Master of Science in Chemical Engineering (MS)

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Carnegie Mellon University

Program Overview

Carnegie Mellon University’s Chemical Engineering master’s programs combine advanced chemical engineering fundamentals with a strong computational focus, preparing students to use numerical methods, process simulation, optimization, and mathematical modeling to solve real-world engineering challenges. Students can choose between the Master of Science in Chemical Engineering – Applied Study, Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, and Master of Chemical Engineering, depending on whether they want an industry-focused pathway with an internship, research preparation, or a faster coursework-based qualification.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:
Students build a strong technical and computational foundation through the shared four-course core: 06-623 Mathematical Modeling of Chemical Engineering Processes, 06-625 Chemical & Reactive Systems, 06-663 Analysis & Modeling of Transport Phenomena, and 06-665 Process Systems Modeling. These courses develop advanced mathematical modeling, chemical and reactive-system analysis, transport-phenomena skills, and process-systems modeling, giving students the technical depth needed for modern chemical engineering applications. Students then customize their studies through graduate Chemical Engineering or outside technical electives.

Year 2 — Applied Study pathway:
The M.S. in Chemical Engineering – Applied Study takes two years and adds substantial research and professional experience to the core curriculum. Students complete a faculty-mentored independent project, beginning in their second semester and continuing through the remainder of the degree, while also completing a required summer internship and professional-development coursework including 06-608 Graduate Professional Development Seminar and 39-699 Career & Professional Development for Engineering Master's Students.

Advanced study — M.S. pathway:
The standard M.S. in Chemical Engineering typically takes 1.5 years and emphasizes collaborative research and preparation for advanced research roles or Ph.D. study. Alongside the shared core and graduate electives, students complete 72 units of research and an independent project, allowing them to specialize in a modern Chemical Engineering research area with technical depth.

One-year MChE pathway:
The Master of Chemical Engineering (MChE) is a one-year, coursework-based program totaling at least 96 units, making it suitable for students seeking a faster route to advanced technical skills. Beyond the four-course core, students select graduate Chemical Engineering or outside technical electives and at least three breadth, depth, or skill electives, with the flexibility to tailor the degree toward their professional interests.

Focus Areas:

Chemical engineering fundamentals, mathematical modeling, chemical and reactive systems, transport phenomena, process systems engineering, process simulation, optimization, computational engineering, air quality and climate, autonomous and data-driven sciences, biotechnology and pharmaceutical engineering, catalysis and surface science, energy and decarbonization, sustainability, soft materials, complex fluids, advanced modeling, and data science.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop advanced capabilities in numerical methods, mathematical modeling, computational fluid mechanics and transport, process simulation, optimization, and chemical engineering problem-solving. Depending on the chosen pathway, students can also develop independent research expertise, industry experience through an internship, and the ability to apply computational approaches to complex engineering and sustainability challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Chemical Engineering B.S. at Carnegie Mellon is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the criteria for Chemical, Biochemical, Biomolecular and similarly named engineering programs. CMU's official information identifies this ABET accreditation with the undergraduate B.S.; the M.S. Applied Study, M.S., and MChE are graduate degrees and should not be described as separately ABET-accredited.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings):

Carnegie Mellon reports that its graduate Chemical Engineering program is ranked #14 in the U.S. News & World Report 2027 graduate engineering rankings. The university also reports that 92% of CMU engineering master's students who graduated in 2023 and 2024 found jobs or continued their education, while Chemical Engineering master's graduates have a reported mean salary of $93,604 based on program graduate survey results. CMU lists employers of Chemical Engineering graduates including Amgen, Deloitte, ExxonMobil, Intel, Merck, P&G, PPG, Samsung, Sanofi, and Unilever, with recent roles including process engineer, battery modeling engineer, data scientist, R&D scientist, and research engineer.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Carnegie Mellon’s M.S. in Chemical Engineering – Applied Study, M.S. in Chemical Engineering, and MChE, experiential learning is strongly connected to the department’s computational and research-focused approach. Students work with advanced mathematical modeling and simulation software, high-performance computing, faculty-led research, and specialized laboratories in Doherty Hall; the Applied Study pathway additionally includes a required summer internship, while the M.S. includes a substantial independent research project.

