Nuclear Science and Engineering
Graduate program at Colorado School of Mines
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Select a program type below to learn more. What’s the difference? Read more about program types.
Nuclear Science and Engineering Master’s Non-Thesis
The Master’s of Engineering Non-thesis (M.Eng) degree in Nuclear Science and Engineering requires 30 credits of coursework consisting of 13 hours of required core coursework, 12 credit hours of elective core coursework, 2 credit hours of seminar, and 3 credit hours of elective courses.
All degree offerings within the Nuclear Science and Engineering program are based on a set of required and elective core courses. Additionally, students pursuing a Nuclear Engineering graduate degree must take a certain number of courses from the elective core (four for a ME or PhD, two for an MS).
Application Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree
- GRE: Not Required
- Letters of Recommendation (2 letters
- Letters are not required for current Mines students
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Statement of Purpose
- Transcripts
- International students please review the English proficiency requirements
Nuclear Science and Engineering Master’s Thesis
The Master’s Thesis (MS-T) degree in Nuclear Science and Engineering requires 36 total credit hours consisting of 13 hours of core coursework, 6 credit hours of elective core courses, 2 credit hours of seminar, and at least 12 credit hours of research.
MS-T students must complete and defend a research thesis following the Nuclear Science and Engineering Thesis Procedures. The student must complete the preparation and defense of a thesis proposal as described by the Nuclear Science and Engineering Proposal Procedures at least one semester before the student defends his or her MS thesis.
All degree offerings within the Nuclear Science and Engineering program are based on a set of required and elective core courses. Additionally, students pursuing a Nuclear Engineering graduate degree must take a certain number of courses from the elective core (four for a ME or PhD, two for an MS).
Application Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree
- GRE: Not Required
- Letters of Recommendation (3 letters).
- Two letters are required for current Mines applicants.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Statement of Purpose
- Transcripts
- International students please review the English proficiency requirements
Nuclear Science and Engineering Doctorate
The PhD degree in Nuclear Science and Engineering requires 72 total credit hours including 13 hours of required core coursework, 12 credit hours of elective core coursework, 4 credit hours of seminar, and at least 24 credit hours of research and 3 credit hours of elective courses.
All degree offerings within the Nuclear Science and Engineering program are based on a set of required and elective core courses. Additionally, students pursuing a Nuclear Engineering graduate degree must take a certain number of courses from the elective core (four for a ME or PhD, two for an MS).
Application Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree
- GRE: Not Required
- Letters of Recommendation (3 letters).
- Two letters are required for current Mines applicants.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Statement of Purpose
- Transcripts
- International students please review the English proficiency requirements
Nuclear Science and Engineering Program
Join the Colorado School of Mines Nuclear Science and Engineering graduate program. As one of the nation’s top-ranked nuclear science programs, you’ll be immersed in a true interdisciplinary program that provides a broad perspective into the world of nuclear engineering. As the world turns to alternative fuel sources, there will be a growing demand for qualified nuclear engineers and scientists. This means there’s truly no better time to advance your capabilities and knowledge base to become the next leader in this rapidly developing field.
As a student in the Nuclear Science and Engineering graduate program at Mines, you will gain the necessary knowledge of the complete nuclear fuel cycle and become an expert in areas such as uranium exploration and fuel processing, design, nuclear power system production and operation, fuel recycling, storage and waste remediation, radiation detection and related policy issues. And with small class sizes and hands-on research opportunities, you’ll have the opportunity to work directly alongside leaders in nuclear engineering.
Whichever path you take, Mines will help you become a leader in your field and build a successful career.
A Top Tier University
Engaging research conducted in multiple areas
Fully equipped radiochemistry lab for student experiments
Top-ranked for best return on investment
Credits and Deadlines
View the academic catalog to see the courses and credit requirements for this program.
