The importance of nuclear materials in today’s economy is growing. They are used for reliable, on-demand, carbon-free electric power; naval vessel propulsion; national defense; medical diagnostics and treatment; semiconductor manufacture and other advanced applications. When not in use, these hazardous materials require specialized packaging for safe storage, transport and ultimate disposal.
The nuclear sector needs professionals who analyze and operate nuclear packages and assure they are safely and securely transported. Innovation, growth and workforce succession planning in the sector are leading to a strong demand for engineers, operators and project managers who can creatively and collaboratively address complex nuclear packaging challenges. These professionals require specialized knowledge and skills.
Since 1986, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Packaging Certification Program (PCP) has supported Packaging University, which regularly offers in-person courses on a wide variety of Type-B and fissile material package transportation safety and certification topics. These practice-based, hands-on courses are taught by DOE national laboratory subject-matter experts (SMEs).
In 2013, DOE PCP began supporting the University of Nevada, Reno to create the Nuclear Packaging Graduate Program (NPGP). It provides the depth and breadth of knowledge which, along with professorial practice, allows experts to solve complex nuclear packaging challenges.
The NPGP offers the following two 9-unit graduate certificates (a graduate certificate is a practice-based, accredited-university credential that takes less time to complete than research-based 30-unit M.S. or 60-unit Ph.D. degrees). They are the only nuclear packaging-focused credentials currently available from any accredited university.
- The Graduate Certificate in Nuclear Packaging (GCNP) focuses on operation, analysis, and quality assurance of packages for Type B and fissile materials, including spent nuclear fuel.
- The Graduate Certificate in Transportation Security and Safeguards (GCTSS) focuses on U.S. and international technical requirements and challenges around protecting, controlling and accounting for nuclear/radiological materials during their transport.
To earn either certificate, students take four weeks (four units) of required and restricted elective Packaging University courses offered at DOE national laboratories or other authorized locations. They also choose five units of electives from the following choices: over 15 one- or two-unit (one- or two-week) Packaging University classes; a three-unit, semester-long supervised project they complete at their workplace; and/or a three-unit, semester-long online Introduction to Nuclear Packaging course offered by the University of Nevada, Reno.
Learn about the unique value of the NPGP.
Program requirements, how to enroll and other important information.