Graduate Certificate in Nuclear Safeguards and Security

Plan Description

The graduate Nuclear Safeguards and Security (NSS) Certificate program will provide graduate students and practicing engineers (and their employers) a diverse education with components that will help train and maintain a well-qualified workforce. The UNLV NSS Certificate will provide evidence that the graduate has the appropriate education to become a nuclear safeguards and security engineer in NRC-licensed facilities and US DOE’s national laboratories.

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes, please visit the Degree Directory.

Plan Admission Requirements

Application deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

Admission to the NSS Certificate program, either as a MSMNE student or as a non-admitted student, requires both a BS degree in an engineering or related discipline and ME 455/655 Fundamentals of Nuclear Engineering or HPS 701 Applied Nuclear Physics (or an equivalent course). If an applicant can demonstrate equivalent knowledge from relevant work experience (e.g. Navy nuclear reactor program or extensive training and experience at an NRC-licensed or DOE process facility), the Director of the NSS Certificate Program can waive the prerequisite course requirement with the concurrence of the Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering based upon review by nuclear engineering faculty.

All applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

Students are accepted into a certificate program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Plan Requirements

Total Credits Required: 12

Course Requirements 

Required Courses – Credits: 9

ME 757 - Radiation Monitoring and Safeguards Systems  

ME 758 - Accelerator Applications in Nuclear Engineering  

ME 765 - Neutron Detection and Production  

Elective Course –Credits: 3

Complete one of the following courses, or another advisor approved NSS-relevant Mechanical Engineering, Radiochemistry or Health Physics graduate course.

ME 756 - Monte Carlo Methods in Nuclear Engineering  

ME 760 - Waste Management And The Nuclear Fuel Cycle  

Certificate Requirements 

1. Completion of a minimum of 12 credit hours.
2. A grade point average of at least 3.00 for course work required for the certificate.
3. No grade lower than B is acceptable.

Plan Certificate Completion Requirements

The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation in MyUNLV by the appropriate deadline.