Master's Thesis & Doctorate (PhD) Program Deadlines
Select a Term:
Spring Deadlines | Fall Deadlines
Spring Deadlines
Fall Deadlines
| Degree Program | Priority | International* | Domestic* | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Energy Systems | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Applied Chemistry | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Applied Mathematics & Statistics | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Applied Physics | December 15 | March 1 | March 1 | |
| Chemical Engineering | December 15 | March 1 | March 1 | |
| Chemistry | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Civil & Environmental Engineering | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Computer Science | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Earth Resources Development Engineering | January 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Electrical Engineering | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Engineering & Technology Management | January 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Environmental Engineering Science | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Geochemistry | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Geological Engineering | December 15 | March 1 | March 1 | |
| Geology | December 15 | March 1 | March 1 | |
| Geophysical Engineering | December 15 | March 1 | March 1 | |
| Geophysics | December 15 | March 1 | March 1 | |
| Humanitarian Engineering & Science | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Hydrology | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Materials Science | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Mechanical Engineering | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Mineral & Energy Economics | January 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Mining Engineering | January 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Nuclear Engineering | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Operations Research with Engineering | January 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Petroleum Engineering | March 1 | March 1 | ||
| Physics | December 15 | March 1 | March 1 | |
| Quantitative Biosciences & Engineering | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Quantum Engineering | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Robotics | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Space Resources | March 1 (International on-campus) | July 1 (Domestic on-campus) | August 1 | |
| Underground Construction & Tunnel Engineering | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 |
Residential (on-campus) Master's Non-Thesis & Graduate Certificates Deadlines
| Spring Deadlines | Fall Deadlines | |
|---|---|---|
| International Students* | October 1 | March 1 |
| Domestic U.S. Students | December 15 | August 1 |
| International students are not eligible to apply for residential certificate programs. We encourage you to check out our online certificate options | ||
Online Master's Non-Thesis & Graduate Certificates Deadlines
| The following deadlines apply to online master's non-thesis and graduate certificate programs for domestic U.S. and International students. | |
| Spring I & II (January 6 start) | January 2 |
| Spring III*** (March 11 start) | February 18 |
| Fall I & II (August 19 start) | August 1 |
| Fall III*** (October 22 start) | October 1 |
| **The Fall III deadline is only available for the following programs: Additive Manufacturing; Business Analytics; Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage; Chemical Engineering Processes in Energy Transitions; Data Science: Computer Science; Data Science: Earth Resources; Electrical Engineering (Professional Master and Certificate Only); Engineering and Technology Management; GIS & Geoinformatics; Mechanical Engineering; Underground Construction and Tunnel Engineering | |
| ***The Spring III deadline is only available for the following programs: Additive Manufacturing; Business Analytics; Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage; Electrical Engineering (Professional Master and Certificate Only); Engineering and Technology Management; GIS & Geoinformatics; Mechanical Engineering; Product Management (Offered for only session III in spring); Underground Construction and Tunnel Engineering | |
Get Connected
You don’t have to decide right now, but let’s get you connected so we can stay in touch and keep you up-to-date. Fill out the quick information form below to get started.
Faculty Spotlight
Jennifer Shafer
In the fall of 2013, Professor Shafer joined Mines after two years working at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Having earned her PhD from Washington State University, Dr. Shafer now serves as a Professor in our Chemistry Department and Nuclear Science & Engineering Program. Her primary research interests include advancing f-element separations technology through the use of new materials, supramolecular assembly, unique oxidation states and controlling electronic structure.
Dr. Shafer has received numerous awards and honors throughout her distinguished career, including Early Career awards from DOE and DHS and a Seaborg Visiting Scholar Fellowship for her sabbatical at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Currently, she serves on the American Chemical Society’s Committee on Science working on chemical policy matters.
You Are Ready
Contact Us
(303) 273-3247
grad-admissions@mines.edu
Career Connections
At Mines, your career goals are the focus. You will connect with world-class faculty and industry experts in your field, all while enhancing your knowledge through hands-on learning and research.
Why study nuclear science and engineering at Mines?
With top-tier research facilities, an internationally renowned faculty and hands-on research opportunities, there are many reasons to consider Mines for your nuclear engineering graduate degree.
Countless top students have chosen Colorado School of Mines for their nuclear engineering graduate studies. Why? Just take a look:
- #1 ranked college in Colorado (Niche, 2024)
- Hands-on experience operating a nuclear reactor
- 35,000+ square feet of makerspaces
- Close proximity to several national laboratories
- Unique student life with traditions including our M Climb and Engineer Days
Nuclear Science and Engineering careers
- Nuclear engineer
- Nuclear physicist
- Nuclear medicine technologist
- Nuclear design engineer
- Nuclear pharmacist
Visit the Mines Career Center website for additional career resources and information.
Where to find our alumni
The most common industries are graduates work in include:
-
Energy – Alternative/Renewable
-
Government/ Public Sector
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Aerospace/ Defense/ Aviation
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Manufacturing/ Machinery
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Higher Education
Additionally, many of our graduates have found employment at the following:
- Duke Energy Corp.
- Idaho National Laboratory
- Los Alamos National Laboratory
- NREL
- Naval Surface Warfare Center
- Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station
Average Salaries
Upon graduation, our students can expect to earn these average salaries:
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$95k is the average salary for Nuclear Doctorate Degrees
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$111k is the average salary for Nuclear Master-Non Thesis Degrees
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$103k is the average salary with all Nuclear degree levels combined
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