How to Become a Materials Engineer - Requirements & Steps

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Materials engineers work with the building blocks of modern engineering. By studying the structures and properties of materials (e.g., ceramics, metals, plastics), they can process them to meet the precise chemical, electrical, and mechanical requirements, with applications to everything from aviation manufacturing to nanoengineering and biotechnology. Through careful manipulation, materials engineers are even capable of creating entirely new materials, expanding the frontiers of what’s possible.

Every new gadget and gizmo starts with manipulating material properties, and materials engineering is a discipline that builds the future. Since its acceptance as an independent field of study in the mid-20th century, materials engineering has produced radical materials advances that have spun off into entirely new industries. Current trends are pushing the boundaries further: atom-thick graphite, electric ink, and nanotubes all bring science fiction into the present tense.

There are many paths to becoming a materials engineer. This is an inherently interdisciplinary field with touchpoints in chemistry, physics, and nanoengineering. Career paths can diverge based on a specific concentration and the choice of whether to pursue research or development. A materials engineer may begin work right after finishing their undergraduate degree or they may go on to pursue graduate-level education.

If you’re ready to design your future, check out our step-by-step guide to becoming a materials engineer below.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Materials Engineer

Step One: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree (Four Years)

After graduating from high school, aspiring materials engineers need to earn a bachelor’s degree in materials engineering, ideally from a school accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Do note that some schools also offer an accelerated bachelor’s and master’s combination degree for materials engineering.

Admissions requirements vary from school to school, but generally include some combination of the following: a competitive high school GPA (3.0 or greater); SAT and/or ACT scores; letter(s) of recommendation; and a personal statement.

Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering

Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering offers a bachelor of science in engineering (BSE) degree in materials and science engineering. Students may also apply for an accelerated program that combines undergraduate and graduate classes, culminating in a dual BSE/MS degree. Hosted at the school’s Tempe campus, students get practical, hands-on training in state-of-the-art laboratories. Internships with industry heavyweights like Honeywell and Boeing Helicopter are often woven into the student experience.

The BSE program consists of approximately 120 credits and can be completed in four years. The curriculum includes courses such as structure and properties of materials; materials synthesis; introduction to mechanics of materials; thermodynamics of materials; structure and defects; mathematical and computer methods in materials; and materials kinetics.

  • Location: Tempe, Arizona
  • Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET; Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
  • Estimated Tuition: Arizona resident ($784 per credit); non-resident ($1,248 per credit)

University of Texas at El Paso

The University of Texas at El Paso offers a bachelor’s of science (BS) in metallurgical and materials engineering program that uses a hands-on approach for educating students in the development of high-performance materials, materials synthesis, material degradation, 3D-printed biomaterials, the design of environmentally conscious materials, and forensic engineering of materials in extreme environments.

The core curriculum focuses on the fundamentals of materials engineering, while electives allow students to specialize their studies further. Students may select one of four concentrations: general metallurgical and materials engineering; forensic engineering and materials performance; extractive and process metallurgy; or biomaterials.

Sample some of the coursework: material & energy balance; mechanics of materials; metals processing; materials characterization; failure analysis; fracture mechanics; hydrometallurgy; polymer engineering; and engineering alloys. Students may also opt into a dual BS-MME program at UTEP if they maintain an average GPA of 3.3 or better. The program consists of 128 credits (with a concentration) and takes four years to complete.

Graduates of the program will be ready to take up roles such as materials engineers, quality engineers, process engineers, quality control inspectors, product engineers, project engineers, and materials process engineers.

  • Location: El Paso, Texas
  • Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
  • Estimated Tuition: Resident ($415.80 per credit); non-resident ($929.40 per credit)

University of North Texas

The University of North Texas offers a bachelor of science degree in materials science and engineering where students will explore the technological challenges of creating, applying, and characterizing new materials for the 21st century. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of North Texas is committed to training students at the graduate and undergraduate levels in all aspects of modern materials including ceramics, metals, electronic and optical materials, materials characterization, and polymers.

Made up of 120 credits, the program includes courses such as bonding and structure; microstructure and characterization; thermodynamics and phase diagrams; transport phenomena in materials; mechanical properties of materials; phase transformation in materials; electrical, optical, and magnetic properties of materials; materials processing; and discover how and why materials matter.

  • Location: Denton, Texas
  • Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
  • Estimated Tuition: Resident ($1,500); non-resident ($13,740)

Step Two: Get Certified as an Engineer in Training (Timeline Varies)

Many states require materials engineers to be licensed. Requirements for this vary from state to state, but details are available on the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) website.

The first step towards licensure is getting certified as an Engineering in Training (EIT). And to do that, one must pass the Fundamental of Engineering (FE) exam. Many undergraduate programs prepare students to take the FE exam and most engineers choose to sit for it within one year of earning their bachelor’s degree. The six-hour, 110-question exam is administered year-round by the NCEES. The exam fee is $175.

Step Three: Gain Initial Work Experience (One to Four Years)

After passing the FE exam and being certified as an EIT, a materials engineer can start working under the supervision of a professional engineer (PE). Accumulating PE-guided work experience is necessary if a materials engineer wants to become a PE. Furthermore, gaining work experience at this stage can help young materials engineers decide what aspect of materials engineering piques their interest.

