Available Programs

• CS@CU MS Bridge Program in Computer Science

  The CS@CU MS Bridge Program in Computer Science is a well-established pathway for students without a formal undergraduate background in computer science. The program provides comprehensive preparation in programming, data structures, discrete mathematics, and core computing concepts.

  Students apply directly to the Bridge Program and, upon successful completion of the required coursework and GPA benchmarks, transition into the MS in Computer Science.

  Program structure

  • Part-time, non-degree Bridge program
  • Apply to the CS@CU MS Bridge Program via the graduate application
  • Transition to the MS upon successful completion
  • Not eligible for F-1 visa sponsorship during the Bridge phase

  CS@CU FAQ

  About the Computer Science MS
• IEOR MS Bridge Program

  The IEOR MS Bridge Program is designed to equip students for success in the Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) or the Master of Science in Management Science and Engineering (MS&E) programs. The Bridge Program provides a clear and structured pathway for students who may lack some of the quantitative, coding, or data science skills required for direct admission.

  Business Analytics MS Bridge Program

  The MS in Business Analytics Bridge Program is designed for students with strong academic or professional potential who need additional preparation in quantitative methods, computing, or data science before transitioning into the Master of Science in Business Analytics.

  Students apply directly to the Bridge Program and, upon successful completion, transition into the MS in Business Analytics.

  Program structure

  • Part-time, non-degree Bridge program
  • Apply to the Business Analytics MS Bridge Program via the graduate application
  • Transition to MS after Bridge completion
  • Not eligible for F-1 visa sponsorship during the Bridge phase

  Management Science and Engineering MS Bridge Program

  The Management Science and Engineering Program prepares students from non-engineering or partially quantitative backgrounds for advanced study in management science, optimization, analytics, and systems engineering prior to transitioning into the MS&E MS curriculum.

  Students apply directly to the Bridge Program and, upon successful completion, transition into the MS in Business Analytics.

  Program structure

  • Part-time, non-degree Bridge program
  • Apply to the Management Science and Engineering MS Bridge Program via the graduate application
  • Transition to MS after Bridge completion
  • Not eligible for F-1 visa sponsorship during the Bridge phase

  IEOR FAQ

  About the Master of Science in Business Analytics Program

  About the Master of Science in Management Science and Engineering Program
• Electrical Engineering MS Bridge Program

  The Electrical Engineering MS Bridge Program supports students from related quantitative or scientific backgrounds who lack formal electrical engineering training. Students complete targeted foundational coursework aligned with their intended area of specialization before transitioning fully into MS-level study.

  Program structure

  • Part-time, non-degree Bridge program
  • Apply to the Electrical Engineering MS Bridge Program via the graduate application
  • Transition to MS after successful completion
  • Not eligible for F-1 visa sponsorship during the Bridge phase

  ELEN FAQ

  About the Electrical Engineering MS
• Biomedical Engineering MS Preparation Pathway

  The Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering welcomes high-achieving students from a range of academic backgrounds, including other engineering disciplines (e.g., mechanical, electrical, civil) and allied sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics, computer science). While Biomedical Engineering does not offer a formal Bridge Program, admitted students may be required to complete additional coursework—beyond the standard MS curriculum—if specific foundational gaps are identified during the admissions review.

  Program structure

  • Full-time or part-time MS enrollment
  • Apply directly to the Biomedical Engineering MS program. If additional preparatory coursework is required, it will be specified in the admission offer.
  • Eligible for F-1 visa sponsorship

  BME FAQ

  About the Biomedical Engineering MS
• Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics MS Bridge Program

  The Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics MS Bridge Program supports students without a civil engineering undergraduate degree by providing focused preparation in mechanics, fluids, structures, and related areas. Bridge requirements are determined at admission and completed prior to or alongside graduate coursework.

  Program structure

  • Full-time or part-time MS enrollment
  • Bridge coursework integrated into MS program
  • No separate Bridge application is required. Apply directly to the Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics Master of Science program.
  • Eligible for F-1 visa sponsorship

  CEEM FAQ

  About the Civil Engineering & Engineering Mechanics MS
• Chemical Engineering Scientist-to-Engineer (S2E) Program

  The Scientist-to-Engineer (S2E) program is an integrated pathway within the MS in Chemical Engineering for students without an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering.

  Students complete an intensive, accelerated set of undergraduate-level chemical engineering courses during their first semester, covering core concepts needed for success in the graduate curriculum. Degree completion is typically achieved in three semesters.

  Program structure

  • Full-time or part-time MS enrollment
  • Bridge coursework completed within the MS program
  • No separate Bridge application is required. Apply directly to the Chemical Engineering Master of Science program.
  • Eligible for F-1 visa sponsorship

  S2E FAQ

  About the Chemical Engineering MS
• Mechanical Engineering MS Bridge Program (Coming Soon)

  The Mechanical Engineering MS Bridge Program prepares students without an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering to enter the MS in Mechanical Engineering curriculum with confidence. The program emphasizes core areas such as mechanics, thermal fluids, design, and materials.

