Ethan Clarke
Plastics engineering is a dynamic and ever-evolving field that offers a wide range of career opportunities. With plastics being one of the world's largest industries, there is a constant demand for skilled professionals who can innovate, drive efficiency, and address sustainability challenges. Many colleges and universities across the United States offer programs in plastics engineering technology, providing students with the necessary knowledge and hands-on experience to succeed in this field. From Penn State Behrend and Ferris State University to Hennepin Technical College and UMass Lowell, each institution offers its own unique approach to educating the next generation of plastics engineers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Schools offering Plastics Engineering Technology | Penn State Behrend, Ferris State University, Hennepin Technical College, Case Western Reserve University, Lehigh University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, UMass Lowell, University of Wisconsin-Stout, University of Southern Mississippi |
| Coursework | Lecture coursework, hands-on lab experiences, plastics materials, design and production of plastic components and products, materials properties and applications, polymer structure and characterization, sustainability, plastics processing and packaging, computer-aided design, novel and emerging technologies, injection molding, product design, quality standards, and emerging technologies |
| Career Opportunities | Plastics engineering technician, quality control specialist, product development engineer, manufacturing supervisor, robotics, medical device manufacturing, electronics, healthcare, automotive, aerospace, computers, toys |
| Salary | According to Glassdoor, the average national salary of a plastics engineer is $72K, with an average annual starting salary of $61,789. The median earnings for graduates with a bachelor's degree in polymer/plastics engineering from Penn State Behrend is $65K |
| Accreditation | The Plastics Engineering Technology program at Penn State Behrend is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. UMass Lowell's Plastics Engineering program is also ABET-accredited and is the first and largest accredited Plastics Engineering program in the US. The University of Wisconsin-Stout and U Mass-Lowell are accredited by ABET for their plastics engineering programs. |
| Placement Rate | Ferris State University claims a nearly 100% placement rate in the industry after graduation |
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What You'll Learn
Penn State Behrend
The Plastics Engineering Technology program at Penn State Behrend prepares graduates for a wide range of career opportunities. With plastics being such a ubiquitous material, graduates can find employment in nearly any industry sector, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, medical, consumer products, and computers. Companies like Apple, Nike, Toyota, Tesla, NASA, ExxonMobil, and Shell are among the employers of recent graduates.
The program emphasizes both practical and academic aspects of plastics engineering. In addition to hands-on lab experiences, students also benefit from conducting research with award-winning faculty and working on real-world industry projects. The minor options available include Technical Sales and Operations and Supply Chain Management, and a certificate in Medical Plastics can also be pursued alongside the major.
The Plastics Training Academy at Penn State Behrend offers additional educational opportunities in the field. It provides short-term workshops, seminars, and classes that cover the latest design and processing techniques, further enhancing the knowledge and skills of those interested in plastics engineering technology.
Overall, Penn State Behrend's Plastics Engineering Technology program offers a well-rounded and accredited education, preparing graduates for in-demand careers in a wide range of industries related to plastics engineering and technology.
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Ferris State University
The university's Plastics Engineering Technology program is Michigan's only bachelor's degree program in plastics and has earned the respect of the industry. It offers students numerous hands-on learning opportunities in state-of-the-art labs and facilities. Students gain practical experience through real-world projects, internships, and the use of industry-standard equipment. The Ferris State Processing Lab is one of the best-equipped in the country, allowing students to work with injection moulding, thermoforming, extrusion, and a variety of auxiliary equipment.
The curriculum at Ferris State University ensures that students develop a versatile skill set to stay at the forefront of the industry. They learn to adapt to evolving technology, materials, and processes, preparing them for a dynamic career in plastics. Graduates typically start in engineering positions and can expect a competitive salary, with the potential to earn $100,000 or more per year with ten years of experience.
The Plastics Engineering Technology program at Ferris State University has a strong focus on practical, hands-on learning. In their first two years, students complete an associate degree in Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology. Upon successful completion with a 2.5 GPA, they progress to the final two years of the bachelor's program. The curriculum includes two internships, providing invaluable industry experience.
Overall, the Plastics Engineering Technology program at Ferris State University offers a well-rounded education, combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills. It prepares graduates for in-demand careers in the plastics industry, where they can drive innovation, efficiency, and growth.
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Hennepin Technical College
The college offers a variety of Manufacturing and Engineering programs, including plastics engineering, automation robotics, welding, and more. Hennepin Technical College's Plastics Engineering Technology program does not have any special requirements to enrol. The college relies on its industry advisory committee to keep the program current with industry needs and trends.
