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Dartmouth offers a diversity of concentrations with collaborative synergies between engineering disciplines. Graduate students are expected to propose a plan of study that supports their interests on a path unconstrained by disciplinary boundaries. At the time of graduation, PhD students may elect one of the six program areas to be reflected as a "concentration" on their transcript, upon verification by the Thayer Registrar that they have satisfied the courses for that program area.
PhD students may elect to focus their coursework and research in one or more of the following program areas:
The Industry PhD option allows professionals to pursue a PhD under the guidance of Dartmouth Engineering faculty while conducting research with direct impact in their current field. Eligible applicants have at least two years of industry or national laboratory experience or an MS degree plus one year of professional experience. In addition, applicants must also be currently working in industry.
"Students in our Innovation Program take classes at Tuck School of Business. They learn about contracts and patents. They attend conferences for entrepreneurs. They start building a professional network while they're still students."
—Professor Doug Van Citters
Students interested in entrepreneurship can augment their PhD in engineering with the PhD Innovation Program (PhD-I), which adds courses in technology business practices and taking research discoveries to market. Students in this program meet all PhD requirements, including passing an oral qualifying exam and defending a thesis proposal, along with additional PhD-I requirements.
The MD-PhD combines a PhD in engineering sciences with an MD from Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. Students must apply to the Geisel School as well as to Thayer, indicating their specific interests.
The Medical Physics Education Program is available to PhD students in engineering and the physical sciences. This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP) and prepares graduates for a career in clinical medical physics.
Students can take advantage of Tuck School of Business, Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship, and thought leaders and industry contacts within Dartmouth's extensive alumni network.
PhD students interested in business administration and management may obtain an Engineering Management Certificate by completing any three of the following courses in addition to their PhD requirements:
Candidates may enroll in other engineering management courses or, for additional tuition, courses offered by Tuck School of Business.
Interested PhD students may serve as teaching assistants for courses that have a problem session, tutorial, or laboratory component. In special cases, a student may participate in the design and development of a special topics course or laboratory exercises for a lecture course. Students become eligible for these positions following completion of the oral qualifying exam and the completion of ENGG 295: Undergraduate Teaching. More formalized teacher training, offered through the Dartmouth Center for the Advancement of Learning, is also available to engineering PhD students.
Learn how Dartmouth Engineering's graduate programs could be a great fit for you. Connect with faculty, staff, and students, and navigate the application process.
The most profound engineering breakthroughs should move beyond the lab and into the lives of those who need them. Our entrepreneurial accelerators are designed to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world application. By providing the strategic funding, mentorship, and training necessary for commercialization, we empower our community to address the world's most pressing challenges in engineering and healthcare.
The Dartmouth Innovation Accelerator for Engineering (DIAEn) empowers faculty and students with resources, support, and training to translate groundbreaking research into real-world solutions that improve lives and address our world's most critical challenges.
The Dartmouth Innovation Accelerator for Healthcare and Medicine (DIAHM) helps Dartmouth innovators transform research into real-world healthcare solutions with funding, mentorship, and expert support.
The foundation for doctoral engineering degree work is undergraduate preparation in science, mathematics, and engineering principles. Applicants must hold a bachelor's and/ or master's degree from an accredited institution to be considered for the program. Students admitted to the program who are not prepared to complete the first-year requirements are advised to enter the MS program and petition to be admitted to the PhD program. Students who have prior graduate training may be considered for advancement to candidacy after completing one or two terms of the first-year doctoral program.
The PhD program of study is developed based on each student's background and professional interests in consultation with the advisor and first-year advisory committee.
Students are required to take eight to 10 courses in applied mathematics and engineering, reflecting the distribution described below. Up to half of these courses may be taken in science departments outside of engineering. Students also must participate in required seminars and workshops. Students with prior graduate credits may transfer up to half of their courses to count toward this requirement, provided the courses were not used to satisfy bachelor's degree requirements.
