Worcester Polytechnic Institute

What you'll study

The MS in Environmental Engineering combines core engineering fundamentals with applied topics tailored to contemporary environmental challenges. Students take advanced coursework in transport phenomena, environmental chemistry, water and wastewater treatment processes, contaminant fate and transport, air quality engineering, and environmental systems modelling.

• Core topics: water and wastewater treatment, environmental chemistry and microbiology, mass transport in porous media, contaminant fate and transport, and environmental regulations and risk assessment.
• Advanced and elective topics: air pollution control, sustainable water resources management, stormwater and watershed engineering, remediation technologies for soils and groundwater, environmental sensing and monitoring, environmental data analytics, and life-cycle assessment.
• Project and research options: the programme commonly offers both research/thesis and project-based (non-thesis) pathways. Students may undertake an independent research thesis under a faculty advisor or complete an applied major project that emphasises design, field work, laboratory experiments and data analysis.
• Interdisciplinary opportunities: electives and collaborative projects are available with related areas such as civil and environmental systems engineering, chemical engineering, energy systems, and data science, enabling students to tailor the degree to interests such as water treatment design, environmental monitoring, or sustainable infrastructure.

Entry requirements

Applicants typically need a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, geology, chemistry, biology or another closely related science or engineering discipline. A solid foundation in calculus, physics, chemistry and basic fluid mechanics is expected.

• Official academic transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
• One or more letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees who can speak to the applicant's preparation for graduate study.
• A statement of purpose describing academic background, research or professional interests, and reasons for pursuing the MS at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
• Evidence of quantitative preparation (coursework and/or professional experience) and, for many applicants, relevant laboratory or field experience is advantageous.
• English language proficiency test scores are required for applicants whose first language is not English, unless an approved waiver applies.

Career prospects

Graduates of the MS in Environmental Engineering pursue careers across the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Common roles include environmental engineer, water and wastewater treatment engineer, remediation specialist, air quality engineer, environmental consultant, and sustainability analyst.

• Employment sectors: engineering and environmental consulting firms, municipal and regional water utilities, state and federal regulatory agencies, environmental testing and monitoring companies, and firms in energy, manufacturing and infrastructure.
• Further study: some graduates continue to PhD programmes or transition into policy, planning, or management roles after gaining technical experience.
• Skills valued by employers: technical design and modelling, laboratory and field sampling methods, environmental data analysis, regulatory compliance, and project management, often strengthened by the programme's applied projects and research experience.

Why study at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is known for its project-based approach to engineering education, which means MS students benefit from hands-on experience and applied research with faculty. The university emphasises collaboration across disciplines, enabling environmental engineering students to work with researchers in related areas such as systems engineering, data science and sustainable energy.

• Project-focused curriculum: students can engage in substantial design or research projects that prepare them for professional practice or doctoral research.
• Faculty and facilities: access to faculty pursuing applied research in water quality, remediation, environmental sensing and related subjects, plus laboratory and field resources for experimental and monitoring work.
• Industry and municipal connections: proximity to regional engineering firms, utilities and regulatory bodies offers opportunities for internships, practicum projects and employment networking.