Evolving Industrial Innovation: Becoming a Chemical Engineer

What role will chemical engineering play in the future of industry and manufacturing? Whether it’s water, food, travel, clothing, or construction, nearly every field highly depends on the process of chemical engineering. This field has a way of evolving with modern demand, making chemical engineers highly sought-after professionals.

A graduate degree in chemical engineering is exacting, but the reward of in-demand skills is well worth it. According to PayScale, the average base salary for a chemical engineer is about $82,749 per year. Top earners can easily clear $136,000 per year. With tenured experience and an advanced degree, chemical engineers are more likely to fill positions with higher pay.

Becoming a chemical engineer is certainly not an easy pathway considering the rigorous education required: Coursework combines chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics. But if you’re looking to have a hand in leading the future of industry and manufacturing, a master’s degree in the field may be well worth the investment.

If you’d like to pursue your Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering (MECE), NMSU Global Campus offers an online program that’s flexible and designed for practicing engineers looking to advance their careers.

Becoming a Chemical Engineer With a Master’s Degree

Starting your career in the chemical engineering field is no small feat. A master’s degree program offers you the opportunity to build on a strong educational foundation with hands-on technical training. The curriculum at NMSU Global Campus centers around obtaining a deep understanding of not only chemistry and its applications but important areas like physics and business.

Pursuing a career in chemical engineering can be both exciting and rewarding, offering opportunities to innovate and solve complex problems in industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to energy. To become a chemical engineer, a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering is a great start and can give you relevant work experience. Earning a master’s degree sets you up for a higher job position trajectory. Let’s discuss a little more about what becoming a chemical engineer with a master’s degree entails.

Obtain a Strong Educational Foundation in Chemical Engineering Specialties

Having a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering can definitely help you secure entry-level positions in the job market. However, pursuing a master’s degree opens doors to higher-level positions and allows you to gain a better understanding of specialized areas.

Coursework for a master’s degree in chemical engineering can cover more in-depth learning around thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, process design, and more specific engineering applications and approaches. It dives deep into the world of chemical engineering to help you decide what areas are of most interest to you, and what skill sets you can acquire to ensure qualification when you seek career advancement.

Master’s degree students have more opportunities to enhance their knowledge through coursework that focuses on environmental studies, business, economics, industry, and more.

Acquire Practical Experience in the Chemical Engineering Field

Whether you have a bachelor’s in chemical engineering or you’re pivoting in your career with a master’s, gaining practical experience in the field will not only enhance your skills but also boost your confidence in applying them professionally.

If you have a bachelor’s and/or work in chemical engineering, you’re likely already building valuable experience. Well-established master’s degree programs can offer flexibility to career holders who want to earn their advanced degree while continuing to work in the chemical engineering field. This dual approach can bolster your resume as you study toward your master’s degree, exposing you to different facets and positions of chemical engineering. It can also help you to discover and refine your areas of interest.

Stay Informed and Continue Professional Development

Chemical engineering is a field marked by its constant evolution and innovation. In order to keep your skills and expertise relevant, you’ll need to stay abreast of cutting-edge technologies, industry norms, and best practices. To remain competitive and proficient in this dynamic field, you’ll need to embrace lifelong learning through supplementary courses, webinars, and advanced degrees. Earning specialized certifications can also significantly improve your marketability.

Navigating the path to a prosperous chemical engineering career requires unwavering commitment, adaptability, and a readiness to tackle intricate challenges. If you’re driven by a passion for applying scientific knowledge to enhance our world, chemical engineering might be a fulfilling profession for you.

Why Pursue an Advanced Degree in Chemical Engineering?

Think cutting-edge energy solutions, cleaner environments, and life-saving medical advancements. That’s the exciting playground chemical engineers get to work in.

Chemical engineers operate within everything from the energy sector to environmental protection and healthcare. When you earn an advanced degree in this field, you open up the potential for vast opportunities and long-term positions. With highly competitive industry salaries – Career Explorer estimates that the annual salary for a chemical engineer is 44% above the national average – many are seeking graduate degrees in this field. With a master’s degree, there’s more opportunity for leadership roles, job security, and even higher pay, with some annual salaries exceeding $100,000, according to Indeed.

With any advanced degree, students can acquire deeper knowledge in the field while focusing on in-demand specializations and advanced topics. With respect to chemical engineering, it means bolstering qualifications for leadership positions and spending more time working behind the scenes in design or production. Additionally, advanced studies help keep job candidates up-to-date on new, emerging technologies, as well as focus on research and development.

Consider Chemical Engineering Specializations

There are numerous benefits to earning your Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from NMSU Global Campus. Through our online master’s program, you can customize your degree to your personal interests and specializations, including:

• Systems and industrial engineering
• Process engineering
• Business
• Economics
• Environmental sciences

In the NMSU Global Campus master’s program for chemical engineering, you’ll work with an advisor to craft the right academic path for you. Together, you’ll choose 15 upper-level chemical engineering courses, as well as 15 elective credits from diverse fields. This way, your master’s degree in chemical engineering is molded to your interests and long-term goals.

Job Growth and Outlook for Chemical Engineers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for chemical engineers is expected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.

Pursuing Your Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering

With a master’s degree in chemical engineering, you can consider the following career areas within the field:

• Process Engineer: Help companies design and manage production processes
• Chemical Engineer: Get involved with research and development 
• Biotechnology: Collaborate closely with pharmaceutical companies and medical research firms to develop new drugs, vaccines, and other treatment products in this growing field
• Nuclear engineer: Work with private energy companies in areas involving nuclear power

In general, roles for chemical engineering graduates include: project management, manufacturing, technical services, R&D (research and development), environmental or sustainability positions, petroleum fields, applications engineering, and consulting.

A master’s degree in chemical engineering can also lead to careers outside the chemical engineering field, such as business, finance, marketing, banking, insurance, accountancy, or IT.

NMSU Global Campus: Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering

If you’re looking to level up your career in chemical engineering and become a leader in your field, NMSU Global Campus offers an exceptional opportunity. The online Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering program provides a comprehensive curriculum to equip you with advanced knowledge and skills.

Why Choose NMSU Global Campus for Your Master’s Degree?

• No GRE Required: We’re all about making education accessible. Skip the GRE hassle – our master of chemical engineering streamlines the application process.
• 100% Online: Life’s busy, but that shouldn’t hold you back. With our fully online program, you can tackle your coursework whenever and wherever it suits you. There is no need to rearrange your schedule – log in and learn at your own pace.
• Affordable Tuition: We get it; education can be pricey. But with our commitment to affordability, you can invest in your future without breaking the bank.

Take the Next Step in Your Chemical Engineering Career

NMSU Global Campus leverages cutting-edge online learning tools, ensuring that you can access high-quality education and resources from anywhere in the world, while still benefiting from the rich academic environment and faculty expertise of New Mexico State University. Our master’s program in chemical engineering not only enhances career prospects, but also equips graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive innovation and make significant contributions to the field of chemical engineering.

To master your craft, consider enrolling in the master’s in chemical engineering from NMSU Global Campus. This program offers advanced knowledge and diverse specializations, equipping you to tackle industry challenges head-on.

Are you ready to take the next step? Find Our Degree Requirements and earn your Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from NMSU Global Campus.