About Master’s Program,
The Master of Science in Chemical Engineering Practice (M.S.CEP) requires two semesters of graduate-level courses at MIT and one semester at the field stations of the Practice School, under the direction of resident MIT staff. Credit for the Practice School semester is accepted in lieu of a Master’s thesis.
The courses at MIT comprise the required core curriculum, two additional required courses, and electives. This core curriculum is required of all chemical engineering graduate students irrespective of their degree objective. The electives, however, may be chosen from outside the Department to support particular interests.
The degree requires that you complete:
- the core curriculum in chemical engineering
- Courses in systems engineering and applied chemistry
- Practice School requirements, including a one-semester industrial internship
Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Prospective student applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Understanding of the Chemical Engineering Fundamentals: The candidate’s core knowledge of chemical kinetics, transport phenomena, thermodynamics, and the underlying quantitative skills that form the core solution methods for Chemical Engineers.
Analytical and Scientific Preparation: A candidate’s background in chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, and computer science as relevant to the candidate’s area(s) of interest.
Drive and Persistence: A candidate’s commitment to education and research and ability to overcome adversity when challenges are encountered.
Excellence in Research: A candidate’s demonstrated accomplishment in scientific research, including scientific creativity and ability to formulate important scientific questions.
Character: A candidate’s integrity, leadership potential, and ability to work effectively on teams and as a community member within a diverse and multicultural environment.
Communication Skills: A candidate’s demonstrated effectiveness with scientific written and oral communication in English on technical and non-technical subjects.
Master’s Funding Coverage,
All Chemical Engineering graduate students in good standing are fully funded by the department. Funding in the Department of Chemical Engineering is available in the form of fellowships, research assistantships, or teaching assistantships. Students receive full tuition, a stipend, and individual health coverage.
Fellowships
Fellowships from MIT funds are typically limited to first-year graduate students. Funds for such awards are usually provided from gifts from alumni, from unrestricted industrial grants, or from the Provost’s Office in the form of Presidential Fellowships. Students do not usually apply for a Departmental fellowship; rather, it is an honor conferred by the Department. Students also are encouraged to apply for fellowships outside MIT, for which our students have an enviable record of success. More information on Fellowships >>
Research Assistantships
Research assistantships are the most common support for advanced students. Research assistants (RAs) are supported from research contracts or grants, and are supervised by faculty members of the Department.
Teaching Assistantships
Teaching assistantships are provided from the general MIT teaching funds and are administered by the Department through the Graduate Officer. All graduate students are expected to TA one term within the Department. (the details for openings and selection are announced via email each semester).
Stipends
In academic year 2022-2023, stipends for assistantships are $4,075 per month for PhD students and $3,462 for MSCEP students. The Department will also cover the cost of the MIT Student Extended Insurance Plan. Outside support sometimes exceeds the internal support level. If it does not, then it is supplemented up to the full internal support level.
For more information, visit the MIT Student Financial Service resources.
Application Requirement,
You will be providing the following information:
- Field(s) of interest
- Personal information
- Three names and e-mail addresses of letter of recommendation writers
- We recommend that before November 1styou notify your letter
writers that you will be requesting evaluations from them. This will
give them time to prepare and submit their letters by
December 1st. Once you have submitted your online application,
instructions to your letter writers will be generated for you. You are
responsible for making sure that your letter writers have copies of
these instructions. - Letters of recommendation should address the admissions criteria listed
- Scanned copies of your college transcripts
- For international students, official TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge English exam scores
- PhDCEP only: Self-reported GRE general exam scores
- PhD & MSCEP: GRE scores are not required or accepted as part of
the graduate application - Application fee of $90*
- Resume or CV of no more than two pages (12 point font or larger and 1 inch
margins) that includes the following information: - Any honors, awards, prizes, or fellowships you have received
- All teaching, work, and research experiences you have had
- Any publications or presentations, including full citation with title
and list of all authors and the DOI if applicable - Any military or major volunteer service and study abroad experiences
- Anything else you’d like to share
- Statement of Objectives (1000-1500 words)
- *Fee waiversare available for eligible applicants.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible and are responsible for ensuring that all admissions credentials are submitted on time. Your application will not be reviewed until all materials have been received. There is no separate application for financial support; all admitted students are offered financial support.
Application Deadline,
Dec 01, 2025
Application Fee,
Application fee of $90*
