Frequently Asked Questions

UNC Charlotte admission requirements for the MS program are listed at: https://mees.charlotte.edu/academic-programs/master-science-mechanical-engineering/masters-degree-requirements/. The application is available online. The applications are reviewed for undergraduate performance (GPA and individual course grades), GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and statement of purpose.

UNC Charlotte admission requirements for the Ph.D. program are listed at: https://mees.charlotte.edu/academic-programs/phd-mechanical-engineering/doctoral-program-admission. The application is available online. The applications are reviewed for undergraduate performance (GPA and individual course grades), MS performance (GPA and individual course grades) if applicable, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and statement of purpose.

The priority application submission deadline for Fall (August) admission is February 15th, if interested in financial support. The priority application submission deadline for Spring admission (January) is September 15th, if interested in financial support. For both MS and Ph.D. programs, late submissions will be considered, but it is the international student’s responsibility to make sure all I-20 documentation is processed in time to start the requested semester. Final submission deadlines are determined by the Graduate School.

We strongly recommend the following acceptance deadlines, to allow time to prepare for arrival and other details related to beginning your program at UNC Charlotte.

Fall Semester (August) – July 1st
Spring Semester (January) – November 1st

For students with an undergraduate degree that is not in mechanical engineering, it is sometimes necessary to complete post-baccalaureate courses to supplement the undergraduate curriculum and ensure success in graduate coursework and research. In this case, Dr. Xu (megrad@charlotte.edu) will review the student’s transcript and provide the recommended courses, if required.

The minimum GPA requirement for admission to the MSME program is 3.0. For admission to the doctoral program, we would prefer to see a minimum GPA of 3.5 or better, particularly for the graduate (Master’s) GPA. We will consider applications for the doctoral program with a minimum GPA of 3.0 as well.

We prefer to see a Verbal GRE score of 150, a Quantitative GRE score of 159 or better, and a 3.4 or better on the Analytical Writing portion of the GRE.

*The GRE requirement is WAIVED for admission to mechanical engineering graduate programs in Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025. 

English Language Proficiency information for graduate admission can be found at: English Language Proficiency | Graduate Admissions | UNC Charlotte

For other application or admission questions (e.g., I have not received my official GRE scores, can I submit my application, etc.) there is a message board available after logging into the online application. Post the question on the message board and the Graduate School staff will respond shortly.

For international students, all I-20 and other documentation questions are handled by the International Student Scholar Office (ISSO). For questions about the cost of graduate education at UNC Charlotte, visit: http://finaid.charlotte.edu/aid-basics/estimating-costs/graduate-cost-attendance.

Additional resources for international students can be found at: http://gradadmissions.charlotte.edu/international-applicants.

There are two primary means of funding graduate students; through Research Assistantships (RA) and Teaching Assistantships (TA).

Research Assistantship (RA)

RA funds are made available from research grants and contracts awarded to faculty members. These funds are used to support graduate students to complete the work described in the grant/contract. This support can include a stipend or stipend and tuition. A summary of the research interests for UNC Charlotte mechanical engineering faculty can be found here. Students may contact faculty to learn about research opportunities.

Teaching Assistantship (TA)

TA funds are supplied by the department. Teaching assistants act as laboratory assistants or graders for undergraduate and graduate courses in the department. TA funds are typically reserved for PhD students and require that the student has identified a research adviser. The adviser is responsible for requesting TA support from the department. Requests are not accepted directly from students.

Other opportunities for support include jobs on and off campus. These are not related to the department. Additional information is available at: http://hr.charlotte.edu/students/student-job-opportunities. Additionally, the Graduate School provides a wealth of information on funding graduate education at this link: http://graduateschool.charlotte.edu/funding.

Complete information on tuition and fees at UNC Charlotte can be found at https://ninercentral.charlotte.edu/billing-payments-refunds/tuition-and-fees/graduate-tuition-fees.

Instructions for course registration are available at: http://registrar.charlotte.edu/students/registration-information.

