The nation’s first Accelerated Semiconductor degree

Kettering University in Flint, Michigan recently secured formal approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to introduce the nation’s first Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Semiconductor Materials and Devices, with students able to complete the degree in just three years. The program uses a 50/50 “Co-op” model, which alternates rigorous academic coursework with full-time, paid professional experiences, thereby integrating classroom learning with practical industry immersion. The new degree is designed as a focused response to the escalating demand for highly skilled professionals within the semiconductor sector, a field critical to both national security and technological innovation.

This curriculum is offered on a condensed timeline with ABET-aligned coursework and rotational Co-op placements at leading local semiconductor and advanced manufacturing firms. Students engage with semiconductor design and manufacturing processes, working hands-on with cutting-edge tools such as Synopsys electronic design automation (EDA) software and advanced laboratory equipment, including environmental scanning electron microscopes. These real-world experiences are integral to preparing graduates for roles across semiconductor research and development, device fabrication, and systems optimization, equipping them to drive future innovations in areas like quantum and photonic devices.

The initiative unfolds amid a broader national and regional push to strengthen the domestic chip manufacturing industry and build a sustainable talent pipeline. “Right now, there’s an ongoing race to mine the minerals, make the components, and assemble the products the world will need for decades to come,” Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement in Kettering’s announcement of their HLC approval, “Michigan is well-positioned to lead this race, but we need to use every resource we have in order to win” she concluded. 

According to University leadership, an advantage of Kettering’s program in helping to deal with this challenge, is that it allows students to gain not only theoretical mastery but also mentored professional practice. “We are directly responding to national and industry needs,” Dr. James Zhang, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost of Kettering declared in a news release on the university’s website. “By combining an accelerated curriculum with deep Co-op engagement, we are preparing students for high-impact careers in a field that is critical to national security and technological innovation.”

Such declarations from university leadership are backed up by recent rankings. Just this month, The Wall Street Journal ranked Kettering among the top 20 colleges nationwide for graduate salaries with data from its partners College Pulse and Statista.

The infusion of Synopsys’ industry-standard semiconductor software into Kettering’s educational framework further elevates the program’s value. The donation of 50 seat licences, announced at the end of last year, includes comprehensive engineering design and simulation tools, which are integrated into the university’s Industry 4.0 Lab, enhancing students' capacity to work with the same technology used by leading semiconductor companies globally.

The college is a private institution known for its STEM and business education, and has long prioritized cooperative education as a core component of its undergraduate experience. Undergraduates are required to complete multiple Co-op terms, delivering work-integrated learning before graduation in the technical fields which the college specializes in. This model has predominantly delivered graduates for automotive, mobility, and advanced technology sectors in Michigan and beyond, and the newly launched semiconductor degree represents a logical extension.

The HLC accreditation of the accelerated degree is a proactive and innovative approach to workforce development - one that marries speed, depth of education, and professional readiness at the heart of the Midwest’s ever-evolving tech and manufacturing ecosystem.