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All MS Professional students must complete the following requirements to be eligible for graduation.Ìý

• Coursework and Grades:Ìý
  • 30 graduate-level (5000-level or higher) credit-hours (~10 courses, 3 credits each course)Ìý
    • One required course, see below
  • Courses must be completed with at least a grade of C or higher Ìý
  • At least 18 credits must be in Mechanical Engineering (i.e., MCEN courses).Ìý
  • Up to 12 credit-hours mayÌýbe taken outside the department, inclusive of any transfer credits applied towards the degree.Ìý
  • StudentsÌýmust maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA to remain in good standing
• Professional Development:Ìý
  • Completion of MCEN 5000: Sociotechnical Industry Skills
    • C or higherÌý
  • Offered fall semesters onlyÌý
  • Consists of a series of seminars, workshops, and projects focused on various topics relevant to careers in industry, including project management, engineering ethics, communication skills,Ìýwriting skills, budget preparation and management, leadership styles and philosophies, and interview skills.
  • Alternative ways to fulfill requirement:
    • Automatic (applied at time of graduation)
      • Have completed MCEN 5030: Introduction to Research (C or above)
      • Have completed two EMEN graduate courses (C or above)
      • Have completed 3 credits of MCEN 5930: Professional Internship and 1 EMEN graduate course (C or above in both)
    • By Petition (approval not guaranteed):
      • Petition is announced via Canvas Graduate Student Resources Page
      • Have completed at least 3 years of post-baccalaureate, full-time, continuous work experience related to the field of engineering
      • Are a ME Senior Design Course Assistant/TA

MS Focus Areas (Optional but Encouraged)

MS Focus Areas help students explore specific interests within mechanical engineering and guide course selection. Focus areas are not required, and students can change them at any time without a formal process.

Many students choose the Flex focus area, which allows them to combine courses from multiple areas based on their academic and career interests. MS Thesis students typically select a focus area aligned with their faculty advisor's research.

Students interested in a more formal credential (similar to a UG Minor) can also pursue a graduate certificate, which is noted on their transcript upon completion.

Learn more about MS Focus Areas, including recommended courses and available options.

Beginning in Fall 2027, eligible MS Professional students (U.S. citizens and permanent residents only) will have the option to complete their MS in Mechanical Engineering fully online/remotely.

How It Works

There is no separate application or formal declaration required to pursue the degree online. Students simply enroll in online/remote course sections while fulfilling the MS Professional curriculum requirements outlined above.

Course Availability

Most Mechanical Engineering courses offer both in-person and online/remote sections. However, some restrictions apply:

• Food Engineering and Design focus area courses are typically offered in person only.
• Courses offered by other departments, such as Engineering Management (EMEN), Aerospace Engineering (ASEN), and Computer Science (CSCI), vary in their online/remote availability.

Students planning to complete their degree fully online should review course availability carefully to ensure they can meet all degree requirements remotely.

For the most up-to-date information on course formats and availability, visit the .

Online v. Remote & Student Fees

Tuition for online and remote courses is the same as tuition for in-person courses and is based on your residency status and the number of credits taken each semester.

However, students whose entire Main Campus course schedule is online or remote are assessed a different mandatory student fee structure. These students pay fewer campus-based fees but do not receive access to certain services and benefits included with in-person student fees, such as the Recreation Center and student bus pass.

For details, visit the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder All-Online Student Fees webpage.

Online vs. Remote Courses

• Online (Asynchronous): Courses are completed online without scheduled class meetings. Students access materials and complete assignments according to course deadlines.
• Remote (Synchronous): Courses are delivered online with scheduled virtual class meetings that students attend in real time.

Additional Cost of Attendance

Tuition and fees are only part of the overall cost of attending Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder. Other expenses may include housing, food, books, supplies, transportation, health insurance, and personal expenses. Learn more about the full cost of attendance.

The MS Thesis and MS Professional tracks lead to the same Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree, but have different requirements. The MS Thesis track is designed for students interested in research-focused careers in academia or industry and includes a faculty-supervised thesis instead of coursework alone.

Students must secure a faculty member willing to serve as their thesis advisor before declaring the MS Thesis track. This can ONLY occur after an applicant has been admitted to the MS ME Professional degree program.Ìý

For more guidance, see the ME Master of Science Thesis page and Milestone 1: Obtaining a Thesis Advisor.