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Elevate your career trajectory and play a central, interdisciplinary role in the vast, data-driven and AI-augmented $3 trillion metallurgical and materials industry with a Master of Engineering in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (Non-Thesis) from Colorado School of Mines.

As industry and research look beyond traditional heavy-industry applications, graduate-level engineers move to the forefront of inventing new materials, optimizing processes and integrating advanced computational tools across sectors such as infrastructure, energy, aerospace, health and microelectronics.

With a Master of Engineering in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (Non-Thesis), you’ll be equipped with the right mix of theoretical and hands-on knowledge for broad career outcomes in high-tech sectors and research leadership.

Program Detail

The Master of Engineering in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (Non-Thesis) builds on a rigorous foundation of physical metallurgy, transport phenomena and thermodynamics, bridging the gap between raw ore processing and high-performance alloy design. By integrating mineral processing with advanced structural analysis, the program develops the precision needed to lead in the global metals industry.

You will master advanced microstructure characterization and hydrometallurgical processing, enabling you to optimize metal recovery and engineer materials for extreme environments. Graduates develop the technical expertise and failure-analysis acumen required to lead multidisciplinary teams across the aerospace, defense and recycling sectors, ensuring that metallurgical processes are both efficient and sustainable.

As a Master of Engineering in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (Non-Thesis) student, you’ll complete 30 credit hours, with the option to dig in deeper on the design of ferrous alloys, forging and forming, metallurgical failures and more, or pursue an independent research project with one of Mines’ world-renowned faculty members.

Median salary for recent program graduates is $90,000. Learn more about Mines' comprehensive career development resources and this degree's salary potential.

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Precision and innovation are shaping the future of underground construction as engineers and industry teams in civil, geotechnical, mining, construction and geological fields collaborate to design, build and manage tunnels and other underground structures and subsurface facilities for transportation, energy, water and industrial infrastructure. As the only dedicated graduate program of its kind in North America, the Master of Science in Underground Construction and Tunnel Engineering (Non-Thesis) at Colorado School of Mines, will help you advance your career in this specialized and high-impact field and solve some of today’s toughest subsurface challenges.

In this program, you’ll focus on the systems that support cities and sustain modern life. Through a rigorous and industry-aligned curriculum, you’ll study hard rock and soft ground tunneling, engineering geology and geotechnics, underground construction methods and underground infrastructure construction management with hands-on experiences. You’ll learn from internationally recognized faculty who are experts in design, excavation and risk management and closely collaborate with contractors, consultants and public agencies tackling complex, real-world subsurface challenges. You’ll graduate prepared to lead high-stakes underground projects with advanced technical skills, interdisciplinary perspectives and a breadth of knowledge to deliver infrastructure solutions where precision, safety and performance are paramount.

Program Detail

The Master of Science in Underground Construction and Tunnel Engineering (Non-Thesis) is designed for working professionals looking to advance their skill sets and take the next step in their careers. The program requires 18 credit hours of coursework focused on engineering geology and geotechnics and soil behavior. In lab courses, you will also get hands-on experiences with tools and skills used in underground construction. Non-thesis students are also expected to complete a practically focused independent study with an industry partner, which typically involves an internship within the underground construction industry.

The non-thesis option is designed for engineers who want to expand their technical skills through rigorous, applied coursework. It provides a practical path to enhance your expertise, strengthen your credentials and prepare you to take on advanced technical roles or leadership positions in the field.

Median salary for recent program graduates $90,000. Learn more about Mines' comprehensive career development resources and this degree's salary potential.

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The Master of Science in Humanitarian Engineering and Science (Non-Thesis) at Colorado School of Mines is a sociotechnical, interdisciplinary graduate program where engineers and scientists work directly with communities to define problems and co-create sustainable, context-sensitive solutions.

More and more technical professionals are striving to align their careers with social and environmental impact. Simply put, they have a desire to use their technical expertise to make the world a better place. Since 2003, Mines has been at the forefront of humanitarian engineering education in the U.S. – now offering advanced graduate opportunities through the Humanitarian Engineering and Science program.

This unique degree is built on the understanding that engineering impact requires both technical proficiency and contextual awareness of the social, environmental and cultural dimensions of problem-solving. By integrating rigorous academic training with transformative field engagement, the Humanitarian Engineering and Science program equips graduates to lead ethical, inclusive and resilient development efforts worldwide. Whether working for a nonprofit, government agency or corporation, you’ll graduate prepared to contribute meaningfully to global development goals and design resilient, equitable solutions for the most pressing challenges of our time.

Program Detail

The Master of Science in Humanitarian Engineering and Science (Non-Thesis) builds on a rigorous foundation of engineering design, social science and ethical frameworks, bridging the gap between technical innovation and community-driven development. By integrating co-design principles with socio-technical analysis, the program develops the precision needed to address global inequality.

You will master collaborative problem-solving and corporate social responsibility modeling, gaining the ability to design resilient infrastructure that honors local knowledge and culture. Graduates develop the technical expertise and cross-cultural communication skills required to lead multidisciplinary teams in NGOs, government agencies, and global industries focused on sustainable, equitable development.

