Building upon the fundamentals of engineering and science, this program equips students to lead in industries that address society’s needs. In your courses, you’ll explore the nature, structure, performance and applications of various materials. Through a cross-disciplinary approach, you’ll also discover how practitioners combine chemistry, physics and engineering skills to create and improve materials, as well as identify issues and design solutions.
The curriculum provides opportunities to tailor your learning to various areas of materials science including development, processing and characterization for industrial applications. Depending on your professional interests, you can also explore:
- Advanced materials characterization.
- Advanced thermodynamics.
- Concepts in materials science.
- Fundamentals of electrical, optical and magnetic materials.
- Fundamentals of semiconductor packaging.
- Kinetics and phase transformations.
- Nanomaterials in energy production and storage.
- Structure and mechanical properties.
Materials scientist: A well-paid and in-demand job
Completing this program can put you on a path to success for lucrative roles in industries as diverse as energy, sustainability, security, aerospace, manufacturing and the life sciences. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts faster-than-average job growth for chemists, materials scientists and materials engineers.
According to the BLS, employment for chemists and materials scientists is projected to grow 8% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than average for all occupations. Similarly, employment is expected to grow by 7% in the same time frame for materials engineers, also representing faster than average growth. Further, per the BLS, the median annual wage for materials scientists was $106,160 in 2023 and $104,100 for materials engineers.
Additionally, for those interested in advancing in the semiconductor industry, you can concurrently pursue ASU’s online graduate certificate in semiconductor processing. This is optional and can give you a leg up when applying for roles in semiconductor manufacturing and processing.
Picture yourself improving, customizing and creating materials for products from smartphones to medical devices. In this Master of Science in materials science and engineering online from Arizona State University, you’ll gain an understanding of the relationships between structures, property and processing. As a graduate, you’ll be a standout candidate for roles in biotechnology, nanomaterials, electronics, manufacturing, energy, sustainability and more.
This program is designed to build technical expertise while allowing you to explore topics across the boundaries of traditional disciplines. Courses are taught by leading faculty members and researchers in engineering, physics, chemistry and more. With two core courses and a variety of technical electives from which to choose, you can customize your study plan to fit your goals. The program culminates in your choice of a thesis, portfolio or applied project course.
Of the 350+ faculty members in Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, the majority have been honored with the highest awards in their fields. Faculty milestones include:
- National Academy of Engineering members.
- National Academy of Sciences member.
- National Academy of Inventors members.
- National Academy of Construction members.
The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering is dedicated to providing a dynamic learning environment and supporting all students on the paths to their degrees. We’ve received numerous peer-reviewed programmatic honors from U.S. News & World Report.
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Applicants to the Master of Science in materials science and engineering program must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
As this is a highly competitive program, it’s strongly recommended that applicants hold a degree in engineering or physical science.
All applicants must submit:
- Graduate admission application and application fee.
- Official transcripts.
- Personal statement.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Up-to-date resume or curriculum vitae.
The personal statement is an essay describing your background, academic achievements, research interests, career goals and why you wish to pursue graduate study in materials engineering at ASU.
- An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.
- International students seeking teaching assistantships must demonstrate proficiency in spoken English by scoring at least 26 on the speaking portion of the iBT or 50 on the ASU-administered Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit.
- GRE, GMAT or other test scores are not required for admission.
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”