Students can also avail of workforce services authorised by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The college offers multi-term registration with day and evening classes available during the Fall and Spring semesters at the Brooklyn Park campus.
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University of Massachusetts Lowell
The University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell) is a nationally ranked public research university that offers a variety of degree programs in Plastics Engineering. The Plastics Engineering Department at UMass Lowell was founded in 1954 as the first of its kind in the United States. It is an internationally recognized leader in plastics engineering research and education, with over 3,000 graduates working in leadership positions in the plastics industry worldwide. The department is staffed by 20 full-time faculty members who conduct research in diverse areas such as nanomanufacturing and green polymeric materials.
UMass Lowell offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Plastics Engineering, which provides students with hands-on experience and prepares them for a dynamic career in the plastics industry. The curriculum covers various topics, including materials properties and applications, polymer structure and characterization, sustainability, plastics processing and packaging, and computer-aided design.
In addition to the B.S. program, UMass Lowell also offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Plastics Engineering. The Ph.D. program is designed to produce qualified professionals for technical and research positions in the plastics industry, government, and teaching careers in academic institutions. The goal of the program is to develop decision-making engineers with sound theoretical and technical research knowledge in plastics materials, design, and processing research and development.
The University also has a strong focus on innovation and leadership development. The Shah Academy of Innovation and Leadership, backed by a $360,000 U.S. Army Research Office grant, provides select engineering students with scholarships, mentorship, and professional skill-building opportunities. UMass Lowell also encourages entrepreneurship and real-world problem-solving, as evidenced by Plastics Engineering major Molly Tecce, who took the initiative to use 3D printing to create PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall, UMass Lowell's Plastics Engineering Department is a highly regarded and accredited program that offers a range of degree options to prepare students for successful careers in the plastics industry and related fields.
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Top-ranked colleges
Penn State Behrend College offers a B.S. in Plastics Engineering Technology, which is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. The program offers hands-on experience using processing equipment, raw plastic materials, and lab testing equipment in the plastics processing lab, which is the largest undergraduate educational facility of its type in the country. The median earnings for graduates with a bachelor's degree in polymer/plastics engineering from Penn State Behrend is $65,000.
Ferris State University offers a Plastics Engineering Technology Bachelor's Degree, which is Michigan's only bachelor's degree program in plastics. The program provides hands-on learning with real-world projects and industry-standard equipment, as well as internships that offer practical experience. Ferris State's Plastics Lab is one of the best-equipped in the country, offering experience with injection moulding, thermoforming, and extrusion.
UMass Lowell is home to the first and largest ABET-accredited Plastics Engineering program in the U.S. The university is among the nation's leading centres for plastics technology, with over 3,000 graduates working in the plastics industry worldwide. The Plastics Engineering Department is internationally recognised for its leadership in plastics engineering education, and the university offers a range of internships, research opportunities, and mentorship programs.
Hennepin Technical College offers a Plastics Engineering Technology program that prepares students for high-demand jobs in the plastics industry. The program offers a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, with a focus on plastics manufacturing. Students learn about product design, injection moulding, and quality standards, using the latest technology and techniques in the industry. Hennepin Tech ranks among the Top 100 in the nation for conferring associate degrees to students of color in engineering technologies and related fields.
Other top-ranked colleges for plastics engineering include Case Western Reserve University, Lehigh University, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
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Frequently asked questions
Some schools in the US that offer plastics engineering technology include:
- Penn State Behrend
- Ferris State University
- Hennepin Technical College
- University of Massachusetts Lowell
- University of Wisconsin-Stout
Graduates of plastics engineering technology can pursue diverse career paths in thriving industries, including robotics, medical device manufacturing, electronics, and healthcare. Some specific roles include plastics engineering technician, quality control specialist, product development engineer, and manufacturing supervisor.
Plastics engineering technology graduates are in high demand across various industry sectors, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, medical, and consumer products. The degree provides valuable hands-on experience using industry equipment and prepares students for well-compensated careers, with an average national salary of just over $72,000.
The plastics engineering technology program at Penn State Behrend is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET and offers hands-on experience in a well-equipped laboratory. UMass Lowell's plastics engineering program is also internationally recognized and ABET-accredited, with graduates working worldwide in the plastics industry. Ferris State University's program is Michigan's only bachelor's degree program in plastics, offering a 100% placement rate in the industry.
