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Michigan Tech's Department of Mechanical Engineering - Engineering Mechanics offers a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering via distance learning. The MSME is unique in that it offers technical employees an opportunity to earn a work-based research degree. While earning their masters, employees apply the disciplines of engineering quality and robust design to real-world situations. Employees may earn their degree from anywhere in the world: MTU and the University of Bradford, England, developed the program to provide a seamless transfer of projects and course work between the two universities and an employee's work location.
The MSME program is comprised of individually tailored academic modules delivered through distance learning technologies and a major job-related project which culminates in a project thesis. Three additional credits may be transferred from the Ford Technical Education Program (FTEP) modules or other programs subject to approval.
Because this is a work-based research program, supervisors work closely with employees to identify an appropriate research project. Employees then attend a required induction week at MTU where they meet their cohort group, begin working with their faculty advisor, define their project, and identify their course of study.
Five semesters (or milestones) mark students' progress (see time line). Program objectives are reviewed during regularly scheduled video conferences with the faculty advisor to ensure completion within the two-year time frame. Progress on a literature review, experiments, data collection and analysis, and thesis preparation will also be monitored during these semester progress reviews. Students are required to attend an additional study week at MTU during the program to provide time for intense faculty advising and to promote cross fertilization between students in different cohort groups. The program culminates with a final review, an oral presentation, and the submission of a project thesis.
To download a PDF version of the MSME brochure, use a free copy of Acrobat Reader.
For more information on Michigan Tech's distance learning programs, contact us at disted@mtu.edu.