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Material scientists and engineers are behind technology innovation, from material design to energy generation. Although a bachelor’s degree in MSE is the minimum requirement to break into the field, many professionals find that this qualification restricts job opportunities.
A Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering is typically a two-year on-campus degree that requires its student’s full-time commitment. However, with the rise of online education, many programs have opened up online learning formats.
Online Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering programs provide working professionals access to high-quality education without needing their full-time commitments. Many of these programs allow students to enroll part-time and graduate in as few as 12 months or as many as four years. However, due to the increasing number of online MSE programs, it can be challenging to identify which truly stand out.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all in education, the following five online Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering programs are proven to offer exceptional quality, flexibility, and opportunities for students interested in advancing their careers in the field:
| School | Program | Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Standout Program feature/s |
| Arizona State University | MS in Materials Science and Engineering | $1,021/credit hour | 88% | – Offers personalized learning – Has a cross-disciplinary curriculum |
| Johns Hopkins University | Professionals Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering | $64,700 total program cost | 8% | – Offers a nanotechnology concentration – Known for top-notch career preparation services |
| University of Florida | MS in Materials Science & Engineering | – $448.73/credit hour (resident) – $690/credit hour (non-resident) | 30% | Delivered through UF EDGE, a top-ranked program for engineering professionals |
| Purdue University | Master’s in Materials Engineering | $11,116 per year | 47% | Offers an Advanced Manufacturing (AM certificate) |
| University of Central Florida | MS in Materials Science and Engineering | – $327.32/credit hour (in-state) – $1,151.72/credit hour (out-of-state) | 41% | Offers the opportunity to choose between a thesis and non-thesis completion |
5 Best Online Master’s in Materials Science Engineering
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ
Online Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering
| Tuition | $1,021 per credit hour |
| Credit Hours | 30 |
Arizona State University is a highly reputable university with comprehensive online offerings. ASU Online offers an extensive online MS in Materials Science and Engineering program that can be completed 100% online. Additionally, the program is also known for providing its students with personalized learning experiences.
It offers a cross-disciplinary curriculum that involves the study of technical fundamentals and the opportunity to specialize in other related disciplines. This unique offering allows students to expand their job opportunities for various senior management roles.
Featured courses of the program include:
- Quantum Mechanics: Atoms and Solids
- Advanced Materials Characterization
- Phase Transformations, Kinetics and Diffusion in Solids
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
Professionals Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering
| Tuition | $64,700 total program cost |
| Credit Hours | 30 |
Although slightly more expensive than other online programs, Johns Hopkins University’s Professional Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering is sought after. This online MSE is among the most flexible programs, providing students with the opportunity to concentrate on trending topics in the field, such as Nanotechnology.
In addition to choosing a focus area, students can further tailor this degree program by pursuing courses from the Engineering Management program. This opportunity allows graduates to develop technical expertise with managerial acumen for leadership roles in technical and business aspects of Materials Science and Engineering.
Qualified students can apply for scholarships and paid internships to reduce out-of-pocket costs. Moreover, JHU offers one of the best career preparation opportunities to ensure graduates obtain high ROIs.
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering
| Tuition | $448.73 per credit hour (resident) $690 per credit hour (non-resident) |
| Credit Hours | 30 |
The University of Florida’s online MS in Materials Science and Engineering is delivered through their Electronic Delivery of Gator Engineering, a Top 10-ranked program for engineers. This MSME is a non-thesis program suitable for students seeking application-based learning.
The MSE graduate program, with over 40 faculty members, offers a diverse range of concepts and a collaborative culture. Students master core principles in Materials Science and Engineering while also having flexibility in coursework.
Core courses for this MSME non-thesis include:
- Materials Thermodynamics
- Functional Properties of Materials
- Diffusion, Kinetics, and Transport
- Materials Structure and Mechanical Properties
If you want to have a thesis/research-based MSME curriculum, you must be enrolled on campus.
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
Master’s in Materials Engineering
| Tuition | $11,116 per year |
| Credit Hours | 30 |
Purdue University Online is one of the largest online schools in the country. Purdue’s online Master’s in Materials Engineering, consistently ranked by US News and World Report, is a 100% online program designed for working professionals only.
Students can expect an interdisciplinary approach to learning, exploring various courses in materials science, engineering principles, and advanced manufacturing techniques. Students can also pursue an online Additive Manufacturing (AM) certificate. The AM certificate will equip students with skills to analyze industry case studies and stay updated on rapidly industrializing AM technologies and 3D printing.
Topical courses of the program include Materials Fatigue, Machine Learning, Lean Manufacturing, and Biomaterials.
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL
Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering
| Tuition | $327.32 per credit hour (in-state) $1,151.72 per credit hour (out-of-state) |
| Credit Hours | 30 |
The University of Central Florida’s online MS in Materials Science and Engineering is a research-based program that offers multiple on-campus learning opportunities. This program has a thesis or non-thesis option, allowing students to choose electives suitable for their careers.
As a student, your main goals will be to improve your ability to investigate material structures and properties to find new ones or reinforce ones that already exist. You’ll also learn how to use computer modeling to study material properties force responses, and assist others with material handling and inspection.
Courses include Metallurgical Thermodynamics, Materials Kinetics, and Polymer Science and Engineering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can graduates expect after earning an Online Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering?
By studying online for a Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering, you’ll enhance abilities that qualify you for leadership and higher-level roles. The specifics will vary from program to program. However, some of the most common courses and knowledge you’ll gain in this program include:
- Advanced Materials Characterization
- Advanced Polymeric Materials
- Biomaterials
- Carbon Materials
- Composite Material
- Concept
- Electron Microscopy
- Electronic and Photonic Materials
- Functional Materials
- Kinetics and Phase Transformations
- Materials Processing Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nanomaterials
- Solid-State Physics
- Structure of Materials
- Thermodynamics of Materials
You can also pursue an intensive research opportunity commonly as MS programs in the most innovative graduate schools. On the other hand, MEng programs are designed for those who want practice-based coursework.
Depending on your pace and the degree requirements, you can typically complete your coursework in two years. However, some programs offer an accelerated version that only lasts 12-18 months.
Furthermore, the admission requirements will also vary. But in general, you need an undergraduate degree in a relevant field earned from a regionally accredited institution and a Professional Engineer (PE) license. GRE in most schools is waived, and to become a competitive candidate for a program, you’ll need a 3.0 GPA, at least.
What job opportunities can I unlock with an online Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering?
You can apply for a leadership position in your company after earning a master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering. A bachelor’s degree will help you apply for entry-level careers, while a master’s degree will get you into career advancement opportunities in the field of Engineering.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says materials engineers with a bachelor’s degree make $100,140 annually, on average. Pursuing a master’s degree will qualify you for more intensive jobs, such as in the research and development areas, which pay an average of $119,040 per year.
You can unlock exciting careers based on your chosen specialization in MSE.
Do employers respect online Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering programs?
Yes. Gone are the days when online programs were deemed unequal to traditional on-campus programs. However, to ensure that your degree will be acknowledged in the job market, you must earn it from a reputable research-focused university.
Moreover, diplomas will not reflect whether the degree was earned online or on campus. Employers will likely only know your learning format if you disclose it. Until then, employers will only look at the higher education institution where you’ve earned your master’s degree.
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