The Department is a leader in the continuing development of Nuclear Science and Engineering (NSE) as an academic discipline with an intellectual core that supports many diverse applications.
The core of the discipline rests on the three pillars of science, systems, and society.
Applications open on September 15 and close on December 15. You can apply through the MIT applications website
Applications for graduate studies in the Department are accepted only through the Online System
The Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering offers the following degree programs.
The objectives of the program of study leading to the doctoral degree are to provide the student with comprehensive knowledge of nuclear science and engineering and to develop the student’s competence in conducting original research.
The object of the Master’s degree program is to give the student as thorough a knowledge of some phase of nuclear engineering as can be obtained in a minimum of one academic year of full-time study. The Master’s program may serve either as the first part of the student’s work for a more advanced degree or as training for professional employment in nuclear engineering.
The objective of this program is to offer students the opportunity to leverage tools they learn in the Sloan School of Management and the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering to become innovative business leaders with the technical skills to implement complex operations and technology solutions in the nuclear field. Students admitted to this program will earn two degrees in two years as part of the Leaders for Global Operations (LGO) Program at MIT. Students will earn a Masters of Science in the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering and an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management. Applications for the dual degree program are accepted at the LGO website.
The interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Computational Science and Engineering (CSE PhD + Engineering or Science) at MIT offers students the opportunity to pursue advanced study at the intersection of computational methods and their application to nuclear science and engineering. Through a combination of focused coursework and a doctoral thesis, students are able to specialize in computational nuclear science and engineering.
The Master of Science in Technology and Policy is an engineering research degree with a strong focus on the role of technology in policy analysis and formulation. The Technology and Policy Program (TPP) curriculum provides a solid grounding in technology and policy by combining advanced subjects in the student’s chosen technical field with courses in economics, politics, quantitative methods, and social science. Many students combine TPP’s curriculum with complementary subjects to obtain dual degrees in TPP and either a specialized branch of engineering or an applied social science such as political science. See the program description under the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society.
Only about half of our current graduate students have an undergraduate background in nuclear science & engineering. There are very few undergraduate programs that offer this degree. We admit students from a broad range of majors, including Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering (and many more). Any degree that has a strong physics or applied physics (engineering) focus is likely to be relevant to our degree program.
We admit students from a broad range of backgrounds, so we don’t have specific coursework requirements. You can find some advice about academic preparation here.
If you decide to apply and would like some advising/coaching, you could sign up for the Graduate Application Assistance Program (GAAP). They usually start accepting applications in October. Please do not request application assistance from faculty or staff, as that would create a conflict of interest. More info:
NSE GAAP (Graduate Application Assistance Program) is a volunteer-based, student-run program which provides assistance to applicants from communities historically underrepresented in higher education, including students from communities underrepresented in STEM, students with non-traditional academic backgrounds, and students from academic institutions which have not historically sent many students to MIT. Applicants are paired with a graduate student who can answer questions about NSE and MIT, provide feedback on materials to create a stronger application, and guide applicants through the application process. If you are currently considering applying to NSE and would like to participate in NSE GAAP, please fill out this form.
Waivers will be considered for students meeting all of the following criteria:
1) you have (or will complete) at least 4 years of study at a US educational institution;
2) a letter must be provided from the US University or English language school verifying your fluency in English and include all assessments used (can include prior English language test scores, grades in courses teaching English language skills, the letter writer’s experience in regularly working with the student, etc). The letter/documentation provided by your US university must be sufficient for the English language visa requirement.
Native English speakers may simply indicate that in their application and the requirement will automatically be waived.
The GRE is optional, and will be included in your application if you provide that information.
Most students are admitted to the graduate program with guaranteed funding for the first 9 months, usually in the form of a research assistantship once they find a lab placement. Students in good standing typically receive full funding throughout the duration of their studies in our department. Full funding consists of tuition, individual health insurance, and a monthly stipend.
A research assistantship is employment in a research lab, funded through a research grant, and often has significant overlap with a student’s academic thesis research.
