The George Washington University's unique master's and doctoral programs in transportation safety were developed specifically for graduate students conducting research at the NCAC. Most of the courses are taught by highly respected NCAC faculty and research staff and are augmented by other transportation safety experts from private industry and government.
The master's degree program gives students full-spectrum knowledge of automotive and highway safety and trains students to address design and research problems effectively in the workforce. The doctor of science degree program provides more focus in one of the several automotive and highway safety areas and allows the students to lead research in the field.
Courses offered through GW's graduate degree programs in transportation safety include:
- Crash Investigation and Analysis
- Vehicle Crash Test Standards
- Vehicle Structures
- Crash Data Analysis
- Introduction to Finite Element Analysis
- Advanced Finite Element Analysis
- Application of Finite Element Analysis in Impact Problems
- Vehicle Dynamics
- Vehicle Design
- Introduction to Biomechanics
- Advanced Biomechanics
- Gross Anatomy
- Analytical Mechanics
- Structural Dynamics
- Continuum Mechanics
- Strength of Materials
- Theory of Elasticity
- System Dynamics and Controls
- Composite Materials
- Numerical Methods in Engineering
- Statistical Analysis
- Linear Algebra
- Partial Differential Equations
Degree Requirements
For the master's degree program, students may choose a thesis or non-thesis option, although the thesis track is highly recommended, as it is preferred by most employers. Students electing the thesis option must take eight approved graduate courses before proceeding with their thesis research. Thesis projects typically take one year to complete and focus on areas directly related to the research carried out at the NCAC. Students electing the non-thesis option must take 11 approved graduate courses.
For the doctor of science degree, students must take a minimum of 10 approved graduate courses before taking a written and oral doctoral qualifying examination (DQE). Students entering the doctoral program who did not receive their master's degree in transportation safety at GW typically must take additional courses. The dissertation research phase begins after passing the DQE and typically takes two years to complete. Dissertation project areas are also directly related to NCAC's research.
Fellowship Opportunities
Through support from the FHWA, NHTSA and other sponsors, the NCAC offers competitive graduate fellowships to outstanding master's and doctoral students. The fellowship typically consists of a full-tuition award and a monthly stipend that varies with the students level in the program. Students receiving NCAC fellowships can select from a number of research projects and have full access to NCAC's laboratories, library and computing facilities.
Internship Program
Students pursuing a master's degree are encouraged to participate in the internship program after completing eight graduate-level courses. Through this program, students are placed in professional positions at one of NCAC's partner automotive companies. Internships typically last between six months and one year. Most stuents at the NCAC have elected to participate in this program and have been placed in companies and research laboratories in the United States, Europe and Japan.
NCAC's Visiting Scholars Program
Through the Visiting Scholars Program, researchers from around the world can interact with NCAC resident researchers and access the Center's models, databases, computing services and other facilities. They also have full access to NCAC's multimedia equipment and motion analyzers for viewing, editing and digitizing films and other data. Graduate students often assist visiting scholars with research, gaining additional experience in the related field.