Learn more about navigating the tasks associated with earning a Ph.D.
Ready to take the next step?
As a Michigan Engineering Ph.D. student, you’ll have the opportunity to build a one-of-a-kind educational experience centered around your research interests.
The first step as a prospective student is to find your passion and build your application. Use this section to learn about everything from funding opportunities to the kinds of world-changing research you can pursue as a Michigan Engineering doctoral student.
Please note that Michigan Engineering is no longer requiring the GRE as part of the Ph.D. application process. Additionally, students with financial need may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Click this link to see if you qualify before November 30, 2022 @ 11:59 PM EST*.
*Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, & Robotics deadline for application fee waivers: November 14, 2022 @ 11:59 PM EST. Please note that it will take up to 2 business weeks to receive a decision. Please plan accordingly.
Research &
Advisors
What’s your area of interest?
Do you know what area you are interested in exploring? Below you can search for faculty working in research areas that interest you. You can reach out to them to learn more as well. There are two ways to begin your search:
Search by Department
Curated links to faculty in each department, filterable by general research categories. Click the department links to see the main research areas.
- Aerospace Engineering
- Applied Physics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil & Environmental Engineering
- Climate and Space Sciences & Engineering
- Computer Science & Engineering
- Design Science
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Engineering Education Research
- Industrial & Operations Engineering
- Macromolecular Science and Engineering
- Manufacturing
- Materials Science & Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences
- Robotics
- Scientific Computing
- U-M Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI)
Search by Topic
Because research can span many departments and disciplines, use U-M’s experts.umich.edu database to search based on topics that most interest you. This site will help to identify faculty members and learn more about their work through research publications and websites.
U-M Experts 
Questions for your potential research advisor(s)
Talking with a potential advisor may seem overwhelming and intimidating. To help initiate conversation and get all your questions answered, please feel free to utilize the questions below. Of course, please feel free to ask your own questions as well. Faculty and staff are here to help make your journey as smooth as possible.
- How many graduate students are you currently advising?
- How many graduate students have graduated under your advisement in the last five years? And where are they now?
- How long do your graduate students usually take to finish?
- Is there, or how much funding is available for your students?
- What are the requirements for this funding? I.e. teaching requirements?
- Do you have specific research in mind for your new Ph.D. student(s)?
- How many of your students have gone into academia vs industry?
Success & Realistic Expectations
Understanding where your academic goals will fit in at U-M
Earning a Ph.D. is extremely rewarding, but not a simple undertaking. There is a big difference between taking courses as an undergrad and creating significant and original research as a Ph.D. There are many things to consider before applying for a Ph.D.
-
PASSION
about the subject matter and have a deep interest level
-
ENJOYMENT
in doing research
-
ACADEMIA & RESEARCH CAREER
as a requisite to entering these fields
Earning a Ph.D. deserves some serious thought and realistic expectations. Here are a few things to consider if you decide to take this journey.
Research in any field is demanding. While you can still find a work-life balance, your research will take a considerable amount of your time.
- Most research is done independently and requires a lot of internal motivation.
- Having passion and drive for research is a must-have to be successful.
- Experimentation, feedback, and failure will all be a part of your research. So an open mind and the ability to receive constructive feedback, and not being afraid to fail will be necessary to achieve success.
Michigan Engineering and Rackham Graduate School offer wonderful workshops and experiential learning opportunities ranging from leadership to multi-disciplinary design projects. Here you can customize your own unique combination of credentials that will set you apart from the competition. Below are examples of opportunities to develop your professional skill set while getting your Ph.D.
No matter how good we are at our Ph.D. topics, having effective interpersonal skills is more important. Building connections, and practicing leadership through involvement in professional and student organizations is a great way to exercise those skills.
Erik H.
Nuclear Engineering Ph.D. Candidate
Get Answers to Your Questions
Graduate Coordinator Contacts
Message a Graduate Coordinator within your area of interest with specific questions surrounding your area of interest.
For general college admission questions contact coe-adgpe-rr@umich.edu.
