How to Get a Master's Degree in Materials Engineering

Materials engineering is the foundation of most modern technology, the source of the technologically-advanced materials from which engineered objects are made. Semiconductors, fuel cells, human tissue polymers, construction materials, and high-performance athletic apparel are just a few of the contributions that originate in materials engineering labs. Materials engineers impact R&D in fields as diverse as biotechnology, information and communications technology, energy and environmental technology, and nanotechnology.

A graduate degree in materials engineering qualifies you to make an impact in materials research. You can earn a master's degree online or on campus, as part of a two-year academic or a pre-professional program.

WorldWideLearn.com helps you make the most of your graduate education. Explore your master's degree options and access the resources you need to make your career ambition a reality.

Guide to Master's Degrees in Materials Engineering

Materials engineering plays a fundamental role in technology by applying basic scientific principles to the development of high-performance materials. Engineers combine physics, chemistry, and biology knowledge with innovative research methods to develop materials with predictable and useful properties. Nanotechnology, for example, enables scientists to produce macroscopic effects by manipulating materials at the microscoping (atomic or molecular) level. Biotechnology approaches the same problems with organic solutions, using biological materials or mimicking biological processes (biomimicry) to develop materials. To learn more about this rapidly evolving discipline, see WorldWideLearn.com's Guide to College Majors in Materials Science Engineering.

Professional and Academic Master's Degrees

Graduate education in materials engineering has expanded to meet the needs of both entry-level engineers and mid-career professionals. Today's graduate materials engineering programs offer two degrees:

Master of Science
The MS in materials engineering is a traditional research master's degree designed to meet the needs of aspiring academics and commercial R&D engineers alike. Campus-based education remains the default delivery format, with collaborative lab research a central feature of the program. The MS serves as a stepping stone to the PhD in materials science and an academic career, or as a vehicle to higher-level positions in industry R&D.

Master of Engineering
The M.Eng. in materials engineering is a newer professional master's program tailored to the needs of entry-level and mid-career engineers. The program focuses on bringing students up-to-date in current research practices and technologies, in preparation for careers in business, industry, and government. The Master of Engineering takes a practical approach to graduate education: you can develop your own curriculum to suit your professional needs and pursue the degree on your own terms. Some M.Eng. programs offer the option to earn a master's degree online in as little as a year.

WorldWideLearn.com covers master's degrees in more detail in The Master's Degree Explained and Master's Degrees Online sections

Read More

How to Get a Master's Degree in Materials Engineering

Materials engineering is the foundation of most modern technology, the source of the technologically-advanced materials from which engineered objects are made. Semiconductors, fuel cells, human tissue polymers, construction materials, and high-performance athletic apparel are just a few of the contributions that originate in materials engineering labs. Materials engineers impact R&D in fields as diverse as biotechnology, information and communications technology, energy and environmental technology, and nanotechnology.

A graduate degree in materials engineering qualifies you to make an impact in materials research. You can earn a master's degree online or on campus, as part of a two-year academic or a pre-professional program.

WorldWideLearn.com helps you make the most of your graduate education. Explore your master's degree options and access the resources you need to make your career ambition a reality.

Guide to Master's Degrees in Materials Engineering

Materials engineering plays a fundamental role in technology by applying basic scientific principles to the development of high-performance materials. Engineers combine physics, chemistry, and biology knowledge with innovative research methods to develop materials with predictable and useful properties. Nanotechnology, for example, enables scientists to produce macroscopic effects by manipulating materials at the microscoping (atomic or molecular) level. Biotechnology approaches the same problems with organic solutions, using biological materials or mimicking biological processes (biomimicry) to develop materials. To learn more about this rapidly evolving discipline, see WorldWideLearn.com's Guide to College Majors in Materials Science Engineering.

Professional and Academic Master's Degrees

Graduate education in materials engineering has expanded to meet the needs of both entry-level engineers and mid-career professionals. Today's graduate materials engineering programs offer two degrees:

Master of Science
The MS in materials engineering is a traditional research master's degree designed to meet the needs of aspiring academics and commercial R&D engineers alike. Campus-based education remains the default delivery format, with collaborative lab research a central feature of the program. The MS serves as a stepping stone to the PhD in materials science and an academic career, or as a vehicle to higher-level positions in industry R&D.

Master of Engineering
The M.Eng. in materials engineering is a newer professional master's program tailored to the needs of entry-level and mid-career engineers. The program focuses on bringing students up-to-date in current research practices and technologies, in preparation for careers in business, industry, and government. The Master of Engineering takes a practical approach to graduate education: you can develop your own curriculum to suit your professional needs and pursue the degree on your own terms. Some M.Eng. programs offer the option to earn a master's degree online in as little as a year.