  Bridge requirements are assigned upon admission to the MS program and are completed prior to or alongside graduate coursework.

  Program structure

  • Full-time or part-time MS enrollment
  • Bridge coursework integrated into MS program
  • No separate Bridge application is required. Apply directly to the Mechanical Engineering Master of Science program.
  • Eligible for F-1 visa sponsorship
     

  About the Mechanical Engineering MS
• Computer Engineering Bridge Program

  The Columbia Computer Engineering MS Bridge program will enable students with undergraduate degrees in fields other than electrical engineering, computer engineering, and computer science to take preparatory courses before enrolling in the CE MS degree program. The Computer Engineering Bridge Program offers two distinct tracks, enabling students to acquire the essential foundational skills tailored to their specific interests within the MS curriculum. One track is designed for students aiming to specialize in Computer Systems (Track A), while the other prepares students for specializing in Computer Chip Design (Track B). Students complete targeted foundational coursework aligned with their intended area of specialization before transitioning fully into MS-level study. 

  Program structure

  • Part-time, non-degree program
  • Apply to the Computer Engineering MS Bridge Program via the graduate application
  • Transition to the Computer Engineering MS after successful completion
  • Not eligible for F-1 visa sponsorship during the bridge program

  CE FAQ

  About the Computer Engineering MS

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who should consider an MS Bridge Program?

  MS Bridge Programs are ideal for students with strong academic or professional records who may be missing specific undergraduate coursework required for direct entry into an engineering MS program.
   

• Do Bridge Programs lead to a degree?

  Yes, the goal is the students complete the corresponding Master’s of Science program they have been admitted to. Note that the Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Business Analytics, and Management Science + Engineering bridge programs are not degree-granting on their own. These serve as a pathway into a Columbia Engineering MS program, after which students complete degree requirements. The Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, and Mechanical Engineering bridge programs are integrated into the MS program, and thus are degree-seeking programs. 

• Are Bridge students eligible for student visas?

  This will vary by program. Students enrolled directly in the Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, and Mechanical Engineering bridge programs are eligible for F-1 visas

  Students in the Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Business Analytics, and Management Science + Engineering bridge programs are not eligible for F-1 visa sponsorship until they transition into the MS.

• Can Bridge requirements be waived?

  In many programs, previously completed coursework may be reviewed for possible waivers, typically requiring a minimum grade of B or higher.

• When are application deadlines?

  The priority deadline for most Bridge Programs is February 15. Applicants are encouraged to review individual program pages for the most up-to-date information.

• What materials are required to apply?

  The following materials must accompany the online application for on-campus graduate programs. 

  • Transcripts
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Personal Statement
  • Resumé or Curriculum Vitae
  • Video Interview
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test Scores (optional)
  • English Language Exam Scores (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo) required for applicants educated in a country other than Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and the United States of America.
  • $85 non-refundable application fee (payable by a major credit card through the online application system)
• How do I apply?

  Interested students should apply using the On-Campus MS and PhD Programs application found here.

Why Pursue a Master's in Chemical Engineering at Columbia?

• Research Opportunities

  Engage with research across a broad range of areas in the Department of Chemical Engineering and beyond. Faculty are working on projects in biopolymers, protein engineering, carbon capture, the biochemistry of DNA sequencing, and more, while centers like the multidisciplinary Columbia Electrochemical Energy Center are developing sustainable technologies to address pressing global problems. 

• Holistic Expertise

  Tackle challenges from many angles to find nuanced solutions. Faculty within Chemical Engineering collaborate with experts at Columbia in other areas, like public policy, environmental science, and public health, which will expand your perspective and help you learn to develop responsible technologies that keep the big picture in mind.

• World-Class Facilities

  Enjoy access to state-of-the-art research instrumentation and graduate with confidence to work in any setting. You’ll find specialized equipment in faculty labs and shared facilities in the Columbia Electrochemical Energy Center, the Soft Materials laboratory, and the Columbia Genome Center, as well as in the Department of Chemistry. 
  
   

• Career-Focused Concentrations

  Take advantage of concentrations in Climate Solutions, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceuticals, Data and Computational Science, and Electrochemical Energy to build experience in areas of growth and increasing importance to addressing global challenges. 
• Comprehensive Career Support

  Our dedicated Assistant Director of Graduate Career Placement can provide you with expert advice both during your studies and after graduation. You’ll receive personalized career guidance, application support, tailored workshops, and access to exclusive job opportunities within the chemical engineering sector and beyond.

