petroleum engineering students in lab

Petroleum Engineering Master's

M.S. or M.Eng.

Dig deeper. Conduct research at North Dakota's only petroleum engineering program.

North Dakota is a leader in producing oil from unconventional sources. The Bakken Formation is the second-largest producer of oil in the U.S. UND's master's in Petroleum Engineering, backed by leading industry participants, produces engineers ready work in the oil industry.

Program type:
Master's Degree
Format:
On Campus or Online
Est. time to complete:
1.5 - 2 years
Credit hours:
30-32

Why earn a master's in Petroleum Engineering?

Graduate Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 1
Spring:
Dec. 1
Summer:
May 1

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

UND's master's in Petroleum Engineering will prepare you to address challenges in the oil field. Our graduate students are conducting petroleum research in:

  • Geomechanics, production and reservoir studies of hydraulic fracturing
  • Re-fracturing for optimization of production from unconventional shales
  • Data driven modeling in unconventional reservoirs
  • Petrophysical and geochemical analysis of shale oil
  • Geophysics and seismic analysis of unconventional reservoirs

M.S. vs. M.Eng. Master's in Petroleum Engineering

UND offers both Petroleum Engineering Master of Science (M.S.) and Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) degrees.

  • The M.Eng. program is more course-based and requires 30 credits. The M.Eng. option is ideal for non-Petroleum Engineering backgrounds to learn practical aspects of different oil and gas upstream disciplines from basic to advanced level in a relatively short period of time with the idea to join the industry even after the first semester.
  • The more popular M.S. program includes a thesis and/or non-thesis research project and is 30-32 credits.

Both require a faculty-approved design project. You must also submit a peer-reviewed manuscript on which you are first author, such as a conference or journal paper or patent application. It is recommended you connect with the Department of Petroleum Engineering before making a final decision.

Petroleum Engineering Master's Skills

A Petroleum Engineering master's gives you the strategic skills you need, including:

  • Computer-Aided Design
  • AutoCAD
  • Solidworks, CAD
  • Creo Elements/Pro, Computer-Aided
  • Finite Element Methods
  • Mechanical Engineering

Best Petroleum Engineering Master's Programs

  • We are recognized by U.S. News & World report as a top online graduate engineering program in the nation.

  • Be on top of the latest trends. Our Industry Advisory Council, represented by some of the state's biggest companies, regularly helps us refine our curriculum.

  • All master's in Petroleum Engineering courses all available online.

  • Gain networking and career opportunities through relationships with the Society of Petroleum Engineers, North Dakota Petroleum Council and other groups.

  • Small class sizes + open-door policy among faculty = a rich, personalized learning experience.

  • Work in the world’s largest – and only - oil drilling simulator. Train on cutting-edge simulators at our Collaborate Energy Complex.

What can you do with a master's in Petroleum Engineering?

136k

Median annual salary for petroleum engineers, 2023

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Petroleum engineers are in great demand. More than 90% of our petroleum engineering graduates find jobs in the oil industry. Employers of petroleum engineers are involved in:

  • Petroleum exploration
  • Geologic formation characterization
  • Drilling and fracturing
  • Computer simulation
  • Equipment and process design to optimize recovery
  • Monitoring of production and processing

In addition, petroleum engineers are involved in:

  • Refining
  • Petro-chemical production
  • Transportation of products
  • Geosciences
  • Environmental efforts
  • International commerce

Jobs with Master's in Petroleum Engineering

UND Petroleum Engineering alumni have gone on to a variety of successful careers with:

  • Seconn Automated Solutions, LLC
  • 3M Company
  • Cirrus Design Corporation
  • The Boeing Company
  • Center for Energy and Environment

Petroleum Engineering Master's Courses

PTRE 541. Data Mining in Petroleum Engineering. 3 Credits.

This course will provide students with the fundamentals of data mining and machine learning methodologies and their applications in the petroleum industry. Students will become familiar with data mining system architecture, concepts and tasks such as data processing, data integration and classification techniques. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of Multivariable Calculus. S, odd years.

PTRE 521. Advanced Production Engineering. 3 Credits.

Principles of development and operation of petroleum production systems. Optimization of production systems for various reservoirs. All professional components in artificial technology for oil production operations. Calculation of different skin components. Horizontal well and multilateral well performance. Formation damage. Design and optimization of surface facility. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of Production Engineering. F, odd years.

PTRE 581. Reservoir Geophysics. 3 Credits.

This fundamental course provides students with the basic knowledge required to understand a typical 2D 3D seismic processing workflow. This covers the processing sequence, parameter selection and how to design and handle a seismic processing project. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of Petrophysics. S, even years.

PTRE 571. Petroleum Geostatistics. 3 Credits.

The reservoir data including porosity and permeability follow the spatial statistics as there is a dependency between the data depending on their distance and position with respect to each other. This course presents the fundamental of spatial statistics with several case examples in Petroleum Engineering. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of Calculus-based Statistics. F, even years.

