Gain Valuable Interdisciplinary Skills in Engineering - 100% Online

The modern engineering field is defined by complexity. Working engineers must be able to solve complex problems, collaborate with diverse teams, and pull together various kinds of knowledge and experience to get the job done. Developing an interdisciplinary skillset can help engineers find success on the job market and move their industries forward.

Purdue’s University’s innovative online Interdisciplinary Master of Science in Engineering (MSE/MS) degree empowers professionals to tailor their educational experience to their unique goals and exposes them to a wide variety of issues and topics relevant to current engineering trends and the future of the field.

Choose from over 200 online engineering courses

This online program is highly customizable and has hundreds of course options to choose from. Interdisciplinary Engineering students have access to 200+ engineering courses taught by expert faculty who work at Purdue’s flagship campus. Students can also choose from 12+ subdisciplines in emerging technical fields.

With an online master's in interdisciplinary engineering, you can:

  • Create a customized plan of study that fits your interests and career goals
  • Create a flexible learning plan that fits within your schedule
  • Learn multiple disciplines and be exposed to emergent areas of engineering.

Why earn your Interdisciplinary Master's in Engineering?

“Interdisciplinary programs are really about giving students the flexibility to explore different disciplines of engineering and broaden their skill sets,” said Dr. Lottes. “These programs are ideal for students looking to shift careers, build new skills, or see what options are available to them while still earning a master’s degree distinction.” - Aaron Lottes, Associate Professor of Engineering Practice at Purdue University. 

Within the engineering field, there are multiple factors increasing the demand for professionals who have interdisciplinary skillsets. These include:

  • Technological advancements and developments in engineering methods and processes that require interdisciplinary expertise to master.
  • The increasing need for engineers to engage with stakeholders and translate complex ideas to different audiences.
  • Employers want engineers who have a range of practical skills, and many engineering jobs require cross-training and require engineers to work on diverse teams.

Research shows that engineers with interdisciplinary skillsets have more success in the workforce and on diverse engineering teams compared to engineers without interdisciplinary experience. Interdisciplinary engineering programs expose students to a wide variety of different engineering problems, which can help them better understand their own interests and the scope of the field as a whole.

However, engineers who want focused careers in areas like systems engineering or materials engineering can also benefit from an interdisciplinary degree. That is because this program lets students cast a wide net *or* focus their degree on a specific niche area – students can take a wide variety of courses or pick a specific subdiscipline and do a deep dive into one or two areas. The choice is up to them.

Want to know more about the importance of interdisciplinary engineering skills? Read our blog.

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Curriculum

This degree requires 30 credit hours total with at least 18 hours of Purdue graduate engineering courses. A maximum of 12 credit hours can be taken in specific non-engineering courses such as math, statistics and/or transfer courses (subject to review).

The degree awarded is either the Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) or the Master of Science (MS) depending upon your undergraduate degree; the major is Interdisciplinary Engineering.

30 credit hours are required to complete the online MSE/MS.

MSE/MS Degree Requirements 30 Credits
Purdue Engineering Graduate Courses 18 Credit Hours
Elective Courses (i.e. Math, Statistics, and/or approved transfer courses) 12 Credit Hours

After you begin your studies at Purdue, an academic advisor will provide you with tools to map out a plan of study and help you define a concentration tailored to align with your specific goals. Your academic advisor will also help you identify a faculty advisor.

Image of man in laboratory.

Available Engineering Concentrations

You can add one optional engineering discipline, also called a concentration. Concentrations can help narrow your focus and are driven by emerging technical fields in order to give students an immersive interdisciplinary experience. Each concentration is packaged within the Interdisciplinary MSE/MS degree and follows unique requirements met within the overall base degree requirements. A concentration shows up on your transcript, not your diploma.

Detailed concentration information including a program overview and curriculum requirements can be found by reviewing the individual concentrations listed.

Aeronautics and Astronautics Autonomy
Biomedical Engineering  Computational Engineering 
Engineering Management and Leadership Industrial Engineering
Integrated Vehicle Systems Engineering Internet of Things 
Materials Engineering  Nuclear Engineering 
Quality Engineering Robotics 
Strategy and Defense Engineering
Systems Engineering

Other Interdisciplinary Engineering Options

Majors 

Microelectronics & Semiconductors 

Dual Degree Programs 

Dual Purdue University Interdisciplinary Master’s in Engineering + Indiana University Master of Business Administration degree 

Nondegree Options 

Courses - To advance your skillset or prepare for a career transition, take one or more courses as a nondegree student.  

