The Graduate Certificate Program (GCP) in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is designed for working professionals who do not have formal training in MSE, but wish to acquire a basic understanding of materials science to improve their on-the-job experience and knowledge. Most people will enroll in this program as distance education students through the Engineering Online (EOL) office at NC State University. Students can customize their particular certificate programs to focus on specific areas of materials science that interest them.

Program of Study

The MSE GCP requires a total of 12 credit hours, including MSE 500 (3 credit hours) and three MSE elective courses (9 credit hours) selected by the student. MSE 500 is a fast-paced overview of the field of materials science and engineering and is designed for students who do not have a formal background in MSE, such as those with BS degrees in chemistry, physics and other fields of engineering. MSE 500 also provides the foundation for more specialized MSE graduate courses.

Each course is 3 credit hours and most courses are offered at least once per year through the EOL office. By judicious selection of elective courses, students can customize their GCP to focus on areas of interest to them.

Admissions Requirements

To be admitted to the MSE Graduate Certificate Program, a student must have a BS degree in the sciences or engineering from a regionally accredited four-year college or university, and have an overall (or major) GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale.

All new students must complete the NCSU Graduate School application for admission to the MSE GCP. The GRE exam is NOT required for admission to the GCP. Application deadlines are March 1 for summer and fall admission, and October 1 for spring admission. Students can begin study in the fall, spring or summer semester immediately following their acceptance into the program.

Academic success in the MSE GCP might have a strong bearing on admission to a graduate degree program. However, completion of a graduate certificate program IN NO WAY guarantees entry into a graduate degree program, which must be done through a separate application process.

Plan Requirements

MSE Courses 

Faculty