Advanced and Intelligent Manufacturing

• Innovative curriculum focused on advanced, smart, and digital manufacturing prepares students to be researchers for the development of advanced manufacturing technologies and leaders for managing advanced manufacturing enterprises. Advanced, smart, and digital are among the top 10 most promising technologies transforming the global manufacturing industry, according to the U.S. ranking of the Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index (2016).
• Learn cutting-edge technologies, including courses on the Internet of Things, intelligent manufacturing, data analytics engineering, robotics, materials engineering, nano and microscale manufacturing, and additive manufacturing.
• Students have robust research opportunities at Northeastern through its manufacturing infrastructure, including the George J. Kostas Nanoscale Technology and Manufacturing Research Center, the National Science Foundation Center for High-Rate Nanomanufacturing, and the Advanced Nanomanufacturing Cluster for Smart Sensors and Materials.
• Either train for industry jobs with coursework and co-op experience or prepare for a doctoral program through coursework and research experience. Northeastern is ranked No. 1 in internships/co-ops, and is an R1 research institution. Northeastern has partnerships with national research labs that are involved in advanced manufacturing research, and has industry collaborations with GE, IBM, Raytheon, Dell EMC, Flex, Northrop Grumman, and Analog Devices.
• Interdisciplinary program is focused in mechanical and industrial engineering and builds upon the principles and knowledge in materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, computer science, robotics and controls engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and business administration.
• Complete the master’s degree by pursuing one of the three tracks: coursework option, project option, and thesis option.

Graduates of the MS in Advanced and Intelligent Manufacturing program can become engineers at high-tech companies or managers at government agencies, or pursue PhD degrees in advanced manufacturing at U.S. universities. Career opportunities are available in key sectors such as aerospace, automotive, computers, manufacturing, chemical processes, electronics, materials, controls, instruments, and power and energy systems.

The fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0, is transforming manufacturing operations to advanced manufacturing by extending digital technology with interconnectedness using the Internet of Things, access to real-time data, and cyber-physical systems. Globally, nine out of 10 companies are investing in digital factories*, and various U.S. federal agencies have collectively created the National Network for Manufacturing and Innovation Institutes (NNMII), referred to as Manufacturing USA, to invest in innovative advanced manufacturing technologies. Northeastern is a member of five NNMIIs. At the same time, according to Talent Board, there is a severe shortage of people trained in advanced manufacturing, with 50% to 75% of people applying to positions unqualified, and there is a greater than 30% shortage of engineers, researchers, and scientists.

Three key curriculum components of the MS in Advanced and Intelligent Manufacturing program are advanced, smart, and digital. These are among the top 10 most promising advanced technologies transforming the global manufacturing industry, according to the U.S. ranking of the Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index (2016). Within these areas, students learn cutting-edge technologies, including courses on the Internet of Things, intelligent manufacturing, data analytics engineering, robotics, materials engineering, nano and microscale manufacturing, and additive manufacturing.

Advanced manufacturing includes conventional manufacturing, additive manufacturing, and nanomanufacturing. Conventional manufacturing covers metal removal, forming, casting, and particulate processes. Additive manufacturing covers topics such as 3D printing of parts using different approaches. Nanomanufacturing includes conventional fabrication as well as printing of micro and nano devices and design and creation of multifunctional materials using automation and scalable processes.

Smart manufacturing focuses on factory automation, process monitoring and control, diagnostics, prognostics and maintenance, cloud-enabled manufacturing, and Industrial Internet of Things for manufacturing performance assurance.

Digital manufacturing leverages real-time data analytics and control systems, advanced high-fidelity models, networked data, and computation for seamless interoperation of cyber and physical assets in manufacturing facilities. In smart and digital manufacturing, all entities, including people, parts, products, equipment, systems, suppliers, and logistics and transportation systems are connected to achieve enterprise-level efficiency.

Interdisciplinary Program

An interdisciplinary program with a focus in mechanical and industrial engineering, courses build upon the principles and knowledge in materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, computer science, robotics and controls engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and business administration.

Flexible Options

Students can complete the master’s degree by pursuing one of three tracks: coursework option, project option, and thesis option.

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.

• Completed online application form

• Two letters of recommendation

• Transcripts from all institutions attended

  • The Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) is a required assessment of all transcripts and documents from non-U.S. accredited post-secondary education institutions. (Review the FCE requirements by country.)

• 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

• The application fee is waived for all new applicants applying to any of our Master of Science or Graduate Certificates for the fall 2025 and spring 2026 application terms.