Students in the doctoral program may obtain the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering with a designated field of "Mechanical Engineering." A Ph.D. supervisory committee, in consultation with the student, arranges an appropriate program of studies for completion of the doctoral course work requirements.

• A minimum of 90 graduate credit hours (including master's degree credit hours) is required for a doctoral degree.
• At least 45 hours must be completed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• 27 credit hours must be completed within 18 consecutive months to satisfy the Ph.D. residency requirement.
• The university's language and research tool requirements are ordinarily waived for the Engineering Ph.D. program.
• After graduate course work has been substantially completed, the doctoral student must pass a written comprehensive examination administered by the supervisory committee.

In addition to graduate course work, doctoral students must complete a written Ph.D. dissertation with an oral presentation and defense. The dissertation topic must be approved by the supervisory committee and the Graduate Chair. The dissertation itself should reveal a capacity to perform independent research and should represent a significant advancement of knowledge.

The time necessary to complete the doctoral degree varies greatly, but three years beyond the master's degree is typical.

UNL Graduate Studies Bulletin