand-alone master’s degree program after completion ofÌýtheir BS. In addition, staying at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder to pursue a BAM program enables a studentÌýto continueÌýworking with their established faculty mentors.Ìý

All BAM students apply to the MS ME Professional program. Admitted BAM students have the option to pursue the BAM/MSME Thesis program with obtainment of a faculty thesis advisor.Ìý

More information about course requirements and more information about the BAM program can be found on the Bachelor's-Accelerated Master's Program webpage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What differentiates Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder's mechanical engineering program from others?

Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder’s Mechanical Engineering MS combines the flexibility to customize your degree with hands-on, project-based learning, world-class faculty, and direct access to Colorado’s thriving engineering ecosystem. Unlike more rigid graduate programs, students can tailor their coursework across disciplines, engage with leading researchers, connect with national laboratories and industry partners, and develop specialized expertise in areas such as robotics, design, biomedical engineering, energy, and sustainability. Combined with Boulder’s collaborative community, entrepreneurial culture, and exceptional quality of life, the program prepares graduates for leadership, innovation, and long-term career growth.

Tuition is dependent on your residency status, either resident (within Colorado) or non-resident (out-of-state and/or international). Graduate tuition is dependent on credits enrolled in within each semester (the MS degree credit requirement is 30 credits).Ìý

You can view the past and current year rates (by credit) on the Tuition and Fee Rate Sheets on the Bursar's Website. Under the Graduate Heading there, the MS Professional degree program's rates are notedÌýunder the "Professional Master's" sheet (view the residency status that matches your own). We recommend to look at the 15-credit amount of tuition and doubling that rate to get an estimate idea of a 30-credit degreeÌýcost. There is also a helpful Cost Estimator on the Bursar's Office website which shows tuition based on residency, credit hours,Ìý²¹²Ô»åÌýmandatory student fees

NOTE: If a student obtains a faculty advisor and transitions to the thesis MS program after admission, the student's tuition isÌýnoted on the "Graduate" sheet (view the residency status that matches your own). There are potential scholarship programs for non-resident MS Mechanical Engineering Thesis students since the "Graduate" tuition rate is higher than a "Professional Master's" non-resident tuition rate.

You also may be eligible for certain outside fellowship opportunities. Find more information by visiting ourÌýMS Funding and Fellowships webpage.Ìý

An MS student will typically take twoÌýyears to complete theÌýdegree.ÌýHowever, it is not uncommon for students to finish both earlier and later than this two-year average. The MS degree credit requirement is 30 credits minimum. With most graduate courses being worth 3-credits, that is an estimated 10 courses to complete the degree. The majority of students take 2-3 courses / 6-9 credits per formal (Fall/Spring) semester. Therefore, taking 2-3 courses / 6-9 credits per formal semester keeps students on track for a two-year / four-semester program completion.Ìý

Please note that if you choose to pursue the Mechanical Engineering / Engineering Management Dual Degree, certificates, and other add-ons to your education, you are likely to extend beyond the two-year timeline. Students who are taking coursework while also working part or full-time jobs sometimes choose to take 1-2 courses in each semester and finish in a 3-4 year timeline.ÌýSome students will also choose to complete summer courses to accelerate their degree obtainment. Full-time enrollment for graduate students is 5 credits or above.Ìý

Regardless of the time taken to completeÌýthe MS, primary emphasis is on remaining at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder while being in good academic standing ²¹²Ô»åÌýtaking high-quality and interactive courseworkÌýthatÌýsatisfies the requirements of the MS degree.Ìý

Currently, there is not a formal all-online degree available for application and admission in the MS Mechanical Engineering program.

The majority of Mechanical Engineering courses are on-campus so professors and faculty have an expectation of students to be present in-person. There are remote (synchronous) and hybrid (remote and in-person component) course options in the Mechanical Engineering department but those are minimal compared to the in-person offerings. Finally, with the allowance of up to 12 credits outside of the Mechanical Engineering department applying towards the MS degree, students commonly takeÌýremote and online (asynchronous) courses in outside departments (ex/ Engineering Management).Ìý

Our Community

Beyond academics, students become part of a supportive and highly engaged graduate community that fosters connection, leadership, and professional growth. Through student organizations such as the Committee for Equity in Mechanical Engineering (CEME), the Graduate Student Advisory Board (GSAB), and the Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG), students have opportunities to shape the graduate experience, build leadership skills, and expand their professional networks. Regular community events, including the Fall Picnic, Heritage Feast, Spring Picnic, Pride celebrations, coffee hours, seminars, workshops, and colloquia featuring leaders from industry, research, and academia, create a collaborative environment where students develop lasting friendships, meaningful mentorships, and a strong sense of belonging.

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#2

Tech HubÌýTownÌýin America
(Forbes Magazine 2016)

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16th

Best Public Graduate
Mechanical Engineering Program
(US News and World Report)

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$19.2M

in Research Awards
for FY 2020

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