Mechanical Engineering, M.Eng. - CEPS, UNH

Graduate

Mechanical Engineering

Experience advanced training in thermal-fluid sciences, solid mechanics, and manufacturing.
2026
Degree
Master of Engineering
Location
Durham, NH
Courses
10*
Credit
30 hrs.*
Full-time
1-2 yrs.
Part-time
Varies
two students working at a computer

Mechanical Engineering

The Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering at UNH offers advanced training in thermal-fluid sciences, solid mechanics, and manufacturing. Here you'll be able to gain hands-on experience at the Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center and Flow Physics Facility. 

With specialized concentrations and accelerated degree options, this program prepares you for engineering leadership roles.

*Number of courses and course credit hours may vary, please reach out to your academic advisor for exact requirements.

Mechanical Engineering Department

Click below to get more information about UNH graduate programs

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Request Information Form
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Why get a Master of Engineering degree in mechanical engineering?

Earning a professional master’s degree can be the key to unlocking your potential, increasing your salary, and advancing your career. At UNH, the mechanical engineering M.Eng. program will enable you to complete advanced coursework in one or more specialized concentrations including fluid dynamics and thermal science, mechanics, materials science, design and manufacturing, dynamic systems and control, and ocean engineering. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to complete a research project in one of these areas. Alternatively, students who are able to document significant, equivalent work experience can petition to waive the project and take an additional 900-level graduate course.

Why choose UNH’s Mechanical Engineering program?

At UNH, you’ll have the opportunity to choose a path that best reflects your career goals. You’ll enroll in courses that provide cutting-edge tools and enable you to apply your technical knowledge to a diverse set of societal challenges. And you’ll do this alongside award-winning researchers. In fact, nearly two-thirds of the mechanical engineering faculty have received prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER awards. You’ll also have access to an array of world-class laboratories, including the new John Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center, the newly renovated Jere A. Chase Ocean Engineering Laboratory, and the Flow Physics Facility, the largest boundary-layer wind tunnel in the world.

Potential career areas

  • Aerospace 
  • Analytics/data science 
  • Automotive industries 
  • Biomedical engineering 
  • Environmental engineering 
  • Manufacturing/industrial engineering 
  • Ocean engineering 
  • Power generation 
  • Renewable energy 
  • Robotics

Curriculum & Requirements

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Program Description
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The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a master of engineering degree. The department offers studies leading to specialization in the following six concentrations:

  • Fluid Dynamics and Thermal science
  • Solid Mechanics
  • Materials Science
  • Design and Manufacturing 
  • Dynamic Systems and Control
  • Ocean Engineering
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Requirements for the Program
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Degree Requirements
Select 28 credit hours of course work 128
ME 992Master's Project 24
Total Credits32
1

Two 900-level courses of at least 3 credits each must be taken in addition to ME 992 Master's Project.

2

Individuals who can demonstrate accomplishments from professional engineering experience comparable to that expected from a master's project may petition the department to substitute an additional 900-level course for the ME 992 Master's Project requirement.

A “B” average (3.00 GPA) with no grade below “B-­” is required in all the coursework. No more than 12 credit hours from UNH graduate courses (8 credit hours from non-UNH graduate courses) taken prior to admission to the Graduate School may be applied to the master's degree. A written report and an oral presentation of the project are required. The format of the project report is determined by the candidate’s research adviser. Master of Engineering students are usually not eligible for a research or teaching assistantship.

All full-time graduate students are required to attend a weekly Mechanical Engineering Graduate Seminar and make one presentation per year.

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Accelerated Master's
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Accelerated Master's Overview

Accelerated Master’s programs offer qualified University of New Hampshire undergraduate students the opportunity to begin graduate coursework in select graduate programs while completing a bachelor’s degree. Accelerated master's programs are designed to provide students with an efficient and cost-effective pathway to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree or graduate certificate, enhancing career opportunities and long-term earning potential. 

