Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering

2 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of North Dakota

Program Overview

The Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) in Chemical Engineering at the University of North Dakota (UND) is a 30-credit, coursework-focused graduate degree designed for students who want to strengthen their advanced engineering knowledge and apply it to practical chemical engineering challenges. The program combines core study in transport phenomena, thermodynamics, kinetics, and experimental design with technical electives that allow students to tailor their studies toward areas such as sustainable energy, materials, fuels, environmental engineering, and process development.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students establish their advanced Chemical Engineering foundation through the four required courses: CHE 501 Advanced Transport Phenomena, CHE 509 Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, CHE 511 Advanced Chemical Engineering Kinetics, and CHE 515 Design of Engineering Experiments. Together, these courses develop the ability to model transport systems, analyze thermodynamic processes, understand reaction kinetics, and design engineering experiments.

Year 2:

Students complete their remaining graduate electives, with at least 21 of the program's 30 credits coming from 500-level Chemical Engineering coursework. Elective study can be shaped around areas such as CHE 503 Fuels Technology, CHE 504 Air Pollution Control, and other advanced Chemical Engineering topics, giving students the flexibility to connect their degree with energy, environmental, materials, or industrial applications.

Focus Areas:

Sustainable energy, fuels and chemicals, energy technologies and processes, heterogeneous catalysis, photocatalytic oxidation, polymer reaction engineering, polymer synthesis and rheology, polymeric membranes, composite materials, biocomposites, nanocomposites, organic photovoltaic materials, environmental engineering, air pollution, carbon materials, critical minerals, chemical and petrochemical processing, and bio-based products.

Learning Outcomes:

Advanced transport and thermodynamics analysis, chemical reaction engineering, experimental design, engineering problem-solving, process and materials analysis, technical specialization, application of chemical engineering principles to industrial challenges, and the ability to connect advanced engineering knowledge with practical process and technology development.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

UND's B.S. in Chemical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The M.Eng. is not separately identified as ABET-accredited; instead, it builds advanced graduate-level expertise on top of an engineering bachelor's background. UND also notes that its ABET-accredited engineering programs can help prepare students for the FE examination and the broader professional engineering licensure pathway.

Reputation (Employability):

UND reports a $125,000 median annual salary for chemical engineers in 2025 and a 5% projected employment growth through 2035, citing the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. These figures describe the chemical engineering occupation rather than being specific to M.Eng. graduates.

UND also highlights its graduate Chemical Engineering environment as research- and industry-connected, with projects often conducted with the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) and collaborations involving engineers, scientists, and industry. The department maintains a small graduate student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 3–4 graduate students per faculty member, supporting close faculty interaction. 

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The M.Eng. in Chemical Engineering at the University of North Dakota (UND) gives students a practical, application-focused environment through advanced coursework, engineering experimentation, modeling and industry-connected projects. Although the M.Eng. is a coursework-only degree, students can develop advanced problem-solving and experimental-design skills through courses such as CHE 501 Advanced Transport Phenomena and CHE 515 Design of Engineering Experiments, while UND’s graduate chemical engineering program also provides opportunities to engage with real-world projects through the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC).

Students can also benefit from UND’s broader process-engineering research infrastructure, including analytical laboratories, wet-chemistry and high-bay research spaces, pilot-scale processing equipment and advanced process simulation and computational tools. These resources support work in areas such as sustainable energy, fuels, materials, catalysis, environmental engineering, membranes and process development.

Key experiential opportunities and resources include:

  • Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC): Chemical engineering graduate projects are often conducted collaboratively with the EERC, giving students exposure to multidisciplinary research and real-world engineering challenges involving energy, fuels, materials and environmental technologies.
  • Center for Process Engineering Research (CPER): Students can benefit from facilities supporting technology development and scale-up, including wet-chemistry laboratories, high-bay research facilities and pilot-scale processing equipment.
  • Process simulation software: CPER uses Aspen Plus, METSIM, HSC Chemistry and Amsterdam Modeling Suite for process engineering simulation, modeling and design.
  • Computational fluid dynamics: Advanced modeling resources include ANSYS Fluent, COMSOL Multiphysics, OpenFOAM and MFiX, providing tools for computational analysis of engineering systems.
  • Process-control technology: CPER's research capabilities include process-control design and installation using National Instruments LabVIEW, giving students exposure to industrial-style instrumentation and control systems.
  • Analytical and materials characterization: The Center has access to the College of Engineering & Mines' analytical laboratories for advanced materials characterization, supporting research involving materials and process technologies.
  • Pilot-scale processing: CPER operates specialized equipment for experimental mineral processing, including stirred leach tanks, chemical dosing systems, filtration equipment and ion-exchange columns, providing experience with processes that move beyond laboratory-scale research.
  • Multidisciplinary collaboration: Department research projects frequently involve engineers, scientists and industry partners, allowing students to experience collaborative approaches similar to professional engineering environments.
  • Research areas: Students can engage with work involving coal and bio-based fuels, sustainable energy technologies, heterogeneous catalysis, polymer reaction engineering, polymeric membranes, composite and nanocomposite materials, organic photovoltaics, environmental impacts and carbon derived from waste materials.
  • Online learning resources: Because UND offers the Chemical Engineering master's online as well as on campus, online students can access virtual libraries, online simulations, posted lectures and other digital learning resources without being required to come to campus.
  • Engineering & Science Complex: UND is developing a new Engineering & Science Complex with project spaces, a student innovation lab and makerspace, designed to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration among Chemical Engineering and related departments. Phase I is scheduled to open for classes in Fall 2028. 

