Master of Science in Microelectronics & Semiconductors
Industry demand for skilled semiconductor engineers is at an all-time high. Answer the call with Purdue University's online Master of Science in Microelectronics & Semiconductors. Become a leader in this always evolving field, learning from Purdue's world-class faculty and experts.
Master of Science in Microelectronics & Semiconductors
Industry demand for skilled semiconductor engineers is at an all-time high. Answer the call with Purdue University’s online Master of Science in Microelectronics & Semiconductors. Become a leader in this always evolving field, learning from Purdue’s world-class faculty and experts.
Master of Science in Microelectronics & Semiconductors Overview
Purdue University’s online Master of Science in in Microelectronics and Semiconductors, equips professionals with the leadership skills needed in the dynamic microelectronics field, addressing the increasing demand for semiconductor engineers.
Endorsed by Purdue’s renowned Semiconductor Degrees Program and backed by industry-leading companies, our program stands out as the sole degree program exclusively dedicated to semiconductors and microelectronics within a top 10 nationally ranked engineering college. This master’s program accommodates the schedules of working professionals, offering practical, focused training that can be immediately applied to the workforce.
The curriculum draws from various schools, colleges, and departments across Purdue University, including the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business, Purdue Polytechnic Institute, the Elmore Family School of Electrical & Computer Engineering and the School of Materials Engineering. Students can enroll in courses covering supply chain management, materials engineering, circuit design, systems design and more, enabling them to build a comprehensive skillset and meet the rising demands for semiconductor-related expertise.
For those looking to build microelectronics expertise without committing to a full master’s program, Purdue also offers an online Graduate Certificate in Microelectronics and Semiconductors. This shorter, flexible credential serves as an ideal entry point for engineers and tech professionals who want to gain specialized skills quickly.
The certificate program includes core courses that cover semiconductor fundamentals, materials, and systems—laying a solid foundation for workforce application or future graduate study. Students who complete the certificate may be eligible to transfer credits into the full master’s program, making it a strategic stepping stone toward deeper specialization.
Semiconductors at Purdue
Purdue University is uniquely positioned to offer a full range of options for partners interested in semiconductors and microelectronics: research and development, workforce development, and business growth.
As a world class university that moves fast and gets things done, Purdue offers a suite of innovative credentials and degrees that will educate and enable a quick ramp-up of skilled talent and creating the next-generation of semiconductor workforce to reassert American preeminence in this critical industry
150 Years of Consequential Impact
Purdue University’s College of Engineering stands apart through its legacy of impact, innovative spirit, and persistent pursuit of the next giant leap.
From pioneering medical technologies to space exploration, our faculty drive world-changing ideas. With hands-on learning, industry partnerships, and groundbreaking research, Purdue prepares students to tackle the world’s toughest challenges—on Earth and beyond.
For many professionals, earning a master’s degree can provide a big return-on-investment. In addition to financial benefits like salary increases and promotions, master’s degrees also help professionals learn in-demand skills, which can improve their job prospects, help them pivot to a new industry, or help them stay competitive in a rapidly changing market.
Many employers value the advanced skills that master’s programs teach, and research shows that job candidates with master’s degrees have average salary increases from 25% to more than 75% in select fields. Ask your enrollment counselor for details on Purdue’s online master’s programs or learn more about the benefits of earning a master’s here.
Request Information
Plan Your Path
The cost of attending Purdue varies depending on where you choose to live, enrollment in a specific program or college, food and travel expenses, and other variables. The Office of the Bursar website shows estimated costs for the current aid year for students by semester and academic year. These amounts are used in determining a student’s estimated eligibility for financial aid. You can also use our tuition calculator to estimate tuition costs.
More information on courses and faculty can be found at the program website.
Degree Required Courses – 18 credits
Nine credits will be chosen from two of following course groups:
- Circuit Design
- Devices and Manufacturing
- System Design
- Supply Chain Management
Electives – 12 credits More information on courses and faculty can be found at the program website.
Criteria for Admissions
- Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area (Engineering, Science, Mathematics, or Technology) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or equivalent (A=4.0).
- Math Background
- Applicants must have one semester each of Calculus 1, Calculus 2, and either Linear Algebra or Differential Equations.
Source: LightcastTM (2025). Unique job postings for July 2024-25. Projected growth for years 2019-2029.
Top Job Titles
Microelectronics and semiconductors prepare professionals for highly technical roles that support the design, development, and integration of advanced electronic systems. These include Software Engineers, Systems Engineers, and Principal Software Engineers, each contributing to the creation and optimization of complex hardware–software environments. Additionally, Full Stack Software Engineers play a key role in developing scalable applications and platforms that support semiconductor manufacturing, testing, and system-level integration.
Top Industries
Several major industries offer strong career opportunities for professionals in microelectronics and semiconductors. These include Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing and Aircraft Manufacturing, both of which rely on advanced semiconductor and microelectronics expertise to power complex, high-performance systems. Additionally, Engineering Services depends on these professionals to support design, testing, integration, and innovation across a wide range of electronic and technology-driven projects.
Purdue online master’s degree enables engineer to master the intricacies of semiconductors
As a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer for ASML, Wyatt DuVall’s business is the machines that semiconductor manufacturers like Intel and Samsung use to make semiconductors. If someone wants to know about the droplet generator nozzle used in lithography, a fundamental process in mass producing semiconductor chips, DuVall would be an excellent person to ask.
Ready to Become a Boilermaker?
Contact Us
You are not alone in taking your next giant leap.
Get your questions answered, receive application help, or plan your degree journey by speaking with an enrollment counselor. Request more information today by filling out this form to connect with a Purdue University enrollment counselor and receive additional program materials.
Ready to become a Purdue Boilermaker?
Are you ready to join the Purdue innovators and changemakers always striving to make giant leaps forward in our industries and fields? Start your application today!