Online Graduate Programs

Nuclear Graduate Certificate

With over 60 nuclear reactors under construction and 500 proposed plants worldwide, engineers with a strong background in nuclear power and safety & risk assessment are crucial to the future of the industry.* With this in mind, Pitt’s Swanson School of Engineering proudly offers an Online Graduate Certificate (15-credits) through the Stephen R. Tritch Nuclear Engineering Program, allowing you to gain nuclear power experience, develop sharper skills, and increase knowledge in as few as 5 courses. The certificate can be earned alone or with any graduate engineering degree at Pitt, uniquely positioning this program to support students looking to develop nuclear power knowledge and organizations seeking opportunities to support their current staff's skill development.

Western PA is home to utility generators, commercial R&D companies, and government agencies who have identified skills needed by the next generation of nuclear hires. Our program was created to address this need. Academics and industry professionals have collaborated to create the program’s curriculum along with our Master of Science curriculum, which is continually improved to meet the needs of the advancing nuclear enterprise and is taught by senior leadership from the nuclear power industry. The curriculum focuses on the different facets of nuclear power including energy generation, operations safety, and environmental issues & policy.

By offering this program online, we provide students from around the globe the expertise of our region without ever setting foot on campus. Pitt’s state of the art online technology makes it possible to attend lectures alongside of our on-campus students. The flexibility to attend an on-campus class, join a lecture online, or view a recorded lecture enables you to select the learning style that works best for you and your schedule.

*http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/nuclear-power-in-the-world-today.aspx

Department and Director

Department: Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Program Director: Dr. Heng Ban
Academic Director: Sola Tabali
Offered: On-Campus and 100% Online

View Course Topics

Who Should Apply?

BS in Engineering from an ABET accredited university program OR BS in other technical disciplines

NOTE: Professional experience will be considered.

Accepts Part-Time and Full-Time Students

Credits and Program Duration

Average Time to Complete Certificate Program: 20 months

Credit Hours Required: 15 credits or five courses

NOTE: Performance dependent, students who intend to apply for the Master of Science Program in Nuclear Engineering can expect all 15 credits to transfer to the MS program if accepted. Admission to one of our online certificates does not guarantee you admission into Pitt’s Swanson School of Engineering Graduate School to pursue an advanced degree.

Application Requirements
  • Two Letters of Recommendation
  • GRE score required for certificates
  • Official transcripts to apply
Application Deadlines

Domestic students have up to 60 days before the start of the term to apply for admission to the Graduate School of Engineering.

International students must meet the following application deadlines:

  • April 1 - Fall Semester Start
  • October 15 - Spring Semester Start