Students can build practical experience through the following CMU-specific opportunities:

Advanced modeling and simulation software: Computing is integrated throughout the master's curriculum, with students gaining access to advanced mathematical modeling and simulation software for coursework and research projects.
Independent research projects: Students in both the M.S. Applied Study and standard M.S. complete a faculty-mentored independent project. The Applied Study program requires 72 research units, while the standard M.S. requires 72 research units, giving students substantial opportunity to investigate a specialized Chemical Engineering topic.
Required industry internship — M.S. Applied Study: The two-year Applied Study pathway includes a summer industrial internship where students apply coursework and project knowledge in a professional environment and build an industry network. Students are responsible for securing the internship, with support from CMU's Career & Professional Development Center.
High-performance computing: Chemical Engineering research facilities include high-performance computing capabilities that support computational research alongside experimental work.
Collaborative research laboratories: CMU's Chemical Engineering laboratories are primarily designed with open-plan layouts, allowing multiple research groups to work in the same environment and exchange ideas across research areas.
Research in autonomous and data-driven science: Students can engage with research combining machine learning, optimization tools, and laboratory automation to develop autonomous or semi-autonomous systems for materials, therapies, and chemical processes.
Research areas and laboratory work: Department research spans air quality and climate, biotechnology and pharmaceutical engineering, catalysis and surface science, energy and decarbonization, process systems engineering, and soft materials and complex fluids, giving students opportunities to connect computational and experimental techniques with current engineering challenges.
Industry-connected practical experience: CMU Chemical Engineering students can gain exposure to industry through internships and department-industry interactions. A recent CMU example describes a Chemical Engineering student using heat-transfer and thermodynamics knowledge to develop thermal models for oil-refinery and energy-industry applications during an engineering simulations internship.
Doherty Hall facilities: The Chemical Engineering department's research and computing facilities are located in Doherty Hall, providing the environment for both independent and collaborative research.
Professional-development coursework: The M.S. and Applied Study pathways include 06-608 Graduate Professional Development Seminar and 39-699 Career & Professional Development for Engineering Master's Students, connecting technical study with professional preparation.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Carnegie Mellon’s Chemical Engineering master’s programs are designed to prepare graduates for technical careers in industry while also supporting further research and doctoral study. The department’s strong computational focus gives graduates experience relevant to process engineering, data-driven engineering, energy, materials, biotechnology, and research roles. CMU reports that 92% of its engineering master’s graduates from 2023 and 2024 found employment or continued their education.

Typical career opportunities include: Process Engineer, Advanced Process Control & Machine Learning Engineer, Battery Modeling Engineer, R&D Scientist.

Students can build their career prospects through CMU’s academic, professional, and industry connections:

Career support: Carnegie Mellon’s Career & Professional Development Center supports students seeking internships and employment. The Chemical Engineering department also provides professional-development coursework and career resources.
Employment and salary outcomes: CMU reports a mean salary of $93,604 for Chemical Engineering master’s graduates, based on program graduate survey results. Recent graduate job titles include Process Engineer, Data Scientist, R&D Scientist, Research Engineer, Battery Modeling Engineer, and Advanced Process Control and Machine Learning Engineer.
Employment destinations: Chemical Engineering graduates have gone on to companies including Amgen, Deloitte, ExxonMobil, Intel, Merck, P&G, PPG, Samsung, Sanofi, and Unilever.
University–industry connections: The M.S. in Chemical Engineering – Applied Study includes a required summer internship, giving students the opportunity to apply their coursework and independent-project experience in an industrial setting while developing an industry network. Students are responsible for securing the internship, with CMU’s Career & Professional Development Center providing support.
Industry-relevant preparation: CMU’s computational emphasis develops skills in numerical methods, computational fluid mechanics and transport, process simulation, and optimization. The department also describes its master’s curriculum as industry-relevant and designed around practical chemical engineering applications.
Graduation outcomes: Beyond employment, CMU Chemical Engineering master’s graduates continue to doctoral programs at universities including Georgia Tech, Imperial College London, Iowa State University, Purdue University, RWTH Aachen, UT Austin, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Accreditation value: CMU’s B.S. in Chemical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. This accreditation applies to the undergraduate program, not as a separate ABET accreditation for the M.S. Applied Study, M.S., or MChE graduate degrees.

Further Academic Progression:
Students completing the M.S. in Chemical Engineering can use the research experience gained through their independent project to pursue a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a related research field. CMU specifically describes the M.S. as suitable for students seeking greater competitiveness for Chemical Engineering Ph.D. programs or advanced research roles, while the M.S. Applied Study and MChE can also provide a strong technical foundation for further graduate study.