WorldWideLearn.com covers master's degrees in more detail in The Master's Degree Explained and Master's Degrees Online sections

Specializations

Whether you choose a professional or academic master's degree, you'll have the opportunity to specialize in a particular area of materials engineering research. Each graduate program structures its specialization opportunities differently, reflecting program emphasis and resources. Academic programs are structured around faculty research labs and typically require students to develop a specialized research topic. Professional degrees may emphasize specialized coursework or research, often encouraging students to devise a topic in line with their professional projects.

Specialization topics may focus on:

Applications

• Biomaterials. Materials engineering principles applied to biological systems yield innovations in tissue engineering, medical devices, and prostheses. Recent advances in this field include joint replacements, heart valves, skin repair devices, and cochlear implants.
• Information Technology. Materials science innovations set the stage for the digital revolution, with advances such as semiconductors, fiber optics, and lasers. Today's researchers advance information and communications technology through thin-film and nanotechnology research.
• Energy and Environmental Technology. Materials engineers hold the nation's hope for solutions to the energy crisis and environmental damage. Research efforts emphasize fuel-cell technology and the improvement of catalytic electrodes and electrolytic membranes.

Materials Engineering Technologies

• Nanotechnology
• Biotechnology
• Organic Electronics
• High-temperature Superconductivity and Superfluidity
• Crystallography
• Metallurgy

Material Types

• Polymers
• Composites
• Colloids Optoelectronics
• Ceramics
• Metals

Most graduate programs allow students to shape their specialized course of study. To determine your area of interest, take into account your interests, work experience, career ambitions, and undergraduate background.

Career Track

A master's degree in materials engineering generally leads to a career as a research scientist or engineer in either an academic or professional context. Aspiring academics can continue on to the PhD in materials engineering and pursue a career as a university professor or academic researcher. Otherwise, your master's degree can lead directly to a R&D position in an industrial or government lab. Sample job titles in research and development include:

• Development Engineer
• Process Engineer
• Materials Research Scientist
• Lab Director

Alternatively, you may seek consulting or management roles in business or the public sector. Job titles in these sectors include:

• Sales Support Engineer
• Patent Analyst
• Engineering Manager
• Technical Writer

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, career prospects for materials engineers will hold steady through 2018, with employment growing about as fast as average for all occupations. Demand will be highest in biotechnology and nanotechnology research, composite materials development, and professional consulting.

Plan for a Master's Degree in Materials Engineering

Your successful completion of a materials engineering master's degree begins as soon as you start researching programs. Evaluating your program options allows you to line up the resources you need to achieve your goals. Take these steps to prepare for graduate school.

Find the Right Graduate Materials Engineering Program

Your successful completion of a materials engineering master's degree begins as soon as you start researching programs. Evaluating your program options allows you to line up the resources you need to achieve your goals. Take these steps to prepare for graduate school.

1. List Accredited Programs
Begin the research process by identifying your options. Accreditation is an important baseline criterion at this stage of your program search, an affirmation of the program's educational quality and value as a credential. The U.S. Department of Education does its part to encourage academic quality by designating regional and national accreditation agencies. These agencies set quality standards for engineering degrees and review programs regularly to assess compliance.

Resources
WorldWideLearn.com partners with educational institutions that meet strict quality criteria, including program accreditation. Search Degrees by Subject for campus-based and online master's degrees in materials engineering.

ABET, formerly known as the Accreditation Board of Engineering Technology, is the premier authority on engineering accreditation. Search a database of ABET-accredited master's programs in materials engineering.

2. Choose Program Format: Campus or Online Master's Degree?
You can narrow down your list considerably by deciding which program format makes sense for you. Your lifestyle and career objectives will shape this important decision.

• Online degrees offer a convenient, self-paced format ideal for working professionals and returning students with family obligations. You can earn a master's degree online without putting your career on hold. Many professional master's degrees even take advantage of the synergy between school and work by encouraging students to tailor their coursework to applied research problems.
• Campus programs offer the advantage of access to research labs and faculty mentors. The traditional campus format remains the preferred choice for aspiring academics, who cultivate their expertise through collaborative research with faculty.

In addition to these options, some graduate materials engineering programs feature alternative formats such as hybrid campus-online programs, temporary campus residencies, and accelerated one-year master's programs.

Resources
WorldWideLearn.com represents both program formats. See Online Degree Programs and Campus Education for links to programs with your preferred format. If you choose a campus degree, search Degrees by Location to find a school near you.

The Sloan Consortium, which represents distance graduate education programs nationwide, includes online master's degrees in materials engineering among its list of Programs in Engineering.

3. Explore Academic Programs
The crux of your research takes you into the details of each program's academic resources and requirements. Investigate the following factors to identify which schools will help you excel in your studies:

• Curriculum
• Degree Requirements
• Faculty
• Research Facilities
• Industry Relationships
• Career Support Services
• Student Life

The relative importance of these program features will depend on your circumstances. Major program variations include the flexibility to design your own curriculum, as well as access to resources such as state-of-the-art research equipment and faculty in your area of interest. The master's degree type--academic or professional--will also determine whether the program emphasizes research or career development.