• MS/PhD Track Option

  If you hold an appropriate bachelor’s degree in Engineering and already know you want to undertake a PhD, you can apply to our MS/PhD Track. You will be considered a doctoral student and will be eligible to receive equivalent funding. If you are not successful, you could still be offered a place on our MS program.

• Entrepreneurship Opportunities

  Considering launching a startup during your studies or after you graduate? Columbia Engineering Innovation, Design & Entrepreneurship team can help you develop the business acumen to successfully launch your venture.

  The team offers specialist entrepreneurship courses, bootcamps, networking opportunities and spaces for prototyping and testing. They also organize competitions with opportunities to win seed funding. 

  Explore Entrepreneurship Opportunities

Chemical Engineering Master's Program Details

• Admission Requirements

  To be admitted to our Master of Science program, students must demonstrate B-average or better performance in a science or engineering undergraduate curriculum. 

  Besides undergraduate GPA, the MS admissions committee also considers GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. 

  All MS applicants are expected to have completed General Chemistry I and II, Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III (multi-variable calculus), and an Ordinary Differential Equations Course. 

  While most applicants for the Master of Science program have an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering, this is not necessarily a requirement. The field of chemical engineering is broad in scope, so we encourage applicants who hold undergraduate degrees in chemistry, polymer science, physics, materials science, or any engineering discipline to apply. 

  While the exact program for each student is adapted to his or her previous training, students admitted without a chemical engineering undergraduate degree are normally required to participate in the Scientist to Engineer program. This special program saves the MS student both the time and expense of the undergraduate chemical engineering program. 

  A list of application requirements, including materials you will need to submit to be considered for admission into our program, is described here.

  Full Application Requirements
• Scientist to Engineer

  A student who is admitted to the MS program without an undergraduate degree that is equivalent to an ABET accredited chemical engineering baccalaureate degree is given Scientist to Engineer (S2E) status. These students must complete CHEN E4001, Essentials of Chemical Engineering A, and CHEN E4002, Essentials of Chemical Engineering B, in their first semester. These courses cover essentials from the undergraduate chemical engineering curriculum in an intensive, accelerated way in 6 credits. These 6 points of credit must be taken and passed in addition to the 30 points of graduate credit required for the MS itself, so that these students need a total of 36 credits to graduate. Typically this can be accomplished in 3 semesters.

  After completing CHEN E4001 and CHEN E4002, students admitted with S2E status must also take CHEN E4010, Mathematical Methods in Chemical Engineering, as part of the core requirement, and a graduate-level chemical engineering course with substantial design content as one of their technical electives.

  Chemical Engineering Scientist to Engineer (S2E) FAQ
• Beyond the Master of Science Program

  Students in the Master of Science program who later decide they would like to obtain a PhD in chemical engineering at Columbia would need to formally apply to Columbia’s PhD program after completion of their first term at Columbia. Acceptance into the PhD program would not be assured. As such, students would be in competition with all other applicants to the PhD program.

  Applicants holding a BS in chemical engineering who wish to pursue a PhD in chemical engineering at Columbia should apply directly to the MS leading to PhD program rather than only the Master of Science program. While it is against school policy to allow application to more than one program/department per term, applicants to the MS leading to PhD program may choose to indicate on their application that they would consider admission to the MS only. 

• Program Educational Objectives

  Graduates of the Chemical Engineering Program achieve success in one or more of the following within a few years of graduation:

  1. Careers in industries that require technical expertise in chemical engineering.
  2. Leadership positions in industries that require technical expertise in chemical engineering.
  3. Graduate-level studies in chemical engineering and related technical or scientific fields (e.g. biomedical or environmental engineering, materials science).
  4. Careers outside of engineering that take advantage of an engineering education, such as business, management, finance, law, medicine, or education.
  5. A commitment to life-long learning and service within their chosen profession.
• Important Links

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  • Bulletin
  • Old Chemical Engineering Study Plan*
  • New Chemical Engineering Study Plan*
  • Chemical Engineering Registration Form
  • "Old" Chemical Engineering Technical Electives List
  • "New" Chemical Engineering Technical Electives List
  • Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Concentrations
  • Course Equivalency Form for Combined Plan Students
  • Course Equivalency Form for Transfer Students
  • SEAS Outside/Summer Credit Approval Form
  • Chemical Engineering Senior Thesis Guidelines

  *Note: students in the Classes of 2026 & 2027 may choose to use either the "new" or "old" study plan. Students in the Class of 2028 and later are required to use the "New" study plan.

• Student Outcomes

  Upon graduation, we expect our students to have:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
• Enrollment and Graduation Statistics

  	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
  Sophomores	19	15	11	13	19	25
  Juniors	38	30	23	19	17	22
  Seniors	31	37	29	22	19	16
  Total	88	82	63	54	55	63

  	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
  Graduates	31	39	29	21	20	14