Program Overview

Introduction to the Professional Master's in Mechanical Engineering

The Professional Master's in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University is a full-time, on-campus program designed to provide students with a world-class education in their engineering focus area, sharpen their professional management skills, and join a network of over 100,000 Boilermaker engineers worldwide. This program is ideal for current undergraduates seeking a graduate degree, international students looking to work in a STEM field in the US, and busy professionals aiming to advance their careers.

Program Structure

The program blends 21 credits of technical specialties with 9 credits of management and professional development classes. It typically takes one to two years to complete and does not involve a thesis, nor does it provide a path to a doctoral degree. Students are ineligible for teaching/research/graduate assistantships or fellowships that provide tuition remission.

Curriculum

To complete the degree, students must take a total of 30 credit hours, consisting of:

• 3 credit hours of applied math class
• 9 credit hours of professional development classes
• 12 credit hours of mechanical engineering classes
• 6 credit hours of technical electives

Core Courses in Applied Mathematics

Students choose 3 credit hours from recommended options such as Linear Algebra, Advanced Mathematics for Engineers and Physicists I, or any course from the approved applied math course listing.

Core Courses in Professional Development

Students select 9 credit hours from a list of professional development courses, including but not limited to:

• Complex System Safety
• Space Law Lab
• Aerospace Human Factors
• Learn to Translate Research into Impact
• Environmental Policy Analysis
• Communicating Science to the Public
• International Engagement and Development Strategies
• Science Communication
• Conducting and Writing A Literature Review in the Social Sciences
• Ethical Engineering of Medical Technologies
• Pediatric Medical Devices
• Construction Business Management
• Legal Aspects in Engineering Practice
• Entrepreneurship & Business Strategy in Engineering
• Innovation Science & Socio-tech change
• High Tech Entrepreneurship
• Construction Accounting
• IP Generation and Management: an Inventor's View
• Communication for Engineering Leaders
• Ideation Catalyst
• Leadership, Policy, and Change in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education
• Globalization and Engineering
• Exploring Alternative Career Paths as an Engineering Educator
• Teaching Engineering Online
• Advanced Professional Writing
• Writing Proposals and Grants
• Editing and Publishing
• Engineering Leadership
• Technology Realization Program/Commercialization/Entrepreneurship
• Safety Engineering
• Quality Systems Management
• Technical Product Management
• Intellectual Property for Engineers
• PMP Professional Development
• Accounting for Managers
• Financial Marketing
• Marketing Management
• Strategic Management I
• Operations Management
• Business Analytics
• Development of Global Business Strategy
• Change Management
• Lean Manufacturing of Materials
• Sports
• Innovative Care and Innovations in Healthcare Delivery
• Leadership and Ethics
• Advanced Project Management in Technology

Only one project management course can be used in the plan of study, chosen from:

• Leadership and Advanced Project Management
• Project Management
• Project Management

Mechanical Engineering Classes

Students choose 12 credit hours of mechanical engineering courses. The "research interests" listed are a guide, and students can select courses across areas or stick to one area for in-depth knowledge.

Technical Electives

Students need to take 6 credit hours of technical elective courses, which must be technical and quantitative in content. These can include:

• Graduate level ME lecture courses
• Approved non-ME courses
• Up to two ME 59700 - Independent Study courses. Independent study projects are not automatically established in the semester course listing, and it is the student's responsibility to find a ME professor willing to supervise their independent project.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it a STEM program? Are international students eligible for CPT/OPT?
   • Yes, the Professional Masters is a STEM program, and international students are eligible for applying CPT/OPT.
2. What degree will be awarded to Professional Masters students?
   • Professional Masters students will receive the same Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) degree as MS thesis students.
3. What are the differences between Professional Masters and traditional non-thesis programs?
   • Both programs are on the MS non-thesis track, requiring 30 credit hours of coursework to graduate. However, Professional Masters students must take courses in professional development and are not eligible for TA/RA funding support.
4. Are students allowed to do internships?
   • Yes, students are encouraged to plan ahead and apply for summer industrial internships through the Office of Professional Practice.
5. What is the length of the program?
   • Students can usually complete the program in 1 to 2 years. For international students, the I-20 is valid for 2 years.
6. Can I switch to the MS thesis program?
   • The possibility of finding a thesis advisor and switching to the thesis program is very low. The program does not encourage students who prefer research tracks to enroll in Professional Masters.
7. What is the Professional Master’s tuition rate?
   • Please refer to the Bursar’s website for details.
8. Can I apply for PhD study after completing Professional Masters?
   • It is expected that students in Professional Masters will be on a career path of technical and engineering leadership, not in academia. Lacking research experience makes PhD applications less competitive.