Engineering
MS
Overview of the master's in engineering
Our master's degree in engineering is uniquely interdisciplinary, bringing together expert faculty members from seven different engineering and technology programs to provide a comprehensive and collaborative learning environment. There is also an accelerated program for earning your bachelor's and master's in engineering – saving you time and money.
You'll choose one of two 30 credit-hour tracks and customize your degree to fit your career goals. Whether you want to move your engineering career forward or gain the experience and knowledge to excel in a doctoral program, our Master of Science in Engineering degree connects you to the future you want.
Plan A: Research & Thesis Track
Take a Directed Research in Engineering course and prepare your thesis alongside exprienced faculty in your Thesis Research course. You'll then have 9 credit hours for engineering electives.
- Best for: Students interested in R&D careers or pursuing a Ph.D.
- Structure: 21 credits of Core/Research + 9 credits of Electives.
- Focus: Hands-on thesis research under faculty mentorship.
Plan B: Professional Coursework Track
Choose 21 credit hours of electives in other disciplines and up to 3 hours from an online graduate course per semester.
- Best for: Students seeking advanced technical skills for industry leadership.
- Structure: 9 credits of Core + 21 credits of Electives.
- Focus: Maximum flexibility to choose courses that match your industry interests.
Small classes and committed faculty foster a supportive, collaborative setting where you learn alongside peers who use engineering concepts in their jobs, keeping coursework closely tied to real-world problems.
AT A GLANCE
Why the master's in engineering is right for you
Graduate students collaborate closely with faculty on significant research projects, gaining experience often associated with doctoral study. Many Master of Science in Engineering students co-author scholarly publications and are frequently listed as first authors, reflecting both the strength of their work and the depth of faculty mentorship.
You'll have the opportunity to work with faculty who have a wide range of engineering and interdisciplinary expertise, in areas like: additive manufacturing, IoT, wireless networks, hardware security, mechatronics, photonics, biomechanics, haptics, autonomous vehicles, nanomaterials, environmental sustainability and more.
Our master’s in engineering is also designed for working professionals, offering flexible course options so you can align your studies with your career and technical interests.
Accelerated master's in engineering
High-performing undergraduate students can begin their graduate studies while still finishing their bachelor's degree, earning both degrees in just five years at CMU.
- Students save time by graduating with an MS in just one extra year after their BS.
- Students save money by double-counting up to 9 credit hours toward both degrees, completing nearly one-third of the master's degree at the undergraduate tuition rate.
- Interested students should talk to their engineering advisor early in their junior year to align their schedules for the accelerated path (the final deadline to apply is four weeks before the end of Spring semester to begin in Fall; and four weeks before the end of Fall semester to begin in Spring).
What can you do with a Master of Science in Engineering?
Engineering jobs are concentrated in fast-growing industries such as autonomous vehicles, portable electronics and healthcare. Trends in these areas point to a strong outlook for engineering careers.
An MSE degree can qualify you for roles in expanding sectors such as:
- Machine learning
- Computer vision
- Self-driving vehicles
- Consumer electronics
- Machine tools
- Additive manufacturing
Graduates from our engineering master's program are currently making an impact at:
- Apple
- GenTex Corporation
- Honda
- John Deere
- Ford
- Caterpillar
- General Motors
- Walt Disney Company
- Dow Chemical
Alumni of our engineering master's program also advance into elite Ph.D. programs at institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, Purdue University, the University of Illinois and the University of Michigan.
Master of Science in Engineering highlights
With your MS in engineering from CMU, you will be prepared to:
- Conduct groundbreaking research: Work with faculty experts on some of engineering's most exciting areas of exploration, from advanced materials to intelligent systems.
- Present research results: Gain valuable experience sharing your findings with a variety of professional audiences, including writing a thesis and presenting at conferences or seminars.
- Get promoted: With an Engineering MS, you will be well-positioned to apply for higher-level engineering roles, particularly in research and development and technical leadership.
- Go higher in higher ed: By strengthening your engineering, leadership and communication skills in our engineering master’s program, you will be prepared to apply to high-quality engineering Ph.D. programs.
Master of Science in Engineering careers
Graduates of the master's in engineering program at CMU gain the knowledge and skills to pursue diverse career opportunities. You can move into advanced technical roles, step into positions that blend engineering and management or continue into research-focused doctoral study.
| Career | Projected Salary |
|---|---|
| Validation Engineer | $101,140 |
| RF Engineer | $118,780 |
| Hardware Engineer | $155,020 |
| Electronics Engineer | $118,780 |
| Industrial/Mechanical Engineering Technician | $68,730 |
Accelerated MS in Engineering
The MS in Engineering 4+1 program allows students to graduate with their master's degree in engineering just one year after completing their undergraduate degree. This can save you over $2,000 in credit hours because you'll pay undergraduate prices for graduate-level courses.
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