M.A. in Anthropology
The University of Tulsa, a respected private research institution in the United States,...
M.S.E. in Petroleum Engineering
Tulsa, Oklahoma
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The University of Tulsa's Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.) in Petroleum Engineering is a highly regarded graduate program designed to cultivate innovative leaders for rewarding careers in the oil, gas, and broader energy industries. The program uniquely emphasizes a balance between professional engineering skills and advanced research capabilities, ensuring graduates are well-equipped with technical expertise, effective communication abilities, and ethical awareness. With a commitment to maintaining a low student-faculty ratio (less than 5-to-1), the program guarantees ample personalized support and mentorship for each student, fostering deep learning and specialization.
STEM Designated: Yes, the M.S.E. in Petroleum Engineering program at the University of Tulsa is STEM-designated. This is a significant advantage for international students, as it allows for an extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) period in the United States after graduation, providing greater opportunities for valuable professional experience.
Curriculum: The M.S.E. in Petroleum Engineering curriculum requires a minimum of 30 credit hours. This typically includes 12 core credit hours in foundational petroleum engineering courses (such as PE 7013, PE 7023, and PE 7063) and 18 elective credit hours from 7000-level courses, allowing for specialization within the field. Students also complete 3-6 credit hours dedicated to thesis research. The program emphasizes experimentation, data analysis, and the development of strong communication skills for research dissemination. It provides a solid foundation in the development, exploration, drilling, production, and management of oil and natural gas resources, integrating concepts from mathematics, physics, chemistry, geology, and fluid and solid mechanics.
Research Focus: The McDougall School of Petroleum Engineering at the University of Tulsa is internationally recognized for its extensive and innovative research program, which is strongly supported by industry and government agencies. Faculty members possess internationally recognized expertise spanning the three principal subdisciplines of petroleum engineering: drilling, production, and reservoir engineering. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and collaborate on multidisciplinary projects within 21 existing consortia and joint industry projects, such as Tulsa University Drilling Research Projects (TUDRP), Tulsa University Fluid Flow Projects (TUFFP), TU Horizontal Well Artificial Lift Projects (TUHWALP), TU Paraffin Deposition Projects (TUPDP), and TU Petroleum Reservoir Exploitation Projects (TUPREP). This rich research environment allows students to contribute to cutting-edge advancements in areas like geologic carbon storage, enhanced oil recovery, unconventional resources, and scale formation and inhibition.
Industry Engagement: The University of Tulsa's M.S.E. in Petroleum Engineering program is highly career-focused, preparing graduates for direct entry into the energy industry. The school's extensive network of 21 consortia and joint industry projects, supported by some of the world's top energy firms, ensures that the curriculum and research are directly relevant to current industry needs. Graduates often make industry contacts through their research activities, which frequently lead to job opportunities. Alumni from the McDougall School of Petroleum Engineering are employed at leading companies such as Aramco, Shell, ExxonMobil, Halliburton, Schlumberger Limited, and Chevron, among others, highlighting the strong industry connections and high employability of the program's graduates.
Global Perspective: The M.S.E. in Petroleum Engineering at the University of Tulsa inherently offers a strong global perspective by addressing the worldwide demand for energy resources and the international nature of the oil and gas industry. The program prepares graduates to understand and contribute to global energy challenges, including sustainable resource development and the exploration of new frontiers. The faculty's diverse backgrounds and international recognition, coupled with the involvement in joint industry projects that span global operations, expose students to a broad range of international practices and challenges. The program's aim to develop leaders for "rewarding careers in the oil, gas, and petroleum industries" naturally implies a global reach, as opportunities in this sector often involve international travel and work overseas.
Location
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 27858
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 80 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 56 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 105.
Standardized Test Requirements
- GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Minimum score of 300 required.
The University of Tulsa (TU) in the United States offers a variety of scholarship opportunities to support international students in their academic journey. Attracting talented students from around the world, TU provides both merit-based and need-based scholarships to help reduce the financial burden of higher education.
Merit-Based Scholarships: International students admitted to TU are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships based on their academic achievements, standardized test scores, and overall application strength. These scholarships can significantly offset tuition costs, with awards ranging from partial tuition waivers to full scholarships. The university looks for outstanding academic records, leadership qualities, and extracurricular involvement when awarding these scholarships.
International Student Scholarships: TU offers specific scholarships aimed at international students, including renewable awards that encourage academic excellence throughout the duration of the degree program. Some scholarships are designated for particular fields of study or for students demonstrating strong community involvement.
Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships: Graduate international students may apply for assistantships and fellowships that provide tuition remission and stipends in exchange for teaching or research responsibilities. These positions not only offer financial support but also valuable professional experience within the university environment.
An M.S.E. in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Tulsa provides graduates with advanced, specialized knowledge and practical skills crucial for the oil, gas, and broader energy industries. This STEM-designated program, renowned for its low student-faculty ratio and extensive industry-supported research consortia, balances technical expertise with a strong emphasis on communication and ethical awareness.
Reservoir Engineer: Analyze subsurface data (geological, geophysical, production) to estimate oil and gas reserves, predict reservoir performance, and optimize strategies for maximizing hydrocarbon recovery through methods like enhanced oil recovery (EOR).
Drilling Engineer: Design, plan, and oversee the drilling of oil and gas wells, ensuring safety, efficiency, and environmental compliance. They select drilling equipment, manage drilling fluids, and troubleshoot operational challenges.
Production Engineer: Focus on the process of bringing oil and gas from the reservoir to the surface and preparing it for transportation. This involves optimizing well performance, designing artificial lift systems, managing fluid flow, and addressing production challenges like paraffin deposition and scale formation.
Completions Engineer: Specialize in the final stages of preparing a drilled well for production. They design and implement well completion strategies, including casing and tubing design, hydraulic fracturing, and other stimulation techniques to optimize flow.
Geoscientist (with Petroleum focus): While often a separate field, petroleum engineers, especially those with a strong geological foundation, can work as geoscientists. They interpret geological and geophysical data to identify potential hydrocarbon traps and evaluate exploration prospects.
Petroleum Data Scientist/Analyst: Apply advanced analytics, machine learning, and data visualization techniques to large datasets from drilling, production, and reservoir operations. They help optimize operations, predict equipment failures, and improve decision-making.
Petroleum Systems Engineer: Take a holistic view of the entire oil and gas production system, from subsurface to surface facilities. They integrate various engineering disciplines to design, optimize, and manage complex production and processing systems.
Field Engineer/Operations Engineer: Work directly at oil and gas fields, overseeing day-to-day operations, ensuring equipment functionality, managing well interventions, and implementing engineering solutions on-site.
Research Engineer (Petroleum): Conduct advanced research in areas such as unconventional resource development, CO2 sequestration, flow assurance, or new drilling technologies within R&D departments of major oil companies, national labs, or research institutions.
Energy Consultant: Advise oil and gas companies, government agencies, or financial institutions on various aspects of energy projects, including technical feasibility, economic viability, regulatory compliance, and market trends within the broader energy sector.