DEPARTMENTS
Mirko Gamba, Grad Chair & Master’s Chair
Aerospace Engineering
mirkog@umich.edu
Kristen Thornton
Electrical and Computer Engineering, Engineering Education Research
Our graduate program coordinators have been immensely helpful during my entire time in graduate school. They are always available and eager to answer students’ questions and assist in navigating important program deadlines and requirements. Overall, they genuinely care about the success of students and help foster a supportive environment for graduate studies in our department.
Laura B. Andre, Ph.D Postdoctoral Researcher, Electrical Engineering
Timeline
Here is a very helpful timeline of what you can expect as you go through the process of gaining admission to the Ph.D. program.
Researching schools, identifying faculty mentors
External internships over the summer - research experience is helpful to PhD acceptance
SROP (Rackham sponsored research opportunities
SURE (Summer Undergraduate Research Experience) specific to CoE for UM Students
Research opportunites to connect with their faculty at their current university
Attending conferences to meet potential advisors
Application window at university. Oct - Dec. 15
Ordering official transcripts and having them sent to U-M
Asking current faculty for letters of recommendation for the application
Applications being reviewed and offer letters being sent between Jan 1- April 15 - monitor your application to make sure everything is submitted and watch your email for communications from the department
Visits and virtual meetings may take place during this time. Not all faculty and departments require a visit to be accepted. Visits are typically by invite only
Final Decision Letter sent to applicants by 4/1
Offer acceptence deadline 4/15
Funding Model
All Ph.D.s are fully funded including a tuition waiver, monthly living stipend, and health insurance.
Talk with your advisor to fully understand the expectations associated with your funding.
-
Funding
Learn More
Sources -
Co-curricular Experiences Funding
Learn More
RESOURCES
AVAILABLE
Rackham
Life
Learn about graduate student communities and helpful resources ranging from personal well-being to conflict resolution and grievance support all offered through Rackham Life.
Learn More
Student
Life
Get connected and build relationships through Student Life. Learn how to find like-minded communities, find housing and get active with Student Life.
Learn More
Engineering Career Resource Center (ECRC)
This unit hosts career fairs and networking events, internships, and professional development opportunities like resume writing and interviewing techniques. Learn more about what the ECRC has to offer.
Learn More
Teaching and Learning Resources
The College of Engineering provides a number of teaching & learning resources for graduate students. This includes the following:
+ CRLT-E for Student Instructors
+ Faculty Resources for Online & Hybrid Teaching
+ Nexus Faculty Resources Blog
Co-Curricular Experience Funding
A funding resource for conferences and professional development.
Learn More
MPACE
Michigan Postdoctoral Association provides professional development and socialization for over 200 postdocs in engineering.
Learn More M.O.R.E. Workshops
The “Mentoring Others Results in Excellence” group engages faculty and graduate students to foster conversations about mentoring. Specifically, the committee provides faculty with effective tools and practices for mentoring graduate students in an effort to improve retention, productivity, and overall student success.
Learn More International Center
International Student and Scholar Services provides professional expertise and support to international students on enrollment, employment, visas, immigration advisement, funding, and taxes.
Learn More Graduate Employees Organization
Graduate Employees Organization is a union representing Graduate Student Instructors (GSI’s) and Graduate Student Staff Assistants (GSSA’s) with their rights and benefits as employees.
Learn More Student Wellbeing
Student Wellbeing is one of the top priorities at Michigan Engineering! Find your work-life balance with the Consultation, Assistance, and Resource in Engineering (C.A.R.E.) team who are prepared to assist students with personal, and academic matters.
Learn More Benefits
GradCare is the health, dental, vision, and leave benefits program for graduate students.
Learn More
Apply
Most Ph.D. applications are submitted to Rackham Graduate School where the admissions process is managed as a team with the colleges and departments.* The requirements for each department’s program may vary, therefore refer to the guidelines posted on the department’s website.
You can find help for preparing your application, and tips for what to do after you’ve been accepted on the Rackham Admissions site.
*The only doctoral program not administered by Rackham is the Doctor of Engineering in Manufacturing. Learn more and apply.
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