96%
of graduate students are working or continuing their education after graduation
—2022-23 Career Outcomes Report
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$90K - $100K
median starting salary for recent master's and Ph.D. chemical and paper engineering graduates working full time
—2022-23 Career Outcomes Report
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96%
of graduate students working full time after graduation have a job related to their degree
—2022-23 Career Outcomes Report
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Is the 30-credit-hour master's in chemical engineering right for me?
If you are interested in generating knowledge and developing new technologies, the chemical engineering graduate program will help you do just that. The emphasis is on applied research that is structured to assist industry in the design and development of technologies based on sound theoretical principles.
With the choice of a thesis and non-thesis option, you'll be able to earn your master's degree on your terms.
Admissions and requirements
You are not required to submit GRE scores to apply to WMU, but submitting scores can support your application. Graduate applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, typically within two to four weeks after all documents have been received. Each application receives a holistic review; the committee considers all the credentials of an applicant and does not base its decision on any one item. There are other factors that also impact decisions, including the pool of applicants, open seats, etc. You are encouraged to complete your application as soon as you can.
How can I fund my graduate degree
Graduate education can be expensive. At Western, we strive to help make it affordable. You can fund your graduate degree through federal aid, loans, scholarships, grants, research assistantships, teaching assistantships and more.
Graduate support at WMU
What will I do in the chemical engineering program?
Thesis option
- 24 credits of coursework, including core courses in thermodynamics, advanced transport processes and chemical reactions, plus mathematics and differential equations, finite element analysis, engineering analysis and numerical methods
- 6 credits of research
- Electives, approved by the graduate advisor
Non-Thesis Option
- 30 total credit hours acquired through coursework, including core courses in thermodynamics, advanced transport processes and chemical reactions and project management.
Teaching, research and program focus
New product and process development are at the core of faculty research efforts including:
- Bioprocessing
- Biopharmaceuticals
- Biorefinin
- Bioproducts
- Biomedical applications
- Biosystems
- Fluid dynamics
- Unit operations
- Process design
- Medical biosensors
- Energy storage devices
- Environmental sustainability
Fast track your learning with an accelerated degree
WMU undergraduate students can access more learning and save time in our accelerated master’s program. Weave graduate courses (up to 12 credits) into your undergraduate degree in chemical or paper engineering from WMU, and save time earning both your B.S.E. and M.S.E. in chemical engineering.