Master’s Degrees
We actually have two options for master’s degree programs, a Master of Science (M.S.) degree and a Master of Engineering (M.E.) degree. Both of these are academic degrees in nuclear engineering with specialization in nuclear nonproliferation. The difference between these two degrees is that the M.S. program requires completion of a master’s thesis, so M.S. students must work onsite with an adviser to complete a research project and produce a full master’s thesis. The M.E. degree does not require a thesis, so it could be possible for this degree to be completed mostly online with a couple of weeks onsite in Texas to complete the lab requirements for some of the courses. The course requirements for the M.S. and M.E. degrees are covered here .These are regular academic degree programs, so anyone interested in these program must first apply and be accepted as a graduate student at Texas A&M University in the department of nuclear engineering. The process for applying to the university is covered here for domestic applicants and here for international applicants. The cost of these programs is the same as for any academic degree, which is covered here. If you are accepted into the department of nuclear engineering as a M.S. student, you generally will do research with a faculty member, and that research work should pay your tuition and give you a salary stipend. This will usually be determined once you arrive on campus.
Graduate Certificate in Nuclear Security
The Graduate Certificate in Nuclear Security is a series of four courses. Degree-seeking students can complete this certificate in addition to their M.S. or M.E. degrees. Non-degree-seeking students can complete the certificate as a terminal certificate. Non-degree-seeking students still need to apply to the university, but the requirements for non-degree seeking students are lower. Information on the Graduate Certificate in Nuclear Security is available here.Professional Certificates
The Professional Certificate in the Fundamentals of Nuclear Security and the Professional Certificate in the Fundamentals of Nuclear Safeguards are intended for professionals and students who want to participate in formal training in nuclear security and safeguards. The certificate programs draw from the online modules in the Nuclear Security and Safeguards Education Portal (NSSEP), and carry with them the option to earn continuing education units (CEUs) and a professional certificate certified by NSSPI and the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), the engineering research and training agency of the Texas A&M University System. The cost for each certificate is $500. These certificates are completely on-line and completely self-paced. More information on these certificates can be found here.
The M.S. and M.E. programs are regular academic degree programs, so anyone interested in these programs must first apply and be accepted as a graduate student at Texas A&M University in the department of nuclear engineering. The process for applying to the university is covered here for domestic applicants and here for international applicants.
The M.E. degree does not require a thesis, so it could be possible for this degree to be completed mostly online with a couple of weeks onsite in Texas to complete the lab requirements for some of the courses. The course requirements for the M.S. and M.E. degrees are covered here. The Graduate Certificate in Nuclear Security can also be completed online.
The cost of these programs is the same as for any academic degree, which is covered here. If you are accepted into the department of nuclear engineering as a M.S. student, you generally will do research with a faculty member, and that research work should pay your tuition and give you a salary stipend. This will usually be determined once you arrive on campus.
If you do the master’s of engineering degree online, there are fees for distance education in addition to the costs covered in the above link.
The professional certificates are available for professionals who want to certify their NSSEP training activities with a professional certificate and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) conferred by Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES). They include a series of NSSEP modules followed by a final exam that is graded by a NSSPI faculty member. The $500 fee covers the issuing of the certificates and CEUs, as well as increased opportunities for interaction with NSSPI faculty and staff.