Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Engineering
Purdue University’s innovative online Master of Science in Interdisciplinary 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.
This online program provides professionals offers a highly customizable plan of study with the choice of 11 concentrations and with 200+ engineering courses taught by expert faculty who work at Purdue’s flagship campus. Every plan varies based on your interest, time, and course load.
Set yourself apart from the competition by joining a unique and flexible engineering program that is consistently ranked in the top three best online programs by U.S. News and World Report.
Why earn your Master's in Interdisciplinary Engineering?
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 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.
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.
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.
Dual Degree Options
Either degree (MS or MSE) may be completed concurrently with the following Daniels School of Business programs.
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
The dual MS/MSE + MBA program has a total of 60 credits, including 18 shared credits.
- 9 credits from the MBA will be used as electives toward the engineering degree
- 6 credits from the engineering degree will be used as electives toward the MBA
- A 3-credit statistics course (STAT 51100) will be used as an elective for the engineering degree and used as a core course requirement for the MBA, replacing QM 67000
Master of Business Technology (MBT)
The dual MS/MSE + MBT program has a total of 54 credits, including 12 shared credits.
- 6 credits from the MBT will be used as electives toward the engineering degree
- 6 credits from the engineering degree will be used as electives toward the MBT
Available Engineering Concentrations
You can add up to two optional engineering disciplines, also called concentrations. 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 MS/MSE Interdisciplinary Engineering degree and follows unique requirements met within the overall base degree requirements. A concentration shows up on your transcript, not your diploma.
Learners pursuing a concentration can still complete a dual degree. Visit the concentration pages for program-specific credit-sharing details.
Detailed concentration information including a program overview and curriculum requirements can be found by reviewing the individual concentrations listed.
Admissions Requirements
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
- Transcripts from all universities attended
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Academic Statement of Purpose
- Personal History Statement
- A professional resume
- Math prerequisite checklist, if applicable
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 hour
- Nonresident of Indiana: $1,459 per credit hour
- Domestic students and permanent residents may qualify for the following types of financial aid: US federal financial aid, Military, veterans, and military-connected students
*The cost of attending Purdue varies depending on where you choose to live, enrollment in a specific program or college, food and travel expenses, and other variables. The Office of the Bursar website shows estimated costs for the current aid year for students by semester and academic year. These amounts are used in determining a student’s estimated eligibility for financial aid. You can also use our tuition calculator to estimate tuition costs.
From Dream to Degree
When Omolara Ibikunle set out to earn her Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Engineering, she was fulfilling more than just a personal goal. She was honoring her late father’s wish for her to earn a postgraduate degree. Balancing a full-time job, raising two young children and managing an intensive graduate program wasn’t easy. Purdue’s strong online community, dedicated staff and faculty, plus Omolara’s focus and determination all led to success. Omolara’s story proves that It’s possible to reach your academic goals no matter how busy life gets.
Learn MoreYou are not alone in taking your next giant leap. Connect with a Purdue University online enrollment counselor to get your questions answered, receive personalized application support and start planning your degree journey with confidence. Simply fill out this form to request more information and receive additional program materials.
It’s your first step toward becoming a Purdue Boilermaker, joining a community of innovators, leaders and changemakers committed to making giant leaps that shape industries, advance ideas and move the world forward.