Certificate Program

The Graduate Certificate Program (GCP) in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is designed for working professionals who do not have formal training in MSE but wish to acquire a basic understanding of materials science to improve their on-the-job experience and knowledge. Most people will enroll in this program as distance education students through the Engineering Online (EOL) office at NC State University. Students can customize their particular certificate programs to focus on specific areas of materials science that interest them.

Program of Study

The MSE GCP requires a total of 12 credit hours, including MSE 500 (3 credit hours) and three MSE elective courses (9 credit hours) selected by the student. MSE 500 is a fast-paced overview of the field of materials science and engineering and is designed for students who do not have a formal background in MSE, such as those with BS degrees in chemistry, physics, and other fields of engineering. MSE 500 also provides the foundation for more specialized MSE graduate courses.

View the courses available to MSE GCP students.

Each course is 3 credit hours and most courses are offered at least once per year through the EOL office. By judicious selection of elective courses, students can customize their GCP to focus on their areas of interest.

Requirements for Admission

To be admitted to the MSE Graduate Certificate Program, a student must have a BS degree in the sciences or engineering from a regionally accredited four-year college or university and have an overall (or major) GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale.

All new students must complete the NC State Graduate School application for admission to the MSE GCP. The GRE is NOT required for admission to the GCP. Application deadlines are March 1 for summer and fall admission, and October 1 for spring admission. Students can begin study in the fall, spring, or summer semesters immediately following their acceptance into the program. Registration procedures, registration dates and course availability for each semester can be found on the NC State Registration and Records webpage. Information regarding Engineering Online can be found on the EOL webpage.

Academic success in the MSE GCP might have a strong bearing on admission to a graduate degree program. However, completion of a graduate certificate program does not guarantee entry into a graduate degree program, which must be done through a separate application process.

Academic Performance Requirements

  • To receive an MSE Graduate Certificate, a student must maintain a minimum 3.00 grade point average (GPA) on all coursework taken at NC State. All grades on courses taken towards the GCP in courses at the 500 level and above are included in the GPA. Any courses taken at the 400 level and below are not eligible for certificate credit and subsequently do not affect the graduate GPA.
  • All courses taken for certificate credit must be completed with a grade of β€œB” or better.
  • All courses taken for certificate credit must be letter-graded. Credit-only courses cannot be used for certificate credit.
  • Transfer credit from other institutions is not allowed for the GCP. All coursework must be registered through NC State University.
  • Up to six (6) hours of post-baccalaureate, graduate-level coursework taken at NC State, if not already used in another graduate program, may be transferred into the GCP. All transfer credits must carry a grade of B or better.
  • All GCP requirements must be completed within four (4) calendar years, beginning with the date the student commences courses applicable to the GCP.

Program Administration

The MSE GCP is administered by the Distance Education Coordinator in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, in cooperation with the NC State Engineering Online program for distance education students. Questions regarding the MSE GCP should be directed to:

  • For more information about the online registration process, course offerings and course logistics, contact:
    Dr. Linda Krute
    Director of Distance Education Programs
    College of Engineering
    Telephone: 919.515.5440
    Email: linda_krute@ncsu.edu
    Engineering Online website: https://www.engineeringonline.ncsu.edu