Certificates - A certificate in a specialized area will deepen your knowledge and skill set, while broadening your professional opportunities. 

Admissions Requirements

Below includes a few admissions requirements, please find all requirements here.

Criteria for Admissions

  • Minimum GPA of a 3.0
  • Math Background: One semester each of Calculus I, Calculus II and either Linear Algebra or Differential Equations
  • Engineering Background: Preferred undergraduate degree in Engineering, Science, Mathematics or Technology.

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines

For Fall Start:

  • August 1

For Spring Start:

  • December 1

For Summer Start

  • May 1

Tuition

Resident of Indiana

  • $1,139 per credit
  • $34,170 total

Nonresident of Indiana

  • $1,459 per credit
  • $42,770 total

Domestic students and permanent residents may qualify for the following types of financial aid:

  • US federal financial aid
  • Military, veterans, and military-connected students

Further information available.

Frequently Asked Questions

You would earn a Master of Science or a Master of Science in Engineering.

Transfer credits will be officially reviewed for transferability after admission with academic and faculty advisors. Course descriptions and syllabi will be required. 12 transfer credits can be utilized for the Interdisciplinary Engineering (IDE) programs; the amount accepted will vary depending on a student’s concentration and plan of study. Approved credits will be applied within a student’s electronic Plan of Study as electives. Transfer credits can only be applied towards IDE majors and not graduate certificates. If a student transfers to a program outside of IDE within Purdue's College of Engineering, previously honored equivalencies and transfer credit approval is not guaranteed. Students should inquire further with their new program. 

 In order for courses to be evaluated for transfer, they must first meet all of the following requirements: 

  1. Graduate level from an accredited institution 
  2. Never used towards a previous degree program 
  3. Engineering or STEM-related courses
  4. A grade of a B- or better 
  5. Students typically need to be an active graduate student within the last 5 years for credit to be utilized.

 Once admitted, students will work with their advisor to discuss the academic history and possible transfer credit.  

You need to register for at least one credit to be considered an active student. If you do not enroll for more than two consecutive semesters, you will lose your student status and must reapply.

No, all courses are not available every term. You can see our course availability on the Courses List page.

The program requires 30-33 credits. You may complete the program as a full time or part time student. A full-time student takes at least 8 semester credit hours every term and may be able to complete this program within 12 to 18 months. A part time student takes less than 8 semester credit hours every term (on average 3-6). As a part-time student, you may complete the program within 2 to 4 years. The average time to complete the program is 3 years.

You may take a maximum of two consecutive semesters off. If you take more than two semesters, you will need to reapply to the program.

We suggest that you try to get at least one academic reference. If that is not possible, recommendations from employers will be accepted.

The courses will be offered asynchronously. We upload recordings of live lectures for you to view on your time. You will follow along weekly to complete your assignments, projects, and/or exams. Exams may require a proctor (virtual or in-person depending on the faculty).

Scholarships and funding are not available through Purdue, this program is a course-based self-funded master's program. US Citizens and Permanent Residents are eligible for Federal Financial Aid. All federal financial aid benefits and restrictions apply to enrolled students. Federal aid enrollment requirements apply. You can reach the Purdue Division of Financial Aid with questions at: https://www.purdue.edu/veterans/.

Student Testimonial

Temitope “Temi” Adegboye, a Purdue University 2023 alumnus

Temi Adegboye, MS in Interdisciplinary Engineering Graduate, 2023

Temi Adegboye, a Purdue University 2023 alumnus, accomplished multiple certifications while pursuing his online master's degree while still reserving weekends for family time. He completed professional short courses and online academic courses, which he could immediately apply to his work. Adegboye obtained a Graduate Certificate in Systems, completed an online Agile Project Management course, and an INCOSE equivalency course, all offered online from Purdue. He found Agile project management to complement his systems training, expanding his project management skills. Throughout his Interdisciplinary Master's in Engineering, Adegboye specialized in systems engineering design, control, and integration. Despite his responsibilities as an expert mechanic and family commitments, he effectively managed his time by dedicating weekends to his family and studying during early mornings or late nights. He emphasized the significance of time management and systematic planning in achieving personal and professional goals. Read more about Temi.

There’s more stories to learn about our programs. Hear from more alumni.