Engage in Interdisciplinary Engineering Study

  • As an Engineer, you will face evolving, complex problems that require interdisciplinary approaches. Industries today are particularly interested in interdisciplinary engineering Ph.D. programs that emphasize both the full knowledge of engineering and specialized skillsets in a particular field. The Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Engineering at KSU is a unique doctoral program designed to meet these growing needs. 

    By becoming one of our doctoral students, you will take part in an exciting interdisciplinary graduate program that encourages intellectual depth within your area of study. We also provide flexibility to allow for a range of learning across traditional engineering disciplines. Compared with traditional doctoral engineering programs which keep you focused on one engineering discipline, 最色导航 State鈥檚 Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Engineering program will extend your knowledge base outside your core undergraduate degree expertise to provide the training you need for a successful career in industry, academia, government, and entrepreneurship.

    When you graduate from this doctoral program, you will have a well-defined research proficiency in a subject area and a broad-based knowledge in technological innovation.

    In the Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Engineering program, you will work in laboratories with state-of-the-art instrumentation and facilities from all six departments in the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology: Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Engineering Technology, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering. With these disciplines, doctoral students will conduct cutting-edge research and receive exceptional technical training and mentorship from our experienced world-class faculty.

    This doctoral engineering program will provide you with opportunities to pursue coursework and interdisciplinary research in focus areas such as Intelligent Robotic Systems, Smart Infrastructure, Biomedical and Health Systems, and Innovative Materials. As a Doctor of Interdisciplinary Engineering, you will contribute to groundbreaking research, new technologies, and innovative solutions that can transform lives. 

Ph.D. Program Overview & Expectations

最色导航 State's Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Engineering prepares students to lead cutting-edge research and drive innovation. This program emphasizes collaboration, entrepreneurship, and professional growth, equipping graduates for impactful careers in academia, industry, and beyond. With a structured timeline and opportunities for funded research, the program offers a transformative path for aspiring engineering leaders.

    • 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. 

  • Selecting the right engineering Ph.D. program is pivotal to your success as an engineer. Here鈥檚 why you should choose the Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Engineering at 最色导航.

    With our program, you鈥檒l learn to: 

    • Synthesize and develop advanced engineering knowledge from multiple disciplines 
    • Conduct independent research in unexplored engineering fields
    • Become an engineering entrepreneur who can commercialize new ideas and establish innovation-driven enterprises 
    • Focus on research themes, including intelligent robotics and smart infrastructure, in your engineering program
    • Become uniquely equipped as an industry leader and technology innovator who can lead interdisciplinary engineering research projects 
    • Explore topics essential for all engineering career paths, including engineering education, grant writing, self-awareness, personal SWOT (Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) analysis, and entrepreneurship 
    • Develop professional competencies in ethics, pedagogy, proposal writing, patenting, research team organization, and entrepreneurship 
    • Collaborate with teams of engineers, experienced faculty, and work independently to produce solutions to trending topics in technological research innovation 
    • Construct leading research with relevance that creates and refines skills with real-world applications amongst other engineering programs 

  • Applicants must have the following qualifications to be eligible for the Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Engineering program: 

    • An undergraduate or graduate degree in engineering, or a related degree (e.g., physics, mathematics, computer science) from an accredited college or university 
    • A minimum undergraduate degree grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent. The average undergraduate and graduate GPAs of students accepted into the program are 3.3 and 3.6 on a 4.0 scale, respectively.
    • Successful completion of Calculus I and Calculus II and at least one higher-level mathematics course (e.g., Calculus III, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Discrete Mathematics) 
       

    Preference in admission will be given to applicants having relevant engineering or project management experience after earning a Bachelor of Science degree or a Professional Engineering license. 

    Admission is based on several factors, including academic performance at prior institutions (GPA(s)), a statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation. GRE scores are not required but are considered when submitted. Applicants' undergraduate and graduate records and recommendation letters will be given more consideration. Preference for admission will be given to applicants having relevant engineering or project management experience after earning a B.S. degree or a Professional Engineering (PE) license.

  • Students must apply through the Online Graduate Application portal. Transcripts must be sent in a sealed envelope or electronically directly to ksugrad@kennesaw.edu  

    • 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 
    • A one-to-two-page Statement of Purpose describing career and educational goals, recent accomplishments and activities, research interest, and the targeted program focus area.
    • English proficiency test requirements (International students only): Official TOEFL or IELTS scores (exemption of the TOEFL or IELTS test is determined by the . In addition, please visit  for more information. 
    • A resume or CV documenting: 
      • relevant engineering or project management experience (preferably research-focused) and  
      • a Bachelor of Science degree or Professional Engineering license will help with acceptance. 
    • Three (3) letters of recommendation from academic or professional contacts; at least two (2) recommendation letters must be from an academic contact. 
    • The GRE is optional and not required for admission into this engineering program, however applicants can supplement their application with an official copy of their GRE general test results. High quantitative scores will strengthen the application. 
    • There is a non-refundable $60 application fee. 
  • View or Download The Program Handbook

Application Deadlines 

Fall Term: July 1st  |  Spring Term: November 1st

**Note that the completed application, application fee, and all required credentials must be submitted by the deadline date.** 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Unfortunately, we do not offer application fee waivers at this time.

  • Below are the various methods you can use to meet the English Proficiency requirement for admission.

    1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Minimum required score (iBT Internet version): 80
    2. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Minimum required score: 6.5

    Exemption Options:

    1. Applicants from the following countries* are exempt from the English Proficiency requirement: Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tobago, Trinidad, United Kingdom, United States or Zimbabwe
    2. Applicants who have graduated** from a college or university in the United States accredited in a manner accepted by 最色导航 are exempt from the English Proficiency requirement.

    Applicants not exempt by A or B above must take the TOEFL or IELTS test.


    *Supporting documentation (i.e. copy of passport) may be requested.
    **Official transcripts must be on file with Graduate Admissions

    For more information, please reach out to KSUGrad@kennesaw.edu.  

  • No, please review the criteria above, or visit the International Student Application Guide published by the KSU Graduate College. 
  • You do not need a confirmed dissertation advisor to submit your application. However, you will need one to be admitted to our program. We recommend you:
    1. Visit our department websites to read about our professors and their research:
    2. Email professors whose research interests match yours.
    3. Ask if they plan to accept new PhD students and if funding is available.
    After you submit a complete application, we can share your materials with potential advisors in our department. While this matching process can happen during application review, we strongly encourage you to contact potential advisors before applying to discuss research opportunities.

GRA Position Consideration

Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) is the term used at KSU to refer to graduate assistantships that work on campus in research-related positions.
GRAs are generally funded through competitive faculty grants and contracts. GRAs gain the experience of working alongside faculty members on cutting edge, relevant research. GRA responsibilities vary greatly and may include, but are not limited to:

  • Collecting, coding, and/or analyzing data
  • Conducting literature reviews or library research
  • Preparing materials for submission to funding agencies and foundations
  • Writing reports
  • Preparing materials for IRB review

Research assistants should not be engaged in work unrelated to their academic program or that does not further their educational experience and objectives. 

For More Information: 

Dr. Philippe Sucosky
Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Engineering Program Director 
470-578-3158  
phdengineering@kennesaw.edu