The Master of Science in Chemical Engineering program is designed to prepare you for a career in research, development, design or education.
Whether it’s delving into research in state-of-the-art labs, mastering data science techniques or tackling real-world problems from the industrial sector, Clarkson's master’s program gives you the opportunity to follow your passion and propel your career.
Why Earn an MS in Chemical Engineering From Clarkson?
Clarkson's chemical engineering program is known for impactful hands-on experiences, state-of-the-art facilities and research excellence, preparing you to excel and command a high salary.
Small class sizes and low student-to-faculty ratios allow close interaction with department faculty, who have combined expertise in all modern areas of chemical engineering.
Whether you’re looking for a more senior position or want to take a deeper dive into the field, a master’s in chemical engineering from Clarkson opens the door to expanded opportunities. Our MS program also provides excellent preparation for admission to a chemical engineering doctoral program.
Payscale, Inc. ranks Clarkson in the top 12 Best Master’s Degree Granting Programs by salary potential. And, one in five Clarkson alumni is already a CEO, the owner of a company or in a senior executive position.
What You'll Learn
The master's program offers the chance to study the newest chemical engineering topics in depth. You'll take a minimum of 30 credit hours at the graduate level, including at least 20 credit hours in advanced subject areas and seminars. You'll study such topics as:
Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
Chemical Engineering Analysis
Chemical Reactor Analysis
Transport Phenomena
The balance of your coursework must be consistent with your research or Professional Experience component.
You'll complete one of these research or Professional Experiences:
A written thesis based on independent research.
An appropriate, professionally oriented special project.
Program Requirements
A minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate coursework, including at least 20 credit hours of course and seminar work. The balance of coursework must be consistent with the research or professional experience component.
Satisfactory completion of one of the research or professional experience components listed below.
A written thesis based on independent research
A comprehensive examination
An appropriate, professionally oriented special project
The path for those pursuing the thesis option includes the below requirements.
The following required courses:
Chemical Reactor Analysis II
Transport Phenomena
Chemical Engineering Analysis
Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
Two additional 3-credit hour technical graduate courses selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. School of Business courses cannot be taken to satisfy this requirement.
Two credit hours of Seminar. While in residence, all students are required to attend seminars.
Ten credit hours of Thesis. All students are expected to start their thesis research at the beginning of their first semester in residence.
The MS thesis must be orally presented and defended before a committee of three or more faculty members, at least two of whom are from the department.
The 1-credit course, Fundamentals of Research and Graduate Study, is highly recommended. This course may be used as a substitute for 1 credit of Thesis.
A typical schedule is as follows. Individuals with an undergraduate degree in chemistry can have a different schedule.
First Semester:
Three 3-credit courses (typically CH560, CH561 and an elective)
Five credits of thesis
One credit of seminar
Second Semester:
Three 3-credit courses (typically CH546, CH571 and an elective)
Five credits of thesis
One credit of seminar
Third Semester:
One credit of thesis
Fourth Semester:
One credit of thesis
Required Courses
A program is available for qualified BS chemists and physicists that will permit them to earn an MS in Chemical Engineering in 4 semesters. During the course of study, the student will take almost all the required courses in the chemical engineering undergraduate curriculum, as well as the chemical engineering graduate level courses required for the MS program. A typical program, which may be altered depending on the background of the student, is given below.
First Semester:
Directed Study in Chemical Engineering Principles I (CH501)
Chemical Engineering Analysis (CH561)
Graduate Elective
Seminar (CH610)
Second Semester:
Directed Study in Chemical Engineering Principles II (CH502)
Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (CH571)
Graduate Elective
Seminar (CH610)
Third Semester:
Transport Phenomena (CH560)
Thesis (CH611)
Fourth Semester:
Chemical Reactor Analysis II (CH546)
Thesis (CH611)
A limited number of one-year and partial-year tuition scholarships are available for qualified full-time students. A limited number of stipends are also available. Most scholarships and/or stipends are associated with department assistantships or completion of a master’s thesis as part of the qualified applicant’s plan of study.
To learn more about our scholarships and how to apply, contact the Coulter School of Engineering's graduate division at enggrad@mblayst.com.
Qualified chemists and physicists with a Bachelor of Science are able to earn an MS in Chemical Engineering in four semesters. During this course of study, the student will take undergraduate courses that are tailored to their background, as well as chemical engineering graduate-level subjects required for the MS program.
GRE Test Scores: the GRE requirement will be waived for spring and fall 2024 applicants.
For international applicants, an English proficiency test is required.
Minimum test score requirements: TOEFL (80) and TOEFL Essentials (8.5), IELTS (6.5), PTE (56) or Duolingo English Test (115).
The English language-testing requirement is not waived based on language of instruction, nor do we accept university certificates. English testing is waived if an applicant has a degree from a country where English is the Native Language. Click here to see the list of these countries.
Prerequisites: BS or BE in chemical engineering. Those with degrees in other science or engineering disciplines may also be admitted, but will be required to make up undergraduate course deficiencies.
Student Perspective
"One of the best aspects I really enjoy is the program consists of both coursework and engaging research. They don't make you overburdened with too much coursework. The course load is very balanced with some very essential chemical engineering core courses."
Mohammad Hasibul Hasan '22, MS in Chemical Engineering
Career Possibilities
On average, engineers holding a master’s degree make thousands more upon hire compared to those with only a bachelor’s. According to Payscale.com, engineers with a four-year degree make an average annual salary of about $92,000, while those with a graduate credential earn an average annual salary of about $100,000 — a difference of about $8K per year. Class of 2023 MS graduates in Chemical Engineering had starting salaries as high as $138K.
Positions for those with an MS in Chemical Engineering include:
Chemical engineer
Chemist and materials engineer
Electrochemical engineer
Engineering manager
Environmental engineer
Food processing engineer
Health and safety engineer
Petroleum engineer
Plasma engineer
Process design engineer
Recent Employers
Candidates who have studied chemical engineering at Clarkson have pursued positions with some of the following employers:
