Stay at the forefront of clean energy and national security. Gain specialized skills in power plant design, reactor control, and safety systems.
Designed for Working Professionals and Career-Focused Students in Mind.
There is a growing demand for nuclear energy as a sustainable, carbon-zero, and reliable source of power, particularly in regions with high energy demand, limited access to other sources of energy, or a need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Nuclear energy is also an important component of many countries’ energy mix for national security and energy independence reasons. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years, creating a demand for skilled professionals in the field of nuclear engineering.
Whether you’re advancing your current career or entering the growing nuclear energy sector, this certificate equips you with the skills needed to lead in a high-impact, high-tech field.
- 100% Online Option. Complete from anywhere.
- Taught by Expert Faculty. Learn from experienced faculty and professionals with deep expertise in nuclear power systems, reactor safety, national defense applications, and advanced energy technologies.
- Industry-aligned Curriculum. Courses reflect the latest advances in nuclear reactor design, radiation protection, and the fuel cycle, preparing you for roles in energy, defense, medicine, and research.
- Stackable toward a Master’s Degree. Credits earned in this certificate count toward the Master of Engineering Management and Leadership and may count toward the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
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.
What You’ll Learn
After completing this Graduate Certificate, you will:
- 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
- NUE512 – Nuclear Design and Safety Analysis
- NUE513 – Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Performance
- NUE516 – Nuclear Radiation Damage in Materials
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 and Cost
Ready to take the next step?
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
Please visit the Graduate School for application requirements and deadlines.
International Student? Please visit this site for more information.
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.