What if you could save someone’s life by inventing a groundbreaking medical device? At Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) in Claremont, CA, our one-year accelerated Master of Science in Medical Device Engineering (MSMDE) program prepares students for engineering roles in inventions, development, and production of medical devices in specialties like in-vitro diagnostics, surgical instruments, assistive technology, and biosensors.

Graduates of KGI’s one-year accelerated master’s program gain skills in product development, project management, quality assurance and control, data analysis, and product management. Taking classes in the Medical and Assistive Device Lab, students gain hands-on experience with modern prototyping equipment such as laser cutters, vacuum formers, electronic testing equipment, and 3D printers.

Students learn how to design devices that diagnose and treat medical needs, develop these next-generation transformative devices, and plan and manage production to improve worldwide healthcare. Our graduates are passionate about medical devices and diagnostics and apply their engineering backgrounds to solve real healthcare problems.

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Program Quick Facts

Fact
Details
Program length
It takes two semesters (one year) to complete the accelerated master’s program.
Full or part-time program
The MSMDE program is a full-time program with classes during the day.
Online or in-person classes
All classes are done in-person along with lab work essential for learning.
Capstone requirements
Students participate in teams on a year-long industry sponsored project.

MSMDE Program Details

  • In the MSMDE program, students will :

    • Approach design problems by understanding the clinical setting and user needs.
    • Learn and apply industry practices to develop and manufacture viable medical devices.
    • Work in teams with industry sponsors to solve real-world problems.
  • The curriculum covers the essential areas of expertise to apply engineering skills to the specialized field of medical devices and provides authentic experiences with the industry. 

  • In support of their courses, students have access to the Medical and Assistive Device (MAD) Lab. Students use the room to work on class projects, team master’s projects, research activities, and as a place to study. The lab is equipped with modern prototyping equipment for electronics and mechanical work, such as a laser cutter, vacuum former, electronic testing equipment, and 3D printers. Students use this space for collaborating, designing, prototyping, and showcasing their work.

  • Industry Experience

    The MSMDE program leverages the strong industry relationships of the Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences to provide authentic experiences and networking opportunities for our students. These include:

    • Visiting speakers
    • Case-based coursework
    • Industry sponsored projects
    • Alumni network
    • Advisory Board connections 

    Culminating in a capstone experience—the Team Master’s Project—students work in teams with an industry sponsor and faculty support on a medical device project that integrates the curricular elements into a single experience.

  • MedTech is a vast and steadily growing industry with a need for qualified engineers. The MSMDE program helps develop the most requested skills, including:

    • Product development
    • Project management
    • Quality management

    Students will also develop sought-after professional skills through practice and mentorship, including:

    • Communication
    • Teamwork/collaboration
    • Problem solving
    • Creativity
    • Organizational skills
  • Graduates of the program have started their post-graduate careers in positions including:

    • Research and Development Engineer
    • Product Development Engineer
    • Process Engineer
    • Manufacturing Engineer
    • Field Application Scientist

    The knowledge from the degree combined with the experience in these positions opens opportunities to quickly advance.

  • The MSMDE program is designed for those with a passion for medical devices and diagnostics who want to:

    • Apply engineering to healthcare problems
    • Design devices to diagnose and treat medical needs
    • Lead the development of the next generation of transformative medical devices
    • Plan and manage the production of medical devices to improve worldwide healthcare

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Program Faculty

Anna Iwaniec Hickerson, PhD

Associate Professor; Program Director, Master of Science in Medical Device Engineering
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Angelika Niemz, PhD

Associate Dean of Faculty and Professor
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Ed Arnheiter, PhD

Professor of Practice
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Kiana Aran, PhD

Associate Professor of Medical Diagnostics and Therapeutics
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James Sterling, PhD

Professor
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Day in the Life of an MSMDE Student

"I’m thrilled that KGI is finally offering to provide the medical device industry with much needed, well-rounded, business-savvy engineers!"
Rafael Ollervides
Validation Engineer, Shire
MBS '16

Ready for What’s Next?

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If there’s anything we can do, be sure to connect with our admissions team. You can also check out more information on cost and aid and how to apply.