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Automotive Engineering

Apply to AUE Program

The Department of Automotive Engineering is the first in the nation to offer a Bachelor of Science in Automotive Engineering, building on the pioneering spirit of our first-in-the-nation grad programs over 15 years ago. We prepare students to carry on that legacy and become innovators in a changing landscape of modern mobility solutions.

Our student body is diverse, with over 200 students pursuing graduate degrees in automotive engineering. We devote our entire program to the discipline, setting us apart and giving our students remarkable opportunities. It’s one of the reasons that over 99 percent of alumni are using their degrees in either the automotive industry or academia.

Information on admission requirements, financial assistance, and academic policies and procedures as a student in AUE can be found in the catalog and handbook.

Ph.D. Program

Yunyi Jia with student, testing vehicle.

Become a global expert in your field: Rise to new heights with one of the world's most in-depth academic programs in automotive engineering. As a Ph.D. student, immerse yourself in a cutting-edge research environment driven to solve pressing problems facing sustainable mobility. Our research enterprise is world class, as evidenced by the impact of completed research projects, scale of partnerships with R&D groups, and faculty honors.

Research Areas

Innovation and research productivity offer a continuous stream of opportunities for Ph.D. students to engage in novel research addressing the pressing needs of society and supporting the development of transformative technologies.

  • Advanced Vehicle Propulsion Systems, both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric
  • Advanced Manufacturing and Materials
  • Design and Integration of Complex Systems
  • Connected and Automated Vehicles
  • Human Factors

With a rigorous curriculum run by some of the world's leading technical experts, Clemson’s state-of-the-art research infrastructure, and our emphasis on solving real-world problems, graduates move seamlessly into employment within the automotive industry or academia.

  • I want to start my Ph.D. as soon as I complete my B.S.

    A minimum of 36 credit hours of coursework and a minimum of 18 credit hours of dissertation work are needed.

    • Core Courses: 6 credits
      1. AuE 8700: Automotive Business Concepts (3)
      2. AuE 8810: 8811: Automotive Systems: An Integrated Overview (3)
    • Technical Elective Courses: 30 credits
      1. 3 AuE courses (9 credits) from your chosen track area
      2. The rest, as needed for your research preparation, selected in consultation with your advisor or advisory committee.
    • Dissertation: 18 credit hours minimum (AuE 9910).

    NOTE: You will need 6 more credit hours in either dissertation or coursework to meet the Graduate School’s requirements of 60 credits post the B.S. degree.

  • I have an M.S. from another program.

    A minimum of 12 credit hours of coursework and a minimum of 18 credit hours of dissertation work are needed.

    • Core Courses: 6 credit hours
        1. AuE 8700: Automotive Business Concepts
        2. AuE 8810, 8811: Automotive Systems: An Integrated 0verview

      (In case of apparently equivalent courses already taken, requirement may be waived at the request of the student’s advisory committee upon establishment of course equivalency. Course equivalency must be certified by the Graduate Research Committee)

    • Technical Elective Courses: 6 credit hours minimum as needed for your research preparation, selected in consultation with your advisor or advisory committee.
    • Dissertation: 18 credit hours minimum (AuE 9910).
  • I have an M.S. in Automotive Engineering from Clemson.

    A minimum of 12 credits of coursework and a minimum of 18 credit hours of dissertation work are needed.

    • Core Courses: No requirement.

      The intent of this requirement was completed while achieving an M.S. in Automotive Engineering from Clemson University.

    • Technical Elective Courses: 12 credit hours minimum as needed for your research preparation, selected in consultation with your advisor or advisory committee.
    • Dissertation: 18 hours minimum (AuE 9910).

    Note: M.S. en route to Ph.D. must first meet the M.S. requirements, and then the requirements for Case C apply.

  • Auditing a course

    Auditors are under no obligation for regular attendance, preparation, recitation, or examination and receive no credit. Participation in classroom discussions and laboratory exercises by auditors is at the discretion of the instructor. A student who has previously audited a course is ineligible for credit by examination.

    Courses audited are not recorded on the student's academic record.

    1. With approval, the following may audit courses without tuition (other fees apply):

    • Graduate assistants
    • Full-time undergraduate and graduate students (12 or more credit hours)
    • Faculty and full-time staff
    • South Carolina residents age 60 or over, provided they are not a full-time employee of Clemson University

    2. Other persons who audit pay the applicable tuition rate. Students may not sign up to audit until the first day of class, so priority may be given to students taking courses for credit.

    3. The deadline to sign up to audit a course is the last day to register or add a class for that term. Normal drop deadlines apply as well.

    Students currently registered for courses may add an audit course or change one to audit status in iROAR. Other auditors must obtain a request to audit card from the Registrar's Office.

    102 Sikes Hall,
    Box 345125,
    Clemson, SC 29634-5125

  • Applying to the Ph.D. Program

    Requirements

    The Ph.D. requires a minimum of 30 credits beyond the master's degree and at least 60 credits beyond the bachelor's degree. This supersedes the minimum credit requirements for an AuE Ph.D. degree.

    There are no formal course requirements for students pursuing a graduate degree in Civil Engineering; however, each program area has individual degree requirements. Students should consult with their faculty advisor for more information on the core courses for their area. The following are the Graduate School requirements for Ph.D. students.

    Ph.D. students without an M.S. Degree (Ph.D.-direct)
    • 18 credits minimum dissertation research (AuE 9910)
    • 36 credits minimum of coursework
    • 6 credits remaining divided between coursework and dissertation hours to satisfy Graduate School requirements

    60 credits minimum beyond the Bachelor of Science degree

    Ph.D. students with an M.S. Degree
    • 18 credits minimum dissertation research (AuE 9910)
    • 12 credits minimum of coursework

    30 credits minimum beyond the Bachelor of Science degree

    How to Apply

    Students interested in applying to the AuE doctoral program must be accepted to the Clemson University Graduate School. Application information and forms can be found on the Graduate School website. International students are welcome to apply and must meet Graduate School requirements for TOEFL and GRE scores.

    Additional information concerning deadlines and program contacts can be found on the Automotive Engineering Graduate Admissions page.

    Apply | Graduate School
Apply to AUE Program

The Department of Automotive Engineering is the first in the nation to offer a Bachelor of Science in Automotive Engineering, building on the pioneering spirit of our first-in-the-nation grad programs over 15 years ago. We prepare students to carry on that legacy and become innovators in a changing landscape of modern mobility solutions.

Our student body is diverse, with over 200 students pursuing graduate degrees in automotive engineering. We devote our entire program to the discipline, setting us apart and giving our students remarkable opportunities. It’s one of the reasons that over 99 percent of alumni are using their degrees in either the automotive industry or academia.

Information on admission requirements, financial assistance, and academic policies and procedures as a student in AUE can be found in the catalog and handbook.