Graduate Education

Since 1990, the LRC has offered the Master of Science in Lighting degree for those interested in a multidisciplinary education in lighting. Soon after, a doctoral program was also established. Whether you are a recent college graduate, an early career professional, or looking to start in the lighting industry, the M.S. Lighting program will prepare you for a career in design, manufacturing, or general lighting practice. This graduate program is suitable for those with a background in physics, engineering, architecture and design fields and includes a guaranteed, paid 3-month summer internship.

The Lighting Research Center is currently accepting applications for the 12-month M.S. in Lighting (9 months course work plus a 3-month paid internship).

If you already have a graduate degree and want to dig deeper into topics of lighting quality and technology, join us and research strategies to improve aesthetics, efficiency, and sufficiency of anthropogenic light in support of all life on earth. We are currently accepting applications for our Ph.D. program in Architectural Sciences with a Concentration in Lighting.

Career Opportunities After Graduation

Lighting is a multidisciplinary topic cutting across many fields. In the M.S. in Lighting program, students learn a broad array of topics such as electronics, optics, thermomechanics, 3D printing, sensors, metrology, lighting design tools and strategies, and entrepreneurship through classes such as Lighting Technologies & Applications, Physics of Light, Lighting Workshop, Lighting Design, Human Factors, and in the execution of their final master's project. This foundation allows students to seek employment in various fields within the lighting industry as well as in semiconductors, electronics, software, 3D printing, and engineering companies.

Our graduates have gone on to industry careers in technology, design, and manufacturing, as well as to Ph.D. research programs and complementary educations, for example medical school. A few of these companies include:

Graduates have also gone on to work in federal and state government agencies and university and national laboratories.

For more information, please contact us or visit the RPI graduate admissions website to start your application.

Thank you for considering the LRC!