PTRE 561. Natural Gas Engineering. 3 Credits.

Estimation of gas properties for well test or production data analysis using accurate correlations and laboratory data. Gas field development and material balance analysis for gas reserve calculation. Study of production and reservoir characteristics of gas and gas-condensate reservoirs. Skin effects and calculation for non-Darcy flow in gas well. Design, evaluation, and optimization of gas production and transportation system using nodal analysis. Analysis and design of gas well flow systems. Design surface facilities for gas well stream separation, dehydration, and compression. Gas processing, transportation, and metering. Gas hydrate prevention and inhibition. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of Reservoir Engineering. S, odd years.

PTRE 513. Seismic Geomechanics. 3 Credits.

This advanced course introduces students to the modern geomechanical modeling of anisotropic, heterogeneous media. Topics include the basics of elasticity, a detailed workflow for creating both 3D and 4D mechanical earth models from the creation of horizons to the interpretation, and the methods and experiments to determine the elastic and strength properties. It also covers the importance of boundary condition for numerical solution of the stress equations and production-induced deformation. Rock physics application in geomechanics is deeply explained, and seismic wave velocity in anisotropic mediawill be discussed. Geomechanical effect in time-lapse seismic data, 3D exploration of geonechanical model, and interpretation of 4D MEM is very well established. In addition, this course contains topics of reservoir seismology, production and depletion effects on geomechanics, problems occurring during hydraulic fracturing operations due to geomechanical issues, fracture identification and characterization, and stimulation optimization. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of Petrophysics. On demand.

Best Online Petroleum Engineering Master's Program

#6 College Factual
#11 Best Universities
#43 EduRank

Several college ranking sites put UND’s Petroleum Engineering master's degree in the Top 45 online programs in nation. We’re well regarded for our educational quality, affordability and career outcomes.

Ranking sites vary in their methodology, but are generally based on the following criterion:

  • Financial data such as net cost, loan default rate, and return on investment
  • Academic rigor including curriculum standards, accreditation status, and faculty reputation
  • Student gratification, retention rate, and support services
  • Employment rate and graduate salary

Master's in Petroleum Engineering Online

2#

best online graduate programs

EDsmart

1#

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

UND is one of the most affordable online colleges in the region. For this program, we offer the same online tuition rates regardless of your legal residency. Compare and you’ll see UND is lower cost than similar four-year doctoral universities.

Flexible Petroleum Engineering Master's Online

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

  • Lesson modules
  • Streaming video content
  • Virtual libraries
  • Posted lectures
  • Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Campus Visit

While the majority of your courses are offered online, you’ll come to campus to complete portions of the program. Here, you’ll extend and apply the knowledge you’ve learned online through hands-on activities. Our students find tremendous value in having the opportunity to personally interact with their instructors and fellow students.

Top-Tier Online Master's in Petroleum Engineering

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

  • Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

FAQs

The online master's degree in Petroleum Engineering typically takes 1.5 to 2 years to complete, depending on credit load and research progress.

Obtaining a Petroleum Engineering degree is considered challenging due to the complexity of the subject matter, the integration of various scientific fields, and the demand for problem-solving skills. Dedication and hard work from students and the support of experienced faculty members is necessary for completing a Petroleum Engineering program successfully.

Compare our online and on campus costs. You'll find we are one of the most affordable petroleum engineering schools in the Midwest. Our online students pay the same affordable tuition rate regardless of their legal residency.

UND is committed to assisting students in funding their education, providing over $105 million in financial aid annually. A range of financial aid options offered by UND, including scholarships (merit-based), grants (need-based), and loans, help students alleviate college costs.

Certainly! A Petroleum Engineering master's degree from UND is considered worthwhile due to high industry salaries, excellent job placement rates, and affordable online tuition rates. Petroleum engineers work on energy exploration and development all over the world, and having the knowledge and skills of a master’s degree can open the door to cutting edge jobs in the industry.

With a master's degree in Petroleum Engineering, graduates can work in various roles in the industry, such as petroleum exploration, geologic formation characterization, drilling and fracturing, computer simulation, equipment and process design for recovery optimization, and monitoring of production and processing.

More than 90% of UND's petroleum engineering graduates find employment in the oil industry where they can provide valuable contributions to critical operations, such as exploration, drilling, and production monitoring. Most petroleum engineering students find employment directly in energy production and processing companies, with some choosing to pursue academic, government, or project management work.

Leaders in Petroleum Engineering

UND's has the the best petroleum engineering program in the Midwest offering lab and field based learning experience.

 

Explore More Options

Connect with the petroleum engineering faculty at UND or find more graduate opportunities.

Department Contact 
Nejma Djabelkhir Tavakolian
Graduate Program Director for Petroleum Engineering 
P 701.777.5000
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