The Master of Science in Chemical Engineering at Tufts University School of Engineering is a 30-credit, on-campus graduate program that prepares students to apply chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, and engineering principles to complex problems involving materials, energy, manufacturing, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, food, fuels, and chemical processes.

Offered through the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, the program can be completed full time or part time on the Medford/Somerville campus. Students may pursue a master’s degree with or without a thesis, with an average completion time of 12 to 24 months.

Who is this Program For?

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering is designed for students who want advanced preparation in chemical engineering for industry, research, or further graduate study. Applicants are generally expected to have earned a prior degree in chemical engineering.

Students with degrees in closely related engineering fields, such as materials science and engineering or polymer engineering, may also be a strong fit if they have preparation in core chemical engineering areas such as heat, mass, and momentum transfer; chemical kinetics, reactors, and catalysis; and chemical thermodynamics.

Applicants with backgrounds in chemistry or biochemistry should have completed coursework in ordinary or partial differential equations and, ideally, heat, mass, and momentum transport. Relevant preparation should be clear in the applicant’s transcript and personal statement.

Application Requirements

Applicants to the MS in Chemical Engineering program are generally expected to have earned a prior degree in Chemical Engineering. Applicants with degrees in closely related engineering disciplines (such as Materials Science and Engineering or Polymer Engineering) who already have a working knowledge of the core course content of this program (i.e., partial differential equations describing heat, mass, and momentum transfer processes, chemical kinetics/reactors and catalysis, chemical thermodynamics) are also encouraged to apply.

Please note that applicants with degrees in Chemistry or Biochemistry are expected to have already completed coursework in ordinary/partial differential equations (at a minimum), and ideally heat/mass/momentum transport, as well. These courses should be clearly shown on the transcript(s) and must also be described in the applicant's personal statement.

Application Fee
Resume/CV
Personal Statement
Transcripts
Three letters of recommendation
Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test scores (if applicable)
GRE General Test scores are not required
Portfolio (optional)

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What Will You Study?

Students in the M.S. in Chemical Engineering build advanced knowledge in chemical engineering fundamentals, applied research, and engineering problem-solving. Students may complete the degree with or without a thesis. The thesis option is well suited for students who want a research-intensive experience, while the non-thesis option may be a strong fit for students seeking advanced coursework and professional preparation.

Coursework and research opportunities may cover areas such as:

Thermodynamics
Complex kinetics
Industrial processes
Chemical reactors and catalysis
Heat, mass, and momentum transfer
Green energy

Nanostructured electronics
Smart polymers
Membranes and separations
Tissue and metabolic engineering
Nanobiofabrication

About the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Tufts supports graduate education and research across chemical engineering, biological engineering, materials, energy, and manufacturing. Faculty research areas include green energy, nanostructured electronics, smart polymers, membranes and separations, tissue and metabolic engineering, nanobiofabrication, industrial processes, thermodynamics, and complex kinetics.

Graduate students benefit from small classes, interdisciplinary research, and access to faculty whose work connects chemical engineering principles with applications in sustainability, biotechnology, materials, health, and industrial systems.

Why Study Chemical Engineering at Tufts?

Faculty Mentorship

Students work with faculty whose expertise spans chemical engineering, biological engineering, materials, energy, catalysis, polymers, separations, tissue engineering, metabolic engineering, nanobiofabrication, and process systems. This breadth gives students opportunities to connect advanced coursework with research and professional goals.

Interdisciplinary Research

Chemical engineering at Tufts draws on chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, and engineering. Students can explore research areas that connect materials, energy, manufacturing, biotechnology, and sustainability.

Flexible Degree Pathways

The program offers both thesis and non-thesis options, allowing students to tailor the degree to their goals. The thesis option supports students interested in research or doctoral study, while the non-thesis option supports students seeking advanced technical preparation for engineering practice.

Boston and Cambridge Location

Tufts’ Medford/Somerville campus is near the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, energy, materials, and engineering employers of the Boston and Cambridge region. This location can support professional exploration, networking, and applied learning opportunities.

What Can You Do With an M.S. in Chemical Engineering?

Graduates may pursue engineering, research, technical, or product-focused roles in industries such as chemicals, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, energy, materials, food, consumer products, manufacturing, and environmental technology. Career outcomes vary based on a student’s background, thesis or non-thesis pathway, technical experience, internship or co-op experience, and professional goals.

Possible paths may include:

Chemical engineer
Process engineer
Product development engineer
Research and development engineer
Manufacturing engineer

Materials engineer
Bioprocess engineer
Energy systems engineer
Quality or validation engineer
PhD student or research scientist in training

What is the Career Outlook?

Chemical engineering skills are relevant across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, materials, energy, environmental technology, research and development, and manufacturing.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, chemical engineers had a median annual wage of $121,860 in May 2024. Employment in this occupation is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

A scientist places chemicals in a tube rack

Average Salary: $112K+

Projected Job Growth (2022-2032): 8%

*Sources: Average salary and projected job growth statistics are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Can Chemical Engineering Students Complete a Co-op?

Yes. Eligible School of Engineering graduate students may participate in the Graduate Cooperative Education Program. Through the Co-Op Program, students can apply classroom learning to real-world engineering projects, gain up to six months of full-time work experience, build their resume, and develop professional experience before graduation.

Learn about the Graduate Cooperative Education Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Scholarships Available?

The School of Engineering offers partial tuition scholarships for a select group of Engineering master’s and certificate programs. When you apply for admission, you’ll automatically be considered, there’s no separate scholarship application or additional information required. Applicants are encouraged to apply early for priority scholarship consideration.

Is a Thesis Required?

No. Graduate students have the option to complete the M.S. in Chemical Engineering with or without a thesis.

Is the GRE Required?

No. GRE General Test scores are not required.

How Do I Apply?

Applicants can apply online through Tufts Graduate Admissions Portal. Required materials typically include transcripts, a resume or CV, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. International applicants may also need to submit English proficiency documentation. Visit the admissions page for current deadlines and application requirements.

Tuition & Financial Aid

At Tufts University, we believe every qualified applicant deserves the opportunity to pursue graduate study. We are dedicated to helping you understand your financial options and to ensuring that graduate education at Tufts is both accessible and within reach.

Tuition costs for this graduate program are billed at a per credit rate:

Estimated Tuition for MS Program
Tuition*	$1,799 per credit
Total Credits Required	30
Enrollment Status	Full-Time: 3-4 courses per semester (9-12 credits) Part-Time: 1-2 courses per semester (3-6 credits)
Estimated Tuition per Semester	Full-Time: $16,191 - $21,588 per semester (9-12 credits) Part-Time: $5,397 - $10,794 per semester (3-6 credits)
Estimated Total Tuition*	$53,970

*Estimated based on 2025-2026 tuition rates. Rates are subject to change each academic year. For further information about the full cost of attendance, including additional fees and estimated indirect costs (housing, transportation, etc.), please visit Student Financial Services.

The Tufts University School of Engineering offers partial, merit-based tuition scholarships for the majority of our graduate and certificate programs. All applicants are automatically considered for these awards as part of our holistic admissions review process—no separate scholarship application or additional materials are required.

Additional funding opportunities may include Tufts Double Jumbo Scholarships for Tufts graduates, Bridge Program Scholarships for students and alumni from select partner institutions, and veteran and military education benefits for eligible service members and their dependents, including participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

To further support your investment in a Tufts graduate education, a range of financing options are available, including federal and private student loans. For more details, please visit our Graduate Financial Aid page.