Some courses require a registration permit. Please submit a Graduate Permit Request Form for assistance.

Registration and other important dates are available at: http://registrar.charlotte.edu/printable-calendar.

The plan of study is the sequence of courses that students take during their MS or PhD studies. The courses available for each semester can be found at: https://mees.charlotte.edu/current-students/graduate-program-resources/course-delivery-schedule

The courses in each semester are further categorized by research discipline. Note that math courses are also required to satisfy the degree requirements.

MS Students: For MS students, the approximate schedule is described at: http://mees.charlotte.edu/master-science-mechanical-engineering/masters-degree-requirements

PhD Students: For PhD students, the approximate schedule is described at: http://mees.charlotte.edu/phd-mechanical-engineering/doctoral-degree-requirements

The form to complete the plan of study is available at: https://mees.charlotte.edu/undergraduate-program/student-resources

For MS thesis and PhD students, the plan of study should be completed in collaboration with the student’s research adviser. For MS Non-Thesis/Project students, please schedule a meeting with Dr. Terry Xu (megrad@charlotte.edu) after arriving on campus to have remaining questions answered. The Plan of Study must be completed no later than the second semester at UNC Charlotte and submitted to Dr. Xu.

The thesis option requires successful completion of 24 credit hours of graduate-level coursework and 6 credit hours of thesis research (MEGR 7991). A thesis adviser, who must be identified in the first or second semester after enrollment, directs the research which culminates in a written and orally-defended thesis.

The Non-Thesis/Project option requires successful completion of 27 credit hours of graduate-level coursework and 3 credit hours in a designated Capstone Course, which includes a class project component.

If an MS student has not identified an adviser during the first or second semester since initial enrollment, the Non-Thesis/Project option is automatically selected at the end of the second semester.

Full-time enrollment at the graduate level is 9 credit hours per semester (3 classes or equivalent research hours). Students may enroll in a maximum of 12 credit hours per semester.

We currently have about 138 graduate students in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science. The distribution between the two programs is roughly equal.

The plan of study for MSME students is determined by the student and their faculty advisor; however, you will complete a total of 30 credit hours, including at least 2 graduate-level math courses, 4 MEGR (Mechanical Engineering) Concentration courses, and a mix of electives and research hours, depending on the degree capstone you choose (thesis or non-thesis/project). Please review the suggested plan of study and Course Delivery Schedule for more detail. 

The plan of study for Ph.D. students is determined by the student and their faculty advisor; however, you will complete a total of 72 credit hours, including at least 2 graduate-level math courses, 6 MEGR (Mechanical Engineering) courses, and 7 elective courses, for a total of 45 credit hours of coursework, and a minimum of 21 research credit hours. Please review the suggested plan of study and Course Delivery Schedule for more detail.

With the exception of online and hybrid options being offered in Fall and Summer 2020 as a result of the pandemic, we do not typically offer any online courses in our graduate degree programs. We do offer several courses in the late afternoon or evening, however, it is not possible to complete our graduate degree programs exclusively in the evening or online.

1. Log into the Academic Petition system with your NinerNet credentials.
2. Click the blue button, “Start a New Petition”.
3. Select the petition level, “Graduate”.
4. Select the petition type, “Early Entry” and click the blue “Continue” button.
5. The next screen displays the petition form. Here you will list the graduate courses you intend to take and specify which you plan to double count toward your undergraduate degree.
6. Check that the correct degree program is selected, “Mechanical Engineering-MSME”.
7. Choose the graduate-level course you plan to enroll in and then note the DegreeWorks section the course should go in, ex. MEGR 7175 –> Mathematics Requirements, then note whether the course will count as “Graduate Only” or “Graduate & Undergraduate”.
8. Refer to the following Early Entry course reference guide (coming soon).
9. Add additional courses, if you plan to take them that semester, repeating steps 7 and 8.
10. Additional documentation is not necessary or required.
11. Click the blue button, “Submit Petition”