In Missouri, there are three schools with high-quality chemical engineering programs. There is one Associate’s degree program in the state, and all three schools have Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctoral degree programs. The average cost of tuition in Missouri is $14,830 per year.
As you prepare to start your career in chemical engineering, consider which degree will help you reach your career goals. The majority of students elect to start with a Bachelor’s degree, since this degree includes all the theory and experience you need to start an entry-level career. A Bachelor’s degree requires you to complete 120 credits in four to five years. If you want to work in the research sector of chemical engineering, you’ll likely need to complete a Master’s degree or even a PhD. A Master’s degree takes about two years of school, and a PhD takes three to eight years.
You can plan on completing a wide variety of courses throughout your time as a student. At the undergraduate level, plan on taking courses like Chemical Reaction Engineering, Introduction to Polymers, and Circuit Theory. At the graduate level, required courses include Chemical Engineering Kinetics, Air Pollution Engineering Control, and Transport Phenomena.
Missouri schools have very similar tuition rates, which can make your school choice fairly easily. At Washington University in St. Louis, tuition is $620 per credit. This works out to approximately $9,300 per semester. At the University of Missouri, residents pay $9,430 per semester and non-residents pay $22,822 per semester.
Once you know what school you’ll be attending, you can begin applying for scholarships to cover your school costs. Many scholarships are school-specific. The Missouri University of Science and Technology offers the Scholarship for Women and Minority Students in Engineering and Technology.
To start your career as a chemical engineer, you must apply for licensure through the Missouri Division of Professional Regulation. This process requires you to pass the Principles & Practice of Engineering exam prior to getting your license.
You may want to take note of professional development opportunities, particularly as a new engineer. Look into joining the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers to attend continuing education courses and professional development events. This can improve your earning potential. O*Net reports that the average salary for a chemical engineer is $87,500 per year.