Chemical Engineering

To become a CBEE graduate student you must be admitted to Oregon State University through both the Office of Graduate Education and CBEE. The faculty in CBEE examine the material submitted to determine adequacy of academic background and to decide whether facilities in the School are adequate for the expressed aims of the student.

The Office of Graduate Education will determine whether the general university conditions for admission have been met. Applicants will be notified by the Office of Graduate Education as to the action taken. A critical consideration in the decision is whether the applicant's academic objectives can be satisfactorily fulfilled. CBEE does not have the capacity to accommodate all applicants who meet the minimum admission requirements. Applicants to the school of CBEE graduate program must meet the OSU Office of Graduate Education's CBEE minimum admission requirements and submit a complete application package through the Graduate Admissions site in order to be considered for admission.

International students interested in the Master of Engineering (MEng) program should apply through Master's International Direct.

Only complete applications will be reviewed and considered for admission.

Grade Point Average
The School of CBEE requires a four-year baccalaureate degree (or international equivalent), a professional degree, or an appropriate U.S./Canadian alternative degree, from a regionally accredited (U.S.) or recognized (International) college or university, with a cumulative B average (equivalent 3.00 on a U.S. 4.00 grading scale) on the most recent baccalaureate degree or any subsequent graduate degree from a regionally accredited (U.S.) or recognized (International) college or university, plus all work completed thereafter.

Or

A four-year baccalaureate degree (or international equivalent), a professional degree, or an appropriate U.S./Canadian alternative degree, from an regionally accredited (US) or recognized (International) college or university, and a 45-quarter credit equivalent graduate degree from a regionally accredited (US) or recognized (International) college or university, with a cumulative B average (equivalent 3.00 on a U.S. 4.00 grading scale) on the most recent graduate degree.

GRE
The GRE is not required for application/admission into our programs.

Language Proficiency
The CBEE minimum TOEFL is 580 (237 computer, 92-93 iBT with a minimum score of 18 on each section). TOEFL must be less than two years old at the time you will start your studies. The IELTS is accepted as well. The minimum score is 6.5. Language Proficiency tests are not required for US citizens or those who received their undergraduate degree from an English speaking country institution.  If your scores do not meet the minimum requirements you are encouraged to seek admission through the INTO Graduate Pathways Program.

Applying for Admission

Materials that must be submitted electronically:

1. Application for Graduate Admission: online application form Graduate Application. (International students interested in the Master of Engineering (MEng) program should apply through Master's International Direct.)
2. Fee: $75 for domestic students, $85 for international students (by credit card as part of online application) 
3. Statement of Objectives (part of online application)
4. Resume/CV
5. Recommendation Letters: You must provide the names and email addresses of three professional references as part of the online application. The references will be sent instructions on how to submit their letters and you will have the ability to manage those reference requests after submitting the application.
6. TOEFL: You must self-report your scores as part of the online application. You must also request that TOEFL send your scores to OSU. Scores must be no older than 2 years at the time when your graduate studies start.

Applicants can upload documents during and after the application process.

Provide the following to the Office of Graduate Education:

1. Application materials may be scanned and uploaded into your online application.
2. If you upload documents to the online application, do not send them to the Office of Graduate Education via regular mail or email. Sending duplicate documents slows the processing of your application.
3. If you choose not to use the document upload system, please send all materials to this mailing address:

      Office of Graduate Education
      Oregon State University
      Heckart Lodge
      2900 SW Jefferson Way
      Corvallis, OR 97331-2121

If admitted you will be required to submit official documentation of all academic work attempted or completed prior to registration for courses. This includes all official transcripts/academic records, degree statements, test scores, etc. A list of required documents will be included on your formal letter of admission from the Office of Graduate Education. Further information about what is required for an official academic record can be found in the Newly Admitted section.

Deadline for Applications

M.S. and Ph.D. Priority Deadline: December 1
Final Deadline: January 5

MEng program: May 1

Our application process is highly competitive and we normally make no more than 10-15 offers of support (assistantships) per year. Applicants with a very strong record and particular aptitude for graduate research may be offered an assistantship which provides a stipend and tuition remission. We can't guarantee that you will always be awarded funding. These are offered each February for the upcoming school year. Graduate assistants may work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year. If you are not awarded funding you should be prepared to be a self-supporting student. Also, due to the limited number of assistantships available, a preference is awarded to doctoral students and masters students are generally not financially supported by the School. Applicants to the School of CBEE do not need to complete a separate application in order to be considered for assistantships.

For full-consideration of all available funding opportunities, applicants must submit a complete application packet by December 1. A complete application packet consists of the completed application, 3 letters of reference (included in application process), resume/CV, language proficiency scores (if applicable), and copies of transcripts from all post-secondary coursework.

The student’s M.S. program of study shall be designed to develop a degree of competence in the major area significantly higher than the customary baccalaureate education, and shall include background and adjunct knowledge normally expected of a person entering the professional practice of that specialty.

Strengthen your technical credentials with a Master of Engineering

The Master of Engineering (MEng) is a professional, coursework-only degree designed for individuals seeking practical skills and leadership roles in industry. The program does not require a thesis or research project, allowing students to focus on advanced coursework aligned with their professional goals and job-related skill development.

MEng vs. M.S. Degrees

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree is research-oriented and suited for students interested in advanced technical research or pursuing a Ph.D., typically requiring a thesis or research project. In contrast, the MEng is a course-based degree intended for students who want to apply advanced engineering knowledge in industry without completing a thesis. Read more about the difference between an MEng and an MS degree.

Learn about MEng vs M.S.

MEng Degree Requirements

Oregon State’s MEng program requires 45 credits of advanced coursework, which may include core engineering courses, ethics, technical writing, and elective courses relevant to professional interests. Students typically develop a Program of Study with an advisor during their first term and complete a final portfolio in place of a final oral exam.

View detailed MEng requirements

Paying for your MEng

MEng students are generally self-funded. While all students may apply for graduate research or teaching assistantships, these opportunities are highly competitive and more commonly awarded to Ph.D. and M.S. students. Additional funding options include scholarships, grants, fellowships, loans, and employer tuition reimbursement programs. Learn more about paying for your MEng degree.

Explore MEng payment options

How to Apply

Apply to a Master of Engineering program online through the Office of Graduate Education. MEng degree admission requirements basically align with the minimum academic requirements for admission into all Oregon State graduate programs. This typically looks like having a four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative B average. The GRE is not required for admission to an MEng degree.

Deadlines

The chemical engineering MEng program admits students for a fall term start date.
Application deadline: May 1

The purpose of the courses in the Ph.D. program of study is to develop exceptional expertise in the major area. It should also provide the background and adjunct knowledge required to practice and/or teach this specialty at the highest professional level and to conduct significant research in this field. The Ph.D. thesis shall make an original and significant contribution to engineering knowledge.

The Graduate Minor in Chemical Engineering is for masters and doctoral level students who seek additional formal training and mentoring in chemical engineering. Students pursuing a Minor in Chemical Engineering must include at least one Chemical Engineering faculty member on their committee. This faculty member must be engaged in the development of the student’s Program of Study and in the case of Doctoral students, their dissertation research; therefore, it is recommended that this faculty member be identified early in the doctoral program.