Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master of Engineering in Nuclear Engineering is a non-thesis professional master's degree that offers a relevant and flexible nuclear engineering curriculum with course work developed by experts in the field. This program is designed to support educational and professional goals, providing students with the nuclear engineering knowledge needed for a career in medicine, manufacturing, agriculture, or security.

Program Details

• The program consists of 30 credits, with a cost of $1,154 per credit.
• The degree is a non-thesis professional master's degree consisting of 27 credits of course work plus 3 credits of research/paper writing.
• Twelve of those credits must be in nuclear engineering courses, with at least 18 credits completed at the 500 level.
• No thesis is required for the M.Eng. in NE degree. Instead, students must take 3 credits of NUCE 596: Professional Topics in Nuclear Engineering.

Courses

The program includes a range of courses, such as:

• NUCE 405: Nuclear and Radiochemistry
• NUCE 406: Introduction to Statistical Thermodynamics
• NUCE 409: Nuclear Materials
• NUCE 420: Radiological Safety
• NUCE 428: Radioactive Waste Control
• NUCE 430: Design Principles of Reactor Systems
• NUCE 470: Power Plant Simulation
• NUCE 480: Foundations of Nuclear Engineering
• NUCE 497: Radiation and Measurement Detection Lab
• NUCE 501: Reactor Engineering
• NUCE 502: Reactor Core Thermal–Hydraulics
• NUCE 511: Nuclear Reactor Kinetics and Dynamics
• NUCE 512: Nuclear Fuel Management
• NUCE 521: Neutron Transport Theory
• NUCE 523: Environmental Degradation of Materials in Nuclear Power Plants
• NUCE 525: Monte Carlo Methods
• NUCE 596: Individual Studies — Professional Topics in Nuclear Engineering
• IE 402: Advanced Engineering Economy
• ME 410: Heat Transfer
• ME 513: Heat Transfer — Convection
• ME 522: Foundations of Fluid Mechanics II
• ME 523: Numerical Solutions Applied to Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics Problems
• ME 581: Simulation of Mechanical Systems

Career Opportunities

Nuclear engineers can work for development laboratories, national laboratories, electrical utility companies, colleges and universities, nuclear power plants, engineering design firms, factories that make nuclear equipment, and private and federal governmental research, energy, and defense agencies. Job titles related to this degree include:

• Project Engineering Manager
• Analytical Research Program Manager
• Nuclear Design Engineer
• Nuclear Engineer
• Nuclear Reactor Engineer

Employment Outlook

The employment outlook for occupational fields related to this degree includes:

• Architectural and Engineering Managers: 5.5% employment growth (10 years), 210,340 total employment
• Nuclear Engineers: -0.8% employment growth (10 years), 14,740 total employment

Admission Requirements

For admission to the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. It is expected that students will have a bachelor of science degree in a suitable engineering field. Admission decisions will also be based on relevant work experience and recommendation letters.

Application Instructions

To apply, review the admission requirements, gather required materials, create a Penn State login account, read the application instructions, and complete the application. The application deadline is April 15 to start May 18.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment. The 2025–26 academic year rates are $1,154 per credit for 11 or fewer credits and $13,860 per semester for 12 or more credits. Some students may qualify for financial aid, and military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities.

Faculty

The Master of Engineering in Nuclear Engineering is offered in partnership with the Penn State College of Engineering. The faculty includes:

• Amanda Johnsen, Assistant Professor of Nuclear Engineering
• Arthur T. Motta, Professor of Nuclear Engineering

News

Penn State featured in U.S. News’ 2025 ‘Best Online Programs’ rankings. Meet the faculty who teach online and are being honored by Penn State this year.