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Dartmouth's MS in engineering sciences is designed for research and technical depth. Dartmouth also offers two other distinct master's degrees: the Master of Engineering (MEng)—designed for advanced technical practice without a thesis—and the Master of Engineering Management (MEM)—designed for engineering leadership paired with business skills. Each engineering master's program is designed for a different kind of career trajectory, so you can find the degree that matches where you want to go next.
Format: On-campus
Structure: Research-intensive with thesis requirement. (Limited admissions and funding availability.)
Best for: A career in research or preparation for a PhD.*
*If you are considering academic research, you are encouraged to apply directly to Dartmouth Engineering's PhD program, as the MS is not required for the PhD.
Format: On-campus (all disciplines) or online (computer engineering only)
Structure: Fully course-based—no thesis required
Best for: Deepening technical expertise and advancing as a professional engineer; gaining industry-ready skills with immediate impact in the workplace.
Sound like a good fit?
Check out the MEng.
Format: On-campus
Structure: Four academic terms + required industry internship
Best for: Engineering/ technology professionals who want business leadership and management skills alongside technical expertise.
Curious to learn more?
Explore the MEM.
Dartmouth offers a diversity of concentrations with collaborative synergies between engineering disciplines. You will be expected to propose a plan of study that supports your interests on a path unconstrained by disciplinary boundaries. Both faculty and students draw from these multiple areas of expertise for maximum human-centered impact:
With advance planning and a willing Dartmouth faculty sponsor, you may be able to earn the degree within one year after finishing the requirements for the Bachelor of Engineering (BE). Six applicable graduate courses can be used for both the BE and MS programs. Those courses must be beyond the requirements for the AB (typically in the fifth year), and you must have taken a substantial portion of the undergraduate program at Dartmouth or in one of its official exchange programs. Discuss your plans to satisfy both program requirements with the MS program director. At least one term prior to your thesis defense as a BE/ MS candidate, you'll submit a BE program plan approved by both your advisor and the BE program director to the Thayer registrar.
For available projects that can satisfy BE+MS degree requirements, see the MS projects list.
If you want to qualify in both research and the practical application of engineering and management, you may consider pursuing both the Master of Engineering Management (MEM) and the MS program. Separate admissions applications are required for each program, and financial aid and funding are evaluated independently for each. Students typically apply to both programs at the same time but pursue the MEM first. If you are interested in the MS, connect with potential faculty advisors as early as possible—even prior to applying to the MEM program—to explore future research possibilities, as admission to the MS is contingent on a willing Dartmouth faculty sponsor.
If you are highly qualified, you may be allowed to transition to a PhD degree program with the approval of the senior associate dean for research and graduate programs and at the invitation of a willing faculty sponsor. The MS is not required for the PhD. If a PhD is your ultimate goal now, consider applying directly to that program.
As an MS candidate, you are required to hold a bachelor's-level degree in engineering or in one of the physical sciences from an accredited institution. If you are admitted and require additional engineering coursework, you may be required to complete additional undergraduate engineering courses prior to beginning your MS studies.
Six graduate-level courses beyond the AB degree are required, reflecting a distribution across applied math (one course), engineering depth (three courses), and engineering breadth (two courses). If you have prior graduate credits, you may transfer up to a maximum of three graduate course credits to count towards your required MS coursework, provided they were not used to satisfy bachelor's degree requirements. If you are a Dartmouth Bachelor of Engineering (BE) student, you may count up to six applicable classes towards both the BE and Master of Science (MS) degrees.
Please note: The information below reflects degree requirements, effective as of fall 2025.
| COURSE TYPE | NUMBER OF REQUIRED COURSES | COURSES |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Mathematics | 1 course | Choose at least one course, from the following: ENGS 91: Numerical Methods in Computation |
| Engineering Depth | 3 courses | Choose at least three courses, from the following: Courses in the area of the student's research should be chosen to increase the student's depth of expertise and knowledge. These courses should be chosen in concert with the thesis advisor from the graduate engineering listings. Engineering Management courses are not permitted. |
| Engineering Breadth | 2 courses | Choose at least two courses, from the following: Students may choose from any graduate course listing area, with approval of the thesis advisor and the graduate program committee. |
ENGG 700: Responsible & Ethical Conduct of Research is mandatory as part of the requirements for embarking on research for the MS program. The research must lead to a written thesis that demonstrates a depth of knowledge in a specific field of engineering research or design.
As a candidate, you must also present a public oral defense of the thesis, which is conducted by your thesis committee. The MS thesis committee typically consists of three Dartmouth faculty members (including your thesis advisor); one of the three may be from outside the program of study.
You are responsible for giving final, signature-ready copies of the thesis to each committee member to review at least two weeks prior to the defense. You must submit an electronic notice of the defense to the registrar two weeks in advance for distribution to the faculty and for posting. A PDF copy of the thesis, including thesis committee members' signatures, must be submitted to the registrar for archiving. Additional information is available from the Thayer registrar and the Thesis Guidelines (.pdf).
In the tradition of our founder Sylvanus Thayer, you are encouraged to participate in service activities, such as those sponsored by the William Jewett Tucker Center and Thayer Council.
Upon matriculation, you 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 Graduate Academic and Conduct Regulations for a full statement of academic honor.
You will have a faculty advisor who aids the student in developing a full program plan to fulfill the MS requirements, which you will submit to the Thayer registrar before the beginning of the second term to get approved by the senior associate dean of research and graduate programs.
Your faculty advisor also supervises your research and typically serves as chair of your thesis committee. Therefore, if you are interested in pursuing the MS degree, you should contact Thayer faculty within their area of interest for an initial conversation about the program.
Most MS students are self-supported, similar to other master's students. As a self-supported student, you are responsible for tuition, fees, and health insurance, and are eligible to apply for need-based financial aid.
In some cases, you may be funded through research grants and/ or faculty support. This funding typically covers tuition, a stipend, and health insurance. You may be funded during all your terms in the program, or only those following completion of your six required courses once you are engaged in full-time thesis research.
Review the cost of attendance breakdown of tuition and college-related expenses. Other than tuition and fees, college-related expenses are estimates.
Many students seek external financial support through scholarships, fellowships, and grant programs.
If you are a current Dartmouth BE student applying to the MS program, you may be eligible for need-based "BE aid" for the terms that you need to take classes, after which you are covered by faculty research support.
A number of fellowships offering financial awards are available to graduate students. The lists accessible below are organized by application deadline to help you navigate these opportunities.
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.