Please note: The information below reflects requirements, effective as of fall 2026.
| COURSE TYPE | NUMBER OF REQUIRED COURSES | COURSES |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Mathematics | 2 or more courses | Choose at least two courses, from the following: ENGS 91: Numerical Methods in Computation
|
| Engineering Breadth | 2 or more courses | Choose at least two courses that demonstrate engineering breadth: Any graduate course leading to acquiring breadth of knowledge in engineering sciences. |
| Engineering Specialization | 4 courses | Choose four courses that demonstrate engineering specialization: Courses in the student's area of research to increase depth of knowledge and expertise. These courses should be selected in concert with the thesis advisor. |
| Required Seminars & Workshops | 4 courses | Professional Skills Development ENGG 195: Seminar on Science, Technology & Society (28 sessions) |
In addition, PhD students also take on a multi-year research project, usually as part of a larger multidisciplinary project. Engineering research at Dartmouth reflects our belief that innovation happens at the intersection of disciplines and our emphasis on addressing areas of critical human need. PhD students work closely with their faculty advisor who is sponsoring their research to identify and further define their research focus.
All PhD students, upon matriculation, are required to attend a series of workshops in ethics and sign a statement that they agree to abide by the honor principles established by Dartmouth. See the Graduate Academic and Conduct Regulations for a full statement of academic honor.
As a student in the PhD program, you are expected to spend at least nine terms in residence, three of which will take place after successfully completing the oral qualifying examination. If you are registered and enrolled in two or more courses per term (or ENGG 298), you are considered full-time and "in residence." If you are a full-time student, you typically take approximately four to five years to complete the requirements for the PhD.
In limited circumstances, you may pursue the PhD as a part-time student and enroll in a single credit each term (either a single class or one unit of research). Part-time students satisfy residency requirements on a pro-rated basis of one-third of a term of residency per term of part-time enrollment. Part-time status in the PhD program must be approved by the senior associate dean for research and graduate programs.
See PhD Innovation Program Requirements for details.
During the first year of the PhD program, you prepare for formal candidacy by taking courses and participating in faculty-directed research projects. Review the typical Thayer PhD process. You work with a faculty advisor and two additional Thayer faculty members, who form the student's advisory committee, to develop a first-year program of study, which you submit to the Thayer registrar during the first week of the term.
A typical first-year program of study includes:
During your first term, your faculty advisory committee helps you develop a full program plan to fulfill the PhD requirements, which you submit to the Thayer Registrar before the beginning of the second term. The remaining PhD coursework and research program plan includes the rest of the required engineering courses, plus participation in the following seminars and workshops:
Each PhD student has a faculty advisor who aids the student in developing their course of study, which is submitted to and approved by the senior associate dean of research and graduate programs during the student's first term of residency. A student's faculty advisor also supervises the student's research and typically serves as chair of their thesis committee. Students can be co-advised by multiple faculty members.
At the end of each year, students meet with their faculty advisor to review grades, goals, achievements, and future plans in research, formal coursework, and extracurricular activities. This meeting, and a corresponding written report, is required for every year that a student remains registered in the PhD program.
Following the first-year meeting, before the fall of their second year, the advisor provides the Thayer registrar a written report describing a student's annual performance.
Following a positive outcome of this first annual meeting, the student is expected to complete the oral qualifier examination before the end of the Fall term.
The second annual meeting should occur at the end of the student's second year, and a successful outcome of this would allow the student to progress to the PhD thesis proposal presentation before the end of the third year.
Students who are not progressing in a normal manner are transferred to the MS program with the understanding that they may later request to be reconsidered as PhD candidates.
Prior to advancement to candidacy, students must:
Once advanced to PhD candidacy, students work with their advisory committee to make sure that all degree requirements are met.
| REQUIREMENT | DEFINITION | DEMONSTRATED BY |
|---|---|---|
| Technical proficiency | Knowledge of the principles and methods of engineering, applied science, and applied mathematics underlying the anticipated thesis research | Coursework and oral qualifying examination |
| Technical breadth | Knowledge of one or more areas outside of or secondary to the candidate's main area of specialization | Program of study or presentation of research proposal or a project in an area outside the main area of specialization |
| Professional competence | Ability to develop resources in chosen area of research | ENGG 197.1: PhD Professional Development |
| Specialization & thesis proposal | Mastery of knowledge in the chosen area of research | Presentation of a thesis proposal and a program of study |
| Original research | Significant contribution to engineering knowledge combined with professional expertise in the chosen area of study | Presentation at a professional meeting, manuscript accepted for publication, dissertation, and oral defense |
The oral qualifying exam, a set of questions put forward by an oral examination committee to the candidate, normally takes place before or during the fifth term of the student's program, or in exceptional circumstances, early in the sixth term. The exam is open to the faculty, but not to the general public.
