Doctoral Programs
Train for the highest levels of engineering practice and research in Columbia Engineering’s PhD and EngScD programs. Our many interdisciplinary institutes, centers, and laboratories give you the opportunity to work with top researchers in the areas that excite you. You’ll join a community of the brightest minds and contribute to groundbreaking research and new technology as you prepare for leadership in your field.
Browse Doctoral Programs
About the PhD Program
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is designed for outstanding scholars who wish to prepare for a career in research, applied engineering, or academia. Learn more about the PhD degree program in the Columbia Bulletin.
About the EngScD program
The Doctor of Science in Engineering (EngScD or DES) program is designed for motivated professionals who want to hone the skills necessary for a career in academic research. This program is particularly appropriate for working professionals who can earn a degree part-time. Learn more about the EngScD degree program in the Columbia Bulletin.
About the MS/PhD Track
If you have not already earned an MS degree and are looking to pursue a doctoral degree, you can apply for admission to the MS/PhD track program.
Video: Life as a Doctoral Student at Columbia Engineering
Kristen Moffat, a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering, worked on innovative tissue engineering projects using stratified layers of polymers and ceramics to reconnect tendons and ligaments to bones. She conducted her research in the Biomaterial and Interface Tissue Engineering Laboratory (BITEL) under the guidance of Professor Helen Lu. In 2008, she won the Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine's Young Investigator Award, and was a recipient of an NSF GK-12 Graduate Teaching Fellowship.
Finding Departmental Information
Columbia Engineering fosters a unique atmosphere of cross-departmental research and collaboration. You’ll be able to focus your doctoral studies to match your interests and career goals while gaining a broader perspective informed by exposure to other relevant disciplines. Individualized mentoring will build your competence as a researcher and engineering professional and give you confidence for the next stage in your career.
Our academic departments can provide the most up-to-date information about current doctoral programs. Please visit one of the department websites below to find contact information and specifics on applying for a doctoral program.
- Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics
- Computer Science
- Earth and Environmental Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering and Operations Research
- Mechanical Engineering
We also offer two joint programs at the doctoral level in partnership with Columbia's College of Dental Medicine and the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
- DDS/PhD in Dental Science and Biomedical Engineering
- MD/Ph.D. in Medicine and Biomedical Engineering
Doctoral Funding
There are a wide range of national and international fellowship opportunities for which you can apply to cover the costs of your studies. Departments within Columbia Engineering also offer funding in the form of fellowships, assistantships, and grants.