In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Engineering, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Study Materials Science and Engineering - Doctor of Philosophy at Michigan State University, a PhD degree offered at its main campus in East Lansing , United States of America. This Full Time program is delivered on campus in English and takes approximately 5 years to complete. Students benefit from a structured learning experience designed to build both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. The next intake is scheduled for July 5, 2027.
About Materials Science and Engineering - Doctor of Philosophy
Requirements and Admission Criteria for Materials Science and Engineering - Doctor of Philosophy at Michigan State University
Entry Requirements
An applicant for to the Ph.D. degree program in materials science and engineering must hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in materials science and engineering or a related field and must have a grade-point average that would indicate success in graduate study. Applicants must submit their scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test.
Students entering the program with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than Materials Science and Engineering may be required to complete additional collateral courses to fulfill deficiencies in their academic background. Collateral course work will not count towards degree requirements.
Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Materials Science and Engineering
English Requirements
- PTEMin 53
- IELTSMin 6.5
- TOEFLMin 79
English Program Requirements
Due to cancellations of many international English language proficiency tests, MSU will be temporarily accepting the following tests for international students applying for fall semester 2022. In addition, MSU will be expanding the ability for students to receive provisional admission. If a provisionally admitted student is able to take a test that meets our regular admission standards prior to enrollment, we will update their admission status to regular.
Tuition and Fee Information for Materials Science and Engineering - Doctor of Philosophy at Michigan State University
How to Apply for Materials Science and Engineering - Doctor of Philosophy at Michigan State University
Request that all secondary schools, colleges, universities attended and/or examination boards send original or attested copies of all transcripts, marks sheets, certificates and diplomas earned directly to the Office of Admissions at Michigan State University. These can be sent through the online services listed below or by mail. If sending by mail, any hard copy of academic records must be sent in an official, sealed envelope.
Parchment
Common App
Coalition for College
Naviance
eScrip-Safe
National Student Clearing House
Office of Admissions
Hannah Administration Building
426 Auditorium Road, Room 250
East Lansing, MI 48824-2604
In addition, if the original documents are not issued in English, an official translation of each document must be provided along with the original language documents. Translations may be done by the school, college or university attended or an authorized/official translator in the country of study. Review MSU's International transcript requirements for country-specific transcript information.
Note: Documents submitted to MSU as part of the application process will not be returned.
As a freshman you do not have to officially declare your major yet, however you will be asked to select your major preference on the application. If you are undecided, select the "Exploratory preference" option.
Changing your major preference
After submitting the application, fall freshman applicants have until May 1 to change their major preference in their account. Any student who applies, or is admitted, after May 1 cannot change their major preference until they meet with an academic adviser at New Student Orientation (NSO).
Have the testing agency (TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, MSUELT or MELAB accepted) provide proof of English proficiency directly to MSU if your first language is not English. MSU's TOEFL code is 1465. MSU is test optional, which means international students are encouraged, though not required, to submit SAT or ACT scores. The SAT code is 1465; the ACT code is 2032.
Review our full overview on English language proficiency for details on temporary exceptions due to the impact of the novel coronavirus — including additional tests being accepted and expanded opportunities for provisional admission.

United States of America, East Lansing