Ph.D. Degrees

The Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Engineering, and the Doctor of Philosophy in Systems and Engineering Management programs are research-focused degrees that prepare graduates for university teaching and research, industry research and leadership, and consulting.

With the counsel of a graduate advisor, students are expected to design individualized academic programs. The doctoral program requires a minimum of 60 hours of coursework beyond the bachelor's degree, which may include up to 15 hours constituting a minor area. At least 12 hours of doctoral dissertation enrollment are also required for the doctoral degree. Transfer credits from a master's degree program are determined by the student's graduate advisor and the graduate school, with a maximum of 30 transfer credits allowed.

Ph.D. programs incorporate courses taken in each of the five specialty areas below.

• Engineering Management: Systems theory, decision theory, industrial cost analysis, advanced engineering economics, performance improvement in organizations, project management, and productivity management.

• Ergonomics and Human Factors Engineering:Occupational biomechanics, work physiology, industrial ergonomics, environmental hygiene, cognitive engineering, human performance, human computer interaction, and occupational safety.

• Manufacturing and Quality Assurance: Manufacturing engineering and design, computer integrated manufacturing/CAD/CAM, process analysis and economics, automated manufacturing and process planning, programmable control systems.

• Operations Research:Simulation modeling, scheduling and sequencing, just-in-time production systems, inventory and production control, linear and nonlinear programming, network analysis, artificial intelligence and expert system.

• Statistics and Quality Assurance: Design of experiments, statistical data analysis, reliability and maintainability, on-line and off-line quality assurance, and total quality assurance.

Priority deadlines for funding and scholarship consideration remain the same each year: January 15 for Summer and Fall applicants, and June 15 for Spring applicants.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, meaning applicants may still be considered for admission and funding after the priority deadline. However, students are strongly encouraged to complete their application before the deadline to receive full consideration for funding opportunities.

To be considered for admission, prospective students must complete an application through the Texas Tech Graduate School Online Portal.

The Ph.D. in Systems and Engineering Management (Ph.D. SYEM) is offered both on campus and by distance education while the Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering (Ph.D. IE) is offered on campus only. Details regarding admission and degree requirements can be found in the IMSE graduate handbook.

Application Requirements:

• Unofficial copies of transcripts, and test scores are required for application evaluation purposes. If admitted, you will be required to submit official transcripts, diplomas/degree certificates, and test scores.
  • Please do not send official transcripts until you have received a notice of acceptance from Texas Tech Graduate School.
• Applicants are required to submit at least one recommendation through the admissions portal. Other letters of recommendation are optional, but encouraged.
• Applicants must submit a non-refundable application fee. The department does not offer application fee waivers.
• Students are encouraged to submit GRE scores, but GRE test scores are not required in the application through Spring 2027; this is subject to change in the future as decided by the TTU Graduate School.
• For Ph.D. applicants, an M.S. Degree is highly recommended.
• A Personal Statement, Statement of Purpose, and/or CV/Resume to indicate your specific research area, academic, and professional experience is highly recommended.
• International applicants should refer to the International Prospective Graduate Students  page for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding application requirements. 

For more detailed information please see the Graduate Program Handbook  or contact IMSE Graduate Program Admissions at Grad.IMSE@ttu.edu.

For more information, please contact grad.imse@ttu.edu.