Chemical Engineering Graduate Programs

Chemical Engineering Graduate Programs and Curriculum

Chemical engineering students learn core principles of chemistry to solve problems involving production and use of chemicals or other products. Chemical engineering graduate programs focus on skills related to the design of equipment and processes for chemical manufacturing, testing methods of products and production. Some students may choose to specialize in particular chemicals and their processes, such as oxidation and polymerization. In the U.S., engineers providing public service must be licensed by the ABET or Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

In order to apply for admission to a master’s program in chemical engineering, students typically must possess a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, materials science, metallurgy, ceramics, polymer engineering, chemistry, physics, mechanical engineering or electrical engineering. Many programs require GRE scores, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and a written statement of goals, plans and objectives. International students may require a minimum TOEFL score as well prior to admission.

A master’s in chemical engineering program generally lasts for 18 months, and favors a generalist approach in order to allow students the freedom to specialize depending upon their chosen career path. Education at the graduate level in chemical engineering typically covers the following core areas:

• Fluid mechanics
• Applied mathematics
• Linear and nonlinear analysis
• Transport
• Chemical thermodynamics
• Statistical thermodynamics and kinetics
• Analysis of chemical reactors

Chemical Engineering Career Paths

Those with a chemical engineering master’s degree can pursue jobs such as technical support engineer, chemical process engineer, safety manager, control engineer, PSM consultant, crush engineer, production supervisor and utility engineer.

Chemical Engineering Salary and Future Job Outlook

Salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows an average annualized range of $50,060 to $118,670 for chemical engineers. The factors that may change this range include certification, location and the number of years working.

Data according to

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, 2010