Master of Science in Chemical Engineering

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Kansas

Program Overview

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Kansas develops advanced expertise in chemical engineering through graduate coursework, research, and specialized electives, making it suitable for students pursuing careers in industry, research, or further academic study. Students build strong foundations in chemical calculations, thermodynamics, kinetics, catalysis, and heat and momentum transfer, with options to complete a thesis, project, or coursework-only pathway.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students establish their advanced chemical engineering foundation through courses such as C&PE 701 Methods of Chemical and Petroleum Calculations, C&PE 721 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, and C&PE 722 Kinetics and Catalysis. They also study C&PE 731 Convective Heat and Momentum Transfer and begin graduate electives and the C&PE 800 seminar.

Year 2:

Students deepen their specialization through graduate electives and complete their selected pathway. The thesis option includes C&PE 803 Research/Thesis with an oral defense, while the project-based option uses C&PE 825; students choosing the coursework-only route complete additional graduate electives.

Focus Areas:

Biomedical and Biomolecular Engineering, Catalysis, Ionic Liquids, Sustainability, Energy Storage and Fuel Cells, Alternative Fuels.

Learning Outcomes:

Advanced chemical engineering communication, lifelong learning and skill development, and the ability to conduct original chemical engineering research or complete a specialized project.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The program emphasizes advanced chemical engineering knowledge, research, technical communication, and professional preparation. The KU department also offers research opportunities through areas such as sustainable engineering, catalysis, energy storage, fuel cells, and biomedical engineering.

Reputation (Employability/Rankings):

The University of Kansas' Chemical Engineering graduate program is ranked No. 50 among public universities in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings. KU also reports that its chemical engineering research ranked No. 35 among public universities for overall R&D expenditures in the latest HERD survey based on FY2024 data.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Kansas gives students opportunities to apply advanced chemical engineering concepts through research, special projects, and hands-on work in KU’s teaching and research laboratories. Students can choose a thesis pathway involving in-person research on campus, or a project-based pathway that requires a written report on a special chemical engineering project. KU’s research environment also connects students with specialized centers and facilities focused on catalysis, sustainability, energy, biomedical engineering, and process optimization.

Students can gain practical experience through:

Thesis Research: Option A includes C&PE 803 Research/Thesis, six credits of research, a written thesis, and an oral defense.
Special Projects: Option B includes C&PE 825, where students complete a special chemical engineering project and submit a written report.
Research Laboratories: KU provides teaching and research laboratories where students can apply classroom knowledge, develop technical expertise, and build teamwork and communication skills.
Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis (CEBC): The center has approximately 21,700 sq. ft. of laboratory and office space, with instrumentation for catalysis and reaction-engineering research.
Research Areas: Students can engage with research in catalysis, process optimization, sustainable products and energy-efficient processes, biomedical engineering, energy storage, and alternative fuels.
Institute for Sustainable Engineering: The M.S. program is associated with KU’s Institute for Sustainable Engineering (ISE), providing an interdisciplinary environment for sustainability-focused research.
M2SEC: The Measurement, Materials and Sustainable Environment Center provides a 47,000-square-foot research facility where engineering and campus research groups collaborate on projects and develop commercial applications.
Industry-connected research: KU’s CEBC uses an industry-focused approach to move research discoveries toward commercialization and provides training opportunities for students.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Kansas prepares graduates for advanced technical careers in industry, research, government laboratories, and further academic study. The program’s thesis and non-thesis pathways can support careers involving process development, materials, energy, manufacturing, and environmental engineering.

Typical career roles include: Process Engineer, Research & Development Engineer, Materials Scientist, Energy Systems Engineer.

Students can build their professional pathway through:

Industry opportunities: KU’s Chemical & Petroleum Engineering department reports graduate students moving into careers with companies including 3M, AbbVie, ADM, Arkema, Black & Veatch, Burns & McDonnell, Chemours, ChevronPhillips Chemical, DuPont, General Motors, Intel, Samsung, and UTC.
Research and government: Graduate alumni have gone to organizations including EPA, NETL, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and Sandia National Laboratories.
Industry connections: KU identifies employers such as Bayer, Catalent Pharma Solutions, Chevron Phillips Chemical, ExxonMobil, Pfizer, Koch Industries, Honeywell, Intel, and Valvoline among organizations hiring its chemical engineering graduates.
Salary information: KU reports a $74,900 average full-time starting salary for its undergraduate chemical engineering graduates; this is a university-reported undergraduate figure and should not be interpreted as an M.S.-specific salary.
Career development: KU’s graduate outcomes include industry, national-laboratory research, postdoctoral positions, startups, and academic careers, giving M.S. graduates several potential directions after completion.
Accreditation value: KU’s B.S. Chemical Engineering program is ABET-accredited; the university does not list the M.S. itself as separately ABET-accredited.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the M.S., students can continue into a Ph.D. in Chemical & Petroleum Engineering at KU, which emphasizes independent research and prepares graduates for advanced research, industry leadership, national-laboratory, and academic careers.