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College of Engineering

Pharmaceutical Engineering

Master's

The MS in Pharmaceutical Engineering is an interdisciplinary engineering and pharmaceutical sciences degree that prepares you to design, manufacture, and ensure the quality of biopharmaceuticals—one of the fastest-growing segments of the industry.

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Program Format
On ground
Time Commitment
Part time, Full time
Duration
1.5 - 2 Year(s)
Entry Term(s)
Fall
Meets F1 visa requirements
Yes

Program overview

Engineering better medicines

The Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Engineering is an interdisciplinary program offered through the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences. This full-time, non-thesis program is one of only a few in the nation combining engineering and pharmaceutical sciences.

This program gives you advanced skills in pharmaceutical design, manufacturing process engineering, and regulatory and quality practices. You’ll build this expertise through coursework and hands-on lab experiences, including bioreactor operation and design, downstream purification, and cell culture.

Coursework emphasizes biopharmaceuticals, including mRNA-based therapeutics and Quality by Design (QbD) principles, and you can gain up to eight months of paid full-time experience through Northeastern’s co-op program.

The MS in Pharmaceutical Engineering requires at least 32 semester hours of coursework, which can be completed in as few as 12 months. You’ll combine core studies in pharmaceutical engineering (including bioprocess fundamentals and laboratory work) and pharmaceutical science with electives spanning regulatory affairs, quality and statistics, drug delivery, sterile manufacturing, and more. The program is full time and non-thesis-based. You may also add a co-op to your plan of study.

Northeastern combines rigorous academics with experiential learning and research to prepare you for real-world engineering challenges. Our cooperative education (co-op) program is one of the largest and most innovative in the world, and Northeastern is one of the few universities that offers this unique learning model for graduate students.

Through co-op, you’ll gain up to eight months of professional work experience in your field of interest as part of the academic curriculum, giving you a competitive advantage after graduation. Northeastern’s Boston location gives pharmaceutical engineering students direct access to leading biotech and pharmaceutical employers, and dedicated co-op coordinators will guide you through the entire process.

As an R1 research university, Northeastern offers all students the opportunity to participate in a wide range of interdisciplinary research projects in addition to offering resources and support to foster innovation.

You’ll be able to perform research with pharmaceutical engineering and pharmaceutical science faculty in their labs, as part of research centers, through co-op, or on your own as part of an individual research project. You can also present your research at university events and participate in regional, national, and global competitions.

Admissions

Apply to the program

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and real-world professional experience in your area of interest. Apply to take your career to the next level.

Applications received after the stated deadline dates will be accepted and processed as quickly as possible; however it may not be possible to have a decision rendered in time for the applicant to begin taking classes for the desired term if admitted.

Applications submitted by the referenced dates will receive full consideration for the referenced term. Applications received after the referenced dates will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

*Decision notification: Applicants will be reviewed for admission on a rolling basis as they are completed.


Fall Semester Entry

Early Action deadline:December 1
Final deadline for international applicants out-of-country: June 15
Final deadline for international applicants in-country: July 1
Final deadline for domestic applicants: August 1

  • BS degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or equivalent experience

  • Differential equations or equivalent mathematics coursework

  • Completed online application form

  • Two letters of recommendation

  • Transcripts from all institutions attended

  • GRE is not required for terms starting during the 2025-2026 academic years

  • Statement of purpose

  • Resumé

  • TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo for international applicants unless the waiver requirements are met

Program objectives

Prepare for success

Our master’s degree in engineering is designed to prepare you for whatever you choose to do next by deepening your technical expertise, giving you real-world experience, and building your network.

Technical expertise

Develop advanced knowledge and specialized skills, guided by faculty at the forefront of their fields. Achieve the credibility you need to advance in your current career or pivot into a new one.

Learning by doing

Apply your coursework in professional settings through co-op, research, and student-led groups—gaining the kind of applied experience that accelerates your path from day one.

A network that lasts

Become part of a diverse, driven community of engineers from around the world, connected by a shared commitment to solving the problems that matter most.

Connect with us

Want more information?

We’re here to answer your questions about this program, the application process, and more. Complete the form below to receive additional program details and speak with a member of our enrollment team. 

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Cost of attendance

Tuition and financial aid

  • $63,264
    Tuition in USD

Estimated Total Tuition

This is an estimate based on the tuition rates for Academic Year 2026-2027 and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time. Select programs at select campuses offer additional scholarships of up to 25% off the listed price for domestic students studying on campus. For more detailed information, please visit Student Financial Services.

For students interested in pursuing financial assistance or educational loans, additional educational costs, known as Cost of Attendance (COA) components, can be included in the calculation of aid and loan eligibility. Components may include food, housing, books, course materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, personal expenses, and the cost of obtaining a first professional licensure. You can find comprehensive details on the Student Financial Services website. Please keep in mind that COA can vary significantly depending on academic program, enrollment intensity, and individual circumstances.

There are many ways to pay for your education, including scholarships, financial aid, and more. Connect with a financial counselor to learn about your options and make your dream a reality.

Visit tuition & financial aid
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