Resources
WorldWideLearn.com features an interactive search tool designed to match you with programs that meet your specifications. Fill out a form indicating your program criteria and the system suggests schools that fit the bill. You can even streamline your research by arranging an email or phone discussion with a school representative, who can answer your questions about the materials engineering degree.

School Web sites offer a single point of access for a range of program information. You'll find links to degree requirements, course catalogs, research lab websites, and department faculty.

Informational interviews with faculty, alumni, and current graduate students give you a reliable sense of what the academic experience is like--the level of support you can expect, the time to complete the degree, and your job prospects. If possible, combine these meetings with a campus visit to explore school facilities and local resources.

4. Evaluate Program Quality

Finally, rank the programs on your list according to the following quality considerations:

• Reputation
• Selectivity
• Job placement
• Student background

Aim for five or six finalists with various degrees of selectivity, including a couple of long shots and several sure bets. Your competitiveness as an applicant depends on your GPA, test scores, and work experience.

Resources
Admissions Counselors have access to useful data about selectivity and student success. Ask for the following information:

• Average admitted student GPA and test scores
• Placement rate, including employers and average starting salaries
• Student demographics (including work experience and percentage of international students)

Rankings help you gauge a program's reputation. U.S. News & World Report offers a specific ranking of materials engineering graduate schools: Best Engineering Schools Specialty Rankings: Materials.

Apply to Graduate Materials Engineering Programs

The following steps will help you gain admission to the master's degree programs of your choice.

1. Complete Prerequisites
Most graduate materials engineering programs mandate basic eligibility requirements. Before you apply, plan to complete:

• A bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field
• Prerequisite courses, if your degree is in an unrelated area. Consult an admissions counselor for guidance on which courses to take.
• Standardized tests. The usual suspects are the GRE, GRE subject test, and TOEFL (for international students).
• Work experience (required by some professional master's programs)

WorldWideLearn.com's Education Resources Guide features access to test preparation resources, prerequisite courses, and online learning tools to help you meet eligibility requirements.

2. Prepare Application Materials
In addition to a student information form, most schools require the following supporting materials:

• Academic transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Test scores
• Personal statement
• Resume

Since application requirements vary, check with each school to ensure you submit all the necessary documentation.

3. Finance Your Master's Degree in Materials Science
Even if you earn a master's degree online, you're eligible for financial aid to help offset your educational expenses. Take these steps to secure the funding to which you're entitled:

• Meet with financial aid advisors at your top schools
• Fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), required for all federal financial aid programs.
• Ask your employer about educational incentives such as tuition grants.
• Apply for private scholarships through civic organizations, nonprofits, etc.
• Secure a low-interest bank loan.

For more information, visit the WorldWideLearn.com resource page on graduate education funding.

Build an Academic Network

An important factor in your academic and professional success is your support network. Graduate materials engineering programs offer the opportunity to build relationships with peers and mentors who share your interest in materials technology. Start making connections in your academic field now, and you'll be poised to make the most of your two years in the master's program. Key steps to gaining an inside perspective and building a network include:

• Joining Professional Associations. Major players include ASM International and Materials Research Society (MRS). Also look for smaller niche organizations in your particular field of interest
• Reading Journals. A similar strategy applies: consult both important general journals in materials engineering and specialized publications in your field. The major journals include Journal of Materials Science, Materials Science and Engineering, and Journal of Engineering Materials and Technology.
• Attending Networking Events and Conferences. Learn the research trends in your field and meet your peers face to face at professional events. Universities, associations, and employers sponsor networking events such as conferences, lectures, and local get-togethers.

Developing your academic network enables you to refine your research interests, identify prospective mentors, and establish yourself as a member of the community. These benefits will serve you well throughout the master's degree program and your engineering career.

Conclusion

A master's degree in materials engineering can help you realize your potential as a research innovator, expert consultant, or strategic lab manager. Whichever career path you pursue, a graduate degree exposes you to the people, knowledge, and technology that can make your ambitions a reality. Use the resources throughout the WorldWideLearn.com site to plan your education, and you'll position yourself to lead the next generation of materials engineering development.

Sources

• Accredited Engineering Programs, ABET.
• ASM International: The Materials Information Society.
• Best Engineering Schools Specialty Rankings: Materials, U.S. News & World Report (2009).
• Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, U.S. Department of Education.
• "Engineers," Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Education.
• Materials Research Society.
• MSE: Master of Engineering, Cornell University Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
• Programs in Engineering, The Sloan Consortium.
• "What is Materials Engineering?", Purdue University School of Materials Engineering.

Collapse