Princeton Engineering

Princeton Engineering offers three graduate degrees: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E) and Master of Engineering (M.Eng.).

This program trains graduate students in advanced phases of engineering science, related physical science and mathematics. It serves as excellent preparation for careers in research, engineering development and design, and engineering education.

All six departments at Princeton Engineering offer doctoral programs and require successful performance on the general examination, an acceptable dissertation, and its successful defense in a final public oral examination. Details vary by department.

All Ph.D. students are guaranteed a stipend plus funding to cover full tuition. First-year fellowships are provided by the University; subsequent years are funded by teaching and/or research assistantships. Completion of a doctorate typically requires 5 years of study.

This program provides advanced education in the principles of the various branches of engineering and related fields. The M.S.E degree requires a prescribed course of study in the first year and research leading to a thesis in the second year.

Chemical and Biological Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and Operations Research and Financial Engineering offer Master of Science in Engineering programs.

Tuition and stipends may be available through teaching and research assistantships; see departmental websites for details.

This program offers graduate-level preparation for careers in the applied aspects of advanced technology, for interdisciplinary fields, and for engineering management careers. The course of study can normally be completed in one year.

All Princeton Engineering departments except Computer Science and Operations Research and Financial Engineering offer Master of Engineering programs. Financial aid is available on a need-only basis.

Please note these important details about our graduate programs
The minimum residential requirement for an advanced degree is one academic year, or the equivalent, of full-time resident graduate study at Princeton University.

At Princeton, it is not necessary to receive a master’s degree before obtaining a Ph.D.; students with bachelors’ degrees can apply directly to the Ph.D. program, if that is the highest degree sought.

A student working toward an M.Eng. or M.S.E. degree may, with the approval of the department and the dean of the Graduate School, continue study beyond the master's program and pursue the Ph.D. Students hoping to switch from a master’s degree program to a Ph.D. program must apply for the Ph.D. through the Graduate School; if admitted, students will complete the master’s degree before officially entering the doctoral program.

In the Ph.D. program, the Master of Arts degree (M.A.) is incidental and obtained upon application after passing the general examination.

Should a Ph.D. candidate's performance raise serious doubts about his or her readiness to do scholarly work, the department may rule, upon consideration of the overall record, that qualifying for the M.A. terminates the student's degree candidacy and, consequently, enrollment in the Graduate School. The student then will receive the M.A. upon termination of Ph.D. candidacy.