Chemical Engineering

Students select one of three industry-aligned concentrations to develop deep expertise in an area of particular interest:

• General principles and applications: A research-focused concentration for students considering a PhD or research career. Rotate through faculty labs, select a research topic, and choose a thesis or project track.
• Biosystems: A course-based concentration applying chemical engineering principles to biomedical and biological systems, including metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, mechanobiological networks, and microfluidic systems.
• Sustainability: A course-based concentration focused on meeting society’s needs for improved energy storage and water delivery, examining materials, chemicals, energy, and the reactions that produce them.

Students without a prior background in chemical engineering can still succeed in any of these concentrations by completing bridge coursework that teaches key foundational concepts.

The MS in Chemical Engineering offers course-based tracks (biosystems or sustainability) that can be completed in as few as 12 months, or a research track (general principles and applications, with project or thesis options) that can be completed within two years.

The degree may be completed full time or part time, making it accessible to students with concurrent careers in industry. You may also elect to take on a co-op experience as part of your education.

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. Recent chemical engineering co-op employers include Ambri, Metalor Technologies, Nano-C, Pellion Technologies, Sanofi Genzyme, and Waters Corporation. 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 and the resources and support to foster innovation.

Chemical engineering research spans five focus areas: biomolecular and biomedical systems, complex and computational systems, energy and sustainability, engineering education and pedagogy, and materials and nanotechnology.

You’ll be able to perform research with faculty in their labs, as part of research centers, on 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.

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.

• 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

The Master of Science in Chemical Engineering is normally pursued by students with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering or closely allied fields. Students wishing to pursue a master’s degree but with undergraduate educational backgrounds other than chemical engineering may be required to complete supplementary undergraduate coursework. These courses are in addition to the minimum course requirements.