Master’s in chemical engineering

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Program Overview

The Master’s in Chemical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is designed for students who want to deepen their chemical engineering expertise while developing the teamwork, communication, and active-learning skills needed to solve real-world engineering problems. Students can tailor their studies through chemical engineering and interdisciplinary courses, with opportunities to explore areas such as Kinetics and Catalysis, Chemical Reactor Design, and Fuel Cell Technology, while also gaining experience communicating research through seminars, conferences, and scientific publications.

Curriculum Structure:

The program offers thesis and non-thesis options, allowing students to shape the degree around research or advanced coursework. Across the curriculum, students can study subjects such as Kinetics and Catalysis, where they examine chemical reaction behavior and catalytic processes; Chemical Reactor Design, which develops skills in designing and analyzing reactors; and Fuel Cell Technology, connecting chemical engineering principles with advanced energy systems.

Because this is a master's program rather than an undergraduate degree, WPI does not present the curriculum as a fixed Year 1/Year 2 sequence on the official program page. Instead, students build their graduate plan around their selected coursework and, where applicable, thesis research, allowing them to develop deeper expertise in areas aligned with their professional or research interests.

Focus Areas:

Kinetics and catalysis, chemical reactor design, fuel cell technology, chemical processing, energy systems, environmental protection, renewable energy, life sciences, new technologies and materials.

Learning Outcomes:

Advanced chemical engineering analysis, chemical reaction and catalysis knowledge, reactor design, energy-system knowledge, interdisciplinary problem-solving, teamwork, technical communication, research presentation, scientific writing, and application of chemical engineering principles to real-world problems.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

WPI's Chemical Engineering MS is a graduate program designed to build advanced technical and professional expertise rather than an undergraduate professional-licensure degree. The university emphasizes active learning, teamwork, communication, current engineering practices, research presentations, conference participation, and scientific publications, supporting preparation for advanced engineering and research careers.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

WPI's official rankings information lists its Chemical Engineering program at #67 in the U.S. News & World Report 2024 ranking. WPI also reports that Chemical Engineering graduates have gone on to careers with organizations including Pfizer, ExxonMobil, DuPont, Dow Chemical, BASF, Air Products, Procter & Gamble, 3M, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, Chevron, and Shell.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Master’s in Chemical Engineering at WPI emphasizes learning through research, project work, and practical application of chemical engineering concepts. Students can choose a thesis pathway that involves original research, while the program also encourages students to work across disciplines and communicate their findings through seminars, conferences, and scientific publications. WPI’s project-based learning environment gives graduate students opportunities to connect advanced chemical engineering theory with applications in energy, materials, biotechnology, and environmental engineering.

Students can develop practical and research experience through these program-specific opportunities:

Graduate research and thesis: Students choosing the thesis option conduct original research under faculty supervision and complete a master's thesis, providing substantial hands-on research experience.
Chemical Engineering laboratories: WPI's Chemical Engineering department provides laboratory environments supporting research in reaction engineering, catalysis, energy, materials, biotechnology, and environmental engineering.
Kinetics and Catalysis research: Students can investigate chemical reactions and catalytic processes, connecting advanced kinetics knowledge with practical chemical-processing and energy applications.
Fuel Cell Technology: WPI specifically identifies Fuel Cell Technology as an area of study, allowing students to explore electrochemical energy-conversion technologies and their chemical engineering applications.
Chemical Reactor Design: Students develop practical understanding of reactor analysis and design, applying chemical kinetics and transport principles to real engineering systems.
Interdisciplinary project work: WPI encourages collaboration across disciplines, allowing Chemical Engineering graduate students to connect their work with areas such as materials science, biotechnology, energy, and environmental engineering.
Research communication: Graduate students have opportunities to present their research through seminars and professional conferences and develop scientific communication skills through research publications.
Industry exposure: WPI's Chemical Engineering graduates have entered organizations including Pfizer, ExxonMobil, DuPont, Dow Chemical, BASF, Air Products, Procter & Gamble, 3M, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, Chevron, and Shell, providing evidence of the program's connection to major chemical, pharmaceutical, energy, and manufacturing employers.

Facilities and resources: WPI's Chemical Engineering department provides laboratory and research resources supporting advanced work in chemical engineering, energy, catalysis, materials, biotechnology, and environmental applications.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Master’s in Chemical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) prepares graduates for advanced engineering, research, and technical careers across chemical processing, energy, pharmaceuticals, materials, and related industries. The program’s thesis option can provide particularly strong preparation for research-focused careers and doctoral study, while the coursework pathway allows students to deepen their professional chemical engineering expertise.

Typical career directions include: Chemical Engineer, Process Engineer, Research and Development Engineer, Chemical Process Engineer

Career development and employment opportunities include:

Career services: WPI’s Center for Career Development supports graduate students through career advising, résumé and cover-letter assistance, interview preparation, networking, career fairs, and employer connections.
Employer connections: WPI's Chemical Engineering graduates have gone on to work with major organizations including Pfizer, ExxonMobil, DuPont, Dow Chemical, BASF, Air Products, Procter & Gamble, 3M, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, Chevron, and Shell, demonstrating the range of industries connected with the program.
Employment outlook: WPI identifies Chemical Engineering as a field with opportunities across energy, environmental protection, life sciences, renewable energy, materials, and chemical processing, giving graduates several directions for professional development.
Salary context: WPI's program information does not provide a specific average salary for graduates of the Chemical Engineering MS. Salary varies substantially by role, industry, location, and experience, so external occupational salary figures should not be presented as WPI graduate outcomes.
Research and professional development: Students undertaking the thesis option gain experience conducting original research and communicating findings through seminars, professional conferences, and scientific publications, strengthening preparation for R&D and research-oriented positions.
Industry relevance: The program's emphasis on areas such as kinetics and catalysis, chemical reactor design, fuel cell technology, energy, materials, and environmental applications aligns graduate training with sectors such as pharmaceuticals, energy, advanced materials, and chemical manufacturing.
Long-term professional value: The MS provides advanced graduate-level chemical engineering preparation that can support progression into specialized engineering and research roles. WPI's project-based educational approach also emphasizes problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and applying technical knowledge to real-world challenges.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the MS, students can pursue a PhD in Chemical Engineering or a related engineering/scientific discipline if they want to specialize further in research and prepare for academic, laboratory, or advanced R&D careers. Students completing the thesis pathway can use their research experience as a foundation for doctoral-level research, while graduates from the non-thesis pathway can also pursue further graduate education depending on their academic preparation and interests.