PhD Students Quick Guide

Case School of Engineering — EMAE PhD Program: Quick Reference Guide

1. Program Overview

This guide summarizes the degree requirements, milestones, and resources for PhD students in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (EMAE) at Case Western Reserve University. It is intended as a concise reference; students should also consult the official Graduate Bulletin and EMAE Handbook for full policies.

Official Sources

2. Credit & Coursework Requirements

Minimum Total Credits

  • Entered with BS: 36 credit hours 

  • Entered with MS: 18 credit hours

Coursework Distribution

3. Teaching Requirement

All PhD students must complete three semesters of teaching assistantship (TA). To get credit, students must complete a three-semester sequence of 0-credit hour courses: EMAE 400T – 600T.

4. Seminar Requirement

PhD students are required to attend and participate in departmental and university seminars for three semesters. To get credit, students must complete a three-semester sequence of 0-credit hour courses: EMAE 400S – 600S. Attendance must be documented as required by seminar coordinators.

5. Qualifying Examination

Qualifying exams (QE) are offered in the fall and spring semesters for each of the research concentration areas listed below and they originate from the three required courses for each concentration area. They are typically taken at the end of the first year after completion of core coursework and before advancement to candidacy. Currently, students are tested during a 90 minutes written examination followed by a 90 minute oral examination covering three core courses in the student’s concentration area.

6. Dissertation Research & Defense

Students should form a research committee in the 2nd year after passing the qualifying exam consisting of their advisor and three other faculty members and schedule meetings with their committee once per year to review their research plans and progress. The committee can change over time.

Students must file a Dissertation Defense Notice with the School of Graduate Studies at least 3 weeks before the defense, and a completed thesis must be provided to the committee at least 10 days prior to the defense. For the defense, the committee must consist of at least four members of the faculty at CWRU, with at least one member from another department. 

7. Student–Advisor Responsibilities

Students can reference a document compiled by the department that establishes mutual responsibilities between PhD students and faculty. A key assessment tool to ensure that the student-advisor relationship is on track is the Semester-end review, which is filled out each semester jointly by PhD students and their advisors. This gives the opportunity to give and receive structured feedback and to document issues. 

8. Academic Policies & Graduate Requirements

All EMAE PhD students must comply with university-wide academic policies, including but not limited to:

  • Minimum GPA requirements

  • Academic standing and probation
  • Continuous registration policies

  • Time limits for degree completion

Refer to the Graduate Academic Requirements & Policies:
https://bulletin.case.edu/graduate-studies/academic-requirements-policies/

9. Healthcare & Graduate Student Benefits

PhD students are eligible for healthcare options provided through Case Western Reserve University.

Current information on plans, enrollment, deadlines, and coverage is available at:
https://case.edu/studentlife/graduate/resources/healthcare-options-graduate-students