Step Four: Earn a Master’s Degree in Materials Engineering (Optional, Two to Four Years)

After earning a bachelor’s degree and gaining some initial work experience, many materials engineers go on to earn a master’s degree in materials engineering from a school that is accredited by ABET. While it’s not a requirement to practice and is primarily targeted at engineers looking to work in research, teaching, and development roles, graduate-level education can significantly boost one’s resume for any materials engineer. Do note that some schools offer dual bachelor’s and master’s (or master’s and doctoral) degree programs.

Admissions requirements for master’s programs vary from school to school but often include some combination of the following: a competitive undergraduate GPA (3.0 or greater); strong GRE scores; letter(s) of recommendation; work experience; and a personal statement.

North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University offers a non-thesis master of materials science engineering (MMSE) degree that can be completed entirely online. This MMSE program focuses on understanding materials’ properties, modification, and structure and developing new or improved processing methods.

Courses in this 30-credit program include modern concepts in materials science; polymer technology and engineering; materials forensics and degradation; mechanical behavior of engineering materials; and phase transformations and kinetics. Full-time students can complete the degree within two years, while part-time students may take up to six years.

At the end of the program, graduates can pursue opportunities such as ceramic engineers, functional materials engineers, materials development engineers, materials engineers, and structural materials engineers.

  • Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 24 to 72 months
  • Estimated Tuition: Residents of North Carolina ($505.28 per credit); non-residents of North Carolina ($1,572.28 per credit)

University of Florida’s Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering

The University of Florida’s Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering offers a non-thesis master of science in materials science and engineering (MSE), which can be completed online through the school’s EDGE program.

The program consists of 30 credits and may be completed within two years for full-time students and up to seven years for part-time students. The curriculum explores topics such as material structures & mechanical properties; materials thermodynamics; properties of functional materials; polymer physical science; advanced metals processing; advanced phase diagrams; and electronic theory of materials.

  • Location: Gainesville, Florida
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
  • Estimated Tuition: Florida residents ($448.73 per credit); non-Florida residents ($690 per credit)

University of Southern California

The University of Southern California offers an online master of science in materials engineering program which is ideal for those interested in the selection, processing, and characterization of engineering materials, and in materials problems related to engineering design. The program opens up opportunities in the areas of tissue engineering, pharmaceuticals, commerce, public health agencies, petrochemicals, combustion, process control, minerals, petroleum, and more for graduates.

Comprising 28 credits, the program includes courses such as thermodynamics of materials; diffusion and phase equilibria; principles of electrochemical engineering; mechanical behavior of engineering materials; fatigue and fracture; failure analysis; basics of atomistic simulation of materials; molecular dynamics simulations of materials and processes; and materials selection.

Admission requirements to the program include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in any engineering or engineering-related discipline, a completed online application, transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, a current resume, a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, and TOEFL or IELTS scores for international students whose first language is not English.

  • Location: Los Angeles, California
  • Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Full-time (18 to 24 months); part-time (30 to 36 months)
  • Estimated Tuition: $2,309 per credit

Step Five: Earn a Doctorate in Materials Engineering (Optional, Three to Five Years)

Similar to a master’s degree, a doctorate in materials engineering is not mandatory, but some materials engineers choose to pursue it—especially if they wish to work in research and academia. (Please note that it is possible to pursue a PhD without first getting a master’s degree and some schools offer a combined master’s and PhD degree.)

Admissions requirements vary from school to school but are largely in line with other graduate-level programs (see step four above). In addition to those requirements, however, the first two years of a doctoral program typically are spent in candidacy, and progression towards full doctoral status will require individual assessments and interviews with departmental leadership.

Stanford University

Stanford University offers a PhD in materials science and engineering at its Northern California campus. During the first two years, students take ten materials science and engineering courses. Furthermore, they will be expected to attend weekly colloquium lectures, find a faculty research advisor, and join a research group. In the second year, all students take a qualifying examination, which, when passed, confirms them as PhD candidates. The final stage of the program involves a dissertation and an oral exam.

The program averages 135 credits and most students complete the program within five years. Some of the topics students will explore include thermodynamics and phase equilibria; rate processes in materials; defects and disorder in materials; structure and symmetry; and quantum mechanics for materials science.

  • Location: Stanford, California
  • Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Within 60 months
  • Estimated Tuition: Contact the university for details

Step Six: Become a Professional Engineer (Optional, Timeline Varies)

The last step for a materials engineer is to become licensed as a professional engineer. While not a mandatory step for all, it is a requirement for those leading publicly funded engineering projects. Furthermore, getting certified as a professional engineer is a mark of distinction that can be seen as desirable in job markets and it can qualify one for board examinations and future advancement.

In order to be eligible to become a professional engineer, materials engineers need at least four years of practical work experience in their field. Once deemed eligible, materials engineers will need to pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam, which tests for a minimum level of competency in materials engineering. The 85-question, 9.5-hour test is administered once a year. Exam fees vary by state.

Helpful Resources for Materials Engineers

Materials engineering is built upon a bedrock of scientific truth and evolving innovation. To stay current with new findings and industry trends, many materials engineers choose to join a professional society or subscribe to field-specific journals. If you want to listen in on high-level conversations about materials engineering, check out some of the resources below.

  • The Materials Information Society (American Society of Materials International)
  • Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance
  • Society for the Advancement of Materials and Process Engineering
  • Materials Research Society (MRS)
  • The Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society (TMMS)