Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Science, Engineering and Commercialization (Entering with Master's Degree)

Texas State University has made materials science and engineering research, education, and commercialization a priority. With a focus on applied research, industrial outreach and entrepreneurial training, Texas State is uniquely positioned in the region to offer this combination of skills, providing education with relevance with the Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization (MSEC) degree. Students gain valuable experience that prepares them for real-world success.
The Ph.D. in Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization program at Texas State is an integrated effort leveraging opportunities in the university's biology, chemistry and biochemistry, physics, engineering, engineering technology, and business school programs.
The College of Science and Engineering at Texas State offers a cutting-edge interdisciplinary Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization Ph.D. program. Students work with faculty in Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Engineering, Engineering Technology, and Physics on the research, development, and validation of materials to be used in the next generation of electronics, medicines, plastics, sensors, infrastructure, and renewable energy. Coupling commercialization with science and engineering, the curriculum infuses an understanding of intellectual property law, skills in business planning, competency in transforming innovations from the lab to commercial production, and the ability to organize and lead interdisciplinary research teams. Our goal is to educate the next generation of scientists and engineers who will perform interdisciplinary research and will emerge as effective entrepreneurial leaders in the advancement of high tech, 21st century global discovery and innovation. Students are classified as either full-time (minimum of nine hours per term) or part-time. All students are required to initiate, complete, present, and publish original research.

baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
master's degree in biology, chemistry, engineering, materials science, physics, technology, or a closely related field from a regionally accredited university (Students will be required to take leveling courses if background is insufficient. Any required leveling course work must be completed with grades of B or better prior to admission.)
official transcripts from each institution where course credit was granted
Fall 2023 admissions- minimum 3.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all completed graduate course work.
Fall 2024 admissions- minimum 3.3 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all completed graduate course work.
GRE scores are not required for applicants with a minimum 3.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all completed graduate course work.
GRE scores (general test only) required for applicants with GPA less than 3.5 on all completed graduate course work*
interviews (conducted via phone, internet, or face-to-face) with core doctoral faculty
resume/CV
statement of purpose outlining the student's personal history and life goals that are relevant to obtaining a doctoral degree, and, in particular, the rationale for pursuing the commercialization aspect of the MSEC program
three letters of recommendation evaluating the student's skill and potential to be successful in the MSEC Ph.D. program


IELTS (academic) - overall scores required 6.5 and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
TOEFL iBT - overall scores required with a 78 overall and minimum individual module scores of (19 listening, 19 reading, 19 speaking, 18 writing)