Admissions Criteria

The Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering Leadership program prepares students from a variety of backgrounds and experiences for greater responsibility in the chemical engineering industry by combining creative engineering skills with business understanding and leadership capabilities. This program is specifically designed for: 

  • Early-career chemical engineers preparing for broader responsibilities at their organization.
  • Recent engineering graduates looking for more technical, business, and leadership skills than traditional entry-level professionals.
  • Aspiring chemical engineers who want to redirect their careers from other disciplines such as chemistry, materials science, etc.
  • International students looking to differentiate themselves with an advanced degree from a top engineering school.

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Minimum Requirements 

  • Bachelor's in engineering or related sciences, such as chemistry, materials science, bioengineering, and biomedical engineering*
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA for the last two years of undergraduate study
  • Proof of English proficiency is not required for admission for domestic applicants. All international degree-seeking applicants are required to submit the results of an accepted test as evidence of English proficiency unless they qualify for an exemption. The Graduate College details the accepted tests, proficiency requirements, and exemptions. 

*Applicants without a chemical engineering degree are encouraged to take our program's technical core courses, which comprise three courses (11 credit hours).

Selection Criteria 

The Admissions Committee carefully reviews and evaluates all complete applications holistically. Your personal essay, as well as your letters of recommendation, are important criteria for selection. We understand that there may be extenuating circumstances related to your credentials, which you are welcome to explain in your essay. The primary skills we look for are your potential to be a leader through your academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, etc. We do not require any internship or work experience, but that is a bonus.

Admission Decisions

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Prospective students are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline. Admission decisions are communicated via email to the email address provided in the applicant’s application.

Additional certification or documentation may be required from applicants who are recommended for admission in order to process the admission recommendation with the Graduate College Admission Office. Applicants who are recommended for admission will need to submit an official final transcript that shows completion of all courses and degrees awarded upon final review by the Graduate College Admission Office.

Questions about M.Eng.?

Contact us with questions about the program!

99 Roger Adams Laboratory, MC-712
600 South Mathews Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801, USA
tel: 217-300-4452
email: chbe-meng@illinois.edu

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Hong Yang
Director, M.Eng. in Chemical Engineering Leadership

Dan Shen headshotDan Shen
Program Coordinator, M.Eng. in Chemical Engineering Leadership