Chemical Engineering Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

A Chemical Engineering major designs processes that turn raw materials into fuels, chemicals, medicines and products. Chemical engineering majors study chemistry, thermodynamics, transport phenomena, reaction engineering and process design.

A Chemical Engineering major includes coursework in general and organic chemistry, thermodynamics, transport phenomena, reaction engineering, and process control and more. You build skills such as process analysis, laboratory skills, process safety, and mathematical modeling. Typical degrees: bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.

Typical courses include general and organic chemistry, thermodynamics, transport phenomena, reaction engineering, process control, and process design. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Chemical Engineering is offered as certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years, an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study, a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study, a master’s degree usually takes one to two years after a bachelor’s, and a doctoral or professional degree takes several more years beyond that. Part-time study takes longer.

Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. In the latest federal data, 8 colleges reported certificate awards, 21 colleges reported associate awards, 174 colleges reported bachelor’s awards, 140 colleges reported master’s awards, and 118 colleges reported doctoral awards.

Career paths connected to chemical engineering include chemical engineer, chemical technician, chemical plant operator, refinery operator, materials engineer, and petroleum engineer. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include chemical engineer (typical training: 4-year engineering degree), chemical technician (typical training: 2 years), chemical plant operator (typical training: 6–18 months on the job), refinery operator (typical training: 6–18 months on the job), materials engineer (typical training: 4-year engineering degree), and petroleum engineer (typical training: 4-year engineering degree).

Chemical Engineering majors build skills such as process analysis, laboratory skills, process safety, mathematical modeling, and teamwork.

Good pairings include Occupational Safety (process safety is central to chemical plants), Business (prepares you for plant management), and Environmental Studies (fits pollution control and sustainability work).

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as chemical engineer, chemical technician, and chemical plant operator, and enjoy subjects like general and organic chemistry and thermodynamics. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes general and organic chemistry, thermodynamics, and transport phenomena; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

196 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

New York (16), Texas (16), California (14), Washington (13), and Pennsylvania (12), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

178 of the colleges that offer chemical engineering also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Chemical Engineering designs processes that turn raw materials into fuels, chemicals, medicines and products. Mechanical Engineering designs machines, engines, tools and mechanical systems. Chemical Engineering leads to careers such as chemical engineer and chemical technician, while Mechanical Engineering leads to careers such as mechanical engineer and mechanical engineering technician.

Chemical Engineering designs processes that turn raw materials into fuels, chemicals, medicines and products. Electrical Engineering designs electrical systems, electronics, power and communications equipment. Chemical Engineering leads to careers such as chemical engineer and chemical technician, while Electrical Engineering leads to careers such as electrical engineer and electronics engineer.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to chemical engineering, such as Chemical Engineer Training.