Program Overview

Harness the science behind the most powerful energy source on Earth.

The Graduate Certificate in Nuclear Engineering equips students and professionals with the skills to design, analyze, and evaluate systems that generate and control nuclear energy, including reactor design, radiation protection, and nuclear safety systems. As the global demand for clean, reliable power grows, nuclear engineers are needed across sectors including energy, defense, national laboratories, and regulatory agencies.

Whether you’re looking to enhance your current engineering credentials or prepare for a career in the nuclear workforce, this 12-credit certificate provides a focused, industry-relevant curriculum, with a fully online option for maximum flexibility.  You’ll explore key topics such as nuclear fission and fusion, radiation interaction and shielding, reactor operation and control, and human and environmental safety considerations.

The Graduate Certificate in Nuclear Engineering opens the door to a wide range of career paths in the nuclear industry and related sectors that require a strong foundation in nuclear engineering principles. With growing global interest in clean energy, national security, and advanced technology, the demand for skilled professionals in this field is expected to rise, offering graduates long-term career opportunities in both public and private sectors.

Potential career pathways include:

• Nuclear Navy – Work as a Nuclear Engineer supporting the U.S. Navy’s nuclear propulsion program, designing, testing, and maintaining systems for submarines and aircraft carriers.
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) – Contribute to national energy initiatives in areas such as reactor design, nuclear fuel cycle management, and radioactive waste disposal.
• DOE National Laboratories – Join world-class research institutions like Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, or Idaho National Laboratory, working on cutting-edge nuclear science and technology.
• Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) – Support advanced undersea technologies by developing and testing nuclear propulsion and related systems for the U.S. Navy.
• Defense Contractors – Design and test nuclear detection, radiation shielding, and protection systems for national defense and security applications.
• Advanced Nuclear Reactor Development – Help design next-generation reactors, such as small modular reactors (SMRs), molten salt reactors, and fusion systems aimed at solving the world’s energy challenges.
• Nuclear Medicine and Health Physics – Apply your knowledge in medical imaging and radiological diagnostics by developing nuclear-based technologies and therapeutic agents.

What You’ll Learn

• Understand the science behind nuclear fission and fusion, and how they power modern reactors
• Evaluate nuclear reactor performance, safety, and control systems
• Design and evaluate safety systems for a variety of reactor types, including advanced and small modular reactors
• Explore the full nuclear fuel cycle—from mining and enrichment to waste management and reprocessing
• Assess how radiation affects materials used in nuclear systems, including structural degradation and shielding
• Apply nuclear engineering concepts to real-world sectors such as energy, defense, medicine, and research
• Gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies, including microreactors, Gen IV systems, and fusion energy
• Prepare for careers at national labs, defense programs, and clean energy sectors

Curriculum

Four graduate-level courses. One powerful credential.

The Graduate Certificate in Nuclear Engineering consists of 12 credits (4 courses), carefully designed to provide a strong foundation in nuclear systems, safety, and technology. Topics include reactor physics, nuclear fuel cycles, radiation effects on materials, and the design and analysis of advanced reactor systems.

NUE511 – Nuclear Reactor Analysis (XXX semester, asynchronous online)
(3 crs.) Atomic and subatomic particles, atom density, binding energy, radioactive decay, neutron flux, cross-sections, fission/fusion processes, reactor kinetics and control, neutron life cycle, criticality, neutron diffusion, reactivity feedback, and reactor designs. Pre: MTH 244 or MTH 362, or by permission of instructor. Note: MTH244 – Differential Equations; MTH362 – Advanced Engineering Mathematics.

NUE512 – Nuclear Design and Safety Analysis (XXX semester, asynchronous online)
(3 crs.) Design and analysis of nuclear power systems, including PWR, BWR, SMR, MSR, VHTR, microreactors, Gen IV, naval reactors, and fusion power. Safety analysis of nuclear systems. Pre: MCE 341 or CHE 314, or by permission of instructor. Note: MCE341 – Fundamentals of Thermodynamics; CHE314 – Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics II.

NUE513 – Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Performance (XXX semester, asynchronous online)
(3 crs.) Nuclear fuel life cycle, including mining, nuclear materials production, enrichment, nuclear fuels, burnup, and storage of spent nuclear fuel. Advanced reactor designs, nuclear fuels, and advances in the nuclear fuel cycle. Pre: MCE 341 or CHE 314, or by permission of instructor. Note: MCE341 – Fundamentals of Thermodynamics; CHE314 – Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics II.

NUE516 – Nuclear Radiation Damage in Materials (XXX semester, asynchronous online)
(3 crs.) Microstructure fundamentals, material defects, diffusion, nuclear fission, neutron interactions, radiation damage effects, swelling, creep, mechanical property variations, cladding and control rods, numerical simulation of atomic displacement cascades. Pre: MTH 244 or 362 and CHE 314 or MCE 341; or by permission of instructor. Note: MTH244 – Differential Equations; MTH362 – Advanced Engineering Mathematics; CHE314 – Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics II; MCE341 – Fundamentals of Thermodynamics.

Courses may be taken individually or as part of the certificate sequence.  Please see the University Academic Catalog for more details about the specific course prerequisites.

Admission & Cost

Ready to take the next step?

Our admissions process is streamlined with working professionals and career-focused students in mind.

Admission Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in engineering or physical science discipline.  Note: URI graduates and students who have completed the Nuclear Engineering minor may not apply the same courses toward this graduate certificate.

Not sure if your background is a good fit? Contact our program director.  

Application Requirements

To apply, you’ll need:

• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (flexible based on experience)
• Resume or CV
• Statement of purpose
• No GRE required

International Student? Please visit this site for more information.

Application Deadline

Fall admission: XXX
Winter admission: XXX
Spring admission: XXX
Summer admission: XXX

For specific semester start dates and details, please refer to the Academic Calendar.

Tuition & Fees
Tuition and fees for graduate programs at the University of Rhode Island can be found here.