The College of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan-Dearborn offers a Ph.D. program in automotive systems engineering. The program is a 50 credit interdisciplinary degree that requires a thesis and dissertation Topics covered include materials and materials processing, energy systems and thermal management, dynamics and controls, power electronics, vehicle design, manufacturing and systems integration, and vehicle informatics and communication. The degree can be pursued full-time or part-time in the evenings and on weekends.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina, offers a graduate program in automotive engineering, which includes a master of science (M.S.) and a Ph.D. Clemson's program requires proficiency in a foreign language. Six months of the program will be spent overseas completing an international automotive internship. This interdisciplinary doctoral program requires a thesis and a dissertation.
The University of Windsor refers to itself as "Canada's Automotive University." Windsor offers an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering, with a concentration in automotive engineering. Graduate programs leading to both an M.S. or Ph.D. are available. Windsor's program generally takes between three to seven years and requires completion of four courses, as well as a yearly research summary. A thesis, dissertation and a comprehension exam are also required.
A Ph.D. candidate will typically select a specific area of interest for his research. This means that even if a school doesn't offer an automotive doctorate in its program of studies, a student could still create a program that meets his needs. If a school offers a Ph.D. in mechanical, electrical or aerospace engineering, students will be able to select a research area within that discipline that focuses on automotive engineering.