Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Engineering
Combine Business and Engineering Processes by Earning a PhD in Engineering
Are you an experienced engineer with knowledge to give and the desire to both design and create new products and train the next generation of engineers? Through Liberty University’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Engineering program, you can gain the technical expertise you desire as well as work on new projects that can contribute to the field of engineering as a whole.
In addition to contributing to engineering and improvements in society, you will also complete a teaching practicum in an undergraduate class. This can help you develop your teaching skills and prepare future engineers to follow in your footsteps.
If you are interested in advanced fields of engineering, applied physics, materials engineering, material science, and system design, then this PhD in Engineering degree may be the right fit. You can contribute to research, take the next step in your career, and collaborate with other engineering professionals as you work together to increase your skills in business and the engineering process.
Credit Hours
View CoursesNext start date: Aug 18, 2025
Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC
Highlights
Highlights of Our Engineering Doctorate Degree
Advance Research in a Christ-Centered Environment
Step into a program where you’re not just a number. Liberty’s PhD in Engineering offers access to cutting-edge technology and expert faculty who aim to support your academic, spiritual, and professional growth through mentorship and one-on-one engagement.
Get Published Before You Graduate
During your program, you have the opportunity to write three original, peer-reviewed journal articles. This experience can help establish your voice in the academic and engineering communities.
Build Your Expertise Through Research-Driven Assistantships
Throughout your assistantship program, you’ll be required to conduct research. That means more time refining your skills and contributing to meaningful projects that align with your passions and future goals.
Connect Globally Through Annual Research Workshops
Each year, Liberty plans to bring together scholars from across the country – and around the world – for a collaborative workshop. This event serves as a platform to share research progress, foster academic partnerships, and gain insights from a global community of engineering experts.
Solve Real-World Problems With Industry Collaboration
You may have the chance to partner with local engineering firms on community-oriented projects. These collaborations are designed to give you practical experience while contributing solutions that could benefit society.
Research What Matters to You
Whether you’re passionate about sustainable design, intelligent systems, or biomedical innovations, you’ll have the freedom to dive into research areas that inspire you. Liberty’s faculty and resources are here to support your journey every step of the way.
Career Potential
What Can You Do with Our Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering?
Liberty University’s Engineering PhD can help prepare you to pursue the following occupations:
- Applications engineer
- Director of engineering
- Engineering manager
- Project engineer
- Project manager
#4 Best College Campus in America
At Liberty, you’ll find an affordable, high-quality education designed to help equip students like you for the real world. Our commitment to excellence has earned us recognition as the #4 Best College Campus in America by Niche.com.
Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with state-of-the-art resources like ours can help set you apart from your peers.
Courses
What Will You Study in This Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering?
Our doctorate in engineering bears Liberty’s Dean of Engineering’s philosophy of “Creationeering.” This involves the integration of engineering and business. You can study design, analysis and synthesis, procurement, logistics, assembly, and many other aspects of the engineering process. In this PhD in Engineering degree program, you can also study the business side of the engineering process. Subjects such as human resources, finance, legal, marketing, sales, and management are some of the topics you can study.
You can also be heavily involved in research. In fact, 50% of your graduate assistantship will be dedicated to research, which will be related to “Simulating Genesis.” This is a project that uses different physics-based phenomena combined with multi-scale modeling capabilities to create a simulation of Genesis events.
You will also present 3 original journal articles and increase your teaching skills through a practicum. You will assist a faculty member in teaching an undergraduate course, then you will teach a course yourself with the faculty member’s help. Finally, you will teach the course alone. So you can experience 3 levels of teaching throughout this program.
In addition to teaching, you will be expected to communicate scholarly contributions in the oral context, so you can complete at least 1 conference presentation. When you have completed this program, you can not only have a PhD, but you can also have a number of scholarly accomplishments that you can add to your résumé.
Featured PhD in Engineering Courses
ENGR 725 – Continuum Mechanics
ENGR 741 – Inelasticity
ENGR 743 – Damage and Fracture
ENGR 745 – Fatigue
Degree Information
- This program falls under the School of Engineering
- View the Degree Completion Plan
- Check out our course catalog
- Transfer in up to 30 credits
BENEFITS
Why Choose Liberty’s PhD in Engineering?
Grow Your Skills as a Scholar, Engineer, and Educator
This program is about more than becoming an expert in your field – it’s about developing into a well-rounded leader in engineering. At Liberty, you can enhance your technical expertise while also strengthening your ability to teach and communicate complex ideas.
If you’re considering future roles in academia or training, this added dimension can be a valuable asset. You’ll have the support and structure that can help you grow both intellectually and professionally.
Research That Makes an Impact in the Field of Engineering
Your doctoral journey at Liberty can be deeply rooted in hands-on research that contributes to the field of engineering. You won’t just study existing knowledge – you can help expand it.
As you work alongside faculty and/or industry collaborators, your projects can engage real-world problems and propose innovative solutions. This approach gives you the opportunity to build meaningful experience while leaving your mark on the discipline.
Access Advanced Tools and Resources
Liberty’s engineering facilities offer a high-tech environment equipped with the latest industry-standard equipment. Whether you’re designing experiments or analyzing data, you’ll have access to tools that support in-depth, cutting-edge work.
Opportunities may also be available for your research to receive funding from corporate partners or national laboratories. These resources create a space where you can pursue advanced projects and long-term scholarly goals.
A Community That Supports Your Calling
You won’t be walking this journey alone – Liberty’s faculty are invested in your success both academically and personally. They’ll take the time to get to know you, offering mentorship grounded in shared values and a commitment to excellence.
In this Christ-centered setting, your engineering work can align with your personal mission and greater purpose. You can become part of a community that encourages both professional advancement and spiritual growth.
Admissions
How Do You Become a Doctoral Engineering Student?
Every application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and all applicants must submit the following documents and meet the minimum requirements for admission:
- Admission application
- Official college transcripts showing a completed bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, mathematics, or physics
- Must have a GPA of 3.0 or above in most recent STEM degree
- Current Liberty undergraduate students seeking preliminary acceptance into a graduate program must complete a degree completion application through their ASIST account
*Note that additional documentation may be requested by the admission committee after your application has been received.
Have Questions?
We’ll make sure you have the information you need to take your next step.