Manufacturing Engineering, PhD
Program description
The doctoral program in manufacturing engineering prepares students with advanced knowledge and skills to tackle complex challenges in modern manufacturing industries worldwide. Combining advanced research with practical applications, the program trains graduates to become leaders in areas like advanced manufacturing, automation and sustainable production.
Students work closely with faculty and industry experts, benefiting from a hands-on approach to education and access to new facilities. This collaborative environment fosters expertise in emerging technologies and interdisciplinary research.
The program also offers career development opportunities such as internships and industry partnerships. Graduates are well-equipped for successful careers in academia, industry, government and entrepreneurship, driving innovation in global manufacturing.
Career outlook
Graduates with a doctoral degree in manufacturing engineering typically pursue research-focused careers in academia or industrial R&D. This advanced training prepares them for leadership roles driving innovation in manufacturing technologies and processes.
Doctoral degree holders find opportunities in companies, government research institutes, and national labs such as the Department of Defense, Department of Energy and NASA. Their work often involves materials development, manufacturing optimization, automation and sustainable production.
Common career paths include industrial engineers, manufacturing engineers, materials engineers and scientists, mechanical engineers and mechatronics engineers. These professionals play key roles in advancing manufacturing innovation across industries.
Estimated salary range: $110,000-$130,000/year.
Applicants who meet the following requirements are eligible to apply:
- a minimum of a BS or MS in manufacturing engineering or a closely related discipline from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States or from appropriately credentialed institutions in other countries
- a minimum of 3.00 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.00 = A) in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor’s degree, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = A) in a applicable master’s degree program
The admission process begins by applying for graduate admission. The application requires that following items must be submitted:
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose: Submit online a 300- to 500-word statement of purpose describing your motivation and rationale for obtaining a PhD in the Manufacturing Engineering program at Arizona State University and how it relates to your long-term career goals.
- CV/Resume
- Official transcripts from each college or university attended.
- Graduate admission application and application fee
- International applicants must also meet the English proficiency requirements, as defined by Graduate Admissions. Please be sure to review the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score requirements, as your application will not be processed without valid proof of English proficiency.
Graduate faculty and funding opportunities
Degree requirements
A minimum of 84 semester credit hours are required for the PhD degree, distributed as follows:
- A maximum of 30 credit hours of coursework from a previous master’s degree in engineering or a related field may be applied to the PhD.
- Four core courses, plus Seminar totaling 15 credit hours.
- 12 credit hours, at minimum, of MFG 792 Research
- 12 credit hours of MFG 799, Dissertation
- 42 credit hours, Electives or Research
Application deadlines
August 15 Spring semester (January)
January 15 Fall semester (August)
These are priority deadlines. Applications submitted after this deadline may still be considered.
Course requirements
All students enrolled in the PhD in Manufacturing Engineering must complete the required courses. Additional curriculum details are available in the PhD Manufacturing Engineering program handbook (linked left, below).
- EGR 520: Engineering Analysis I
- EGR 602: Principles of Independent Research
Choose two research-related courses in consultation with faculty advisor. Examples below: - MFG 522: Engineering Statistics
- MFG 523: Artificial Intelligence for Smart Manufacturing
- MFG 574: Polymer Science and Additive Manufacturing
- MFG 581: Simulating Manufacturing Systems
- MFG 582: Metal Additive Manufacturing
Complete three semesters of MFG 691 Seminar (1 credit each, 3 credits total)
Additional coursework will fall into three categories: Electives, Research, Dissertation.
If a student needs additional preparation before taking one or more of the core courses, the required deficiency courses may not be used as part of the Plan of Study, although the grades received in these courses will be used in computing the overall GPA. Additionally, PhD programs of study are dependent on both the background and the chosen specialization of individual students, and preparation beyond the minimum core requirements is occasionally necessary.