Troy,
NY,
United States
Type
Private
Degrees offered
Bachelor's Degree
MSc in Nuclear Engineering in Troy, NY United States | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
|
Troy, NY United States
The M.S. in Nuclear Engineering is perceived to be scholarly or fundamental and is well suited to students who wish to prepare for a professional career and also to measure their ability to pursue a Ph.D. without commitment of extra time beyond that required for an M.S.
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Qualification
Master's Degree
Languages
English
Delivery Mode
On-Campus
Tuition (2026)
USD
64,400
Attendance
Full-time
Full-time Duration
18 months
Rensselaer's Nuclear Engineering program hosts more than 130 students across undergraduate and graduate levels. The curriculum covers reactor physics, thermal-hydraulics, health physics, and reactor materials, providing a wide range of course options. The program also features a prestigious Senior Design Program, operates two cutting-edge research facilities, and includes a vibrant student chapter of the American Nuclear Society. Established in 1960, the NE Department is among the oldest in the nation. The accelerator facility, completed in 1961, was later named after Professor Gaerttner, a key figure in founding the program and its inaugural department head. Shortly after, Rensselaer granted its first doctoral and bachelor's degrees in nuclear engineering.
Students at Rensselaer can specialize in fission reactor physics, reactor engineering, health physics, thermal-hydraulics, reliability and safety, or reactor materials. The program provides access to advanced research tools, including a critical reactor, a high-powered electron accelerator, and contemporary computer systems. As affordable energy solutions grow increasingly vital, Rensselaer's nuclear engineering graduates are highly sought after for both industry roles and advanced studies. Opportunities also exist in space propulsion, fusion technology, medical applications, and national security.
The M.S. program emphasizes academic rigor, making it ideal for students aiming for professional advancement or considering doctoral studies without additional time commitments.
M.S. candidates develop a thesis on a research topic selected in collaboration with their faculty advisor. Coursework aligns with the chosen research focus. The student-authored thesis requires approval from the advisor and two faculty committee members, followed by a formal defense presentation.
Destination of Study
Subjects of Study
Language Requirements
English
IELTS 6.5
Qualification Requirements
GRADUATE APPLICATION
Complete the online application for full- or part-time graduate degree programs.
Applicants may apply only to one degree program per term. Multiple applications for one term are not permitted.
NONREFUNDABLE APPLICATION PROCESSING FEE OF $75
The application processing fee must be paid electronically after submitting your application.
The application fee is waived for Rensselaer alumni, current Rensselaer students (matriculating and non-matriculating), employees, and employee spouses.
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Your Personal Statement should address your academic and research interests, and future career goals as they relate to the graduate program to which you are applying. The statement should include relevant academic/research, professional, and personal experiences that influenced your decision to apply to the graduate program.
The Architectural Sciences, M.S., program with a concentration in Built Ecologies requires an additional and separate Research Proposal describing your research goals and academic plan. The Research Proposal should describe your intended area of research and its broader significance, explaining why this area of inquiry matters. The statement should also address how your research interests align with the work being conducted at CASE, referencing any specific CASE projects that have inspired you and how they connect to your proposed research.
RESUME OR CURRICULUM VITAE
Your resume should include details about your education, employment, and internship history, as well as any pertinent research experience. International students in the U.S. on OPT or CPT should include details about their current activities.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
You will be required to enter two recommenders on the online application. Recommendations should be from your academic advisor(s), professors, research mentors, etc., who can provide an assessment of your likelihood of success at the graduate level in your field of study.
PORTFOLIO, IF REQUIRED BY DEPARTMENT
Architecture, Built Ecologies, and Electronic Arts only.
Critical Game Design M.S./Ph.D. requires examples of prior work (e.g.: portfolio, project samples).
TRANSCRIPTS AND DEGREES
Transcripts and Degrees must be in English (all post-secondary education, including transcript keys).
Unofficial transcripts should be uploaded to your graduate application. The minimum requirement for admission consideration is the completion and award of a four year U.S. bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, by the time of planned enrollment.
GRE/GMAT SCORES
Required for Management, Ph.D.
Optional for all other degree programs. Strongly recommended for all Computer Science and Cognitive Science programs. The GRE Institution code is 2757.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (ONLY)
Applicants possessing a valid Green Card will be considered as a domestic student for purposes of admission and financial aid.
The TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE is required of all international applicants whose native language is not English.
Tuition
USD
64,400
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