Graduate Programs

The Master of Engineering degree offers a shortened master's track for students concentrating in an area of study.

• Rather than completing a research thesis or professional paper, students in this program focus on completing 30 course credits, typically within 18 months.
• This program is well suited for students continuing directly from a bachelor's degree who want less focus on research, as well as practicing engineers seeking additional credits toward professional licensure.

Program Overview: Master's of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering 

The Master of Engineering option in Manufacturing Engineering is designed to prepare students from multiple disciplines to enter the workforce in an advanced manufacturing position.

• Additionally, it can provide training to professionals with a desire to build their skills in advanced and emerging manufacturing technologies in order to advance in their professional careers.
• The program will focus on building advanced skills in the science of manufacturing processes across a wide spectrum of topics. Most notably, topics include automation, quality, efficiency, and management systems, thus enabling integration of complicated manufacturing systems.

Program Overview: Master's of Engineering in Manufacturing Engineering

• Plan A - Thesis Option
• Plan B - Non-Thesis Option

The M.S. in Industrial and Management Systems Engineering (IMSE) prepares you to analyze, design, and manage complex, human-centered systems across industries—from healthcare and manufacturing to government and nonprofit organizations.

• Design solutions that improve how the world works.
• Grounded in engineering and the social sciences, the program combines advanced analytical methods, systems thinking, and real-world application to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and societal outcomes.
• With options for both thesis (Plan A) and professional pathways (Plans B and C), students work closely with faculty to develop the technical depth and interdisciplinary perspective needed to solve today’s most complex challenges.

Program Overview:  M.S. in Industrial and Management Systems Engineering

The one-year M.S. in Industrial and Management Systems Engineering (IMSE) is designed for students seeking to efficiently transition from undergraduate study to graduate-level expertise.

• Fast-track your future with an accelerated pathway to an advanced engineering degree.
• By integrating undergraduate and graduate coursework, this program allows you to complete your master’s degree in just one additional year while building advanced skills in systems design, analytics, and human-centered engineering.
• Grounded in both engineering and the social sciences, the program prepares you to solve complex, real-world problems with a focus on efficiency, innovation, and socially responsible solutions.

Program Overview:  M.S. in Industrial and Management Systems Engineering - "Accelerated" One-year M.S. degree

Program Overview: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering 

The Ph.D. in Engineering with an Industrial & Management Systems Engineering (IMSE) option prepares you to develop and apply cutting-edge solutions to complex, real-world problems.

• Lead the future of engineering through advanced research and innovation.
• Doctoral students engage in interdisciplinary research across areas such as human factors, healthcare systems, data analytics, decision science, and advanced manufacturing.
• The program emphasizes integrating technical depth with social responsibility, equipping graduates to design, analyze, and manage sustainable, human-centered systems that improve organizations and society.

Program Overview:  Ph.D. in Engineering, Industrial Engineering Option

Program Requirements:  Ph.D. in Engineering, Industrial Engineering Option

The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering requires the following for admission to its Ph.D. and M.S. graduate programs:

1. Official Transcripts. Minimum 3.0 GPA in undergraduate program (based on A=4.0).
2. GRE scores are NOT required, but can be submitted.
3. Letters of recommendation (3).
4. Statement of purpose.
5. English Proficiency scores for international Students
   • https://www.montana.edu/gradschool/policy/admissions_intl.html

Masters of Engineering (M.Eng.) program requires

1. Official Transcripts. Minimum 3.0 GPA in undergraduate program (based on A=4.0). 
2. You can choose to include letters of recommendation and statement of purpose during the application, however these are not required.

if you are applying to one of the Mechanical Engineering graduate programs and DO NOT have a Mechanical Engineering BS degree, review the academic requirements, which will need to be fullfilled before applying or at the start of your graduate program. 

Please note all undergraduate BS degrees are welcome to apply to the IMSE graduate programs. If you are applying to one of the IMSE graduate programs and DO NOT have an Engineering BS degree (any BS major in engineering) please review the academic requirements to be fulfilled during your graduate studies.

Priority deadline for domestic and international students wanting to be considered for funded assistantships:

• Fall Semester: February 1
• Spring Semester: September 15

Regular application for domestic applicants:

• Fall Semester: July 1
• Spring Semester: November 15

Regular application for international applicants

• Fall Semester: May 1
• Spring Semester: September 15