Progression & Future Opportunities

The M.Eng. in Chemical Engineering at the University of North Dakota (UND) is designed to prepare graduates for advanced roles across chemical processing, manufacturing, energy, project management and engineering. UND specifically highlights opportunities such as Chemical Engineering Manager, Project Manager, Process Manager, Senior Chemical Engineer, Chemical Process Engineer and Safety Engineer, with graduates also moving into industry, government and other technical environments.

Typical career roles: Chemical Process Engineer, Process Manager, Project Manager, Senior Chemical Engineer

The program also connects advanced technical learning with career development and industry exposure:

  • Career Services and job search support: UND's College of Engineering & Mines provides access to Career Services, with support for résumé development, career expos, professional headshots, interview preparation and finding internships, co-ops and employment opportunities. Handshake is UND's primary platform for finding jobs, internships and co-ops, while employer Lunch and Learn events allow students to interact directly with companies recruiting engineering students.
  • Professional development: Graduate students have access to 60+ free workshops through the UND School of Graduate Studies, specifically designed to develop workforce skills and job-search strategies.
  • Employment and salary outlook: UND reports a $125,000 median annual salary for chemical engineers in 2025, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, alongside a 5% projected job outlook through 2035. These figures are for the chemical engineering occupation overall rather than specifically for M.Eng. graduates.
  • Industry connections: Chemical Engineering research at UND frequently involves collaboration with the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC), with projects involving engineers, scientists and industry partners. This gives students exposure to multidisciplinary problems similar to those encountered in professional chemical engineering environments.
  • Employer network: UND identifies companies that have hired its Chemical Engineering graduates, including 3M, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Boston Scientific, Cargill, Dakota Gasification Company, Dow Chemical, Energizer Battery, Intel, Marathon Oil, Northrop Grumman, Schlumberger and U.S. Steel.
  • Career development through industry events: The College of Engineering & Mines' career activities bring employers to campus for recruiting, information sessions and networking; its 2026 Spring Career Expo featured approximately 130 employers, including a dedicated STEM-focused day.
  • Long-term accreditation value: UND's Chemical Engineering B.S. is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. While the M.Eng. itself is not separately listed as ABET-accredited, UND notes that its ABET-accredited engineering programs can serve as an important pathway toward professional engineering licensure, including eligibility to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.
  • Graduation and professional development: UND's Chemical Engineering department states that its program prepares graduates for continued professional growth, including taking on greater responsibilities or pursuing advanced degrees, while emphasizing teamwork, leadership, communication, safety and sustainability.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the M.Eng., students interested in advanced research can continue into UND's Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. The doctoral program accepts applicants with a master's degree in chemical engineering and requires advanced coursework, substantial research, a comprehensive examination and an original dissertation. It can lead toward research-focused careers in industry, government or academia, including senior scientist/researcher, project manager, process manager, production manager and senior chemical engineer roles.

Program Key Stats

$12739
$24204
$24204
$35
Rolling


84%

Eligibility Criteria

BCC - BBC
2.7 - 4
20 - 24
60 - 65

1150 - 1350
31 - 32
6.5
90
Never Required
No

Additional Information & Requirements

How US Universities Assess Applicants

Career Options

  • Chemical Process Engineer
  • Process Design Engineer
  • Process Development Engineer
  • Manufacturing Engineer
  • Production Engineer
  • Process Safety Engineer
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Energy Engineer
  • Materials Engineer
  • Quality Engineer
  • Pharmaceutical Engineer
  • Biochemical Engineer

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