Nuclear safeguards and security
Certificate, graduate
Overview
Related Topics
Secure your future
The nuclear safeguards and security certificate prepares students and professionals to protect nuclear and radioactive materials through advanced training in nuclear security, safeguards and safety. Designed for those pursuing careers in nuclear technology, policy or engineering, this fully online program develops the technical and strategic skills needed to address challenges such as nuclear material protection, reactor safety, cybersecurity and radioactive waste management.
Nuclear technology supports critical applications in energy, medicine, industry and national security, creating a growing need for professionals with expertise in preventing misuse and improving safety. Through a collaboration between University of Idaho, Boise State University and Idaho State University, this certificate provides interdisciplinary insight into the engineering and policy challenges of modern nuclear security.
Students gain knowledge in areas including materials engineering and degradation, reactor safety and nuclear waste management. Whether you are a degree-seeking student or a working professional, this program provides specialized preparation for contributing to nuclear safeguards and security efforts in the United States and globally.
Customize your degree, enhance your career prospects and gain a competitive edge for promotion and new job opportunities.
This certificate could be a good fit if you:
- Are a professional seeking advanced expertise in nuclear safeguards, security and safety
- Work in nuclear engineering, energy, government, national security or related fields
- Want to expand your knowledge of nuclear materials protection, reactor safety or nuclear cybersecurity
- Need specialized training to address complex nuclear policy, engineering and security challenges
- Are pursuing or hold a graduate degree in nuclear engineering, security studies or related fields
- Want to earn a graduate certificate online without compromising life commitments
Make an impact in critical safeguards
Curriculum
The nuclear safeguards and security graduate certificate is a 12-credit program that helps build specialized expertise, complement your degree and develop skills in emerging fields to enhance your career opportunities.
Explore program courses in the University Catalog
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the nuclear safeguards and security graduate academic certificate, you will understand key principles of nuclear security, safeguards and nonproliferation. You will develop the ability to assess nuclear security risks, evaluate physical protection strategies, analyze cybersecurity challenges and understand regulatory frameworks for managing nuclear and radiological risks. You’ll apply interdisciplinary approaches to address emerging nuclear security challenges and communicate complex concepts across engineering, policy and cybersecurity fields.
Program format
The nuclear safeguards and security graduate academic certificate is a fully online, 12-credit program designed to provide specialized education in a growing national workforce area. Offered collaboratively through University of Idaho, Idaho State University and Boise State University, the certificate combines coursework in nuclear security science, safeguards and nonproliferation, cybersecurity and policy. All courses are asynchronous, allowing students to complete the program through flexible online study while gaining interdisciplinary knowledge in nuclear security and risk management.
Faculty expertise
Work alongside faculty with expertise in:
- Nuclear energy systems, advanced reactor technologies, and nuclear power applications
- Nuclear reactor design, analysis, modeling, and simulation
- Nuclear materials, fuel processing, and materials performance
- Radioactive waste treatment, management, and nuclear fuel cycle technologies
- Nuclear safety, risk assessment, and regulatory practices
- Thermal behavior, heat transfer, and nuclear process heat applications
- Energy systems, power generation, and sustainable energy technologies
- Artificial intelligence, data analytics, robotics, and automation for engineering applications
- Cybersecurity, critical infrastructure protection, and resilient engineering systems
- Engineering management, project leadership, industrial systems, and process optimization
Related clubs and organizations
Our college offers more than 20 clubs and organizations tied to international and national engineering organizations, including national competition teams.
Learn about clubs related to your major:
- American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
- American Nuclear Society (ANS)
- Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA)
- Humanitarian Engineering Corps (HEC)
- National Organization for Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCCHE)
- National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
- Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Career outcomes
Current job openings
553 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- Architectural and Engineering Managers
$177,591 - Nuclear Engineers
$133,359
* Career data provided by Lightcast.
Costs and funding
Students pursuing a graduate certificate as a standalone program are not eligible for financial aid. However, students enrolled in a separate U of I graduate degree program may apply their financial aid or graduate funding toward a graduate certificate if they are pursuing both simultaneously.
For more information or to explore funding options, visit Financial Aid or contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@uidaho.edu or call 208-885-6312.
Learn more about cost of attendance.
Recognized STEM Program
This program is recognized as a STEM program by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and may be eligible for the 24-month STEM optional practical training extension for international students.
Contact information
Have questions about the program, research opportunities or the graduate student experience? Connect with our program team for personalized guidance about curriculum, faculty mentorship, application requirements and graduate funding opportunities.
Nuclear Engineering and Industrial Management contact:
Indrajit Charit
icharit@uidaho.edu
Student Services contact:
Alice Allen
alicew@uidaho.edu
For questions related to admissions, application materials, transcripts or enrollment steps, contact Graduate Admissions:
Graduate Admissions contact:
graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu
208-885-4001
Interested in research areas or finding a faculty mentor? Explore faculty expertise, research interests and advising opportunities on the department’s faculty page.
Application information
Program availability
- Semester intake: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Not eligible for international applicants who require F-1 status
- Deadlines: General application deadlines
- Start dates: View the academic calendar to see start and end dates
University requirements
- Education level: Bachelor's degree in a similar or related field from an accredited or recognized institution (earned or expected before the start of the graduate program)
- Transcript Requirements: Bachelor’s degree transcript, along with any graduate-level transcripts, are required. Unofficial transcripts may be used for the initial admission review and admission offer. Official transcripts will be required upon admission. View more information on the Graduate Admissions page.
- GPA: 3.0 (Applicants with a lower undergraduate GPA who have relevant professional experience in the field, have already earned a graduate degree, or have completed graduate-level credits may still be considered for admission with approval from the academic program.)
- Resume
- Statement of Purpose: A Statement of Purpose may be required for applicants whose undergraduate GPA is below 3.0 or whose undergraduate degree is in a significantly different field from the graduate program to which they are applying
- Valid picture ID (required to verify students’ identity and will be kept confidential)
- English proficiency (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language).
- Accepted tests: TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5, Duolingo: 115, PTE-A: 58. Learn what qualifies as proof of English proficiency.
- Application fee: $30
Application and admission process
Applications are submitted online and are specific to the program and term selected. Applicants seeking admission to multiple programs must submit a separate application for each program.
Before submitting an application, applicants must provide personal and academic information from all post-secondary institutions attended, and their intended program and start term.
- For new international graduate certificate applicants:
- International applicants must meet University of Idaho’s English proficiency language requirement.
- International students may pursue graduate certificate programs either as standalone degrees or as part of a concurrent curriculum with another graduate program. Students enrolled in a certificate program as a standalone option are not eligible for F-1 visa status.
- For current University of Idaho graduate students:
- Fill out a change of curriculum form to add the certificate to your current course of study.
- Obtain department approval and return the form to the College of Graduate Studies.
- For current U of I undergraduate students:
- Must have senior standing and a 3.0 GPA to take graduate-level courses.
- To reserve credits for the graduate transcript, please submit a Credit Reservation Form to the College of Graduate Studies. This form must be signed by your academic advisor.
- After earning a bachelor’s degree, apply as a graduate certificate-seeking student to complete the program.
Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.
Have questions?
Have questions about the program? Connect with our program director or request more information to learn about curriculum, faculty advisors, research opportunities, graduate funding and career outcomes.