Lighting Education

Now accepting Fall 2025 applications for the Master's program.

The Lighting Research Center (LRC), a research department within the School of Architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, administers the lighting degree program. The LRC has been offering the premier education in the field of lighting since 1990 with the mission of educating the future leaders in lighting.

A graduate-level master's degree and an undergraduate minor are available for those wishing to pursue study in the field of lighting.

• Master of Science – One-year program with guaranteed paid summer internship or research work before graduation. This unique and specialized program in the field of lighting is a full time, Fall-Spring-Summer program in which students work closely with our faculty and lighting experts who serve as mentors. The program offers a hands-on study of lighting applications with a culminating master's project experience in collaboration with our industry partners.
  
  
• Lighting Minor (Undergraduate) – This 15-credit study gives students the awareness and the confidence to extend their creative work through the controlled use of light.

Select the links above for more information about the LRC's programs.