PhD in Mechanical Engineering (PhD)

At Howard University, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, while tuition is Transfer credits are accepted and reviewed by the program director..

The program is grounded in research and theory-to-practice application across mechanical engineering domains. Students develop expertise in solving real-world engineering challenges through structured coursework and independent research. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on work in faculty-led projects and laboratory settings. Doctoral candidates work closely with advisors to advance knowledge in specialized technical areas.

Focus areas include dynamics and controls in aerospace engineering, fluids and thermal sciences, applied mechanics, design and manufacturing, atmosphere and materials sciences, biomechanical engineering.

The program requires 72 credit hours, distributed across coursework, research, and dissertation work. Students complete advanced courses and conduct original research under faculty supervision.

Graduates pursue careers in research and development, university teaching, and technical leadership roles within industry.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or its international equivalent. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 is required. The application includes a statement of purpose, autobiographical statement, transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a resume.

The programme totals about 72 credit hours. On-campus, full-time, typically lasting several years. For international students, tuition is well above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 35% of applicants.

Howard University’s legacy is shaped by academic study, research, and service. Its community includes scholars, student researchers, athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs. The university carries the identity of an HBCU while preparing students for study and careers across a broad range of disciplines. Alumni stories include physicians, astrophysicists, educators, lawyers, public officials, and advocates whose work has reached beyond the campus.

Students can apply to more than 130 areas of study across 14 schools and colleges. Howard offers undergraduate, graduate, professional, and doctoral programs, with fields ranging from the humanities to scientific disciplines. Research and centers address health and medical issues, economic disparities, cybersecurity, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence and machine learning, drug abuse, energy systems, accounting and finance, women’s leadership, and journalism and democracy. The university has also launched an AI certificate program for undergraduate students.

Located in Washington, DC, Howard connects academic life with a city central to American government, public service, journalism, and cultural life. International students should review the university’s range of schools and degree levels carefully, since programs differ across undergraduate, graduate, professional, and doctoral study. Howard’s guiding phrase, “Excellence in Truth and Service,” reflects the university’s emphasis on student success and service to local and global communities.