M.S.Ch.E in Chemical Engineering

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Arkansas

Program Overview

The M.S.Ch.E. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Arkansas combines advanced coursework with independent research, allowing students to specialize in areas such as biochemical and bioprocess engineering, catalysis, separations, materials, process safety, membranes, molecular modeling, and sustainability. Students can choose a thesis or non-thesis pathway, preparing them for advanced roles in research, teaching, management, and professional chemical engineering practice.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students build their advanced chemical engineering foundation through courses such as MATH 54203 Introduction to Partial Differential Equations, CHEG 51103 Transport Processes I, CHEG 51303 Advanced Reactor Design, and CHEG 53303 Advanced Thermodynamics. They then begin developing their specialization through approved CHEG courses and technical electives, with the non-thesis route emphasizing coursework and the thesis route beginning preparation for research.

Year 2:

Students deepen their chosen area through additional 40000-, 50000-, or 60000-level technical electives and complete the program requirements according to their selected pathway. Thesis students undertake CHEG 6000V Master's Thesis, conduct original research with a faculty supervisor and committee, and defend their work, while non-thesis students complete the required coursework and a capstone project; both routes include CHEG 58001 Graduate Seminar.

Focus Areas:

Alternative chemicals and fuels, biochemical and bioprocess engineering, biomaterials, catalysis and reaction engineering, chemical and biochemical separations, chemical process safety and hazard assessment, materials science for nanomaterials and microelectronics, membrane materials and process engineering, statistical mechanics and molecular modeling, sustainability and life-cycle analysis.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop advanced chemical engineering knowledge, mathematical and analytical skills, research capabilities, experimental and technical problem-solving abilities, and specialized expertise in their chosen area. The thesis pathway additionally develops research planning, experimental, managerial, budgetary, reporting, and scientific communication skills through an original research project.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The University of Arkansas' B.S. in Chemical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the Chemical, Biochemical, Biomolecular, and Similarly Named Engineering Programs criteria. The university specifically notes that the B.S.Ch.E. is the accredited program; the M.S.Ch.E. is not separately identified as ABET-accredited.

Reputation & Employability:

The Ralph E. Martin Department of Chemical Engineering reports an 81% undergraduate employment placement rate and an average B.S. Chemical Engineering salary of $78,740; these figures are undergraduate outcomes rather than M.S.Ch.E.-specific statistics. The department also reports $4.9 million in research awards in 2023 and a graduate population of around 40 students, while its research includes nationally connected work through the Membrane Science, Engineering, & Technology Center.

At the broader college level, the University of Arkansas College of Engineering entered the U.S. News 2026 top 100 Best Graduate Engineering Schools, ranking No. 99 overall and No. 65 among public institutions.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The M.S.Ch.E. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Arkansas offers a strong research-focused experience, particularly through its thesis pathway, where students conduct original research under faculty supervision. The department is home to specialized research groups and is a national site for the Membrane Science, Engineering, & Technology (MAST) Center, while collaborations with the Institute for Nanoscience and Engineering and the Arkansas High Performance Computing Center give students opportunities to work across experimental, computational, and advanced materials research.

Students can gain practical and research experience through:

Membrane Science, Engineering, & Technology (MAST) Center: The University of Arkansas leads this long-running university-industry research partnership, with research focused heavily on membrane separations and related technologies.
Chemical Engineering research laboratories: Students can pursue faculty-led research through the Carreon Research Group, Jamie Hestekin’s Lab, Christa Hestekin’s Lab, Monroe Molecular Simulation Group, Nayani Lab, PolyNEL, Microphysiological Engineering Group, Richardson Lab, and Sustainable Catalysis Laboratory.
Polymer and Nano Engineering Labs (PolyNEL): Research involves polymer and particle synthesis, surface/interface modification, grafting chemistry, and materials characterization, with applications in energy, water remediation, drug delivery, advanced separations, and sensing.
Computational molecular modeling: The Critical Materials Separation Lab combines computational molecular modeling with experimental and spectroscopic investigations to study the separation of critical materials such as rare-earth elements.
High-performance computing: Chemical engineering research teams collaborate with the Arkansas High Performance Computing Center on the design, fabrication, and testing of next-generation nanomaterials.
Nanoscience facilities: Collaboration with the university's Institute for Nanoscience and Engineering supports research involving nanomaterials, polymeric materials, surface engineering, and advanced materials.
Water and environmental research: The Greenlee Research Group conducts laboratory and field studies involving wastewater treatment, water treatment, nutrient recovery, electrochemical processes, nanomaterial synthesis, and electrocatalysis.
Industry exposure: University of Arkansas Chemical Engineering research has industrial connections through the MAST Center and research funded by federal, state, and industrial sources. The department also hosts research programs connecting students with industry-focused problems.
Industrial site visits: The department's research programs have included visits to Eastman and INVISTA facilities, where students received guided tours, met field researchers, learned about industrial operations, and networked with industry professionals.
Thesis research: The M.S.Ch.E. thesis pathway requires students to conduct original research under faculty supervision and complete CHEG 6000V Master's Thesis, providing substantial independent research experience.
Research centers and facilities: The College of Engineering maintains dedicated research infrastructure across chemical engineering and related fields, providing opportunities for interdisciplinary research and access to specialized laboratories.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The M.S.Ch.E. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Arkansas gives graduates advanced technical and research preparation for careers in chemical processing, energy, materials, biotechnology, environmental engineering, and related industries. Students completing the thesis or non-thesis pathway can pursue professional engineering and R&D roles, while the research experience also provides a strong foundation for doctoral study.

Typical job roles: Chemical Engineer, Process Engineer, R&D Engineer, Process Development Engineer

Students can develop their career pathway through:

Career support: The University of Arkansas Career Development Center provides engineering students with career coaching, résumé and interview assistance, employer connections, career fairs, job-search resources, and internship/co-op support.
Employment outcomes: The Chemical Engineering department reports an 81% undergraduate employment placement rate and an average B.S. Chemical Engineering salary of $78,740. These are undergraduate figures and should not be treated as M.S.Ch.E.-specific salary or placement statistics.
Industry partnerships: The department's Membrane Science, Engineering, & Technology (MAST) Center is a university-industry research partnership focused on membrane separations and related technologies, providing opportunities to work on industry-relevant research.
Industry exposure: Department activities have included visits to Eastman and INVISTA facilities, giving students opportunities to tour industrial operations, interact with researchers, and learn about chemical engineering applications in industry.
Research and employment preparation: The program's thesis option gives students experience conducting original research, while the non-thesis option combines advanced coursework with a capstone project, supporting different professional pathways.
Graduation outcomes: The department identifies career opportunities across chemical and biochemical processing, alternative chemicals and fuels, materials, separations, process safety, sustainability, and related industries. Graduates can also continue into doctoral-level research.
Accreditation value: The University of Arkansas B.S. in Chemical Engineering is ABET-accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission. The M.S.Ch.E. is not separately identified as ABET-accredited, so the ABET accreditation applies to the undergraduate degree rather than the master's.
Professional network: The MAST Center and the department's broader research partnerships connect chemical engineering research with federal, state, and industrial sponsors, giving graduate students exposure to real-world engineering challenges.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the M.S.Ch.E., students can continue into a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a related doctoral field, particularly if they choose the thesis pathway and want to pursue research or academic careers. The master's thesis provides experience in independent research, technical communication, and working with a faculty research group, which can support applications to doctoral programs.