Engineering Graduate Programs | Vanderbilt University - School of Engineering | School of Engineering

Degrees and Programs

Your Next Step

Choosing the right graduate program is an important step in shaping your future, and we are excited that you are exploring all that Vanderbilt has to offer. Our world-class M.Eng., M.S., and Ph.D. programs provide a dynamic and collaborative environment where you can thrive academically and professionally.

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Degrees and Programs

Research-oriented Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees are offered through the Graduate School and hosted by the academic departments of the School of Engineering. The Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) degree is an advanced professional degree awarded by the School of Engineering and especially designed for engineering practitioners who may prefer to work while doing professional study.

Vanderbilt University also offers an online M.Eng. program in engineering management.

Program Information

Programs

Graduate Student Experience

Degree Comparison

Master of Science (M.S.)	Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)	Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
1–2 years duration	1–2 years duration	4–5 years duration
30 credit hours (24 coursework, 6 thesis research)	30 credit hours	72 credit hours, including a research-based dissertation
In-person	Online and in-person	In-person
Career Paths: Research and industry advancement	Career Paths: Professional advancement in engineering and technology	Career Paths: Senior research and academia

Learn More about Vanderbilt's Graduate Programs in Engineering

Vanderbilt School of Engineering: Graduate Admissions

Admissions: Important Dates

Applications Open: August 1

This is the date by which most programs begin accepting Fall 2027 applications. If you have further questions, please directly contact the office of your program of interest.
Your application should be submitted through the Vanderbilt University Graduate School.

Fall 2027 Ph.D. and M.S. Deadlines

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date.

December 1, 2026	Fee waiver* deadline for Ph.D. applicants for Fall 2027 admission.
January 8, 2027	Final Ph.D. application deadline for Fall 2027 admission.
January 8, 2027	Priority deadline for M.S. applications (recommended for earlier admission decisions and priority consideration for competitive scholarship awards).
March 15, 2027	Final M.S. application deadline for Fall 2027. (No application fee for M.S. program.)

Ph.D. applicants are encouraged to submit their applications by December 15 whenever possible to allow sufficient time to ensure that all materials are complete and to address any outstanding application requirements before the final deadline. Applications will continue to be accepted through January 8.

* Fee waivers are available to students currently enrolled in or who have graduated from U.S. institutions, as well as students from select international institutions.

Spring 2027 Ph.D. and M.S. Deadlines

October 15, 2026	Ph.D. application deadline for Spring 2027.
October 15, 2026	M.S. application deadline for Spring 2027.
Ph.D. programs offering Spring 2027 admission	Electrical and Computer Engineering Mechanical Engineering
M.S. programs offering Spring 2027 admission	Biomedical Engineering Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Electrical and Computer Engineering Mechanical Engineering

Spring/Fall 2027 M.Eng. Deadlines

Applications for the School of Engineering's Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) programs are evaluated on a rolling basis for Spring* and Fall 2027 matriculation.
*The following M.Eng. programs offer Spring admission: Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), Engineering and Surgical Intervention (ESI), Mechanical Engineering (ME), and Risk, Reliability and Resilience (RRR)
Admissions Responses: April 15

Deadline for applicants to respond to offers of admission. If your reply is not received by April 15th, the department may reallocate any offer of financial award.

Admissions: General Information

Application Guidance

The Vanderbilt School of Engineering seeks well-rounded individual with proven academic accomplishment as well as demonstrated personal character and ambition. Our decision is based on careful evaluation of each applicant's complete record, including an online application, statement of purpose, TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores if applicable, transcripts and letters of recommendation.
For Spring and Fall 2027 entry, the School of Engineering does not require GRE scores for admission consideration.
Vanderbilt is a comprehensive research university and holds the highest designation of research universities in the Carnegie classification system. All applicants for both the master and doctoral degrees are considered on the basis of merit.
Important for the Fall and Spring 2027 admissions cycle: The School of Engineering is not requiring Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for consideration for admission.
Also note: For international students who did not graduate from an institution in a country where English is both the language of instruction and the only official language, proficiency in English must be demonstrated by achieving a minimum score of 89 on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 7.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). We also accept the Duolingo English Test, with a minimum acceptable score of 130. All programs will accept both the TOEFL iBT Home Edition and the Duolingo English Test as alternatives to the regular TOEFL or IELTS to fulfill the English proficiency requirements.
Details of the language proficiency requirements and the English proficiency waiver policy can be found on the Graduate School website at the following link: Application Requirements. Please note that any waivers will be reviewed only after the application is submitted and all supporting documents are complete.
Transcript Submissions

Transcripts can be sent either via the postal service or via secure electronic delivery. In order to be considered official, transcripts and other documents must come directly from the institution attended. Some institutions provide secure electronic delivery of transcripts. These submissions may be made to cdm@vanderbilt.edu.
Transcripts sent via the postal service should be addressed as follows:
CDM
PMB 407833
2301 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37240-7833
Graduate Funding

For Master's degree students, partial tuition scholarships may be available to qualified applicants. Doctoral candidates are awarded full financial assistance in the form of teaching or research positions. This support typically includes a full-tuition scholarship, monthly stipend, and paid health insurance. Student activity fees, which allow access to the student recreation center, are also covered. In addition, individual fellowship awards above and beyond the standard financial aid package are regularly awarded to outstanding applicants.
Learn more about graduate funding
Graduate Fellowships

In addition to Vanderbilt's graduate funding, numerous fellowships are available through private donors, philanthropic organizations and government agencies.
Learn more about graduate fellowships
International Student Applicants

For international students who did not graduate from an institution in a country where English is the official language, proficiency in English must be shown by a minimum score of 89 on the TOEFL, 7.0 on the IELTS test, and for the Duolingo English test the minimum acceptable score is 130. For more information please visit the Graduate School website.
Contact Us

Garrett Marino
Senior Director of Enrollment Management
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PMB 351826
2301 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37235-1826
gradengineering@vanderbilt.edu