博士学位要求包括获得学士学位的研究生课程的学生72学分，或获得硕士学位的学生的课程48个学分。除了居住和学位论文学分要求之外，如果获得学士学位，则学生必须成功完成36个学分；如果获得硕士学位，则必须成功完成12个学分。研究生的博士学位 顾问将指导学生进行学术和研究计划的各个方面。该顾问通常是MANE系的教职人员，但有时也可能来自其他系。ME计划的博士研究侧重于力学和材料，热与流体工程，设计和制造四个广泛领域的基础和现代主题。 ，动力学与控制，以及能源科学与工程，材料，材料加工与控制以及人类健康与安全这三个
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's nationally recognized graduate program in Mechanical Engineering (ME), is known for both the ingenuity of our researchers and the quality of our students. Mechanical Engineering is home to over 150 graduate students from more than 9 countries on 3 continents who pursue M.S., M. Eng., or Ph. D. degrees. Working professionals are welcomed, and many pursue M. Eng. degrees taught in a blended format between online and face-to-face instruction.<br><br>ME program's PhD research focuses on fundamental and modern topics within four broad areas in Mechanics and Materials, Thermal and Fluids Engineering, Design and Manufacturing, and Dynamics and Control, complemented by three cross-cutting research areas in Energy Science and Engineering, Materials, Materials Processing and Controls, and Human Health and Safety. Potential PhD applicants are encouraged to browse the faculty research lab websites for more information on specific research topics and faculty advisors<br><br>The doctoral degree requirements include 72 credits for students entering the graduate program with a bachelor's degree or 48 credits for students entering with a master's degree. In addition to residence and dissertation credits requirements, students must successfully complete 36 course credits if entering with a bachelor's degree or 12 course credits if entering with a master's degree. The graduate students's Ph.D. adviser will guide the student in all aspects of his/her academic and research programs. This adviser is usually a faculty member from the MANE department but can occasionally be from a different department. If a student chooses to do a thesis with an adviser from another department, then a doctoral committee co-chair from within the MANE department is required. Major milestones for the Ph.D. program in MANE include passing a doctoral qualifying exam, a doctoral candidacy exam, and successfully defending the dissertation in an open presentation to his or her committee. The Ph.D. degree is awarded for research making an original contribution to fundamental knowledge in a particular field or in an interdisciplinary field or for research into the relation of a discipline to educational problems and objecties within the field. The Ph.D. dissertation must be scholarly, creative, original, and publishable.