As a student in Humanitarian Engineering and Science, you will complete 30 credits of graduate-level coursework, including a hands-on practicum where you get the opportunity to apply what you have learned to a real-world challenge. Students in the program can also choose a specialized track of study to pursue, including Environmental Engineering, Robotics, Geological Engineering, Data Science and Geophysics.

Program Tracks

Humanitarian Engineering + Geophysics

Humanitarian Geophysics spans a wide range of topics, including:

• Locating new groundwater resources
• Groundwater/aquifer management
• Environmental remediation and monitoring
• Natural hazards posed by earthquakes, volcanoes and landslides
• Agriculture development, management and optimization
• Securing cultural heritage

Humanitarian Engineering + Environmental Engineering

Humanitarian Environmental Engineering spans a wide range of topics including:

• Effective sanitation
• Air quality management
• Sustainability
• Safe drinking water
• Water resource management
• Environmental remediation and monitoring

Humanitarian Engineering + Geological Engineering

Geological Engineering spans a wide range of topics including:

• Management of geologic hazards
• Protection of water resources
• Siting and layout of communities
• Responsible extraction of earth resources
• Emergency management
• Sustainability

Humanitarian Engineering + Data Science

Humanitarian Data Science spans a wide range of topics, and students may pursue research and practicum projects according to their and their advisor’s particular interests and expertise.

Humanitarian Engineering + Robotics

Robotics spans a wide range of topics, including:

• Human-robot interactions
• Robots and humans working together as a team
• The ethics around robotics, including their design and use
• Citizen science applications of robotics, particularly as related to remote sensing
• Applications of robotics to humanitarian activities, such as disaster response and relief

Humanitarian Engineering + Interdisciplinary

An interdisciplinary track allows students more flexibility if the other HES tracks do not align with their background and interests while maintaining the standards for graduate performance. Students and their advisor will work together to choose courses from a variety of departments, as detailed in “required courses.”

Median salary for recent program graduates is $80,000. Learn more about Mines' comprehensive career development resources and this degree's salary potential.

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The future of space exploration depends on what we can build, produce and sustain beyond Earth. The Master of Science in Space Resources (Non-Thesis) at Colorado School of Mines prepares you to help unlock that future by developing the knowledge and systems needed to identify, extract and utilize resources across the solar system.

With the world’s first graduate program dedicated to space resources, Mines brings engineering, science, economics and policy to address one of the most critical challenges in space exploration and development: enabling sustainable human activity beyond our planet. You’ll explore how extraterrestrial materials can support propulsion, infrastructure, manufacturing, energy production and life-support systems, transforming space into an operational environment.

In this fully online program, you’ll learn from a multidisciplinary network of faculty and industry experts spanning aerospace engineering, mining, robotics, energy systems, resource economics and policy. Drawing on Mines’ globally recognized leadership in terrestrial resources and energy systems, the program translates decades of Earth-based expertise into solutions for lunar, planetary and asteroid environments. You’ll be ready to design technologies for resource prospecting, develop infrastructure concepts for off-world operations and advance sustainable space policy with the technical perspective and systems-level understanding needed to help define humanity’s next steps in tomorrow’s space economy. 

Program Detail

The Master of Science in Space Resources (Non-Thesis) is built for professionals who want to help design and enable the infrastructure of the emerging space economy. Delivered fully online and requiring 31 credit hours of coursework, the program equips you to understand, evaluate and develop the technologies and systems needed to locate, extract and utilize resources beyond Earth.

You’ll build depth across key areas including in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), space systems engineering and the technical, economic and policy frameworks that guide responsible exploration and development of planetary resources. Grounded in Mines’ longstanding leadership in terrestrial resources and energy systems, the curriculum translates Earth-based expertise into off-world applications.

The non-thesis option is ideal for engineers and scientists seeking focused, applied coursework that strengthens technical fluency without stepping away from their careers. It’s a strategic pathway to expand your capabilities, enhance your professional credibility and position yourself to contribute immediately within government agencies, commercial space ventures, research organizations and policy institutions shaping humanity’s next era of exploration and development.

Median salary for recent program graduates $109,000. Learn more about Mines' comprehensive career development resources and this degree's salary potential.

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The Optics for Engineering graduate certificate at Colorado School of Mines is designed for recent graduates or mid-career professionals who want practical, engineering-focused expertise in optical systems and technologies. Offered through the Physics Department, this on-campus graduate certificate strengthens your bachelor’s degree by building a working understanding of how light is generated, manipulated and measured in real engineering applications.

Optical technologies are central to sensing, imaging, communications, manufacturing and instrumentation. Employers need engineers and scientists who can apply optical principles to design reliable systems and interpret optical data accurately. This certificate helps you develop that capability. You learn how optical components and systems behave and how design choices affect performance, accuracy and reliability.

Mines approaches optics with a strong applied learning foundation. Coursework emphasizes physical understanding, experimentation and problem-solving rather than theory alone. You learn from faculty with experience in research and applied work who focus on how optics functions in practical engineering environments.

