Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Master of Science program in Materials Science and Engineering is designed to provide students with a sound foundation in technical fundamentals, communication, and professionalism. The program offers a broad-based curriculum in thermodynamics, structures and mechanical properties, kinetics, optical and magnetic properties, materials characterization, and energy production and storage.

Program Details

At a Glance

• College/School: Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
• Location: Tempe or Online
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes

Accelerated Program Options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.

• Chemical Engineering, BSE
• Chemistry, BS
• Materials Science and Engineering, BSE
• Mechanical Engineering, BSE
• Mechanical Engineering (Computational Mechanics), BSE
• Mechanical Engineering (Energy and Environment), BSE
• Physics, BS

Degree Requirements

• 30 credit hours and a thesis, or
• 30 credit hours including a portfolio, or
• 30 credit hours including the required applied project course (MSE 593)

Required Core (6 credit hours)

• MSE 503 Concepts in Materials Science (3)
• MSE 523 Structural and Mechanical Properties of Materials (3)
• MSE 524 Advanced Thermodynamics (3)
• MSE 525 Fundamentals of Electrical, Optical and Magnetic Materials and Device Applications (3)
• MSE 550 Advanced Materials Characterization (3)
• MSE 560 Nanomaterials in Energy Production and Storage (3)
• MSE 561 Phase Transformations, Kinetics and Diffusion in Solids (3)

Technical Electives (18 or 24 credit hours)

• Culminating Experience (0-6 credit hours)
  • MSE 593 Applied Project (3) or
  • MSE 599 Thesis (6) or
  • portfolio (0)

Additional Curriculum Information

The materials science and engineering MS program has two options: thesis and non-thesis. All students are admitted to the non-thesis option, which requires a portfolio. During the last semester of their program, students in this option submit a portfolio that contains at least two projects from previous materials science and engineering coursework, along with a paper explaining the projects. Students must successfully complete the portfolio requirements to pass the culminating experience. Students who complete a portfolio must also take an extra six credit hours of elective coursework to reach the required 30 credit hours for the program.

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements:
  • U.S. applicants
  • International applicants
  • English proficiency
• Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.
• Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.
• Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
• Admission to the materials science and engineering graduate program is highly competitive. All applicants must submit:
  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts from all institutions attended
  3. personal statement
  4. resume or curriculum vitae
  5. three letters of recommendation
  6. proof of English proficiency

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Attend Online

ASU Online offers this program in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.

Application Deadlines

• Fall:
  • Session A/C: In Person, 12/31, Priority
  • Session A/C: Online, 12/31, Priority
• Spring:
  • Session A/C: In Person, 08/01, Priority
  • Session A/C: Online, 08/01, Priority

Career Opportunities

The program prepares engineers for doctoral study or for industrial positions that specialize in research, project management, and product innovation in materials science and engineering. Professionals with a materials science and engineering master's degree have strong opportunities at all levels in material design, selection, synthesis, and characterization for a wide variety of applications, including electro-optical-magnetic systems, environmental systems, energy conversion and storage, manufacturing, and construction. Career examples include:

• Engineer
• Engineering manager or director
• Engineering professor
• Research engineer

Program Accreditation

All ASU graduate and undergraduate academic programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Many programs also have additional accreditation through specialized accrediting agencies.