Nuclear Engineering

Our Online Master of Nuclear Engineering Program

Purdue’s online Master of Nuclear Engineering degree (MNE) is conveniently designed for professional engineers looking to advance their skills without disrupting their careers. Students can earn an MNE by completing 30 credits of coursework or by completing a six-credit hour project course in addition to 24-credits of coursework. The same renowned Purdue Nuclear Engineering faculty who teach the on-campus nuclear engineering graduate degree also teaches the online degree. The School of Nuclear Engineering educates ethical nuclear engineers to provide technical expertise to nuclear engineering communities around the world, expand the frontier of knowledge through cutting-edge and innovative research in all areas of nuclear engineering, and dynamically engage with global society through strong partnerships. 

Purdue University's School of Nuclear Engineering is ranked among the top nuclear engineering graduate programs by U.S. News & World Report, and Purdue's online graduate engineering program is consistently ranked among the top three in Best Online Master's in Engineering Programs by U.S. News & World Report (2024). 

Online Nuclear Engineering Degree Courses are Offered in the Following Topic Areas:

Nuclear Engineering - Reactor Physics Thermal hydraulics and safety
Nuclear Materials Radiation and Security
Fusion  

Online Plan of Study Details for Nuclear Engineering Degree

The Master of Nuclear Engineering degree offers a wide range of flexibility in course options. After students begin their program at Purdue, an academic advisor assists them in creating a plan of study (POS) that best fits their educational needs and career goals. Every POS varies based on student interest, time, and course load. For planning purposes, the following example POS for the MNE  shows a nuclear engineering curriculum and sample classes, as well as an extensive course menu and semester schedule.

Because Purdue’s online program curriculum is flexible, students can work through the program at their own pace and take time off if necessary. Many engineering students begin by taking one course at a time so that they can find a successful balance between work, life, and school. 

Nuclear Engineering Job Outlook

Nuclear engineers work with the application of nuclear energy in various contexts, including nuclear power plants, medical diagnostics, food production, national defense, and nuclear waste disposal. Nuclear engineering is an important component of the effectiveness and safety of nuclear power systems, which generate 20% of the U.S utility-scale electricity.

Nuclear engineering professionals are in high-demand in numerous industries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for nuclear engineers will increase about 4% between now and 2026. As of 2018, the median salary for nuclear engineers was approximately 15% greater than the median aggregate salary of all engineers.  Program graduates go on to work in lucrative careers such as: 

  • Isotopes and Radiation Engineer
  • Nuclear Engineer
  • Nuclear Licensing Engineer
  • Nuclear Operations and Power Engineer
  • Nuclear Project Engineer
  • Nuclear Repair Engineer
  • Nuclear Safety Engineer
  • Nuclear Systems Engineer
  • Process Industrial Engineer

Admissions to the Nuclear Engineering Program

The application process for the Master of Nuclear Engineering (MNE) is detailed on the graduate school webpage. For more information on Purdue's current nuclear engineering on-campus programs, visit the School of Nuclear Engineering website.