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Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Engineering

Innovation and advancement create new, complex problems that require interdisciplinary guided solutions. Today’s industries seek engineers with graduate-level education that emphasizes the full knowledge of engineering abilities paired with evolving, interdisciplinary tactics. This doctoral program in Interdisciplinary Engineering at Kennesaw State is explicitly designed to meet these needs.

Compared to traditional engineering Ph.D. programs, the Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Engineering will challenge you to work across multiple engineering disciplines as you expand your experience past the undergraduate level. You will gain well-rounded research proficiency in a specific subject area and secondary expertise in technological innovation.

If you want to advance your engineer career to become an industry-leading candidate, the Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Engineering program offers the education and diversity you need to excel in today’s competitive job market.

Major Program Elements

  • Collaborate with researchers and lead research teams from diverse backgrounds 
  • Enroll in courses like Research Design and Professional Practice to develop new ideas and establish innovative enterprises 
  • Accept a broad range of academically qualified students who previously pursued either further education out of state or other career opportunities to meet the growing market needs for the engineering workforce in Georgia
  • Interdisciplinary thematic degree: The Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Engineering program is an interdisciplinary collaboration between the six departments within the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology. Students will conduct dissertation research in one of three research focus and seed areas, which rely on faculty resources throughout the college. Our coursework also uniquely transcends the boundaries of traditional engineering disciplines, creating an educational experience that serves as a strong foundation for exciting, rewarding research and development careers in industry, government, and academia.
  • Industry-focused program: The innovative curriculum offered under the Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Engineering includes two courses that equip the doctoral students with the personal and professional skills needed to launch a successful career path in industry or entrepreneurship, while still having value in academia. The courses also include topics for relevant career paths including engineering education, grant writing, self-awareness, and personal SWOT (Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) analysis.
  • Defined timeline for graduation: The structure and course sequence of the Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Engineering were designed to provide a specific timeline for completion. This Ph.D. degree clearly manages pathways to graduation from either a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Master of Science (M.S.) degree with a maximum of four (4) or three (3) years, respectively, pending satisfactory progress on the dissertation research.
  • Externally funded through grants and contracts: Students enrolled in the Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Engineering program conduct meaningful research with societal impact in engineering innovation and technology. Most projects are externally funded through federal grants and contracts and provide most admitted eligible students with a Graduate Research Assistantship consisting of a stipend and a tuition waiver. 
KSU Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Engineering students in the classroom

Program Snapshot

Program Format: Face-to-Face (Select Classes are Hybrid)

Number of Credits Hours: With a Master’s Degree: 60 hours; With a Bachelor’s Degree: 72 hours.

Entry Terms: Fall and Spring

Time to Complete: Three-year Program with M.S.; Four-year Program with B.S.

Application Deadlines:

  • Fall, July 1st
  • Spring, November 1st
Curriculum  Apply Now

Admission Requirements

  • Online Graduate Application - There is a non-refundable $60 application fee. 
  • Transcripts – Official transcripts from each College and/or University attended. Must be in a sealed envelope from the institution or sent electronically from the institution directly to ksugrad@kennesaw.edu
  • Statement of Purpose – A one-to-two-page Statement of Purpose describing career and educational goals, recent accomplishments and activities, research interest, and targeted program focus areas (Intelligent Robotic Systems or Smart Infrastructure or Biomedical and Health Systems).
  • English Proficiency Test Requirements (International students only) - Official TOEFL or IELTS scores (exemption of the TOEFL or IELTS test is determined by the College of Graduate and Professional Education.
  • Resume – Documented relevant engineering or project management experience (preferably research focused) after earning B.S. degree or Professional Engineering license will strengthen the application.
  • Letters of recommendation – Three (3) letters of recommendation from academic or professional contacts; at least two (2) recommendation letters must be from an academic contact.
  • (optional) Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores – Applicants can supplement their application with an official copy of their GRE general test results. High quantitative scores will strengthen the application.
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Interdisciplinary Engineering Degree Benefits at Kennesaw State

  • Top 20

    Schools in the U.S. that students want to attend reported by U.S. News and World Report

  • 7,100+

    Companies recruited students and alumni from KSU in 2020

  • Multiple Engineering Disciplines – You’ll work and collaborate with various fields from Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Engineering Technology, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering at KSU.

  • Competitive Curriculum – With unique courses like Research Design, and Professional Practice, you’ll be exposed to modern practices that are transforming the engineering field in academia, government, and entrepreneurship. The courses cover topics for all career paths like engineering education, grant-writing, self-awareness, and personal SWOT (Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) analysis.

  • Adaptive Research Opportunities – You will make research contributions in one of three research concentration areas (smart infrastructure, intelligent robotic systems, biomedical and health systems) focused on solutions to current engineering trends on a local, national, and an international scale. Most projects will be externally funded through federal grants and contracts to provide most admitted students with a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) with a stipend and tuition waiver. 

  • Defined Pathway to Graduation – Your course structure is designed around providing a specific timeline to completion. From either a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) or Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree with a maximum of 4 or 3 years, respectively, this Ph.D. program clearly defines a pathway to graduation. 

Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Engineering Salary and Career Information

The average Interdisciplinary Engineer salary in the USA is $106,658 per year. Graduates with Doctoral degrees make closer to $141,000 per year. The average Interdisciplinary Engineer salary in Georgia is $104,917.

Related Degrees & Programs

Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Engineering Program

Kennesaw State University
Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Engineering Program
840 Polytechnic Lane
Engineering Technology Center, Building Q.
Room #Q-103A
Marietta, GA 30060

Phone: 470-578-3158

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