Program Overview

Petroleum Engineering Master's

The University of North Dakota offers a Master's in Petroleum Engineering, providing students with the opportunity to conduct research in the field. North Dakota is a leader in producing oil from unconventional sources, and UND's program is backed by leading industry participants.

Program Details

• Program type: Master's Degree
• Format: On Campus or Online
• Estimated time to complete: 1.5 - 2 years
• Credit hours: 30-32

Why Earn a Master's in Petroleum Engineering?

UND's master's in Petroleum Engineering will prepare students to address challenges in the oil field. Graduate students conduct petroleum research in areas such as:

• Geomechanics, production, and reservoir studies of hydraulic fracturing
• Re-fracturing for optimization of production from unconventional shales
• Data-driven modeling in unconventional reservoirs
• Petrophysical and geochemical analysis of shale oil
• Geophysics and seismic analysis of unconventional reservoirs

M.S. vs. M.Eng. Master's in Petroleum Engineering

UND offers both Master of Science (M.S.) and Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) degrees in Petroleum Engineering.

• The M.Eng. program is more course-based and requires 30 credits. It is ideal for students with non-Petroleum Engineering backgrounds to learn practical aspects of different oil and gas upstream disciplines.
• The M.S. program includes a thesis and/or non-thesis research project and is 30-32 credits. Both programs require a faculty-approved design project and the submission of a peer-reviewed manuscript.

Petroleum Engineering Master's Skills

A Petroleum Engineering master's degree provides students with strategic skills, including:

• Computer-Aided Design
• AutoCAD
• Solidworks, CAD
• Creo Elements/Pro, Computer-Aided
• Finite Element Methods
• Mechanical Engineering

Careers with a Master's in Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum engineers are in great demand, with more than 90% of UND's petroleum engineering graduates finding jobs in the oil industry. Employers of petroleum engineers are involved in:

• Petroleum exploration
• Geologic formation characterization
• Drilling and fracturing
• Computer simulation
• Equipment and process design to optimize recovery
• Monitoring of production and processing

Petroleum Engineering Master's Courses

Some of the courses offered in the program include:

• Data Mining in Petroleum Engineering
• Advanced Production Engineering
• Reservoir Geophysics
• Petroleum Geostatistics
• Natural Gas Engineering
• Seismic Geomechanics

Online Master's in Petroleum Engineering

The University of North Dakota offers a flexible online master's degree in Petroleum Engineering, allowing students to balance work, family, and other commitments. The program is designed to provide students with the same high-quality education as on-campus students, with the added benefit of flexibility and affordability.

FAQs

How long does it take to earn an online master's degree in Petroleum Engineering?

The online master's degree in Petroleum Engineering typically takes 1.5 to 2 years to complete, depending on credit load and research progress.

How hard is a Petroleum Engineering degree?

Obtaining a Petroleum Engineering degree is considered challenging due to the complexity of the subject matter and the demand for problem-solving skills.

How much does a master's in Petroleum Engineering cost?

The cost of a master's in Petroleum Engineering at UND is competitive, with online students paying the same affordable tuition rate regardless of their legal residency.

Is a Petroleum Engineering master's degree worth it?

A Petroleum Engineering master's degree from UND is considered worthwhile due to high industry salaries, excellent job placement rates, and affordable online tuition rates.

What can I do with a master's degree in Petroleum Engineering?

With a master's degree in Petroleum Engineering, graduates can work in various roles in the industry, such as petroleum exploration, geologic formation characterization, drilling and fracturing, and computer simulation.