The committee tests the candidate's knowledge of principles and methods underlying the field in which advanced work is to be performed. The exam covers material selected by the candidate's advisor in consultation with the examining committee and includes coverage of mathematical techniques appropriate to the research area. The examination committee consists of four members—the chair plus three Dartmouth faculty examiners, with at least two of the examiners from Thayer. A Thayer faculty member other than the student's advisor chairs the committee and is assigned by the director of the MS and PhD programs.
The structure of the preparation for the exam is flexible. The student prepares a description of the planned exam, obtains approval of their advisor and two additional committee members, and then submits the proposal to the director of the MS and PhD programs. The director of the MS and PhD programs assigns a fourth committee member to serve as the chair and approves the proposal. The student completes this proposal process in the PhD Oral Qualifying Exam app (accessible only when connected to the Dartmouth network or VPN), typically one month before the exam date.
The examination committee gives the student a pass, fail, or conditional pass result. Students who fail may retake the oral examination—one time only—within the following three months. Upon passage of the exam or fulfillment of the conditions of the conditional pass (before the assigned deadline) and with a letter of support from the advisor, the student is admitted to PhD candidacy pending a vote by the Thayer faculty.
The faculty advisor helps the candidate plan a demonstration of technical breadth, which is approved by the senior associate dean of research and graduate programs. The plan details one of the following options:
The candidate demonstrates professional competence by completing 20 assignments offered through Thayer's PhD Professional Development Program. Once this requirement is met, it will be reflected by credit for ENGG 197.1 (or ENGG 197) on the student's academic record. These professional development sessions are designed to provide a customized experience for students and allow them to access the sessions and assignments they feel they need most to gain the skills critical to their success in the PhD program and their expected career path. Sessions are offered throughout the academic year, and students may spread their completion of 20 assignments throughout their time in the PhD program. Topics covered include explorations of different career paths, creation of an academic portfolio or CV, project management, giving and receiving feedback, lab management, paper publication, and more.
The candidate demonstrates mastery of an area of specialization by writing and defending a thesis proposal within the first 18 months of candidacy. A thesis committee, approved by the director of the PhD program, advises the candidate on the proposed thesis research and administers the defense of the thesis proposal defense.
The PhD examination committee consists of a minimum of three full-time Dartmouth faculty members of which a minimum of two must be from Thayer (including the dissertation advisor) and an external member with a faculty equivalent research appointment outside of Dartmouth is optional, but not required. Note that although optional at the proposal stage, an external member is required for the final thesis committee and defense. The external member may participate in meetings in person or via video conference. The candidate's proposal—a presentation of the proposed thesis research—explains the scope and importance of the proposed research and plans for its completion. The defense presentation should be understandable, at least in a general way, to students and faculty not in the subject area.
Two weeks before the defense, candidates must:
Students who do not pass may be permitted to present the proposal again—one time only—within the following three months.
Candidates demonstrate their significant contribution to engineering knowledge and professional expertise in the chosen area of study by performing original research. The PhD examination committee consists of a minimum of three full-time Dartmouth faculty members of which a minimum of two must be from Thayer (including the dissertation advisor) and an external member with a faculty equivalent research appointment outside of Dartmouth. The external member may participate in meetings in person or via video conference. The research is reviewed through all of the following means:
A PDF of the final dissertation, including a cover sheet signed by the thesis committee, must be submitted to the Thayer registrar for archiving.
In addition to the professional development requirement of the PhD, Thayer offers PhD candidates optional training in engineering management, development and design, and teaching.
PhD students interested in administration and management may obtain an Engineering Management Certificate by completing any three of the following courses:
Candidates may enroll in other engineering management courses or, for additional tuition, courses offered by Tuck School of Business.
Interested PhD students may serve as teaching assistants for courses through registration for ENGG 295: Supervised Undergraduate Teaching or ENGG 295.1 Supervised Teaching Assistant. Students may complete one term of ENGG 295 or up to three terms of ENGG 295.1. More formalized teacher training, offered through the Dartmouth Center for the Advancement of Learning, is also available to engineering PhD students.
PhD students typically enter with full support from either a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) or an external fellowship. A GRA covers tuition for the academic year, which includes instruction, insurance coverage, use of instructional facilities, and healthcare services through the College infirmary.
In addition to GRAs, there are a number of scholarships, fellowships, and grants offering financial awards that are available to PhD graduate students.
