Master of Science in Chemical Engineering

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Texas A and M University College Station

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University is a research-oriented graduate program designed for students seeking advanced preparation for the chemical processing industry, while also providing a pathway toward doctoral study. Students combine core chemical engineering training with specialized electives and research in areas such as energy, catalysis, biomolecular engineering, materials, process systems, sustainability, and process safety.

Curriculum Structure:

Graduate Coursework:

Students build advanced expertise in fundamental chemical engineering areas through courses such as CHEN 623 Applications of Thermodynamics to Chemical Engineering, CHEN 624 Chemical Engineering Kinetics and Reactor Design, and CHEN 629 Transport Phenomena. The curriculum can then be tailored through electives such as CHEN 651 Biochemical Engineering, CHEN 673 Electrochemical Science and Engineering, or CHEN 665 Sustainable Design of Chemical Processes, depending on the student's specialization.

Research & Specialization:

Students complete a minimum of 32 semester credit hours, with at least 25 hours of formal coursework and research through CHEN 691: Research. The program offers both thesis and non-thesis options, allowing students to focus their research and electives on a specialized area, while M.S. candidates complete a public seminar presentation of their research as part of the final examination.

Focus Areas:

Biomedicine and biomolecular engineering, catalysis and reaction engineering, energy, materials and nanotechnology, process systems, process safety, sustainability, biomass utilization, hydrocarbon processing, molecular simulation, biochemical engineering, electrochemical engineering, microelectronics process engineering.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop advanced chemical engineering knowledge, apply thermodynamics, kinetics and transport principles to complex engineering problems, conduct independent research, develop specialized technical expertise, use computational and analytical approaches, communicate research findings effectively, and prepare for advanced careers or Ph.D. study.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering is a graduate program and is not separately presented as an ABET-accredited degree. Texas A&M's Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering describes its department as a fully accredited program, while ABET accreditation is associated with the undergraduate engineering program; the M.S. provides advanced graduate-level research and technical preparation.

Reputation (Employability / Rankings):

Texas A&M's Chemical Engineering graduate program is ranked No. 14 among public institutions in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings. The department also reports 138 master's students enrolled in Fall 2025, alongside research activity across biomedicine, materials, catalysis, energy, sustainability, process systems, and process safety.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University is strongly research-oriented, with students using advanced laboratories, research equipment, computational tools, and interdisciplinary facilities to work on real chemical engineering problems. The program connects graduate research with areas including biomass utilization, process safety, hydrocarbon processing, nanotechnology, life sciences, molecular simulation, materials, energy, and process systems, while students can also pursue internships and industry-connected research opportunities.

Key experiential opportunities include:

Research and thesis: Students complete at least one credit of CHEN 691: Research, with the remaining research component normally making up part of the 32-credit M.S. degree. Students must also present their research findings in a public seminar as part of the final examination.
Advanced research laboratories: Graduate students have access to research laboratories located on floors three through seven of the Jack E. Brown Chemical Engineering Building, including dedicated graduate offices and research spaces.
Computer facilities: The Jack E. Brown building includes computer laboratories and a 600-square-foot computer cluster room, supporting computational chemical engineering research.
Computational engineering and simulation: Department research includes multiscale modeling, mathematical modeling, data analytics, AI/ML, process design, optimization, process intensification and control, providing opportunities to apply computational approaches to chemical engineering problems.
Materials and nanotechnology: Research opportunities span nanotechnology, materials, molecular simulation, advanced battery materials and graphene-based materials, allowing students to work on emerging technologies with applications in energy and advanced manufacturing.
Process systems research: Students can work with research involving process integration, optimization, control, data analytics and multiscale analysis, connecting chemical engineering fundamentals with complex industrial systems.
Industry exposure: The department states that its graduate environment includes interaction with industrial partners and visiting scholars, while the department also provides opportunities for research, internships and co-op education.
Specialized research centers: Chemical Engineering research connects with facilities and centers including the Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center, Gas & Fuels Research Center, and broader Texas A&M research facilities supporting materials and polymer research.
Interdisciplinary facilities: Texas A&M's broader research infrastructure includes facilities such as the Polymer Technology Consortia, which supports Chemical Engineering research and industrially sponsored projects, and the Soft Matter Facility for advanced characterization of multifunctional soft materials.
Research-to-industry experience: Department research ranges from applied work in biomass utilization, process safety and hydrocarbon processing to fundamental research in nanotechnology, life sciences and molecular simulation, giving M.S. students opportunities to specialize according to their career interests.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University gives graduates advanced preparation for careers in chemical processing and related technical industries, while its research component can also support progression into doctoral study. Students can tailor research and electives toward areas such as energy, catalysis, materials, biomolecular engineering, process systems, sustainability, and process safety. Typical roles include Chemical Process Engineer, Process Development Engineer, R&D Engineer, Process Design Engineer.

Career support: The Texas A&M Career Center works with employers on recruitment and provides students with access to internships, co-ops and career fairs. The College of Engineering also facilitates industry connections through its industry partnership programs.
Employment statistics: Texas A&M's official Chemical Engineering pages do not publish a separate employment rate specifically for M.S. Chemical Engineering graduates, so a program-specific placement figure should not be assumed.
Salary information: The university's Career Center maintains graduate salary-survey information, but the Chemical Engineering M.S. page does not publish a program-specific median or average starting salary.
University–industry partnerships: Texas A&M Engineering connects industry with students through research sponsorship, internships and recruitment programs, while the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) connects companies with university research facilities and expertise.
Chemical Engineering industry exposure: The department's 2025 Chemical Engineering career fair brought together 25 industry companies and more than 75 recruiters, including BASF, Dow, Honeywell, Olin, Samsung Austin Semiconductor, Marathon, Monument Chemical and Contech Control Services.
Research-to-industry preparation: The department emphasizes interaction among graduate students, faculty, visiting scholars and industrial partners, with state-of-the-art computer labs and research equipment supporting advanced research.
Accreditation value: The M.S. is a graduate degree and is not separately presented as ABET-accredited. Texas A&M's Chemical Engineering department is described as a fully accredited program, while the M.S. adds advanced graduate-level research and specialization beyond the undergraduate engineering foundation.
Graduation outcomes: The M.S. requires research and a public seminar presentation of research findings as part of the final examination, helping graduates demonstrate independent research, technical analysis and communication skills.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the M.S., students can continue to the Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University. The department's Ph.D. prepares students for research careers in industry, academia and national laboratories, with research spanning biomass utilization, process safety, hydrocarbon processing, nanotechnology, life sciences and molecular simulation. An M.S. is not required for admission to the Ph.D.; students may enter the doctoral program directly with a bachelor's degree.