If you want to expand your technical breadth, strengthen your design skills or prepare for roles that rely on optical technologies, this certificate offers focused, hands-on training grounded in the strengths Mines is known for.

Program Detail

The Optics for Engineering graduate certificate offers a curriculum centered on applied optics for engineering use. Coursework emphasizes system design, measurement techniques and interpretation of optical data.

This is an on-campus program that relies on hands-on learning and direct interaction with faculty and peers. Laboratory work plays an important role in connecting theoretical concepts to real systems and measurements. Research is not required for this certificate, though many courses include lab-based projects or applied assignments that reflect professional practice.

The program is geared toward individuals with a bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics or a closely related field. Certificate degree requirements include a core class in laser physics and completion of two additional electives, for a total of nine credit hours.

The environmental, resource and energy challenges of the 21st century aren't simple, and neither are their solutions. They demand a new generation of leading professionals who can navigate complexity, bridge divides and turn bold ideas into meaningful action.

The Environment, Resources and Energy Policy Master’s Program (Non-Thesis) at Colorado School of Mines prepares you to become that kind of leader.

In this program, you will learn to make thoughtful, forward-thinking decisions that take into account political, environmental and technological change. You’ll analyze policy from multiple perspectives while developing strategic and equitable solutions. The program also equips you to meaningfully engage diverse communities and stakeholders in policy processes and decision-making about the environment, resources and energy.

As the global energy transition accelerates and climate challenges intensify, graduates in the Environment, Resources and Energy Policy Master’s Program (Non-Thesis) program are prepared to lead, ​​understanding how mitigation, adaptation and resource management intersect across industries and institutions. You’ll strengthen your ability to communicate complex ideas with analytical depth, practical skill and leadership perspective, positioning you to influence policy and drive real-world impact.

Program Detail

The Environment, Resources and Energy Policy Master’s Program (Non-Thesis) is uniquely interdisciplinary and connected to real-world decision contexts. The program builds on a rigorous foundation of environmental law and resource economics, bridging the gap between scientific constraints and public policy. By integrating social license with quantitative policy analysis, the program develops the strategic precision needed to lead complex regulatory transitions. 

You will master stakeholder engagement and regulatory risk assessment, gaining the ability to navigate international climate frameworks and optimize resource management strategies. Graduates develop the analytical expertise and policy evaluation skills required to lead multidisciplinary teams in the public and private sectors, ensuring that energy and mineral development align with global sustainability goals.

As a full-time student, this program can be completed in three semesters, on campus or online.

Graduates of the Environment, Resources and Energy Policy Professional Master’s program are prepared for leadership roles at the intersection of industry and regulation, securing pivotal positions in sustainability management, policy analysis, and environmental advocacy. By merging rigorous analytical mastery with the strategic problem-solving synonymous with the Mines brand, alumni emerge as versatile leaders ready to navigate and shape the global energy and resource landscape.

Learn more about Mines' comprehensive career development resources and this degree's salary potential.

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The Master of Science in Quantum Engineering (Non-Thesis) at Colorado School of Mines prepares you to work at the intersection of physics, engineering and computing in a rapidly advancing technical field. Mines is home to one of the nation’s first quantum engineering graduate programs, reflecting a long-standing commitment to translating fundamental science into real-world engineering solutions.

This on-campus program builds on your bachelor’s degree by strengthening your understanding of quantum behavior while focusing on how those principles are engineered into practical systems. You gain the skills to think across disciplines, moving from theory to implementation with confidence.

Quantum engineering is reshaping how industries approach sensing, computation, communication and measurement. Organizations need professionals who understand both the science and engineering constraints behind these technologies. Mines stands apart by grounding quantum education in applied problem solving, engineering rigor and hands-on learning.

The non-thesis format emphasizes advanced coursework and applied experiences, making this program a strong fit if you want to move quickly into technical roles or expand your expertise without pursuing a research thesis. You will be prepared to contribute to emerging technologies while building a foundation for long-term career growth.

Program Detail

The Master of Science in Quantum Engineering (Non-Thesis) program focuses on advanced coursework rather than a traditional thesis. The curriculum is interdisciplinary by design, drawing from physics, electrical engineering, computer science and applied mathematics.

You study foundational quantum concepts alongside engineering-focused topics such as quantum devices, measurement techniques, system modeling and computational methods. Electives allow you to tailor the program to your interests, whether you are focused on hardware, software or system-level applications.

While a thesis is not required, many courses include projects that reinforce concepts through hands-on problem solving. These projects emphasize design thinking, data analysis and technical communication.

This program is offered on campus, giving you access to specialized facilities, close collaboration with faculty across departments and an immersive academic environment that supports interdisciplinary learning.

Program Opportunities

Interdisciplinary learning:

You engage with faculty and peers across multiple departments, reflecting how quantum technologies are developed in practice.

Applied project work:

Coursework often includes projects that connect theory to engineered systems and real-world constraints.

Emerging industry exposure:

You gain preparation for roles in organizations working to develop and deploy quantum-based technologies.

Median salary for recent program graduates $102,000. Learn more about Mines' comprehensive career development resources and this degree's salary potential.

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