A professional master’s degree is specifically for students planning to work in the industry. The program provides students with the technical skills they would get in a traditional MS program, but also develops skills needed in the industry, such as leadership, business acumen, management, oral and written communications, teamwork, and defining and managing projects. To find out more about this degree and your return on investment, please visit this page. 

The Professional Master’s Program in Biomedical Device Development at the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering grew out of a demand for broader access to our strong regulatory affairs program and rigorous technical coursework. Our academic programs were built on a deep tradition of industrial and clinical partnerships that drive our academic offerings to the highest standards of industry. This new program was developed in collaboration with our industry partners to ensure that students graduate with up-to-the minute knowledge and experience needed to thrive in today’s industry.

As of 2017, the starting salary for a biomedical engineer with a bachelor’s degree averaged $53,470. The salary for a biomedical engineer with a master’s degree jumped 13% to $67,360. PhDs averaged $77,520. The advantages of a master’s degree compound over time as both the higher salary and opportunities grow with experience. With more advanced degrees, biomedical engineers tend to work in higher-level positions that often come with greater responsibilities. For example, those with a master’s degree in the field might be more likely to lead a research team. (Source: engineersalary.com: Biomedical Engineer Salary and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook: Biomedical Engineers)

A Professional MS degree will give you the technical knowledge and related business, management, and leadership skills that will prepare you for leadership opportunities. For students who are seeking a non-technical career in management, the MBA might be a good choice. It’s not all uncommon for engineers to obtain both the MS and MBA degrees. Purdue has a new option to earn a non-thesis Master's Degree in biomedical engineering plus an MBA from Krannert School of Management in as few as two years (a year less than if earned separately) with this fast track program that lets you dual count credits toward both degrees. You now have a faster, more economical way to jump-start your career by strengthening both your technical skills and business skills.

MS(E) + MBA Dual Degree Curriculum and Fact Sheet