Accelerated Master's Highlights

  • Begin studying advanced topics while an undergraduate student with the opportunity to complete a master’s degree or graduate certificate early.
  • Master’s degree program students: Earn up to 12* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
  • Graduate certificate program students: Earn up to 8* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s degree and the graduate certificate.
  • Students complete the bachelor’s degree, and then officially matriculate into the master’s or graduate certificate program to complete the remaining required graduate-level coursework.

*Some exceptions apply. 

Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements

  • A minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA is required.*
  • A minimum of 90 undergraduate credits must be completed prior to enrolling in graduate (800-level) courses.
  • Streamlined Graduate School Application (two letters of recommendation; most standardized tests and application fee are waived).*

*Some exceptions apply.

Accelerated Master's Requirements

  • Students must attend a mandatory orientation session.
  • Students must submit a special registration form each semester for dual-credit courses and note any DegreeWorks exceptions.
  • Students may defer graduate matriculation for up to one year after earning their bachelor’s degree in most programs.
  • See the Accelerated Master’s Catalog Policy and Accelerated Master’s Website for additional information and a list of programs. Note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g. higher-grade expectations) compared to the general policy.

Mechanical Engineering (M.Eng.) Accelerated Option

This graduate degree program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with the following undergraduate program(s):

Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
Ocean Engineering (B.S.)
Students select from the following approved 800-level courses that can be completed in the undergraduate senior year for dual credit:
ME 806Renewable Energy: Physical and Engineering Principles3
ME 807Analytical Fluid Dynamics4
ME 809Computational Fluid Dynamics3
ME 812Waves in Fluids3
ME 817Marine Robotics and Applications3
ME 826Fracture Mechanics4
ME 827Advanced Mechanics of Solids4
ME 842Materials Processing in Manufacturing4
ME 843Satellite Systems, Dynamics, and Control3
ME 872Control Systems4
ME 877Computer Aided Engineering4
ME 886Introduction to Finite Element Analysis4
ME 895Special Topics1
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Student Learning Outcomes
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Program Learning Outcomes

  • An ability to gain in a specific focus area of mechanical engineering.
  • An ability to apply principles of mathematics, science, and engineering in a variety of contexts.
  • An ability to use the techniques, skills, and tools necessary for science and engineering practice.
  • An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
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Application Requirements & Deadlines
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Apply now

Deadlines

Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:

  • Fall: Feb. 15 (for funding); April 1 (recommended US; final international); July 1 (final)
  • Spring: Dec. 1; Nov. 1 for international students
  • Summer: N/A
  • Special: N/A

Application fee: $65

Campus: Durham

New England Regional: No

Accelerated Masters: Yes (for more details see the accelerated masters information page)

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC. 

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.

If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

  • Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
  • Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.

Letters of recommendation: 3 required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

GRE Test Scores

GRE General test scores are normally required but are waived for UNH Mechanical Engineering alumni with a minimum GPA of 3.0. If required, request official test scores to be sent directly to the Graduate School by the testing service. Test scores more than five years old are not acceptable. Student copies and photo copies of scores are not considered official. Our CEEB code is 3918.

For general information about test scores required for admission into our programs please visit our Test Scores webpage.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:

  1. Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
  2. Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.

Additional Department Requirements

Current UNH Mechanical Engineering undergraduate students are encouraged to apply to the Accelerated Masters program which requires a minimum GPA of 3.2.

Important Notes

All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.

International Applicants

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.

International applicants to this program with low TOEFL scores may be eligible for our Bridge Program.

Explore Program Details

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Accelerated Master's Program
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Students with a 3.2 cumulative grade-point average can apply for early admission to the UNH Graduate School during their junior year. Early admission allows students to receive dual graduate credit for three 700/800 level CEPS technical elective courses (up to 12 credits) taken during their final year. For more information on the ME Graduate Program, please contact Prof. Gregory Chini.

College of Engineering & Physical Sciences (CEPS)
Nick Pitkin
UNH mechanical engineering student, Nick Pitkin has been conducting research at the Olson Center since the fall of 2022. This summer, Nick began the UNH accelerated master’s program.
09/08/2023